HO!,IILETICS. Vera. 1-32.-Respcmsibilitiu and primleges of Gocfs servants. We have in this chapter, spiritually, the statue of those who are hpEi, r,i 8E,jj and 8oi,Xo, 'J11"oi, Xp<<7roiJ, ae being the inheritance of the Lord, and (in this world) "ha.ving nothing, and yet possessing all things." Much that has been considered under the head of cha. iii., iv., and viii. is applicable here. Consider, therefore- !. THAT A HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY WEl(JHED UPON PRIEST AND LEVITE IN RESPECT 011' THE SANOTUARY1 011' WHICH THEY BAD THE CHARGE AND THE HANDLING. What- ·ever pollution came upon it was chargeable upon them in the double sense, (1) that if due to them, they should suffer for it; (2) that whether due to them or not, they should be bound to purge it by atonement. Even so all the faithful in Christ Jesus are deeply responsible for all the shame, reproach, and disparagement which comes upon that temple which is themselves (Eph. ii. 22; 1 Tim. iii. 15; Heb. iii. 6), and that in the following senses:-1. So far as such evils may be due to their own sin or carelessness (Matt. xviii. 6, 7; Rom. xiv.15, 16; 1 Cor. x. 32; 2 Cor. vi. 3; 1 These. v. 22). 2. So far as the evil can be undone or counteracted by their own piety and zeal (Matt. v. 16; Philip. ii. 15, 16; 1 Pet. ii. 12). 3. If this cannot be, then at least to this extent,, that they bear it on their heart in sorrow and in prayer (Ezek. ix. 4 ; Dan. ix. 20 ; 1 Cor. xii. 25, 26 ; 2 Cor. x:i. 29). Nothing is worse than the com- placency with which Christians regard the scandals of religion, although such are often due in part to themselves, or might in part be cured by their own efforts, or should at least be a cause of inward grief and humiliation to them as members of Christ. II. THAT A SIMILAR RESPONSIBILITY ATTACHED TO THE PRIESTHOOD IN RESPECT TO ALL FAULTS AND IMPERFECTIONS ATTENDING ITS EXERCISE. Even BO it is no light or trivial thing to have received an unction from the Holy One, making us, in any sense of the words, priests unto God. There are no vein titles in the kingdom of heaven to gratify man's love of distinction; whatever we have is a dispensation committed unto us (1 Cor. ix. 17); any ministry ill discharged, made a scandal or offence, is ruin to the soul (1 Cor. iv. 2; .Col. iv. 17; 1 Tim. iv. 16; Rev. iii. 2, 15, 16). III. THAT THEY WERE UNDEB SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO WATCH THEIR WATCH AND OBSERVE THE DUTIES 011' THEIR 0ll'FICE ABOUT THE SANCTUARY AND THE ALTAR, lest wrath should come upon the people. Even so the custodians of Divine truth are under special obligation to guard most carefully and reverently the two doctrines of Jesus in heaven(" th11t within the vail," Heh. vi. 19, 20) and of Jesus upon the cross (wid. ix. 14), lest, either being tampered with, damage should accrue to the•soul,i of men. IV. THAT THE 0ll'll'ICE 011' THE PRIESTS WAS II A SERVICE 011' GIFT." Even BO every office in the Church of God is a service, for there is no such thing as a sinecure in the kingdom of heaven ; and it is a service of gift, because it is not 11 matter of earthly honour, or of pay, or of human choice, or even of personal aptness, but of free grace and gift on the part of God-a trust conferred, 8 bounty bestowed. V. THAT THE PRIESTS" WERE PARTAKERS WITH THE ALTAR." Even 80 hath the Lord ordained, &c. (1 Cor. ix. 13, 14).
Consider again, with respect to the Leuitu- I. THAT THEY WEBB GIVEN TO AARON TO "WATCH HIS WA':'CH" AND "TB& WATCH 0!I' ALL THB TABERNACLE." Even BO are all the kindred of Christ given untv him to be his soldiers and servants to keep his watches, and to be the guardians of his spiritual house until he come again (Mark xiii. 35-37; 1 Cor. X":, 13; Eph. T. 15; Rev. xvi. 16). 232 THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. [cH. xvm. 1--a-2.