## The Aaronic and Melchisedec Priesthood.

J. N. Darby.

Notes taken at a meeting of brethren in London, 1841.

(extracted from Simple Testimony, 1845)

The Aaronical priesthood is provisional for evil without reference to judgment.

In it we have purity, discerning between good and evil, entering into the holiest, intercession, and blessing by virtue of sacrifice before Aaron came down. Lev. 9:22.

This Christ is now, as to service, while He is priest after the order of Melchisedec.

We understand our title to royalty in Melchisedec, priest of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth; not merely the God of Israel but the God of the whole earth, — the gods of the Gentiles all set aside, and the Lord Jesus the centre and minister of all this blessing; blessing the people, and blessing God for the people, not merely interceding for sinners; though this is the foundation of the other.

But after all, we are not to consider the Melchisedec, in one sense, higher than the Aaronic.

We are kings with Melchisedec. The King becomes priest: this is perfection. It is not, in one sense, perfection to have the Lord Jesus Christ interceding for our imperfection: but out blessing is, to be associated with Him in all His blessing. He becomes Mediator to the earth of blessing, specially to the Jews, but to the whole earth.

As regards Aaronic priesthood, we get another thing — present mediation for the church.

We must always hold these two things — mediation and union.

Christ's intercession for us is to maintain our communion wit God in the righteousness we are made in Him.

Our union with Him is in resurrection; and we are brought into conflict wit the Canaanites because redeemed out of Egypt.

We were slaves of Pharaoh, but are conquerors of the Canaanites.

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With the prayerful desire that the Lord Jesus Christ will use this God-given ministry in this form for His glory and the blessing of many in these last days before His coming. © Les Hodgett .