Christ the True Melchisedec: Being the substance of a sermon, preached on Sunday evening, July 24th, 1813, at the Obelisk Chapel

In Short

This work is a published transcript of an 1813 sermon delivered at London’s Obelisk Chapel. It moves beyond standard theological interpretations to assert that the Melchisedec who met Abraham in the Old Testament was the literal, pre-existent Son of God. The text functions as both a scholarly defense of this Christological position and a call to spiritual reflection. It has endured as a representative example of early 19th-century Dissenting preaching, characterized by its focused, high-intensity theological focus and its reliance on the internal consistency of scripture.

The Story

The sermon begins in the eternal past, establishing the "Covenant of Redemption" between the Father and the Son. This covenant, framed as an act of divine love, determines the nature of salvation long before the creation of man. The author posits that the Redeemer was so eager for this work that he anticipated it before the foundation of the world, creating Adam with the specific intent that he would one day assume human nature himself.

The narrative arc follows the Redeemer as he makes repeated appearances throughout history to foreshadow his future work. These appearances—to Abel, Noah, and eventually Abraham—are presented not as abstract symbols, but as genuine manifestations of the "God-man Mediator" in the form he would later possess in heaven. The central event occurs when Abraham, having rescued his nephew Lot from the kings of the East, is met in the King’s Dale by Melchisedec. Here, the author pauses to emphasize the gravity of the encounter: Melchisedec provides bread and wine and blesses Abraham, who in turn gives him a tithe of the spoils.

The author argues that this act of tithing proves Melchisedec’s superiority. If Abraham, the "Father of the Faithful," submitted to this figure, then Melchisedec must be divine. The sermon then launches into a rigorous critique of alternative theories, dismissing the idea that Melchisedec was merely a Canaanite king or a descendant of Shem. By dissecting the scriptural descriptions of Melchisedec—having "neither beginning of days nor end of life"—the author concludes that these attributes can only describe a divine nature.

As the argument progresses, the focus shifts to the present. The author contends that the Melchisedec who blessed Abraham is the same Christ who now intercedes in heaven. He rejects the traditional view of Melchisedec as a "type" or shadow, arguing instead that Christ is the substance itself. The final portion of the sermon details the nature of the blessings Christ bestows, moving from the historical account of the tithe to the spiritual reality of a believer’s life. He concludes that just as Melchisedec blessed Abraham with peace and righteousness, the ascended Christ continues to bless his people today, turning them from their iniquities and offering them a share in his eternal life. The sermon ends with an invitation for the congregation to surrender themselves entirely to this "Great Man," viewing him as their ultimate High Priest.

How It Unfolds

The eternal covenant The author establishes the foundation of salvation, describing a council between the Father and Son held in eternity. This sets the stage for the Redeemer’s long-anticipated incarnation and his subsequent work of atonement.

The appearances of the Redeemer The sermon tracks the Redeemer’s movements through the Old Testament, characterizing him as a frequent visitor who appeared in the "likeness" of the body he would eventually inhabit as a man.

The encounter at the King’s Dale The narrative centers on the meeting between Abraham and Melchisedec, using the act of tithing to assert the divine authority of the latter. This moment serves as the scriptural anchor for the entire argument.

The refutation of human theories The author systematically dismisses historical and scholarly attempts to identify Melchisedec as a mere earthly king or a distant ancestor. He insists that such earthly designations fail to account for the supernatural descriptions found in the book of Hebrews.

The present intercession The argument culminates in the assertion that the figure who appeared to Abraham is currently active in heaven. The sermon concludes by linking the historical blessing of Abraham to the present-day spiritual experience of the believer.

The People

The text is driven by the interaction between two central figures: Abraham and Melchisedec.

Abraham serves as the representative of the faithful. He is a man of action, defined by his military victory and his immediate, instinctive recognition of the divine. He represents the "lesser" party who submits to the "greater," acknowledging Melchisedec’s priesthood through his act of tithing. Throughout the narrative, he remains the archetype of the seeker who requires divine intervention.

Melchisedec is presented as the "Great Man," the eternal Son of God. He is characterized not by human genealogy, but by his titles—King of Righteousness and King of Peace. He is the active agent of the sermon, moving through history to bless, refresh, and receive the devotion of his followers. He does not change or grow, as he is already perfect; rather, he reveals his glory incrementally to those who are capable of perceiving it.

The author himself acts as a guide, constantly pressing the reader to move beyond "dullness of hearing" and lazy interpretations. He stands as a bridge between the ancient scriptural text and the congregation, demanding that they elevate their understanding of Christ’s role from a historical figure to an ever-living, active presence in their own lives.

In Its Own Voice

The author highlights the necessity of divine intervention in the life of the believer:

“The sacred pages are an exhibition of the loving heart of a covenant God, Father, Son, and Spirit; from whence flow all the blessings of eternal life to guilty man.”

The author frames the historical encounter between Abraham and Melchisedec as a direct foretelling of the Savior’s work:

“He also blessed Abraham, and thanked God for giving him the victory.”

The author emphasizes the eternal nature of the Priesthood described in the scriptures:

“The Apostle also declares that his Order is Perfection, and the Power of an endless Life, in opposition to the Levitical Priesthood, which was imperfect, and they carnal men.”

What It's Really About

At its core, this sermon is an argument against theological minimalism. The author is deeply concerned that believers have become "dull of hearing," settling for historical or symbolic interpretations of scripture that strip Christ of his majesty. The text posits that the Bible is not merely a collection of stories or types, but a singular, cohesive revelation of the God-man Mediator. The primary question is one of identity: is the faith of the believer anchored in a historical figure who once lived, or in an eternal, living High Priest who is currently active in the heavenly realms? The sermon serves as a call to move beyond the "first principles" of religion into a more profound, mystical union with the divine.

Why Read It Today

This book will appeal most to readers interested in the history of religious thought, particularly those drawn to the intense, Christ-centered theology of the early 19th-century Dissenters. Reading it feels like sitting in a crowded, candle-lit chapel; the prose is urgent, rhythmic, and highly rhetorical, intended to move the listener’s heart as much as their mind.

However, the modern reader should be prepared for the dense, polemical nature of the writing. The author spends significant time debating contemporary scholars and historical heresies, which may feel detached from modern sensibilities. His tone is authoritative, sometimes bordering on frustrated with those who disagree with his interpretations. The language reflects its 1813 origin, featuring the formal, slightly circuitous sentence structures common to the era's sermonizing. The text is also explicitly theological; it does not offer a gentle introduction to Christian thought but rather plunges the reader into a deep, scholarly, and devotional exploration of specific scriptural mechanics. Those who value a passionate, unyielding focus on the divinity of Christ—and who enjoy witnessing the way historical figures sought to reconcile ancient texts with their own personal faith—will find this a rewarding, if challenging, historical document. It leaves the reader with a distinct sense of the weight the author placed on the "eternal" nature of his subject.