HOMILETICS. Ver. 11.-Tliat pf'iests are teachers is assumed all through the Old Testament. The contrast in this respect which has been found by some between the prophets and the priests, the former 1?8ing th~ spiritual guides of the people, and the latter the organs of a dull ceremonial routine or even rude slayers of beasts, has no foundation in fact. It is true that the primary work of the priest was to teach by type and rite and the primary work of the prophet to declare God's will by word of mouth; but'they were co-ordinate, not hostile, influences and powers, having the same end in view which they carried out, partly by the same, partly by different means. If the prophet sharply reproves the priests, it is because they are bad priests, not because they are priests (Mai. ii. 1); and when he strikes at the priest, he sometimes strikes at the prophet in the same breath (Jer. v. 30, 31). . THE lilThTISTEB OF THE GOSPEL IS THE SUCCESSOR AND REPRESENTATIVE 01!' BOTB PRIEST AND PROPHET. He has to conduct the public worship of God, which must always be a. solemn occupation, though now discmbarrassed of the minute regulations of the Judaic Law, and he is a channel through whom the Divine blessing flows; in this he represents the priest. He is the expounder and preacher of God's Word; herein he represents the prophet. He teaches God's commandments and applies them to the consciences of individuals; herein he does the work of both priest and prophet. But he holds a higher office than either one or the other, inasmuch as he is the dispenser of the gifts of the Holy Ghost for the good of man, which were purchased for man by Christ's death, received by him of his Father at his ascension, and shed forth upon his Church in the form of graces dispensed by the apostolic ministry (see Eph. iv. 7-11).
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. ~11.-Abstinence enjoined. Without asserting positively that inflammatory drink was the cause of the unhallowed presentation made by the sons of Aaron, we may beliern that it was the wise and merciful intention of the prohibition herein con- tained to guard against a possible source of similar heedless attendance upon God in his sanctuary. L THE FUNCTIONS OF THE PRIESTS. 1. To observe the various rites connected with the worship of God. 2. To see that nothing unholy entered the precincts of the tabernacle. The incense, which might suffice without, would be an insult to Jehovah within. The fire, useful for common cooking purposes, would be counted " strange :fire" if presented to the Lord. 3. To advise the people concerning the distinction made by the Law between things clean and unclean. '!'here was the food permissible to be eaten, the diseases requiring separation, the times in which ceremonial unclean- ness was contracted, etc. All these matters were under the supervision of the priests. 4. To instruct the people generally in the statutes of the Lord. In the absence of written documents, this was a very important part of the duties of the prio~ts, and furnished one of the reasons for afterwards locating their cities amongst the different tribes of Israel. Thie teaching was the origin of the present exposition of Scripture by the preacher, being now the chief feature of the minister's office. Is the acquaintance of the people with the Bible at all commensurate with the many advantages they enjoy? The Israelites may rise up in the day of judgment to condemn the ignorance of modem civilization. IL THE IMPORTANCE 01!' lll<lHTLY DISCHABGINO THESE FUNCTIONS. Consider the happy results that would flow from a proper fulfilment of their obligations, and the <lire effects of lax observance of the regulations of the priesthood. In this latter event God would be insulted and profaned, his indignation would destroy the slothful servants, and the nation of Israel would relapse into a state of idolatry and disgrace. No priest lived or died unto himself. The pro!!J'CSS and comfort of others were inseparably bound up with his due attendance at the altar. Ill. THE l,_.ECESSITY OF ABSTAINING FROM WHATEVER IHPAIBB CLEARNESS 01' ,cu. x. 8-20.] THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. 1G3