with Rev. vii. 17, &c.). And this change, whereby the Avenger will be wholly swallowed up in the Kinsman and Redeemer, seems to be symbolised by the death of the high priest (see above). III. The laws of manHlaughter here declared have rather a moral than a spiritual value. The one thing which they uphold as a principle is the sanctity of human life, and the duty of inflicting capital punishment for murder, as laid down in Gen. ix. It is difficult to see that this duty is Ieee under the gospel, because the bringing in of the gospel has not changed the fundamental relations of man to hie Maker as based upon creation; rather it would seem to have added to the sanctity of human life by adding to the ties which knit that life to the life of God ( cf. Acte ix. 4, 5 ; 1 Cor. vi. 15 ; 2 Pet. i. 4). Whatever may he held, however, as touching the duties of civil governors, we may consider-I. That the sin against God involved in murder is enormous, and this guilt is incurred by every one that hateth his brother (1 John iii. 15). 2. That the guilt of murder lay before God in the intention to kill, wherefore murders also proceed out of the heart (Mark vii. 21 ). 3. That it was laid upon the congregation to show by prompt and righteone procedure that they had no sympathy with the murderer. 4. That in the absence of such vindication of justice the land was polluted with blood in the eyes of God, who dwelt therein. 5. That there is a crimo which is murder, but is worse than any killing of the body, i. e. the destroying of the soul by leading it into sin. 6. That it is laid upon all the faithful to show their horror and detestation of this crime by their treatment of seducers and tempters (1 Cor. v. 11; Ephes. v. 11; 2 Tim. ii. 21; 2 John 11). 7. That indulgence and sym- pathy extended to destroyers of souls that have not repented brings down the wrath of God upon a Church, and makes it hateful in his eyes (see lea. i. 21, &c.). 8. That this sinful indulgence of seducers is excuse~ by human considerations, in forgetfulness that God is in the midst of hie people, and that every sin so lightly excused or ignored stares him in the face (2 Cor. vi. 16; Rev. ii. 1). 9. That if the blood of Abel cried to him from the ground, and if the land of Canaan could not be cleansed from the blood of its slain, how much more will he be moved by that destruction of immortal souls which is wrought by the wicked lives and solicitations of bad Christians I
.fIOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1-8.-The Levites to be diatri"buted in certain cities througlwut the wlwle land. Unlike the other tribes, the Levites were to have no inheritance in the land. The names of Judah, Ephraim, Manasseh, Reuben figure on the map of Palestine, each giving name to a province or county of its own ; but the map knows no tribe of Levi. The Lord was the inheritance of this tribe. For their subsistence the Levites were to depend partly on the tithe, partly on certuin dues and perquisites, supplemented by the free-will offerings of the faithful. But although they were landless, it was never the Lord's will that they should be houseless. A vagabond ministry could not have failed to be a scandalous ministry. Accordingly, the law here provides dwellings for the sacred tribe in forty-eight Levitical cities. I. In this law TWO POINTS CLAIM NOTICE. 1. That the forty-eight cities, although denominated "Levitical cities," were not devoted exclusively to members of this tribe. For example, Hebron, which was perhaps the most noted of the forty-eight, being tho city of refuge for wlll\t was afterwards the whole kingdom of Judnh, formed pflrt of the inheritance of Caleb the Kenezite (Josh. xiv. 14). Doubtless many families of Judah would also be found among the residents; for the city belonged to Judah. What the Levites obtained was not, in any instance, exclusive possession of the city, but certain houses within the walls, and certain pasture grounds (" glebe lands") adjoining. The houses and glebes tb 1s set apart became the inalienable inheritance of the respective Levitical families. They were as strictly entailed as the lands which constituted the patrimony of the other families in Israel. If at any time they were sold for debt, they reverted to the family at the Jubilee. 2. The Levitical cities to~ ecattered up and ®wn the uhole country. The arrangement was a remarkable one. .At first sight, indeed, it looks awkward and unnatural. For were not the Levites set apart to do the servioe of the sanctuary? Would it not have been more l'Onvenient to '.) Q 2 452 THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. [arr. XXXV. 1-8~