mh_parser/vol_split/3 - Leviticus/Chapter 8.xml

<div2 id="Lev.ix" n="ix" next="Lev.x" prev="Lev.viii" progress="53.52%" title="Chapter VIII">
<h2 id="Lev.ix-p0.1">L E V I T I C U S</h2>
<h3 id="Lev.ix-p0.2">CHAP. VIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Lev.ix-p1">This chapter gives us an account of the solemn
consecration of Aaron and his sons to the priest's office. I. It
was done publicly, and the congregation was called together to be
witnesses of it, <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.1-Lev.8.4" parsed="|Lev|8|1|8|4" passage="Le 8:1-4">ver. 1-4</scripRef>.
II. It was done exactly according to God's appointment, <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.5" parsed="|Lev|8|5|0|0" passage="Le 8:5">ver. 5</scripRef>. 1. They were washed and
dressed, <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.6-Lev.8.9 Bible:Lev.8.13" parsed="|Lev|8|6|8|9;|Lev|8|13|0|0" passage="Le 8:6-9,13">ver. 6-9, 13</scripRef>.
2. The tabernacle and the utensils of it were anointed, and then
the priests, <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.10-Lev.8.12" parsed="|Lev|8|10|8|12" passage="Le 8:10-12">ver. 10-12</scripRef>.
3. A sin-offering was offered for them, <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.14-Lev.8.17" parsed="|Lev|8|14|8|17" passage="Le 8:14-17">ver. 14-17</scripRef>. 4. A burnt-offering, <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.18-Lev.8.21" parsed="|Lev|8|18|8|21" passage="Le 8:18-21">ver. 18-21</scripRef>. 5. The ram of
consecration, <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.22-Lev.8.30" parsed="|Lev|8|22|8|30" passage="Le 8:22-30">ver. 22-30</scripRef>.
6. The continuance of this solemnity for seven days, <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.31-Lev.8.36" parsed="|Lev|8|31|8|36" passage="Le 8:31-36">ver. 31</scripRef>, &amp;c.</p>
<scripCom id="Lev.ix-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8" parsed="|Lev|8|0|0|0" passage="Le 8" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Lev.ix-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.1-Lev.8.13" parsed="|Lev|8|1|8|13" passage="Le 8:1-13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Lev.8.1-Lev.8.13">
<h4 id="Lev.ix-p1.11">Consecration of Aaron and His
Sons. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.ix-p1.12">b. c.</span> 1490.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Lev.ix-p2">1 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.ix-p2.1">Lord</span>
spake unto Moses, saying,   2 Take Aaron and his sons with
him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and a bullock for the
sin offering, and two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread;
  3 And gather thou all the congregation together unto the
door of the tabernacle of the congregation.   4 And Moses did
as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.ix-p2.2">Lord</span> commanded him; and the
assembly was gathered together unto the door of the tabernacle of
the congregation.   5 And Moses said unto the congregation,
This <i>is</i> the thing which the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.ix-p2.3">Lord</span> commanded to be done.   6 And Moses
brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.   7
And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and
clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he
girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound
<i>it</i> unto him therewith.   8 And he put the breastplate
upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim.
  9 And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre,
<i>even</i> upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the
holy crown; as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.ix-p2.4">Lord</span> commanded
Moses.   10 And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the
tabernacle and all that <i>was</i> therein, and sanctified them.
  11 And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and
anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his
foot, to sanctify them.   12 And he poured of the anointing
oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.   13
And Moses brought Aaron's sons, and put coats upon them, and girded
them with girdles, and put bonnets upon them; as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.ix-p2.5">Lord</span> commanded Moses.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.ix-p3">God had given Moses orders to consecrate
Aaron and his sons to the priests' office, when he was with him the
first time upon Mount Sinai, <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.1-Exod.29.46" parsed="|Exod|28|1|29|46" passage="Ex 28:1-29:46">Exod. xxviii. and xxix.</scripRef>, where we have
also the particular instructions he had how to do it. Now here we
have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.ix-p4">I. The orders repeated. What was there
commanded to be done is here commanded to be done <i>now,</i>
<scripRef id="Lev.ix-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.2-Lev.8.3" parsed="|Lev|8|2|8|3" passage="Le 8:2,3"><i>v.</i> 2, 3</scripRef>. The
tabernacle was newly set up, which, without the priests, would be
as a candlestick without a candle; the law concerning sacrifices
was newly given, but could not be observed without priests; for,
though Aaron and his sons had been nominated to the office, they
could not officiate, till they were consecrated, which yet must not
be done till the place of their ministration was prepared, and the
ordinances were instituted, that they might apply themselves to
work as soon as ever they were consecrated, and might know that
they were ordained, not only to the honour and profit, but to the
business of the priesthood. Aaron and his sons were near relations
to Moses, and therefore he would not consecrate them till he had
further orders, lest he should seem too forward to bring honour
into his family.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.ix-p5">II. The congregation called together, <i>at
the door,</i> that is, in the court <i>of the tabernacle,</i>
<scripRef id="Lev.ix-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.4" parsed="|Lev|8|4|0|0" passage="Le 8:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. The elders and
principal men of the congregation, who represented the body of the
people, were summoned to attend; for the court would hold but a few
of the many thousands of Israel. It was done thus publicly, 1.
Because it was a solemn transaction between God and Israel; the
priests were to be <i>ordained for men in things pertaining to
God,</i> for the maintaining of a settled correspondence, and the
negotiating of all affairs between the people and God; and
therefore it was fit that both sides should appear, to own the
appointment, at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 2. The
spectators of the solemnity could not but be possessed, by the
sight of it, with a great veneration for the priests and their
office, which was necessary among a people so wretchedly prone as
these were to envy and discontent. It was strange that any of those
who were witnesses of what was here done should afterwards say, as
some of them did, <i>You take too much upon you, you sons of
Levi;</i> but what would they have said if it had been done
clandestinely? Note, It is very fit, and of good use, that
ministers should be ordained publicly, <i>plebe praesente—in the
presence of the common people,</i> according to the usage of the
primitive church.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.ix-p6">III. The commission read, <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.5" parsed="|Lev|8|5|0|0" passage="Le 8:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. Moses, who was God's
representative in this solemnity, produced his orders before the
congregation: <i>This is the thing which the Lord commanded to be
done.</i> Though God had crowned him king in Jeshurun, when he made
his face to shine in the sight of all Israel, yet he did not
institute or appoint any thing in God's worship but what God
himself had commanded. The priesthood he delivered to them was that
which he had received from the Lord. Note, All that minister about
holy things must have an eye to God's command as their rule and
warrant; for it is only in the observance of this that they can
expect to be owned and accepted of God. Thus we must be able to
say, in all acts of religious worship, <i>This is the thing which
the Lord commanded to be done.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.ix-p7">IV. The ceremony performed according to the
divine ritual. 1. Aaron and his sons were <i>washed with water</i>
(<scripRef id="Lev.ix-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.6" parsed="|Lev|8|6|0|0" passage="Le 8:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>), to signify
that they ought now to purify themselves from all sinful
dispositions and inclinations, and ever after to keep themselves
pure. Christ washes those from their sins in his own blood whom he
makes to our God kings and priests (<scripRef id="Lev.ix-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.1.5-Rev.1.6" parsed="|Rev|1|5|1|6" passage="Re 1:5,6">Rev. i. 5, 6</scripRef>); and those that draw near to
God must be washed in pure water, <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Heb.10.22" parsed="|Heb|10|22|0|0" passage="Heb 10:22">Heb. x. 22</scripRef>. Though they were ever so clean
before and no filth was to be seen upon them, yet they must be
washed, to signify their purification from sin, with which their
souls were polluted, how clean soever their bodies were. 2. They
were clothed with the holy garments, Aaron with his (<scripRef id="Lev.ix-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.7-Lev.8.9" parsed="|Lev|8|7|8|9" passage="Le 8:7-9"><i>v.</i> 7-9</scripRef>), which typified the
dignity of Christ our great high priest, and his sons with theirs
(<scripRef id="Lev.ix-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.13" parsed="|Lev|8|13|0|0" passage="Le 8:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>), which
typified the decency of Christians, who are spiritual priests.
Christ wears the breast-plate of judgment and the holy crown; for
the church's high priest is her prophet and king. All believers are
clothed with the robe of righteousness, and girt with the girdle of
truth, resolution, and close application; and their heads are
<i>bound,</i> as the word here is, with the bonnet or diadem of
beauty, the beauty of holiness. 3. The high priest was anointed,
and, it should seem, the holy things were anointed at the same
time; some think that they were anointed before, but that the
anointing of them is mentioned here because Aaron was anointed with
the same oil with which they were anointed; but the manner of
relating it here makes it more than probable that it was done at
the same time, and that the seven days employed in consecrating the
altar were coincident with the seven days of the priests'
consecration. The tabernacle, and all its utensils, had some of the
anointing oil put upon them with Moses's finger (<scripRef id="Lev.ix-p7.6" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.10" parsed="|Lev|8|10|0|0" passage="Le 8:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>), so had the altar (<scripRef id="Lev.ix-p7.7" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.11" parsed="|Lev|8|11|0|0" passage="Le 8:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>); these were to sanctify
the gold and the gift (<scripRef id="Lev.ix-p7.8" osisRef="Bible:Matt.23.17-Matt.23.19" parsed="|Matt|23|17|23|19" passage="Mt 23:17-19">Matt. xxiii.
17-19</scripRef>), and therefore must themselves be thus
sanctified; but he poured it out more plentifully upon the head of
Aaron (<scripRef id="Lev.ix-p7.9" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.12" parsed="|Lev|8|12|0|0" passage="Le 8:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), so
that it ran down to the <i>skirts of his garments,</i> because his
unction was to typify the anointing of Christ with the Spirit,
which was not given by measure to him. Yet all believers also have
received the anointing, which puts an indelible character upon
them, <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p7.10" osisRef="Bible:1John.2.27" parsed="|1John|2|27|0|0" passage="1Jo 2:27">1 John ii. 27</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Lev.ix-p7.11" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8" parsed="|Lev|8|0|0|0" passage="Le 8" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Lev.ix-p7.12" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.14-Lev.8.30" parsed="|Lev|8|14|8|30" passage="Le 8:14-30" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Lev.8.14-Lev.8.30">
<p class="passage" id="Lev.ix-p8">14 And he brought the bullock for the sin
offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of
the bullock for the sin offering.   15 And he slew <i>it;</i>
and Moses took the blood, and put <i>it</i> upon the horns of the
altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and
poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to
make reconciliation upon it.   16 And he took all the fat that
<i>was</i> upon the inwards, and the caul <i>above</i> the liver,
and the two kidneys, and their fat, and Moses burned <i>it</i> upon
the altar.   17 But the bullock, and his hide, his flesh, and
his dung, he burnt with fire without the camp; as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.ix-p8.1">Lord</span> commanded Moses.   18 And he brought
the ram for the burnt offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their
hands upon the head of the ram.   19 And he killed <i>it;</i>
and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about.   20
And he cut the ram into pieces; and Moses burnt the head, and the
pieces, and the fat.   21 And he washed the inwards and the
legs in water; and Moses burnt the whole ram upon the altar: it
<i>was</i> a burnt sacrifice for a sweet savour, <i>and</i> an
offering made by fire unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.ix-p8.2">Lord</span>;
as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.ix-p8.3">Lord</span> commanded Moses.  
22 And he brought the other ram, the ram of consecration: and Aaron
and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.   23
And he slew <i>it;</i> and Moses took of the blood of it, and put
<i>it</i> upon the tip of Aaron's right ear, and upon the thumb of
his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot.   24
And he brought Aaron's sons, and Moses put of the blood upon the
tip of their right ear, and upon the thumbs of their right hands,
and upon the great toes of their right feet: and Moses sprinkled
the blood upon the altar round about.   25 And he took the
fat, and the rump, and all the fat that <i>was</i> upon the
inwards, and the caul <i>above</i> the liver, and the two kidneys,
and their fat, and the right shoulder:   26 And out of the
basket of unleavened bread, that <i>was</i> before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.ix-p8.4">Lord</span>, he took one unleavened cake, and a cake of
oiled bread, and one wafer, and put <i>them</i> on the fat, and
upon the right shoulder:   27 And he put all upon Aaron's
hands, and upon his sons' hands, and waved them <i>for</i> a wave
offering before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.ix-p8.5">Lord</span>.   28
And Moses took them from off their hands, and burnt <i>them</i> on
the altar upon the burnt offering: they <i>were</i> consecrations
for a sweet savour: it <i>is</i> an offering made by fire unto the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.ix-p8.6">Lord</span>.   29 And Moses took the
breast, and waved it <i>for</i> a wave offering before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.ix-p8.7">Lord</span>: <i>for</i> of the ram of
consecration it was Moses' part; as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.ix-p8.8">Lord</span> commanded Moses.   30 And Moses took
of the anointing oil, and of the blood which <i>was</i> upon the
altar, and sprinkled <i>it</i> upon Aaron, <i>and</i> upon his
garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons' garments with him;
and sanctified Aaron, <i>and</i> his garments, and his sons, and
his sons' garments with him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.ix-p9">The covenant of priesthood must be made by
sacrifice, as well as other covenants, <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.50.5" parsed="|Ps|50|5|0|0" passage="Ps 50:5">Ps. l. 5</scripRef>. And thus Christ was consecrated by
the sacrifice of himself, once for all. Sacrifices of each kind
must be offered for the priests, that they might with the more
tenderness and concern offer the gifts and sacrifices of the
people, with compassion on the ignorant, and on <i>those that were
out of the way,</i> not insulting over those for whom sacrifices
were offered, remembering that they themselves had had sacrifices
offered for them, being <i>compassed with infirmity.</i> 1. A
bullock, the largest sacrifice, was offered for a sin-offering
(<scripRef id="Lev.ix-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.14" parsed="|Lev|8|14|0|0" passage="Le 8:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>), that hereby
atonement might be made, and they might not bring any of the guilt
of the sins of their former state into the new character they were
now to put on. When Isaiah was sent to be a prophet, he was told to
his comfort, <i>Thy iniquity is taken away,</i> <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.6.7" parsed="|Isa|6|7|0|0" passage="Isa 6:7">Isa. vi. 7</scripRef>. Ministers, that are to declare the
remission of sins to others, should give diligence to get it made
sure to themselves in the first place that their own sins are
pardoned. Those to whom is <i>committed the ministry of
reconciliation</i> must first be reconciled to God themselves, that
they may deal for the souls of others as for their own. 2. A ram
was offered for a burnt-offering, <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.18-Lev.8.21" parsed="|Lev|8|18|8|21" passage="Le 8:18-21"><i>v.</i> 18-21</scripRef>. By this they gave to God
the glory of this great honour which was now put upon them, and
returned him praise for it, as Paul thanked Christ Jesus for
<i>putting him into the ministry,</i> <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.1.12" parsed="|1Tim|1|12|0|0" passage="1Ti 1:12">1 Tim. i. 12</scripRef>. They also signified the
devoting of themselves and all their services to the honour of God.
3. Another ram, called the <i>ram of consecration,</i> was offered
for a peace-offering, <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.22" parsed="|Lev|8|22|0|0" passage="Le 8:22"><i>v.</i>
22</scripRef>, &amp;c. The blood of it was part put on the priests,
on their ears, thumbs, and toes, and part sprinkled upon the altar;
and thus he did (as it were) marry them to the altar, upon which
they must all their days give attendance. All the ceremonies about
this offering, as those before, were appointed by the express
command of God; and, if we compare this chapter with <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:Exod.29.1-Exod.29.46" parsed="|Exod|29|1|29|46" passage="Ex 29:1-46">Exod. xxix</scripRef>, we shall find that the
performance of the solemnity exactly agrees with the precept there,
and in nothing varies. Here, therefore, as in the account we had of
the tabernacle and its vessels, it is again and again repeated,
<i>As the Lord commanded Moses.</i> And thus Christ, when he
sanctified himself with his own blood, had an eye to his Father's
will in it. <i>As the Father gave me commandment so I do,</i>
<scripRef id="Lev.ix-p9.8" osisRef="Bible:John.14.31 Bible:John.10.18 Bible:John.6.38" parsed="|John|14|31|0|0;|John|10|18|0|0;|John|6|38|0|0" passage="Joh 14:31,Joh 10:18,Joh 6:38">John xiv. 31; x.
18; vi. 38</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Lev.ix-p9.9" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.31-Lev.8.36" parsed="|Lev|8|31|8|36" passage="Le 8:31-36" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Lev.8.31-Lev.8.36">
<p class="passage" id="Lev.ix-p10">31 And Moses said unto Aaron and to his sons,
Boil the flesh <i>at</i> the door of the tabernacle of the
congregation: and there eat it with the bread that <i>is</i> in the
basket of consecrations, as I commanded, saying, Aaron and his sons
shall eat it.   32 And that which remaineth of the flesh and
of the bread shall ye burn with fire.   33 And ye shall not go
out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation <i>in</i>
seven days, until the days of your consecration be at an end: for
seven days shall he consecrate you.   34 As he hath done this
day, <i>so</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.ix-p10.1">Lord</span> hath
commanded to do, to make an atonement for you.   35 Therefore
shall ye abide <i>at</i> the door of the tabernacle of the
congregation day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.ix-p10.2">Lord</span>, that ye die not: for so I am
commanded.   36 So Aaron and his sons did all things which the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Lev.ix-p10.3">Lord</span> commanded by the hand of
Moses.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.ix-p11">Moses, having done his part of the
ceremony, now leaves Aaron and his sons to do theirs.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.ix-p12">I. They must boil the flesh of their
peace-offering, and eat it in the court of the tabernacle, and what
remained they must burn with fire, <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.31-Lev.8.32" parsed="|Lev|8|31|8|32" passage="Le 8:31,32"><i>v.</i> 31, 32</scripRef>. This signified their
thankful consent to the consecration: when God gave Ezekiel his
commission, he told him to eat the roll, <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.3.1-Ezek.3.2" parsed="|Ezek|3|1|3|2" passage="Eze 3:1,2">Ezek. iii. 1, 2</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.ix-p13">II. They must not stir out of the court of
the tabernacle for seven days, <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.33" parsed="|Lev|8|33|0|0" passage="Le 8:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>. The priesthood being a good
warfare, they must thus learn to endure hardness, and to
disentangle themselves from the affairs of this life, <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.2.3-2Tim.2.4" parsed="|2Tim|2|3|2|4" passage="2Ti 2:3,4">2 Tim. ii. 3, 4</scripRef>. Being consecrated
to their service, they must <i>give themselves wholly to it,</i>
and <i>attend continually to this very thing.</i> Thus Christ's
apostles were appointed to <i>wait for the promise of the
Father,</i> <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.1.4" parsed="|Acts|1|4|0|0" passage="Ac 1:4">Acts i. 4</scripRef>. During
this time appointed for their consecration, they were daily to
repeat the same sacrifices which were offered the first day,
<scripRef id="Lev.ix-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.34" parsed="|Lev|8|34|0|0" passage="Le 8:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>. This shows the
imperfection of the legal sacrifices, which, because they could not
take away sin, were often repeated (<scripRef id="Lev.ix-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:Heb.10.1-Heb.10.2" parsed="|Heb|10|1|10|2" passage="Heb 10:1,2">Heb. x. 1, 2</scripRef>), but were here repeated seven
times (a number of perfection), because they typified that <i>one
offering, which perfected for ever those that were sanctified.</i>
The work lasted seven days; for it was a kind of creation: and this
time was appointed in honour of the sabbath, which, probably, was
the last day of the seven, for which they were to prepare during
the six days. Thus the time of our life, like the six days, must be
our preparation for the perfection of our consecration to God in
the everlasting sabbath: they attended <i>day and night</i>
(<scripRef id="Lev.ix-p13.6" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.35" parsed="|Lev|8|35|0|0" passage="Le 8:35"><i>v.</i> 35</scripRef>), and so
constant should we be in our meditation on God's law, <scripRef id="Lev.ix-p13.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.1.2" parsed="|Ps|1|2|0|0" passage="Ps 1:2">Ps. i. 2</scripRef>. They attended to <i>keep the
charge of the Lord:</i> we have every one of us a charge to keep,
an eternal God to glorify, an immortal soul to provide for, needful
duty to be done, our generation to serve; and it must be our daily
care to keep this charge, for it is the charge of the Lord our
Master, who will shortly call us to an account about it, and it is
at our utmost peril if we neglect it. Keep it <i>that you die
not;</i> it is death, eternal death, to betray the trust we are
charged with; by the consideration of this we must be kept in awe.
<i>Lastly,</i> We are told (<scripRef id="Lev.ix-p13.8" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.36" parsed="|Lev|8|36|0|0" passage="Le 8:36"><i>v.</i>
36</scripRef>) that <i>Aaron and his sons did all that was
commanded.</i> Thus their consecration was completed; and thus they
set an example before the people of an exact obedience to the laws
of sacrifices now newly given, and then they could with the better
grace teach them. Thus the <i>covenant of peace</i> (<scripRef id="Lev.ix-p13.9" osisRef="Bible:Num.25.12" parsed="|Num|25|12|0|0" passage="Nu 25:12">Num. xxv. 12</scripRef>), <i>of life and
peace</i> (<scripRef id="Lev.ix-p13.10" osisRef="Bible:Mal.2.5" parsed="|Mal|2|5|0|0" passage="Mal 2:5">Mal. ii. 5</scripRef>), was
made with Aaron and his sons; but after all the ceremonies that
were used in their consecration there was one point of ratification
which was reserved to be the honour and establishment of Christ's
priesthood, which was this, that they were <i>made priests without
an oath, but Christ with an oath</i> (<scripRef id="Lev.ix-p13.11" osisRef="Bible:Hab.7.21" parsed="|Hab|7|21|0|0" passage="Hab 7:21">Hab. vii. 21</scripRef>), for neither such priests nor
their priesthood could continue, but Christ's is a perpetual and
unchangeable priesthood.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Lev.ix-p14">Gospel ministers are compared to those who
served at the altar, for they <i>minister about holy things</i>
(<scripRef id="Lev.ix-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.9.13" parsed="|1Cor|9|13|0|0" passage="1Co 9:13">1 Cor. ix. 13</scripRef>), they are
God's mouth to the people and the people's to God, the pastors and
teachers Christ has appointed to continue in the church to the end
of the world: they seem to be meant in that promise which points at
gospel times (<scripRef id="Lev.ix-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.21" parsed="|Isa|66|21|0|0" passage="Isa 66:21">Isa. lvi.
21</scripRef>), <i>I will take of them for priests and for
Levites.</i> No man may take this honour to himself, but he who
upon trial is found to be clothed and anointed by the Spirit of God
with gifts and graces to qualify him for it, and who with purpose
of heart devotes himself entirely to the service, and is then by
the <i>word and prayer</i> (for so every thing is sanctified), and
the imposition of the hands of those that <i>give themselves to the
word and prayer,</i> set apart to the office, and recommended to
Christ as a servant and to the church as a steward and guide. And
those that are thus solemnly dedicated to God ought not to depart
from his service, but faithfully to abide in it all their days; and
those that do so, and continue <i>labouring in the word and
doctrine,</i> are to be accounted <i>worthy of double honour,</i>
double to that of the Old-Testament priests.</p>
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