Part 4

58:006:002 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

58:006:003 And this will we do, if God permit.

58:006:004 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

58:006:005 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

58:006:006 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

58:006:007 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

58:006:008 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

58:006:009 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

58:006:010 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

58:006:011 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

58:006:012 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

58:006:013 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

58:006:014 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

58:006:015 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

58:006:016 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

58:006:017 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

58:006:018 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

58:006:019 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

58:006:020 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

58:007:001 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

58:007:002 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

58:007:003 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

58:007:004 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

58:007:005 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

58:007:006 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

58:007:007 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

58:007:008 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

58:007:009 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.