"he that is called of God, as was Aaron."-No man-nor prophet-nor angel-nor Christ himself" the head of the "Church-nor his Apostles and Disciples-nor any of their successors in the ministry!-John the Baptist-declared by our Lord to be "more than a prophet," and than whom there had not "risen a greater born of women," Matt. xi. 9, 11.--a Priest of the house of Aaron-specially predicted and appointed to be the messenger of Christ near 400 years before He appeared on earth.-Mal. iii. 1. " a man sent from God,"-sent to baptize our Lord,-even he acted not until, after a life of abstinence and preparation, “the word of the Lord came to "him in the wilderness," Luke iii. 2. Jo. i. 33, and see Jer. i. 2, 4. Ezek. vi. 1, &c. nor did he assume to himself a character beyond his appointment. Luke iii. 15, 16. The angels have their missions; they run not unless they are sent;"they are "all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for "them who shall be heirs of salvation" Heb. i. 14. See the case of the Angel Gabriel, Luke i. 19, 26, and see also, Acts xii. 11. Rev. i. 1. v. 6. xxii. 6.

Christ, the "Lord of all," " the Shepherd and Bishop of our "souls" and the express "head over all things to the Church, "which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in "all." Eph. i. 22, 23.-to whom God gave not "the Spirit

by measure"-" for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the godhead bodily"-Col. ii. 9.-even "Christ glorified not "himself to be made an High Priest," but was glorified of him-the same who had "called" and "appointed,” named and constituted him. Heb. v. 10. iii. 2, and had said, "Thou "art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee." "Thou art a Priest "for ever after the order of Melchizedech." Heb. v. 5, 6. Though long expected, and thus solemnly designated to a peculiar Priesthood, our Lord entered not on the evangelical office, till, having attained the age of 30 years, the time when the Levites took on themselves the full discharge of their duties, he received baptism from John; as he declared," it becometh “us to fulfil all righteousness." Matt. iii. 15. Then did he

receive the holy unction-" the oil of gladness above his fel"lows." Ps. xlv. 7, a custom that had ceased amongst the Jews since the Babylonian captivity, but which was always before used in the ordination, or appointment of those who did not succeed to their office by natural descent-and this, whether it was kingly, as in the case of Saul, David, and Jehu; or priestly, as in that of Aaron; or prophetical, as that of Elisha. His mission also was published by a visible appearance of the Holy Ghost, and an audible voice from heaven; when, as St. Peter says, "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy "Ghost and with power." Acts x. 38. Thus as Aaron, the great Jewish High Priest, was washed with water, and anointed with oil, at his consecration, Ex. xxix. 4—7, so Christ was consecrated an High Priest, by being likewise baptized, or washed, and anointed with the Holy Spirit resting visibly upon him, as predicted. After this our Lord fasted 40 days and 40 nights, as Moses did before he received his commission, and then, and only "from that time, Jesus began "to preach" the gospel of the kingdom of heaven, Matt. iv. 17, and to "manifest forth his glory." Jo. ii. 11.

Our Lord afterwards refers to his being sent for this purpose, and to the work which was given him to do; Jo. xii. 49. xvii. 3, and extends the argument to those whom he also was sending." He that receiveth you, receiveth me; and he that "receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me." Matt. x. 40."and he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me." Luke x. 16.

A super-eminent instance is this, and of infinite weight, as our blessed Lord, besides a singular personal holiness, and sufficiency, acted under a peculiar priesthood, unlike, and independent of, the Aaronical Priesthood, and the office of which he might have assumed without any ceremonies analogous to what had been before practised; but in this, as “the High Priest of our profession,"-" he was faithful to him "that appointed him." Heb. iii. 1, 2.

The Apostles, chosen by our Lord out of his Disciples,

when he had " called unto him whom he would,”—Mark iii. 13,-and after he had "continued all night in prayer to God,"-Luke vi. 12, 13,-acted likewise under an express commission, and well-defined limits. Christ" ordained Twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might "send them forth," Mark iii. 14, and he "commanded them" to go, and "preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at "hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, "cast out devils;" apprizing them fully as to the difficulties of their task, and encouraging them with the promise of eternal life; but limiting their present exertions" to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Matt. x. 5—42. "And the Apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they "had done." Luke ix. 10.

After this, he "appointed other Seventy also,"-ministers of an inferior order, and on a still more confined mission, to preach in the places which he himself meant to visit; and they likewise returned and gave him an account of their success. Luke x. 1-17.

A serious attention to these circumstances will lead to a due estimate of the marked terms of reprobation, in which our Lord speaks of those who assumed to themselves the character of a shepherd, or pastor, without being lawfully appointed, or entering in at the right door. As he was himself" the way” to the Father, to whom none could come but by him,-Jo. xiv. 6.- so was he also the only intermediate way to the ministry, through which the doctrine of salvation should be preached; for "as the law was given by Moses," so grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." Jo. i. 17.-" He that entereth not by the door into the sheep fold," says he, he that is not "called of God as was Aaron"-not appointed as I have been, -"but clambereth up some other way,"-thus attempting to glorify himself," the same is a thief and a robber." But he that "entereth in by the door"-he that is sent by me, as I am sent by my Father—he is a rightful shepherd—he "is the shepherd of the sheep."—" A stranger will they not follow,

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"bat will flee from him, for they know not the voice of "strangers." Jo. x. 1, 2, 5.

Previous to the Apostles and Disciples being invested with their full powers, they continued some time in a state of preparation by constant attendance on our Lord, having “the "mysteries of the kingdom of God" explained to them, which were only spoken to others in parables.—Luke viii. 10,—As the time for his departure drew near, Christ gave to the Twelve, they alone being present at the institution of the Lord's Supper, or Christian Passover, more particular instructions, Jo. xiii. xvi.—“ I have given unto them," says he, in his address to the Father," the words which thou gavest me." Jo. xvi. 8, —concluding with the sublime and affectionate prayer for them recorded by St. John, ch. xvii.

After the crucifixion, when all things were accomplished, and our Lord's visible ministry on earth had ceased, he transferred to the Apostles the commission he had received; "as "thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent "them into the world.” Jo. xvii. 18." As my Father hath "sent me, even so send I you." Jo. xx. 21, and gave them, probably by imposition of hands-this most ancient as well as apostolic custom-the solemn investiture of those powers which they were to execute, and transmit through a line of chosen successors to the end of time.

So Paul and Barnabas who were added to the Apostles— they, after being called to the work, and while “they minis"tered to the Lord, and fasted,” were directed to be separated, and consecrated, expressly by the Holy Ghost,—Acts xiji. 2, —which was done by fasting, and prayer, and imposition of hands. But even after this, when preparing to go where God did not send them," to preach the word in Asia,”—they "were forbidden of the Holy Ghost;" and assaying "to go “into Bythinia,—the Spirit suffered them not." Acts xvi. 7. But when they were "sent forth by the Holy Ghost,” in the direction appointed, they “departed,” xiii. 4. xxii. 21. In other instances, too, the Spirit gives directions; as in the case

of Philip instructing the Eunuch, Acts viii. 29.; in the case of St. Peter, xi. 12. xx. 28, &c.

The divine commission is acknowledged by evil spirits, according to the promises given,-Luke ix. 1. x. 17. "Jesus "I know," said the demon," and Paul I know,-but who "are ye?" Acts xix. 15.

St. Jude speaks of men who had crept unawares into the Church,-of" filthy dreamers," "despising dominion, and speaking evil of dignities;" men who " perished in the gain"saying," or should perish according to the contradiction, or rebellion," of Korah." These were probably the false teachers mentioned by St. Peter. St. John also notices with reprobation, the case of Diotrephes-3 Jo. 9.-who " loved to have "the pre-eminence in the Church;" being probably one of an inferior order, and indulging the same presumptuous notions.

IV. On our Lord's Conduct as to the Levitical Worship.

THE Levitical Priesthood was not abrogated by the exercise of our Lord's ministry. Daniel prophesied, " He shall con"firm the covenant with many for one week,"-ix. 27,-and Christ himself recognised the efficacy of the temple worship,the sanctity of the building,-and the respect due to its Officers.

The Holy Child was circumcised, and then brought by his mother to Jerusalem, and presented to the Lord, according to the law. Luke ii. 21-24.-Gen. xvii. 10. Acts vii. 8. Lev. xii. 5-8. And the very first public appearance of the Saviour was in the Temple, when he was only twelve years of age. On this occasion, he answered with an exclamation of surprise to his enquiring parents, who were astonished to find him there," how is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must "be about my Father's business?" or, according to the Syriac version, "in my Father's house?"-Luke ii. 49.—one of the