2. The manner [was] dignified —
[Methinks I see Aaron, accompanied by Moses and Eleazar going up to Mount Hor " in the sight of all the congregation:" there is in him no appearance of infidel hardness, or unbeliev- ing fear, or pharisaic confidence : he acquiesces in the divine appointment, and, with meek composure, a firm step, and a cheerful countenance, ascends to meet his God. Thrice happy man ! how enviable his state, to be so attended, and to be so assured ! What can a saint desire more than this ; to have his pious relatives about him ; to see, not only those with whom he has moved in sweet harmony for many years, and who are soon to follow him into the eternal world, but his children also, who are coming forward to fill the offices he vacates, and to serve the Lord as he has done before them ; to see them around him, I say, in his last hours ; to enjoy their prayers ; and to bestow on them his parting benedictions? How delightful, in that hour, to " know in whom he has believed," and to be as- sured that he is " entering into the joy of his Lord !" Such may be the state of all; such ought to be the state of all. Hear how Peter speaks of his death : " I know that I must shortly put off this my tabernacle™." Hear Paul also speaking of his : " I know that when the earthly house of this tabernacle shall be dissolved, I have an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens :" " I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith ; henceforth- there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me11." Shall it be said, These were Apostles ; and we must not expect such attainments as theirs ? I answer, These things are the privilege of all : " Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace0."]
3. The event [was] honourable —
[Upon every recurrence of difficulties, the whole people of Israel had vented their spleen against Moses and against Aaron. On some occasions they had been ready to stone these distinguished servants of the Lord. But now that Aaron was taken from them, the whole congregation of Israel bemoaned their lossp. Now they call to mind those services, which once they despised. Now they say one to another, ' How often have we seen him fall on his face before God, to implore mercy for us, at the very moment when we were murmuring against him as the source of all our troubles ! How did we on a recent occasion see him rushing with his censer into the midst of the plague, to arrest the pestilence in its progress, even at the peril of his own life ! Alas, alas, what a friend and father have we lost !' Yes ; thus it too generally is ; men know their blessings
m 2 Pet. i. 14. " 2 Cor. v. 1. 2 Tim. iv. 8.
0 Ps. xxxvii. 37. p ver. 29