dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brethren. which cometh of the sale of his fine linen, and goats' hair, I rams' skins dyed red, and t gers' skins, and shittim wood, for the light, spices for anoin oil, and for sweet incense; Or stones, and stones to be set the ephod, and in the bre plate. 2 Chron. xxxi, 4, 15-19. More2 Chron. v, 1. Thus all the work over, he commanded the people that Solomon made for the house that dwelt in Jerusalem to give of the LORD was finished: and the portion of the priests and the Solomon brought in all the things Levites, that they might be enthat David his father had dedi-couraged in the law of the LORD. Exod. xxxv, 5-9, 22-24, 27 cated; and the silver, and the gold, And next him were Eden, and and all the instruments, put he Miniamin, and Jeshua, and She-Take ye from among you an e among the treasures of the house malah, Amariah, and Shiecaniah, ing unto the LosD: whosoeve of God. in the cities of the priests, in of a willing heart, let him brit their set office, to give to their an offering of the LORD, gold, brethren by courses, as well to silver, and brass, And blue, the great as to the small. Besides purple, and scarlet, and fine li their genealogy of males, from and goats' hair, And rams' s three years old and upward, even dyed red, and badgers' skins, unto every one that entereth into shittim-wood, And oil for the house of the LORD, his daily light, and spices for anointing portion for their service in their and for the sweet incense: charges, according to their cour- onyx-stones, and stones to b ses; Both to the genealogy of the for the ephod, and for the tr priests by the house of their plate. And they came, both fathers, and the Levites from and women, as many as 1 twenty years old and upward, willing - hearted, and in their charges, by their courses: bracelets, and earrings, And to the genealogy of all their rings, and tablets, all jewe little ones, their wives, and their gold: and every man that of sons, and their daughters, through offered an offering of gold all the congregation: for in their the LORD. And every man set office they sanctified them- whom was found blue, and selves in holiness. Also of the ple, and scarlet, and fine i sons of Aaron the priests, which and goats' hair, and red ski were in the fields of the suburbs rams, and badgers' skins, bro of their cities, in every several them. Every one that did city, the men that were expressed an offering of silver and 1 by name, to give portions to all brought the LORD's offering: the males among the priests, and every man with whom was to all that were reckoned by gen-shittim-wood, for any work service, brought it. And ealogies among the Levites. rulers brought onyx-stones stones to be set, for the e and for the breastplate; And and oil for the light, and fo anointing oil, and for the i 2 Chron. xxxi, 7-13. In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel. Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. And Azariah the chief priest, of the house of Zadok, answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store. Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared them, And brought in the offerings, and the tithes, and the dedicated things, faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next. And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benalah, were overseers, under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God. Neh, xii, 44. And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the first-fruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them, out of the fields of the cities, the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited. Neh. xiii, 12, 13. Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn, and the new wine, and the oil, unto the treasuries. And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe; and of the Levites, Pedaiah; and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful; and their office was to distribute unto brethren. DISBURSEMENT. their Neh. xii, 47. And all Israel, in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron. Neh. xiii, 10, 11. And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I incense. bro Exod. xxxviii, 24. 29. Al gold that was occupied fo work, in all the work of the place, even the gold of the ing, was twenty and nine ta and seven hundred and 1 shekels, after the shekel sanctuary. And the brass offering cas seventy talent two thousand and four hu shekels. Num. xxxl, 52. And all the gathered them together, and set of the offering that they them in their place. THE MAINTENANCE OF Exod. xxv, 3-7. And this is the 468 up to the LORD, of the capis thousands, and of the c of hundreds, was sixteen sand seven hundred and kels. Deut. xvi, 16, 17. Three in a year shall all thy mal pear before the LORD thy G the place which he shall c in the feast of unleavened ! and in the feast of weeks, the feast of tabernacles; and shall not appear before the empty: Every man shall g he is able, according to the ing of the Losa thy God wh hath given thee. ron. xxix, 4, 7-9. Even three, nd talents of gold, of the of Ophir, and seven thoualents of refined silver, to y the walls of the houses And gare, for the service house of God, of gold, five ind talents and ten thouIrams; and of silver, ten nd talents; and of brass, en thousand talents; and indred thousand talents of And they with whom prestones were found gave > the treasure of the house LORD, by the hand of Jehiel shonite. Then the people 1, for that they offered ly, because with perfect they offered willingly to D and David the king joiced with great joy. bron. xxiv, 6, 9. And the alled for Jehoiada the chief, id unto him, Why hast thou quired of the Levites to in, out of Judah, and out of Lem, the collection, accordthe commandment of Moses rvant of the LORD, and of ngregation of Israel, for the acle of witness? And they a proclamation through and Jerusalem, to bring in LORD the collection that the servant of God laid Israel in the wilderness. a fl, 69. They gave after Ability, unto the treasure of Fork, threescore and one ind drams of gold, and five and pound of silver, and one ed priests' garments. silver, and threescore and seven money that was found in the Neh. x, 32, 33, 39. Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God; For the shewbread, and for the continual meat-offering, and for the continual burnt-offering, of the sabbaths, of the new-moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin-offerings, to make an atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God. For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God. 2 Kings xxii, 3, 4. And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying, Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people. 1 Chron. xxix, 5. The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD. 2 Chron. xxxiv, 17. And they have gathered together the money that was found in the house of the LORD, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the workmen. CHEERFUL GIFTS. the congregation of the children Exod. xxxv, 20, 21, 29. And all of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. And they came, him up, and every one whom his every one whose heart stirred spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the con Ezek. xlv, 13-16. This is the oblation that ye shall offer; the sixth part of an ephah of an hothe sixth part of an ephah of an mer of wheat, and ye shall give homer of barley. Concerning the ordinance of oil, the bath of oil, bath out of the cor, which is an ye shall offer the tenth part of a homer of ten baths; for ten baths are an homer: And one lamb out of the flock, out of two hundred, out of the fat pastures of Israel, for a meat-offering, and for a burnt offering, and for peaceofferings, to make reconciliation for them, saith the Lord GOD. All the people of the land shall give this oblation for the princeing offering unto the LORD every in Israel. Exod. xxv, 2. Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offer a vii, 16-18. And all the and gold that thou canst 1 all the province of Babyith the free-will-offering of eople, and of the priests, ag willingly for the house ir God which is in JerusaThat thou mayest buy speedith this money bullocks, lambs. with their meat-ing. ngs, and their drink-offerand offer them upon the of the house of your God 1 13 in Jerusalem. And soever shall seem good to and to thy brethren, to do the rest of the silver and the that do after the will of your A. vii. 70-72. And some of the of the fithers gave unto the : the Tirshatha gave to the are a thousand drams of , fifty basons, five hundred thirty priests' garments. And of the chief of the fathers to the treasure of the work aty thousand drams of gold, two thousand and two hunI pound of silver. And that the rest of the people gave twenty thousand drams of and two thousand pound of 2 Kings xil, 4, 9, 10. And Jehoash said to the priests, All the money of the dedicated things that is brought into the house of the LORD, even the money of every one that passeth the account, the money that every man is set at, and all the money that cometh into any man's heart to bring into the house of the LORD. But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of the LORD: and the priests that kept the door put therein all the money that was brought into the house of the LORD. And it was so, when they saw that there was much money in the chest, that the king's scribe and the high priest came up, and they put up in bags, and told the gregation, and for all his service, children of Israel brought a willand for the holy garments. The mun and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring, for all manner of work which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses. Exod. xxxvi, 3-7. And they received of Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free - offerings every morning. And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made; And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more the service than enough for of the work which the LORD comAnd Moses manded to make. gave commandment, and they caused be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of So the people the sanctuary. were restrained from bringing. For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much. it to 1 Chron. xxix, 6, 17. Then the Ezra ii, 68. And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD chief of the fathers, and princes of if he that sanctified the field will which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God, to set it up in his place. DEVOTED THINGS. Lev. xxvil, 2, 8-23, 28, 29. Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for the LORD by thy estimation. But if he be poorer than thy estimation, then he shall present himself before the priest, and the priest shall value him; according to his ability that vowed shall the priest value him. And if it be a beast, whereof men bring an offering unto the LORD, all that any man giveth of such unto the LORD shall be holy. He shall not alter it, nor change it, a good for a bad, or a bad for a good: and if he shall at all change beast for beast, then it and the exchange thereof shall be holy. And if it be any unclean beast, of which they do not offer a sacrifice unto the LORD, then he shall present the beast before the priest: And the priest shall value it, whether it be good or bad: as thou valuest it, who art the priest, so shall it be. But if he will at all redeem it, then he shall add a fifth part thereof unto thy estimation. And when a man shall sanctify his house to be holy unto the LORD then the priest shall estimate it, whether It be good or bad: as the priest shall estimate it, so shall it stand. And if he that sanctified it will redeem his house, then he shall add the fifth part of the money of thy estimation unto it, and it shall Num. xviii, 14. Every thing devoted in Israel shall be thine. 1 Kings vil, 51. So was ended all the work that king Solomon made for the house of the LORD. And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated; even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the LORD. 1 Kings xv, 15. And he brought in the things which his father had dedicated, and the things which himself had dedicated, into the house of the LORD, silver, and gold, and vessels. 1 Chron. xviii, 9-11. Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobab, He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to enquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and with him be his. And if a man shall sanc-silver, and brass. Them also king all manner of vessels of gold, and tify unto the LORD some part of a field of his possession, then thy with the silver and the gold that David dedicated unto the LORD, estimation shall be according to the seed thereof; an homer of he brought from all these nations; barley-seed shall be valued at from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Amunon, and fifty shekels of silver. sanctify his field from the year of from the Philistines, and from jubilee, according to thy estimation it shall stand. But if he If he sanctify his field after the jubilee, then the priest shall reckon unto him the money according to the years that remain, even unto the year of the jubilee, and it shall be abated from thy estimation. And I Amalek. 2 Chron. xv, 18. And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver, and gold, and vessels. ROYAL GIFTS. 1 Chron. xxii, 14. Now, bebol in my trouble I have prepared f the house of the LORD an hundre thousand talents of gold, ani thousand thousand talents silver, and of brass and iron w out weight; for it is in abundet. timber also and stone have 1 [7 pared; and thou mayest ad thereto. 1 Chron. xxviii, 13-17. Ah! the courses of the priests and Levites, and for all the work the service of the house of LORD, and for all the vessels service in the house of the Lea He gave of gold by weight 1 things of gold, for all instromer of all manner of service, s also for all instruments of si by weight, for all instruments every kind of service: Even weight for the candlesticks gold, and for their lamps of g by weight for every candlest «d and for the lamps thereof, an. §. the candlesticks, of silver weight, both for the candlest and also for the lamps the according to the use of ef candlestick. And by weight gave gold for the tables of s bread, for every table; and wise silver for the tables of su Also pure gold for the fleshand the bowls, and the cups › for the golden basons he gave s by weight for every basu a likewise silver by weight for ev bason of silver. 1 Chron. xxix, 3. Moreov to the house of my God, 11t because I have set my alle and silver, which I have give of mine own proper good, of the house of my God, over & above all that I have prepare the holy house. 2 Chron. Xxxx, 24. For Her. A king of Judah did give to congregation a thousand bali and seven thousand sheep a the princes gave to the outLA POR tion a thousand bullocks and t thousand sheep: and a Neh. x, 34. And we cast the lots number of priests among the priests, the Levites, I themselves. 2 Chron. xxxi, 3. He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt-offerings, to for the morning and evening Era vi, 8, 9. Moreover I make Era vil, 14, 15, 20-23. Foras- an Ps. Ixviii, 29. Because of thy temple at Jerusalem, shall kings bring presents unto thee. Beck, xlv, 17. And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt-offerings, and meat-offerings, and drink-offerings, in the feasts, and in the new-moons, and in the bbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin-offering, and the meatdering, and the burnt-offering, and the peace-offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel. MINISTERS OF RELIGION. II. III. Matth. x, 1. And when he had called unto him his twelve disthem power gave ciples, he against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness, and all manner of disease. Mark ii, 14. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alpheus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him. Follow me. And he arose and followed him. Mark vi, 7. And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits. Luke vi, 13. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named Apostles. THEIR NAMES. Matth. x, 2-4. Now the names of Luke vi, 14-16. Simon, (whom Acts i, 23-26. And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew THEIR PREROGATIVE AND Matth. xvi, 19. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom 471 of heaven: and whatsoever thon shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matth. xviii, 18. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Luke xxiv, 48. And ye are witnesses of these things. John xv, 27. And ye also shall been with me from the beginning. bear witness, because ye have John xx, 23. Whose soever sins retain, they are retained. Acts i, 21, 22 Wherefore, of Acts xv, 22, 23 Then pleased Acts xvi, 4. And as they went Acts xxii, 15. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 1 Cor. iv, 21. What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? 1 Cor. ix, 3-5. Mine answer to them that do examine me is this; drink? Have we not power to as other apostles, and as the Have we not power to eat and to lead about a sister, a wife, as well brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 2 Cor. ii, 6-10. Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which So that was inflicted of many. contrariwise, ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such an one should be swallowed up with overmuch Wherefore I beseech sorrow. you, that ye would confirm your love toward him. For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ. John xiil, 20. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. DANGER OF REFUSAL. Matth. x, 14, 15. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear 2 Cor. vii, 15, 16. And his in- your words, when ye depart out ward affection is more abundant of that house or city, shake off the toward you, whilst he remember- dust of your feet. Verily I say eth the obedience of you all, how unto you, It shall be more tolerwith fear and trembling ye re-able for the land of Sodom and ceived him. I rejoice therefore Gomorrha in the day of judgment, that I have confidence in you in than for that city. all things. 2 Cor. x, 8. For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, (which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction,) I should not be ashamed. 2 Cor. xiii, 2, 10. I told you be fore, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and be ing absent, now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare: Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification and not to destruction. 2 Thess. iii, 4. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 2 Tim. ii, 2. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Titus ii, 15. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. THEIR CLAIMS UPON THE Matth. x, 11-13, 41. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, shall receive a righteous man's ward. re Luke x, 16. He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me. Luke x, 11. Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding, be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. THE SEVENTY. the Lord appointed other seventy Luke x, 1, 9. After these things also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place whither he himself would come. And heal the sick that are kingdom of God is come nigh untherein; and say unto them, The to you. BISHOPS. fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they be lieved. Acts xx, 17. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 1 Tim. v, 17-19. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and dec trine. Thou shalt not muzzle the or For the scripture saith that treadeth out the corn. And The labourer is worthy of s reward. Against an elder re ceive not an accusation, but be fore two or three witnesses. Titus 1, 5, 6. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou should est set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee. If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of rot or unruly. are among you I exhort, who a 1 Pet. v, 1. The elders which also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a revealed. partaker of the glory that shall be DEACONS. Acts vi, 1-5. And in those days 1 Tim. iii, 1-7. This is a true when the number of the disciples saying, If a man desire the office was multiplied, there arose i of a bishop, he desireth a good murmuring of the Greck work. A bishop then must be against the Hebrews, beca@ blameless, the husband of one their widows were neglected a wife, vigilant, sober, of good be- the daily ministration. Then the haviour, given to hospitality, apt twelve called the multitude of the to teach; Not given to wine, no disciples unto them, and said, it striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; is not reason that we should leave but patient, not a brawler, not the word of God, and serve tables covetous; One that ruleth well Wherefore, brethren, look ye out his own house, having his chil- among you seven men of hones dren in subjection with all grav-report, full of the Holy Ghost ani ity; (For if a man know not how wisdom, whom we may appais to rule his own house, how shall over this business. But we wil he take care of the church of give ourselves continually to God?) Not a novice, lest, being prayer, and to the ministry of the lifted up with pride, he fall into word. And the saying pleased the condemnation of the devil. the whole multitude: and they Moreover, he must have a good chose Stephen, a man full of fait report of them which are without; and of the Holy Ghost, al lest he fall into reproach, and the Philip, and Prochorus, and Nsnare of the devil. canor, and Timon, and Parmetas and Nicolas a proselyte of ALUoch. Titus 1, 7-9. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. ELDERS. Acts xiv, 23. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with 1 Tim. ill, 8-13. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubl tongued, not given to much wine not greedy of filthy lucre; Hol ing the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let the use the office of a deacon, bein found blameless. Even so tha their wives be grave, not slande.ers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their chikires and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of |