Levit. viii.

CHA P. II.

Of the Rules fet down in Scripture for those that minister in holy Things ; and of the Corruptions that are fet forth in them.

I

Intend to write with all poffible Simplicity, without the Affectations of a ftrictness of Method: And therefore I will give one full View of this whole Matter, without any other Order than as it lies in the Scriptures: And will lay both the Rules and the Reproofs that are in them together, as Things that give Light to one another. In the Law of Mofes we find many very particular Rules given for the Washing and Confecration of the Priests and Levites, chiefly of the holy Prieft. The whole Tribe of Levi was fanctified and separated from the common Labours, either of War or Tillage: And though they were but one in twelve, yet a tenth of all was appointed for them: They were also to have a large Share of another tenth; that fo they might be not only delivered from all Cares, by that large Provision that was made for them, but might be able to relieve the Neceffities of the Widows and Fatherlefs, the

Poor

Poor and the Strangers that fojourned among them; and by their Bounty and Charity, be poffeffed both of the Love and Efteem of the People. They were holy to the Lord; they were faid to be fanctified or dedicated to God; and the Head of their Order carried on his Mitre this Infcription, Holiness to the Lord. The many Washings that they were often to ufe, chiefly in doing their Functions, carried this Signification in them, that they were appropriated to God, and that they were under very ftrict Obligations to a high Degree of Purity; they might not fo much as mourn for their dead Relations, to fhew how far they Levit. xxi. ought to rife above all the Concerns of 1. flesh and blood, and even the most excufable Paffions of human Nature. But above all Things, thefe Rules taught them, with what Exactness, Decency and Purity they ought to perform thofe Offices that be- Lev. xxii. longed to their Function; and therefore 3, 4. when Aaron's two Sons, Nadab and Abihu, tranfgreffed the Law that God had given, fire came out from the Lord, and devoured them; and the Reason given for it, carries in it a perpetual Rule: I will be fanctified in all ver. 3. them that draw near to me, and before all the people I will be glorified: Which import, that fuch as minifter in holy Things, ought to behave themselves fo, that God's Name may

be

Levit. x.

I.

iii.

be glorified by their Means; otherwise, that God will glorify himself by his fevere Judgments on them. A fignal Inftance of which 1 Sam. ii. we do alfo find in Eli's two Sons, whose Impieties and Defilements, as they made the People to abbor the offering of the Lord, fo they alfo drew down, not only heavy Judgments on themselves, but on the whole Houfe of Eli; and indeed on the whole Nation.

But befides the Attendance which the Priefts and Levites were bound to give at the Temple, and on the Publick Service there, they were likewife obliged to study the Law, to give the People warning out of it, to inftruct them in it, and to conduct them, and watch over them: And for this Reason they had Cities affigned them in all the Corners of the Land; that fo they might both more easily obferve the Manners of the People, and that the People might more eafily have recourfe to them. Now when that Nation became corrupted both by Idolatry and Immorality, God raised up Prophets to be extraordinary Monitors to them; to declare to them their Sins, and to denounce thofe Judgments which were coming upon them, because of them; we find the Silence, the Ignorance, and the Corruption of their Paftors, their Shepherds, and their

Watch

Watchmen, is a main Article of their Charge; fo Ifaiah tells them, that their Watchmen Ifa. lvi, 10. were blind, ignorant, dumb dogs, that could not bark; fleeping, lying down, and loving to slumber: Yet thefe careless Watchmen were covetous and infatiable, They were greedy dogs, which could never have enough; fhepherds they were, that could not understand; but how remifs foever they might be in God's Work, they were careful enough of their own: They all looked to their own way, every one to his own gain from his quarter. They were, no doubt, exact in levying their Tythes and Firft-fruits, how little foever they might do for them, bating their bare Attendance at the Temple, to officiate there; fo guilty they were of that reigning Abuse, of thinking they had done their Duty, if they either by themselves or by Proxy, had performed their Functions, without minding what was incumbent on them, as Watchmen, or Shepberds. In Oppofition to fuch careless and corrupt Guides, God promifes to his People, To fet Watchmen over them that should never bold their peace day or night.

As the Captivity drew nearer, we may eafily conclude, That the Corruptions both of Priest and People increased, which ripened them for the Judgments of God, that were kept back by the Reformations which Hezekiah and Jofiah had made; but

C

at

14.

at laft, all was fo depraved, that though God fent two Prophets, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, to prepare them for that terrible Calamity, yet this was only to fave some few among them; for the Sins of the Nation Jer. v. 2. were grown to that height, that though Ezek. xiv. Mofes and Samuel, Noah, Job and Daniel, had been then alive, to intercede for them, yet God declared that he would not bear them; nor fpare the Nation for their fakes: fo that even fuch mighty Interceffors could only fave their own Souls. In this deplorable State we fhall find that their Priests and Paftors had their large Share. The Jer. ii. 8. Priests faid not, Where is the Lord? They that handled the law, knew me not, the Paftors alfo tranfgreffed against me; and their Corruption went fo far, that they had not only falfe Prophets to fupport them, but the People, who, how bad foever they may be themfelves, do generally hate evil Priefts, grew to Jer. v. 32. be pleafed with it. The Prophets prophefy falfely and the Priests bear rule by their

22.

means and my people love to have it fo: Jer. vi. 13. From the Prophet even to the Priest, every one Jer. xxiii. dealt falfly. And upon that, a Wois denounced against the Paftors that deftroyed and scattered the Sheep of God's Pafture. They by their Office ought to have fed the People; but instead of that, they had fcattered the flock, and driven them away, and had not vifited

wer. 11.

them: