SECT. I.

Defignation of the Tribe of LE V I.

xiii. 2.

The Defignation of this Tribe to the Priesthood, was in lieu of the First-born in Exod. every Family, throughout all the Tribes whom God had appointed to be confecrated to Himself,at the Time that he brought them out of the Land of Egypt. But, as that, upon many Occafions, would have been inconvenient for them; God was pleas'd to difpenfe with them as to that Obligation, and to accept of the whole Tribe of Levi, in the ftead thereof. The Numb. LORD Spake unto Mofes faying; Behold, iii. 11. I have taken the Levites from among the children of Ifrael, instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Ifrael: therefore the Levites ball be mine.

A

Now, as no Profeffion whatever can be conceived to be fo honourable, as that which is peculiarly inftrumental, in teaching and affifting Mankind how to keep themselves at Peace with God; and to reconcile themselves to Him, after they

have given offence, by any way failing in their Duty and Allegiance to Him: So, we may conclude, this diftinguishing Mark of Favour was put upon the Tribe of Levi, out of Respect to Mofes, that great Prophet; whom God thought fit, fo fignally to employ, firft, in the Deliverance of his People, from Egyptian Servitude; and afterwards, in fettling and establish] ing among them that Form of Government, which he judg'd to be the most reasonable and proper for them.

Efpecially, confidering how great a share in the Adminiftration of their Affairs, temporal as well as fpiritual, the Chiefs of this Tribe were fure to have, as long as the reft of them would live contented under that Political Occonomy, which God himself had defign'd for their Comfort and Well-being. And, at the fame time, how * fufficient an Income they were

*All the First-fruits and Tenths of eleven, or rather, twelve Tribes; were appropriated to the Maintenance of this One, befides Offerings, Vows, and Donations of all Kinds. Which, if paid regularly and fairly, without any Deduction or fraudulent Abatement, must have amounted to, at least, as much, as the Revenue of any other fingle Tribe.

to

to enjoy; provided and brought to their Hands without any Expence or Toil on their Side, (the Miniftration of the facred Offices excepted) that so, they might the more intirely devote and apply themselves to the great Business of their Profeffion; the greatest Good and Happiness of Mankind; and, from which, confequently, it was the best Intereft of all the People committed to their Charge, to use their whole Endeavours, that they should not be call'd off, or difturb'd, by being oblig'd to hunt after the Neceffities and Conveniencies of Life.

xviii. 20,

Their Portion and Allotment is mention'd in feveral Places, in the Law. The LORD fays to Aaron; Thou shalt have no Numb. inheritance in their land; neither halt 21. thou have any part among them: I am thy part, and thine inheritance, among the children of Ifrael. And behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Ifrael, for an inheritance; for their service which they ferve, even the fervice of the tabernacle of the congregation: And, in the fame Chapter, most of the Emoluments arising to the High-Prieft, are likewife fpecified.

Of

Exod.

Of whose Office we will begin to treat in the first Place.

SECT. II.

The HIGH-PRIEST.

When God had deliver'd the Law from Mount Sinai, and given Directions about the Tabernacle, and all its Appurtenances; he then says to Mofes, Take unto thee, xxviii. 1. Aaron thy brother, and his fons with him, from among the children of Ifrael; that he may minifter unto me in the Priest's office: even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's fons. Of these, Aaron was the Chief or High-Prieft; his Sons, in a subordinate Degree, only Priests,

2 Kings

xxiii. 4.

Jer. lii.

24.

This Diftinction is frequently made in the Law; as it is alfo in other Parts of the Scripture. King Jofiah commanded Hilkiah the High-Priest, and the Priests of the fecond order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD, all the vessels that were made for Baal. And we are told that at the Time of the Babylonish Captivity, The captain of the guard took Seraiah the Chief-Priest, and

Zephaniah

Zephaniah the Second Prieft, and the three keepers of the door. And we read, after their Return from the Captivity, that Elia- Neh. iii. fhib the High-Priest rofe up with his bre- ". thren the Priests, and was inftrumental in rebuilding the Walls of Jerufalem. But as the Directions about those things, which related to the High-Priest and the rest of the Priests, are mostly given to Aaron and his Sons, what we read of as establish'd nominally in and for them, must be look'd upon as appertaining to all the HighPriests and Priests of the fecond Order, who were to fucceed them in after Times.

By enquiring first into the Circumftances of the High-Prieft's Office, therefore, we shall clear the way a little, and lay fome Foundation towards our better understanding all the rest, which are to follow. And as these Circumstances are deliver'd in the Law, under four Heads, First, the Veftments or Robes; next, the Confecration; then, the Qualifications; and laftly, the Office of the High-Prieft; it will not be amifs, if we pursue the fame Method.

SECT.