Thomas Goodwin - Moses and Aaron

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 50 Ἀφοριεῖ ἀαρὼν. Separated , which word is used for the Ministers of Christ , 51 51 Ἀφορίσατε. 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 52 Francisc. Jun. Analyt. Expos. Numb. 8. 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 of 53 53 Dionys. Halycarnass. lib. 2. 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 the 54 54 Æschines contra Ctesiphont. 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 55 Herodian, p. 45. 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 were 56 56 Moses Kotsen. fol. 211. col. 4. 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, termed 57 57 ‎‏ראש מעמד‏‎ 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.

There are divers names given unto the Expositors of the Law; and although the Particular year or time when each name began, be not clearly evidenced by Monuments of Antiquity , yet in general we may conceive three distinct periods of time; in which the names altered. First from Adam until Moses ; Secondly, from Moses , till the peoples return from Babylon . Thirdly, from their return , until the dayes of Christ , and after. In the first period, as Adam was Prophet and Priest in his family, so afterward every first-born supplyed these two offices together with the princely office in their several families. That they ruled their families as Kings and instructed them as Prophets , is clear to any acquainted with Scripture; the greatest doubt is, what sufficient proof there is for their Priest-hood , Adams Priest-hood , is gathered hence, 58 58 Bertram. Polit. Jud. c. 2. p. 17. because that Gen 4. 3. and 4. Abel and Cain are said to have brought their sacrifices: to have brought them, namely, unto Adam , who offered them unto God in their name. The Priest-hood of the first-born is gatherable hence, because the Levites were appointed to the service of the Altar, instead of the first-born, and as the λύτρον or price of redemption , Num. 3. 41. In the second period, though a private Catechetical exposition of the Law belonged to the Masters of Families , yet the publick Ministerial exposition thereof was appropriated to Priests and Prophets . In the third period, when Prophecy ceased, then the office of expounding Scripture was more common, and instead of Prophets came in a multitude of other Expositors; In general we may call them teachers of Israel , Joh. 3. 10. We may distinguish them into three several sorts. 1. Wisemen. 2. Scribes. 3. Disputers. The Apostle compriseth them all, 1 Cor. 1. 20. Where is the Wise ? Where is the Scribe ? Where is the Disputer ? Unto any of these, or whatsoever other Doctor eminently gifted above others, the title Rabbi was prefixed. First, of their Prophets . Secondly, their Wisemen . Thirdly, their Scribes . Fourthly, their Disputers . Fifthly, their Rabbies .