it may

Paul first called him King of Righteousness, and after that also, King of Salem, which is King of Peace, without father, without mother, without pedigree or descent, neither beginning of days nor end of life. (See Heb. vii.) Therefore, be said by some, who then was this Melchizedek ? Why, it appears to me, that he was the King of Righteousness acting in a righteous cause, as God himself and the King of Peace, which I believe is the Son of God himself, which is the priest of the most high God, which communicated his forgiving love unto Abraham, and that through his atonement which hath erected a throne of grace for his and our comfort and salvation. And it is said, that this holy priest brought him bread and wine and blessed him after his return from the slaughter; for surely methinks that Abraham had need of something to refresh him after this tremendous combat; but still it may be that this bread and wine had something more in it than that of satisfying his bodily wants, even of that of satisfying his weary and tired soul, therefore it may be that Abraham's heart panted for some token and assurance of God's forgiving love after the slaughter; so I think, perhaps, that this bread and wine which was given unto him by this holy priest hath an allusion to the body and blood of Christ, which healeth, and comforteth, and sanctifieth the penetent soul from all its defects. And thus we see, that Abraham obtained and realized this sanctifying blessing; and it is said that he gave him tithes of all, that is to say, in a spiritual sense, of all his love and affections which he gave unto God and his holy priest, which in type and figure appears to be Christ himself; and thus we see, that there was blessing for blessing, and love for love; and if you set my beloved aside from the holy scripture, then I see no beauty in it at all. Therefore, whether this Melchizedek was a holy priest of God on earth, or whether he had the appearance of one, and yet was a bright celestial one from heaven, it is hard to say; but yet we may venture to say, that Abraham, and we ouselves also derive all our blessings and all comforts through that blessed mediator, that holy priest above, even that heavenly Melchizedek, which is Jesus Christ our Lord, and he is our righteousness, and righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. (Isaiah xi. 5.) For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause

righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. (Isaiah Ixi. 11.) Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows, for the wicked shall no more pass through thee, he is utterly cast off. (Nehmiah i. 15.) But Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints. (Hosea xi. 12.) And hear what our blessed Lord saith for our encouragement-I am the door, by me if any man enter in he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture; and again he saith, I am the good shepherd which giveth his life for the sheep. (John x. 9, 11.) Again, his dear disciple John, saith, behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world. (chap. i. 29.) And it is said in another place, neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. (Acts iv. 12.) For God commendeth his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. (Rom. v. 8.) For it is said, that he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor, therefore his arm brought salvation unto him, and his righteousness it sustained him; for he put on righteousness as a breast plate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head. (Isaiah lix. 16.) But now observe my friends, what follows, notwithstanding although Christ is our righteousness, and our complete salvation, but at the same time we must not think that we stand sure in Christ, except we repent of our sins; for except ye repent saith our Lord, ye shall all likewise perish; and without holiness no man shall see the Lord; for the merit deserted by his pure life and death was not to maintain us in our sins, but to deliver us from them, and from the curse of sin; and although his arm brought salvation, yet it is said that he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak. (Isaiah lix. 17-see verse 18.) But still it appears that the vengeance or punishment due unto us because of our sins, was laid upon Christ, for it is said, that the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed; and that the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. But although it be so, yet at the end, or at his second coming, it appears to me that he will be clothed with vengeance, and will be just and righte ous, and will have a just zeal for God and his people, that is, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with

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his mighty angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that knew not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting des truction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe; therefore my little children, let no one deceive you by a counterfeit faith, or a false resemblance of these things: neither by presumptuousness or unreasonable or groundless confidence in divine favour for remember, that he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous; but he that committeth sin is of the devil, for the devil sinneth from the beginning, and for this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil. And now, O Lord, 1 beseech thee to pardon me, if I have wrote down anything amiss in this little Book; and help us all to build up our most holy faith upon thy dear Son, and learn to depart from sin, so that we may love thy will, ways and worship,-and that we may love one another as those bright celestial ones do in heaven. Amen.

END OF THE FIFTH BOOK,

BY EDWARD CROOK.

BOOK THE SIXTH.

The true proof of the Holy Messiah.

In this little Book you may see how the Old Testament, the Law and the Prophets correspond with the Gospel, and that by chapter and verse, which things are a clear proof and demonstration that he is the Saviour of mankind. This Work is selected out of the Holy Scriptures in such a complete way and manner, so that every one who rightly considers it must own its truth.

Now, for a satisfaction to some, by the help of God, I shall endeavour to compare the Old Testament with the New Testament, and then we shall see how the Law and the Prophets correspond with the Gospel, birth, and manner of Christ. And speaking of Christ, the Lord said unto Abraham, in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. (Gen. xxii. 18) The Gospel saith, he was the son of Abraham. (Luke iii. 34.) The Law or the Prophets saith of the stem of Jesse, or the Son of David. (Isaiah xi. 1.) The Gospel saith, he was the Son of David. (Luke iii. 31-Rev. xxii. 16.) The Prophet saith, that he was to be born of a Virgin. (Isaiah vii. 14.) The Gospel saith, he was born of the Virgin Mary. (Matt. i. 16, 18.-Luke i. 34. 35. chap. ii. 5, 7.) The Law or the Prophet saith, that he should come forth out of Bethlehem, or be born there, whose goings forth have been from of old from everlasting. (Micah v. 2.) The gospel saith, that he was born there. (Matt. ii. 1.) The prophet Isaiah saith, that one should cry in the wilderness, saying, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God; (chap. iv. 3) the Gospel saith, that John the Baptist did so before Christ. (Matt. iii. 1. 3.) Isaiah saith, the people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that walked in the land of the shadow of death upon them, hath the light shined, (chap. ix. 2) and so it was fulfilled. (Matt. iii. 16, 17, 23.) Isaiah saith, the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped, (chap. xxxv. 5.) and so it was in the days of Christ. (Mark vii. 32.-see my little Book called The Miracles of Christ) The Prophet also saith, that he should be despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.

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(Isaiah liii.) And so it was with our Lord in his days, he had not where to lay his head; his soul was exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. (Matt. xxvi. 38.) Yea, he was in an agony, and his sweat was as it were drops of blood. (Luke xxii. 24-see my little Book, called The Sufferings of Christ.) And again, Zechariah the Prophet saith, rejoice greatly O daughter of Zion, shout O daughter of Jerusalem, behold thy King cometh unto thee, he is just, and having salvation, lowly riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. (Zech. ix. 9.) And the Gospel saith, that Jesus Christ, as he was going to Jerusalem, having found an ass, sat thereon. (John xii 14-Matt. xxi. 7.) The Psalmist saith, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. (Psalm cxviii. 26.) And the Gospel saith, as he was going to Jerusalem, the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. (Matt. xxi. 9.) And again he saith, mine own familiar friend in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. (Psalm xli. 9.) And so it was with Christ; for Judas, one of his disciples, betrayed his Lord and Master. (Luke xxii. 46.) The Prophet saith, he was numbered with the transgressors. (Isaiah liii. 12.) And the Gospel saith, that he was crucified betwixt two thieves. (Mark xv. 27, 28.) And though he was crucified, yet God would not leave his soul in hell, nor suffer his Holy One to see corruption. (Psalm xvi. 10.) Neither did he lay in the grave long enough to see corruption, for he was buried the day before the sabbath; (Mark xv. 42) and that he rose the day after. (chap. xvi. 1.) Now the Gospel saith, that Christ rose from the dead, and behold there was a great earthquake; for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon ithis countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow; and for fear of him, the keepers did shake, and became as dead men; and the angel said unto the woman that came to see the sepulchre, fear not ye, for I know that seek Jesus which was crucified; he is not here, for he is risen, as he said, come see the place where the Lord lay. (Matt. xxviii. 2.-see my little book, called The Resurrection.) And he was seen of many after his resurrection, as of Mary Magdalen; (Matt. xxviii. 9) and of the eleven disciples (16, 17, 18

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Mark xvi. 14) and of the two that were going to Emmaus; (Luke xxiv. 13) and it is said, that he was seen of above five