of earthly parents, yet claiming an antiquity greater than Abram’s: appearing suddenly to the captivity led captive, with His hands full of gifts, and His lips dropping words of blessing. Melchizedek is the one personage on earth whom Abram recognises as his spiritual superior. Abram accepts his blessing and pays him tithes; apparently as priest of the Most High God; so that in paying to him, Abram is giving the tenth of his spoils to God. This is not any mere courtesy of private persons. It was
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