of desiring to equalize themselves with the family of Aaron, on the plea that the latter "took too much upon th~m, seeing that all the congregation were holy, every one of them" (Numb. xvi. 8), disproves the right of all the congregation to exeroise priestly function, however much they might be, in a sense, a nation of priests. Accordina0 to the Mosaic legislation, the spiritualty and temporal ty were kept apart, nor were they united except when royal powers came, in the later days of the nation's history, to be attached to the office of high priest-a course which a considerable section of the Christian Church attempted, with less excuse, to follow in medimval and subsequent times ·when the principle, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John ltix. 86) became obsc~ed or forgotten. V. '.fHE ?ER~~NIES OF~ _OONSECRATIO~. 1. ~athin/5, robing, a11:ointing, signifying cleansing, Justifying, sanct1fymg. 2. Sacrifices m their behalf-sm offerings, burnt offerings, peace offerings, symbolizing their reconciliation with God, the surrender of themselves to him, and their peace with him. 8. Watching for seven days in. the tabernacle court, each day renewing the sacrifices; giving opportunity for self-recol- lection, and for devoting themselves heart and soul to him whose special servants they were to be. VI. THE AARONIO PRIESTHOOD WAS A TYPE OF THE PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST. The type was accomplished in the Antitype, and the Levitical priesthood is now wholly abolished (see Heb. vii and viii.). VII. LIKEKESS YET CONTRAST OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY. We learn from Eph. iv. 8, 11, 12, that on Christ's ascension into heaven, he received of his Father the gifts of the holy Ghost, which he then. bestowed upon his Church, to be administered and dispensed by apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers; the grace of government being ministered by apostles, and, after t-hey had died out, by bishops; the grace of exposition by prophets; the grace of conversion by evangelists; the grace of edification by pastors and teachers, or presbyters. We should note here the superiority of the Christian to the Jewish ministry, the functions of offering sacrifice and of mediating between God and man being far inferior to that of being the dispensers to man of the gifts of the Holy Ghost himself; and the error of any who think to dignify and elevate the character of the Christian ministry by assimilating it to the Jewish. VIII. THE NEED OF AN OUTWARD CALL IN BOTH CA BES. " No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron" (Heb. v. 4); so that even Christ waited to be "called of God" before commencing his ministry. 'l'he outward sign of Aaron's having been called of God was his anointing, and the other ceremonies of initiation; and every subsequent high priest had to be anointed and initiated in the same manner as Aaron, and by the same forms, before he was regarded, and before he could become, high priest. The outward sign of the call in the Christian ministry is the laying on of hands. So it was in the case of the seven deacons (Acts vi. 6), and in St. Paul's case (Acts xiii. 3), and in that of 'l'imothy (1 Tim. iv. 14). And all subse- quent ministers of Christ have to be appointed in like manner by those "who have puhlick authority giveu unto them in the Congregation, to call and send Ministers into the Lord's vineyard" (Art. XXIII.). IX. AJ.J.. CHRISTIANS ABE A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD (1 Pet. ii. 9). As the Israelites were a kingdom of priests (Exod. xii. 6), so too a.re Christians consecrated to God in baptism, channels of grace to each other, and therefore each in a special manner his brother's keeper. Practical duties thence flowing-brotherly affection, loving-kindness, care for the aoula of others, tenderness to the weak.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Priestly consec'l'ation. Oh. viii. ; cf. Luke iii. 21, 22; Heb. iv. 14---16; Y,; vii.; viii. ; ix. ; 1 Pet. ii. 4, 6, 9. In this chapter we have the history of the consecration of the Aaronic priesthood. The stages were briefly these :-Lustration, or, as we would now BBy, baptism; investiture; anointing; atonement; dedication; consecratiol!; and, finall)'., communion. The mediation and ministry of this priesthood were essentmlly dramatic in character, hence it took a long time to present, in. the dramatic form, the various ideu which have been just set down as the stages of r onsecre.tion. Not only so, but oil. V1Il. 1-88.J THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. 121