continually"--are more difficult. It is certain, however, that they
cannot be understood absolutely. They are commonly interpreted upon the
same principle as the preceding words; namely, that in omitting from the
inspired record every limitation of Melchizedek's life as well as
descent, it was God's purpose to shadow forth the unlimited nature of
Christ's priesthood; that, in truth, the apostle describes Melchizedek,
the type, in terms which hold good in their full meaning only of Christ
the great Antitype. They who, admitting that Melchizedek was a human
being, find the interpretation unsatisfactory, must leave the apostle's
words shrouded in mystery.

But whatever obscurity there is in the scriptural notices of
Melchizedek, they abundantly affirm the typical nature of his priesthood
as distinguished from that of the Levitical priests. He was a type of
Christ not simply as a priest, but also in the peculiar character of his
priesthood. He united with his priesthood the kingly office; was
superior in dignity to Abraham himself, and thus to the Levitical
priests; and his priesthood had the attribute of universality. Here,
then, we have an undoubted example of a historic type.

It is not without reason that the deliverance of the covenant people
from Egypt, their journey through the wilderness of Arabia under God's
guidance, and their final settlement in the land of promise, have been
regarded as typical of the higher redemption, guidance, and salvation
received through Christ. From the earliest ages of the Christian church
this wonderful history has been an inexhaustible storehouse of analogies
for the illustration of Christian experience. In his pilgrimage through
this vale of tears, the believer instinctively turns to it for
instruction and encouragement. The mighty interposition of God when the
Israelites were "yet without strength" in their bondage; their
protection through the blood of the paschal lamb sprinkled on the doors
of their houses when the destroyer passed through Egypt; the opening of
a way through the Red sea when all human means of escape failed them;
the journey through the wilderness; the pillar of cloud by day and of
fire by night to guide, the water from the rock to refresh, the manna
from heaven morning by morning to feed them; God's faithful discipline
in contrast with human unbelief, waywardness, and folly; the final
preparation for the conquest of Canaan and its successful
accomplishment--this