this subject,-his Epistle to Titus, supposed to be written A. D. 52, and the two distinct ones to Timothy, A. D. 58, and 65,—are nearly, if not precisely, the first, middle, and last of his epistolary labours.

Heresy unhappily soon tinged the Apostolical Church in each branch of the threefold order. Nicolas, one of the first seven Deacons,—Acts, vi. 5,-is supposed to have led the heresy of the Nicolaitans,-Rev. ii. 6, 15,-and St. Paul refers to heresies that were about to arise in the Presbytery,-Acts, xx. 30,-as Judas had before fallen from his station, and false Apostles had followed his steps. Thus Christ permitted false Bishops, false Presbyters, and false Deacons, in the infancy of the Church, that through such heresies" they which were "approved might be made manifest."-1 Cor. xi. 19.

VII. On the Threefold Order in the Priesthood.

THE office of the Priesthood, established in the tribe of Levi, in substitution for the first born who were originally devoted to God-an order typical of" better things" to come-of a "better covenant established upon better promises ;" and succeeded by the Christian hierarchy, still following "the pattern" of what should be for ever, as it was the form of Church government devised and settled by God himself,-was always threefold; the several orders-differing in dignities, and in duties,-being solemnly prepared for their respective stations, and publicly consecrated by different ceremonies.

The members of the Jewish threefold order were the High Priest, the Priests, and the Levites. The first order, till after the time of our Blessed Lord's ministry, consisted only of a single person, as the hierarchy had to minister to one separated body only-" the congregation of Israel.”—The number in the other two orders was unlimited, and adapted to the services required of them. In the Christian threefold orders the numbers in each order are unlimited. Under the Levitical economy one tribe-one family--was separated out of the

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twelve others;-under the Christian economy no particular family is appointed; but in lieu thereof, and in place of the established inheritance, a solemn consecration is substituted.

In the ministry of our Blessed Lord there was an union of all offices, and orders. He in his own person was equally King, Priest, and Prophet. He was the "King of Kings." He was a Priest" made not after the law of a carnal commandment, but" after the power of an endless life." Heb. vii. 16. And he was foretold by Moses as a Prophet-specially appointed by God, to whom if any did not hearken God would require it of him.-Deut. xviii. 15-19,—and the people, according to St. John, agreed," This is of a truth that Prophet that should come 66 into the world.”—Jo. vi. 14, and see Luke vii. 16.—In the union of these offices Christ realized the types exhibited in the persons of Moses, and Aaron. As the former he held a general superintendency over his people, delivering them from a state of more than Egyptian bondage, and leading them through the wilderness of the world unto the heavenly Canaan; and as the latter he was "called of God an High Priest after the "order of Melchizedek,"-Heb. v. 10,-" holy, harmless, "undefiled; separate from sinners, and made higher than the "heavens."-" An High Priest of good things to come," set -"An "over the house of God."-Heb. vii. 26, &c.

Regarding the Levitical or typical Church, on the one hand, when the dignity of the Priesthood was rapidly declining-and looking forward, on the other, to the permanent establishment of the Christian Priesthood, our Lord may be considered as combining the threefold order in his own person, and thus standing the centre, as it were, where the types should end, and the realities begin. In respect to the Levitical Priesthood, indeed, as it was passing away, the different orders are but adumbrated; but as to the three orders of the Christian Priesthood, the several titles are expressly attributed to him. He was “the Bishop,”—1 Pet. ii. 25,—and "Chief Shepherd," -v. 4.-He was "a Priest," and "not without an oath,”. "a Priest for ever,"-Heb. vii. 21,-and that of a "tribe of

"which no man (before) gave attendance at the Altar," v. 13, -and he was a Deacon (diaxovos) or "minister of the circum"cision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises."— Rom. xv. 8, and see Gal. ii. 17.

He also bore the incidental titles-He was an "Apostle,"Heb. iii. 1,—sent of God,-Matt. xv. 24,-Acts iii. 26,-as he himself sent his Apostles,-Matt. x. 5.-He was likewise "the Angel,”-Is. lxiii. 9. Mal. iii. 1,-as Bishops are elsewhere termed,-Rev. i. 20,-and "the Star."-Num. xxiv. 17, Rev. xxii. 16. and He was in the highest sense "an Evan

gelist," in preaching good tidings-in proclaiming the Gospel of peace,-Is. lxi. 1-3. Luke iv. 17-21. Thus did our Lord fulfil all righteousness, in submitting to the ordinances, and taking upon himself the offices of his Church.

During the extraordinary period of his own active ministry, the threefold order may be considered, for a short time, as in a state of abeyance; existing in name, but little in effect, in the Levitical ministry:-in effect, more than in name, in our Lord's person:-but about to be fully established both in name, and in effect, in the Christian Hierarchy;-of which the first appearance was in our Lord as the first order-the Apostles" the twelve"-as the second,—and the disciples— "the Seventy❞—as the third order. Of the difference in rank between the two latter orders, enough has been already said, ante, p. 84, and see post, p. 105.

While thus filling the first order, and in conformity with its exclusive powers, our Lord both governed his Church, and ordained his ministers. For when the "labourers were few," and a greater number became requisite, the Apostles, who could not themselves ordain at this time, were to “ pray to the "Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into "the harvest,"-Matt. ix. 37, 38.-As supreme in his episcopacy he exercised the power even after his ascension into Heaven; for when "the eleven" met in order to fill up the vacancy occasioned by the apostacy of Judas, they selected two out of those who had accompanied them "all the time that the

"Lord Jesus went in and out among them; beginning from "the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken

up from them" into Heaven; whereof one should" be "ordained to be a witness with them of his resurrection ;" and then praying to Christ, their Lord, to shew which He had chosen to "take part of the ministry and Apostleship," they cast lots, and the lot falling upon Matthias," he was numbered "with the eleven,”—Acts i. 15—26,—and with them afterwards received the Holy Ghost. Our Lord also exercised this power in the subsequent appointment of an extra ApostleSt. Paul-as his minister and witness to the Gentiles,-Acts, xxii. 15. xxvi. 16, 17,—and this, if the number twelve was never to be exceeded in the Apostolate, as seems probable from Rev. xxi. 14, &c.—superseded perhaps the choice of Matthias, whose appointment alone may be regarded as partly of human choice.

After our Lord's ascent into Heaven, the Apostles, during the settlement of the Church, and while the miraculous gifts continued, exercised more extensive powers than any of their successors; and they, therefore, like their divine master, were at once Bishops,-Acts i. 20,--Presbyters,-1 Pet. v. 1,—and Deacons,-2 Cor. iv. 1. vi. 3.-This will account for their sometimes ordaining the second order without the first—they themselves continuing to act in the office of the latter, and not choosing, or feeling it necessary, while their own ministry continued in activity, to delegate the power of ordaining, or governing the Church, to others.

There never was an equality in order, in office, or in power, either in the Levitical or Christian Church. In the former there was a subordination even in the several orders themselves, when they were filled by a plurality of persons. Of Priests there were 24 courses, whose rank was settled by lot,-1 Chron. xxiv, -and each course had its head or chief. The third order, was divided into three classes, from the three sons of Leviand these again into courses,-the highest of whom were appointed to "wait" on "the sons of Aaron,"- 1 Chron, xxiii, 28,

-and the others filled different offices, down to singers, and porters,-2 Chron. viii. 14.

As to the subordination in the Christian ministry, our Lord, as we have seen, appointed two orders to act under his immediate direction, between whom a great difference is perceptible. The members of the first of these orders were ordained with more solemnity and preparation than the others; and on a vacancy occurring in the higher, it was filled up by the election of one from the inferior order. "The Seventy" were, indeed, ministers of the Gospel, and labourers in the work of the edification of the Saints ;-but " the Twelve" were patriarchs, as it were, in the Church, and "master-builders." The former could heal diseases by the touch, and when present,—but the shadow of these was effectual, and they could heal when absent. Acts v. 15. xix. 12.-" The Seventy" were sent out to go before our Lord-to make ready for him, Luke x. 1,—“ the "Twelve" were" ordained that they should be with him,”. Mark iii. 14,--they were not "servants," but "friends. Jo. xv. 15.

All received the Holy Ghost,-Acts x. 44, 47. xv. 6—8,— and this was therefore common to the ministry; "Jesus being "full of the Holy Ghost,"-Luke iv. 1,-and the Apostles,Acts iv. 8. ii. 4,-and the Disciples also,-xiii. 52,—but the Apostles could confer it,-viii. 17—19. xix. 6,—as our Lord conferred it upon them,-Jo. xx. 22,-and with it the power of ordination in succession,-1 Tim. v. 22. Titus i. 5.—They acted, too, in union, as it were, with the divine guide,—“ it "seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us."-Acts xv. 28, -and though the Deacons could do miracles, and preached with great power,—Acts vi. 8. viii. 6,—yet they could not impart the Holy Ghost to the converts, but, as in the case of the Samaritans, and Ephesians, it was necessary for the Apostles to do this; who therefore "laid their hands on them, and they "received the Holy Ghost."-Acts viii. 5-17. xix. 1-6.

If equality could ever be expected, it would naturally be looked for in the body of the Apostles-" the Twelve,”—who