of his people. Why, then, turn away and refuse to enjoy this best of privileges? He waits to intercede on our behalf. It is no idle ceremony that the Word of God records, but one having to do wHh our daily sins, fears, trials, troubles, joys, and blessings. 'l'he titles and qualifications of Jesus Christ are of vital moment to our welfare. 2. It was designed to impress them with a sense of the dignity and authority of the priathood, and of the need of holiness in order to have access unto God. How important the functions to be fulfilled by men who are thus solemnly prepared for their efficient discharge I And how august the Being who could demand such qualifications in tho~e devoted to bis service I No careful student of the Gospel narratives but must be struck with the manner in which Jesus Christ was fitted for his office, "perfected" by his obedience, made a "a merciful and faithful High Priest" by his humiliation, and with "the blood of his cross" making reconciliation with God. 3. The presence and tacit concurrence of the people signified a willingness to obey the priMts, to honour and sup- port them. -They were made parties to the transaction, and acquiesced in its signifi- cance. It were well that the meaning of our presence at various meetings were better realized, and that we did more fully redeem the pledges thus implicitly gi"en. God would have all his people enter into contracts with a clear understanding. To secure a compact by concealment of the obligations imposed is no part of his plan of procedure. IL Tmc DECLARATION OF MosEs: "This is the thing which the Lord commanded to be done : " 1. Reminds us of the caution to be 6'1:eTcised lest human devices should be thrust forward in religious notions or practices. Men are ready to formulate their own ideas, and to make them ordinances of God's house or kingdom. Ready, too, to re- nounce what has been instituted, to abolish observances as unnecessary, or to relegate certain attitudes of the Spirit to heathenism and infoncy, to make light of sin and of the need of a high priest or a sacrifice. 2. A Diviue call is requisite to the undeTlaking of ,,-eligious functions. Moses acted as the representative of Jehovah, empowered to consecrate Aaron and his sons. "So also Christ glorified not himself to be made o. high priest, but he that said unto him," etc. 3. Contained an intimation that he who appointed could also dismiss the .Aaronic priesthood. 'l'he legislator has power to revoke his edicts. It was God who caused the order of Aaron to be succeeded by the order of Mel~hizedek. 4. indicates the intrinsic superiority of the prophetic to the 'Priestly office. Moses institutes Aaron, the prophet consecrates the priest. Priesthood is remedial, adapted to a peculiar constitution ol things. It is a sort of interregnum that is finally to pass away when "the Son shall have delivered up the kingdom to God the Father." It is connected with sin, and sin is being destroyed. Before Adam fell, be received communications from God; the prophetic revelation preceded the priestly sacrifices. 'l'he subordination of the priests is often evinced in the Hebrew records, where the denunciations of the prophets show that the priestly ceremonies were intended to be subservient to, not exclusive of, moral sentiments and duties.-S. R. A. •
Vers. 6-12,-The High Priesthood of CJlirist, 'l'o direct the thoughts of o. congre- gation to Jesus Christ is never unseasonable. The Epistle to the Hebrews warrants the assumption that in the rites here described are symbolized the characteristics of our Great High Priest. 'l'he consecration consists of two parts-the anointing and clothing of the person of Aaron, and his offering of sacrifices; and it is on the former we are now to dwell, reminding us of that Person in whom "nil beauties shine, all wonders meet, all glories dwell." I. See typified THE PURITY OF Cnn1sT in the washing of the priest from head to foot. As an Eastern olimatc demands thorough ablution for cleanliness, so was this a lesson man needed to learn, that only purity is fit to come into contuct with God. Priesthood bridged the gulf between sinful man and a Being unsullied by admixture of evil. Like all God's dealings, it humbled and exalted man. '!'aught plainly that he wns too polluted to approach his Maker, with equal distinctness he was shown a way in which he might draw near with clean hands and a pure heart. The material and ceremonial purity of Aaron w:..s eclipsed by the total freedom from taint of Christ. He bathed, indeed, in the crystal waters or Jordan at his entrance upon his public ministry, but those waters were stained compared with the purity of his soul. II. Observe THE SPLENDOUR OF HIS ENDOWMENTS. For every post a ce1-tain chA- 124: THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. [ea VllL 1--all.