The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 361

faithfully carried out by the Lord's people. Moreover, we are on the way to its perfect illustration in the felicities of the heavenly world. There none shall be for self or for a party, but all for the common weal. Lord Macaulay represents ancient Rome as the embodiment of public spirit. " Then none wu for a party; Then all were for the State; Then the great man helped the poor, And the poor man loved the great: Then lands were fairly portioned; Then spoils were fairly sold; The Romans were like brothen In the brave days of old." However faithfully this reflects the condition of things in the golden age of Rome, one thing is certain, that the public spirit it indicates shall have its perfect embodiment in the society above. Public life, divested of all suspicion of selfishness, will cha- racterize God's redeemed ones. .All personal and private interests shall then merge themselves in the common weal, and as hie servants serve God, they shall see his face and live out his public epirit.-R. M. E. Vera. 1-24.-Law of holiness/or the priests. In all circumstances and relations of life the priests must be an example of purity. The higher the office, the more conspicuous the example, and therefore the more solemn the duty of preserving both body and soul from defilement. I. THE BLAMELESSNESS OF THE MINISTRY A NECESSITY OF THE CmraCH'B LIFE. 1. Spiritual leaders a natural requirement and a Divine appointment. We want teachers both in word and act. The priesthood of the old dispensation was abolished, but in the new there are those who, both by their superior knowledge and piety and by their consecration of life to the sanctuary, become the responsible leaders of the Church. 2. .An impure priesthood the greatest calamity to the cause of religion. Like priest, like people. The corruptions of the Middle .Ages mainly traceable to the defilement of those who should have been first and foremost in faithfulness to truth and duty. The hindrance to the spread of Christianity now is largely the indifference and blindness and worldliness of those who serve the sanctuary. The life of the public representative ofreligion should be above reproach in all things. II. GoD'B HOUSE AND 0AUBE SHOULD HA VE THE CHOICEST AND BEST OF HUMAN 0APAOlTY AND ENERGY DEVOTED TO IT. 1. That the Church itself may be edified and become a praise unto God. Our religion demands and satisfies our highest efforts. The truth of God's Word is inexhaustible food for the mind and delight to the heart. Endless scope for the development of human powers in the service of God. Worship should be spotlessly pure, e. glorifying of humanity in the light of Divine favour. 2. The world is won to God, not by hiding the graces of God's people, but by making the light to shine before men. No limit to the deme.nd upon the talents and energies of the Church. We should urge those naturally gifted and superior to take their proper plnces. Yet natural defects can be wonderfully supplied by special Divine gifts. Much work has been done by the physice.lly weak, and even by those whose characters were faulty.-R. Vers. 1-16.-Distinctions and degrees in obligation. In the kingdom of God there is, o.s a rule, but one lRw for all subjects. Whe.t applies to one applies to o.notbcr. The same principles of righteousness are obligatory on both sexes, on all classes, conditions, nations, generations of men. 'l'his is importantly true; but it is a truth subject to certain not unimportant qualifications. Of this latter we have- I. lLLUS'rRATIONB IN THE MosAIO LAW. 1. Respecting ceremonial defilement certnin distinctions were drawn. (1) 'l'he commonalty were bound to avoid aU defilement (by touching the dead, etc.), whenever it was practicable to do so; but it was o.nlicipated that they would be compelled, sometimes, to become unclean, e.nd legal purifications were accordingly enjoined. (2) But the priests were to take peculiar care not to incur this ceremonial defilement (vers. 1---4). .Allowanco was made for natural human feel- ing (vers. 2, 3), but the occasions when they might permit themselves to become 326 THE DOOK OF LEVITICUS. [ CH. XXI. 1-24.