we also may easily conceive to what a deplorable state we of this nation should soon be reduced by our envious and ambi- tious neighbours, if we had not fleets and armies ready to maintain our cause. It is to be lamented indeed that all our warriors are not so pacific in their principles, and disinterested in their patriotism, as Abram was ; but still they are instru- ments of good to us; and we ought to acknowledge with gratitude the benefits they confer upon us.
Had Melchizedec rested there, he had ill performed the office of a priest. But he proceeded to bless God also ; shewing thereby, that all success must ultimately be traced to God, " the giver of every good and perfect gift." It would have been im- piety indeed not to give him the glory of so complete a victory, obtained by so small a force over four confederate and trium- phant kings, without the loss of one single follower. But he should be acknowledged in every instance of success, whether more or less complete, and whether more or less dearly pur- chased: for "it is He who giveth victory unto kings;" "he raiseth up one and casteth down another ;" " he saves whether by many or by few."]
Let us now turn our attention to,
II. The return which Abram made him —
Had we been told that Abram gave Melchizedec a present in return for his kindness, we should merely have considered it as a proper compliment suited to the occasion. But we are informed that " he gave him tithes of all." This circumstance is peculiarly important. If we attend to it, and consider it ac- cording to the light reflected upon it in other parts of Scripture, we shall find in it,
1. An acknowledged duty —
[Melchizedec was God's Minister. In the performance of his high office, he had taken a lively interest in the concerns of Abram : he had not merely congratulated him as a friend, but blessed him officially as a priest ; and had rendered thanks also to God for him as his Minister and representative. In short, he had been a kind of Mediator between God and Abram, acting, as Priests are ordained to do, for each, with and towards the other s. Abram, viewing him in this light, gave him the tithes, not as a friend, but as God s representative. Doubtless Abram accompanied the present with unfeigned expressions of personal respect and gratitude : but still, though he might intend it in some measure as a token of love to man, he
s Heb. v. 1.