knew his own children : for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant. They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law : they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt-sacrifice upon thine altar d." The same grant was re- renewed to Phinehas, on account of his zeal in slaying a prince of Israel, who, in the sight of all the congregation, had taken a Midianitish woman to his tente. " The covenant of an ever- lasting priesthood " given to him, was that which, in my text, is called " a covenant of life and peace." And to that tribe was the priesthood confined, even to the latest ages ; they alone being consecrated by God to that high office, and having God himself for their portion ; whilst all the other tribes had their portion allotted out of the Promised Landf.]
The Christian priesthood, in like manner, are con- secrated to the special service of the altar —
[Every pious minister has been truly " called of God, as was Aaron ;" and every one, at his ordination, expressly avows his persuasion, that he has been moved by the Holy Ghost to take the office of the ministry upon him. Every such minister has entered into covenant with God at his altar, engaging to renounce all worldly pursuits, and to dedicate himself exclu- sively to the work he has undertaken. Of all engagements that any man can enter into, this is the most solemn : for by this act he makes himself responsible for all the souls committed to his charge, and must answer with his own soul for the blood of every one who perishes through his neglect g. St. Paul, under a sense of his deep responsibility, said, "A dispensation is committed to me : and woe is unto me, if I preach not the GospelM" And "the same necessity is laid on" every minister of Christ; who, by his own solemn engagement, is bound to disregard even life itself, in the discharge of this all-important duty1.]
In the description of the Jewish priests, a Christian minister may further see,
II. His office —
The Jewish priests were " messengers from God " to all the tribes of Israel —
[They were to study the law of God, and to teach it unto others ; at the same time exemplifying it both in their hearts and lives. To them the people were to apply for information ; and they were to give their instructions with simplicity and
d Deut. xxxiii. 8 — 10. e Numb. xxv. 6—8, 11 — 13.
f Numb, xviii. 20, 21. s Ezek. xxxiii. 6—9.
h 1 Cor. ix. 16, 17. ' Acts xx. 24.