Moses and Aaron

Secondly, they differed in their Garments, which were a necessary adjunct to their Consecration. The High-Priest wore at the time of his ordinary ministration in the Sanctuary, eight Garments, Exodus 28. First, Breeches of linnen, put next upon his flesh. Secondly, A Coat of fine linnen put over the breeches. Thirdly, A girdle embroidered, of fine linnen, blew purple, & scarlet, wherewith the coat was girded. Fourthly, A Robe all of Blew, with seventy two bells of Gold, and as many Pomegranates of blew purple, and scarlet, upon the skirts thereof; this was put over the coat and girdle. Fifthly, An Ephod of gold and of blew purple, scarlet, and fine linnen curiously wrought; on the shoulders thereof were two fair Beryl Stones, engraven with the names of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. This Ephod was put over the Robe, and girded thereto with a curious girdle made of the same. Sixthly, A Breast-plate wrought of gold, blew, purple, scarlet, and fine linnen, which being a span square, was fastened by gold chains and rings, upon the Ephod: herein were set twelve several Stones, on which the names of the twelve Tribes were engraven: Moreover, in this Breast-plate were the Urim and the Thummim placed. Seventhly, A Miter of fine linnen, sixteen cubits long, wrapped about his head. Eighthly, A plate of purple gold, or holy Crown two fingers broad, whereon was engraven Holiness to the Lord: this was tyed with a blew lace upon the fore-front of the Miter.

These eight Garments the High-Priest used in his ordinary ministration, and they are termed by the Rabbies, ‎‏בגדי זהב‏‎, Bigde Zahab, Vestimenta aurea, Golden Vestments, because of their richness in comparison of other extraordinary Garments, which he wore onely once a year, when he entred into the Holy of Holies, upon the Propitiation day, Lev. 15. 4. 23. These latter are called ‎‏בגדי לבן‏‎ Bigde Laban, Vestimenta alba, White Garments; there were in number four. 1. A linnen breeches. 2. A linnen coat. 3. A linnen girdle. 4. A linnen Miter, Levit. 16. 4.

In the time of the Second Temple,45 because the Chrism or holy Oyl could not be found, therefore, as formerly in respect of his unction, the High-Priest was called by the Talmudists, ‎‏מתרבה משחה‏‎ Mithrabe Mischa, Auctus unctione, The anointed; so when the Oyl was lost in regard of his Garments, he was termed, ‎‏מתרבה בגדים‏‎ Mithrabe Begadim, Auctus Vestibus, The cloathed. Those forementioned Garments46 the High-Priest might not wear abroad in the City, unless some urgent occasion compelled him, as Simeon the just did, when he went forth to meet Alexander the Great.

In his apparel the threefold Office of our Saviour Christ was shadowed: the Crown signified his Kingly Office; the Urim and Thummim, and likewise his Bells and Pomegranates, his Prophetical Office: by Urim and Thummim, he answered as from an Oracle; by the Bells was typed the sound of his Doctrine; by the Pomgranates, the sweet savour of an Holy Life; the Names of the twelve Tribes engraven on the Ephod, and the Brest-plate, signified his Priestly Office, presenting unto God the whole Church, for which he maketh intercession. He knoweth his own sheep by Name, John 10. 3.

The inferiour Priests had onely four Garments, which they used in their ministration. 1. A linnen breeches. 2. A linnen coat. 3. A linnen Girdle. 4. A linnen bonnet, Exod. 28.

Thirdly they differed in their marriage. The High-priest might not marry a Widow, nor a divorced Woman, nor a Harlot, but a Virgin, Levit. 21. 14. From a Widow he could not expect the first love: from a divorced Woman he could not expect the first, or just love: from an Harlot, neither first, just, nor only love: all which Christ (whom the High-Priest did herein represent) expecteth from his Church. The other Priests might lawfully marry a Widow, Levit. 21. 7.

The High-priest, and the Inferiour Priests agreed in their consecration in these particulars. It was required first, that both should be void of bodily blemish, Levit. 21. 17. Secondly, that both should be presented unto the Lord at the door of the Tabernacle, Exod. 29. 4. Thirdly, that both should be washed with water, Exod. 29. 4. Fourthly, that both should be consecrated by offering up certain Sacrifices, Exod. 29. Fifthly, that both should have of the blood of the other Ram, put upon the tip of the right ear, the thumb of the right hand, and the great toe of the right-foot, Exod. 29. 20.

In the time of their Consecration, certain pieces of the sacrifice were put into the Priests hand, Exod. 29. 9. The ceremony in the Christian Church, used by the Bishop unto the Minister in time of Ordination, that the Bishop giveth the Bible into the hands of the Minister, doth much resemble this. And both may signifie, that no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron, Heb. 5. 4. Hence Consecration in the Hebrew phrase is termed, Filling of the hand. And contrary to this did Jeroboams Priests, whosoever would, he Filled his own hand, 1 King. 13. 33. that is, He thrust himself into the Priesthood.

In the discharge of their offices, the High-Priest differed from the other Priests: First, because he onely, and that but once a year, entred into the Holy of Holies, Exod. 16. 34.

Secondly, the High-Priest might not mourn for the death of his neerest kin, Levit. 28. 10, 11. The phrases used there to express mourning are two. First, uncovering the Head. Secondly, Renting the Cloaths: Of both these somewhat is spoken in the Chapter of Burial; but concerning the latter it will not be amiss to note, that the Talmudists determine the matter thus; saying,47 That it was lawful for the High-Priest to tear the skirt, or neither part of his Garment, but from the bosom downward it was unlawful: which if it be true, then it doth not necessarily follow, that Caiaphas did contrary to the law in renting his clothes, Matth. 26. 65. The inferiour Priests might mourn for these six; Father, Mother, Son, Daughter, Brother, and Sister, that had no Husband. Levit. 21. 2.

In the discharge of their Offices, the High-Priest, and other Priests agreed in these Particulars: First, they both burnt incense and offered sacrifices, 1 Chron. 6. 49. Secondly, they both sounded the Trumpets, the use whereof was two-fold; sometimes to sound an alarm in the war, sometimes, to assemble the people and their Rulers, Numb. 10. Thirdly, they both slew the sacrifice, 2 Chron. 29. 22. Fourthly, they both instructed the people, Malac. 2. 7. Fifthly, they both judged of leprosie, Levit. 13. 2.

For the more orderly performance of these offices, the High-Priest had his Suffragan,48 called ‎‏סגן‏‎ Sagan, who in case of the High-Priest’s pollution, performed his office. Of this sort was Zephaniah, Jer. 52. 24. And of this sort Annas is thought to have been, when Caiaphas was High-Priest.49 In this sense they interpret Annas and Caiaphas to have been High-Priests the same year, Luk. 3. 2. The High-Priest and his Sagan, resembled our Bishop and his Suffragan: The Patriarch of Constantinople and his Primore termed Protosyncellus, and amongst the Romans, the Centurion and his Optio: for the Lieutenants in war, who in case of necessity supplyed the Centurions place, were termed Optiones.

That every one of the inferiour Priests might equally serve in his order, King David distributed the whole company of them into twenty four ranks or courses, called ἐφημερίαι Turmæ, vices. Nadab and Abihu being dead, there remained onely two sons to Aaron, namely, Eleazer and Ithamar; now as the succession of Priests was preserved in these two families, so did David at this time according to the number of people in each family, make his division. Eleazers family he divided into sixteen ranks, and Ithamars into eight: the division was by Lot; the first Lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, the third to Hairim, &c. 1 Chron. 24. Every rank or course served weekly in the Temple by turn, and the ranks received their names from those who at that time were the heads of the several families, and ever after retained the same names. The chief of every rank was called, Summus Sacerdos istius Classis: The chief Priest of that rank. Hence it is, that we read of many High-Priests assembled together, Mark 14. 1. Furthermore we are to note, that as the weekly course fell out by lot, so did they by lot determine each particular Priests service; namely, who should burn incense, who slay the beasts, who lay them on the Altar, who dress the lamps, &c. Zacharias was of the course of Abia, Luke 1. 5. that is, of the eighth course, and his lot was to burn incense, Luke 1. 9.

The office of the Levites was to pitch, to take down, to bear up and down the Tabernacle, and the vessels thereof. Levi had three sons, Gershon, Cohath, and Merari: and accordingly the whole company of the Levites were distinguisht into 3 orders, Gershonites, Cohathites, and Merarites. The Gershonites charge was to carry the coverings, and hangings of the Tabernacle. The chief things within the Sanctuary were committed to the Cohathites. The Wood-work, and the rest of the instruments were committed to the charge of the Merarites, Num. 3. This was the office of the Levites, in Moses his time, whiles they were on their journey, in the Wilderness; but afterward when they were setled in the promised Land, then David changed their office, appointing them, some to have the charge of the Treasures of the Temple, 1 Chron. 26. 20. others to be Over-seers and Judges, others to be Porters, others Singers, 1 Chron. 23. 4. The Singers in time of singing were clad in linnen Robes or Surplesses, 2 Chron. 5. 12. The Singers were divided into twenty four orders or courses, 1 Chron. 25. 8. And the Porters into as many, 1 Chron. 26. that both might supply their turns weekly by lot, as the Priests did. In Moses time also, their consecration began at the five and twentieth year of their age: In Davids at the twentieth, 1 Chron. 23. 24. Ezra 3. 8. Here we may note the liberty granted unto the Church in changing Ceremonies: the Office of the Levites in Davids time, was not the same as in Moses: and again, Moses and David agreed not in the time of their consecration. Again in the Christian Church we shall find in Matthias his election, the use of Lots; not so in Pauls, or any other of the Apostles: In their meetings, use of an holy-kiss; and at the Lords Supper, use of their Love-feasts: both now antiquated thoroughout Christendom.

Moreover, there are certain degrees observable among the Levites: First, their Initiation, when they were a month old, they were Initiated and presented unto God, Numb. 3. 15. Secondly their consecration, they were consecrated by imposition of hands, when they were five and twenty years old, Numb. 8. 24. From thence for five years following, they learned their Office. Those that imposed hands on them are said in the Text, Numb. 8. 10. to be the sons of Israel, Ghazkuni interpreteth that place, the First born of Israel. They were the Representive Church; and in allusion to this, the Church of Christ is called the Church of the First-born, Heb. 12. 23. At the same time the Levites were waved by the Priests, that is, as the Greek reads it,50 Separated, which word is used for the Ministers of Christ,51 Separate me Barnabas and Paul, Act. 13. 2. Thirdly, their Ministration, to carry up and down the Tabernacle, and this was at the thirtieth year of their age, until the fiftieth, Numb. 4. 3. Lastly, their vacation, or discharge from that laborious service of carrying the Tabernacle; notwithstanding even then they were to serve in their charge, to encamp round about the Tent, to sing, and to beware that no stranger came into the Temple,52 and likewise to over-see and instruct younger Levites in the manner of Bishops. Unto these degrees the Apostle seemeth to have respect: They that have ministred well, get themselves a good degree, 1 Tim. 3. 13. The like kind of53 degrees are observable among the Vestal Virgins: they remained in their Nunnery thirty years. Ten years they learned the Mysteries of their Profession; Ten years they exercised them; and Ten years they taught them others. From this custome of Imposing hands on the Levites hath flow’d the like custom, used by the Apostles in conferring Orders, Acts 6. 6. 1 Tim. 5. 22.

Observe the difference of these three phrases, Χειροθεσία, the imposition of hands. Χειροτονία, the holding up of hands, in token of elivation or ordination, Act. 14. 22. And ἔκτασις χειρῶν, A stretching forth of the hands. Both the first gestures were used in Ordination, or conferring Orders. The first of all, namely, imposition of hands, was borrowed from the Hebrews. The second, namely, the holding up of hands, was taken from the54 Athenians, who had two sorts of Magistrates, Κλήρωται, Magistrates chosen by lots: and Χειροτόνηται, Magistrates chosen by holding up of hands. The third gesture of the hands, called ἔκτασις χειρῶν, A stretching forth of the hands,55 sometimes is termed τῆς χειρὸς νεῦμα, the beckning with the hand, a gesture used in craving silence; so Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself, Acts 26. 1.

There were56 another sort of holy persons termed ‎‏אנשי מעמד‏‎ Ansche Magnamad, Viri stationarii; the Law requiring, that whosoever offered either gift or sacrifice, he should present it unto the Lord with his own hands, and stand by during the time of his oblation. Now, because all Israel could not stand by, for the narrowness of the Place, hence when an offering was made for all the people, certain selected Persons, chosen for that purpose, supplied the stead of all the People. They were divided, as the Priests and Levites, into twenty four ranks and orders, weekly to minister in the Temple, but the choice was not restrained to the Tribe of Levi, but was indifferently made out of the people. Every rank had one fore-man, chief above the rest, termed57 Stationum Princeps, the Fore-man of the Station. The Nethinims office was to be hewers of wood, and drawers of water for the house of God, they were not Levites, no nor Israelites, but Gibeonites, whom because of their fraudulent dealing, Joshua made in this manner tributary, Josh. 9. 23. They were afterward called Nethinims, Ezra 2. 43. from ‎‏נתן‏‎ Nathan, which signifieth to give, because they were given to the service of the Temple. Their Office was vile and base, as appeareth by that proverbial speech; From the hewer of thy wood, unto the drawer of thy water. Deut. 29. 11.