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My covenant was with him of life and peace, and I gave him feare, and he feared me, and was afraid before my Name.
MY covenant was with him of life and peace.] The dignity bestowed upon these Priests consisting in the speciall Co∣venant, is here amplified by the parts of the Covenant. First on Gods part, which is double, a Gratious promise of life and peace, and a faithfull performance.
My Covenant was with him of life and peace] That is, I cove∣nanted
with him, and tooke him into favour, and made a league and agreement with him; and by my covenant I bound my selfe to give him first life, that is, length of dayes here on earth; Saint Hieroms opinion of the life of grace here, and of glory hereaf∣ter, is not greatly probable, hardly any instance of the like inter∣pretation, and that peace following after, not so to be understood of spirituall peace, but of an outward prosperity in this life: and so they who incline to Hierom in the former, understand it. And it must needs be, according to that which is Numb. 25.12.13. Wherefore say to him; Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace, and he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of the Priests office for ever; because he was zealous for his God and hath made an attonement for the children of Israel. For the cove∣nant of peace is expounded by the perpetuall Priesthood. And in other places the branches of this covenant are set downe in the a∣bundance of outward things, by the offering and other means both to the Priests, Numb. 18.8. ad 20.26.30. and for the Levires, Numb. 18.21.24.31.
And I gave them him.] Gods performance; As I promised him these things, so I did very certainly and assuredly perform to Aaron, and Phineas, and others, who did performe conditions and covenant with me; and will do to as many as shall so deal also with me.
For my feare.] Now he comes to the second, containing the conditions performed by Levi, and these are the fear of God and humilitie. Some read it; I gave him my fear; which is true, and agrees well with the doctrine of faith: for the feare of God is the gift of God, Jer. 32.40. but the words are otherwise: I gave him these for the feare wherewith he feared me. Because he beleeved my word, and honoured me in his place, and lookt to my wor∣ship in himselfe and others, I honoured him, and gave him these things.
And was afraid before my Name.] Iunius readeth it: He was de∣stroyed for my Name: i. for not honouring my Name, Numb. 20.12.24.28. But the whole speech here is against it: for he intending to set forth the care which Aaron and his sonnes had of the wor∣ship of God, and to commend him rather then tax his infirmities. It is rather, he was humbled before me, he walked humbly and low∣ly and did all in humility, not lifting up himselfe either for his high calling, or for his faithfull service. The parts of the covenant which is the Priests dignity. And first on Gods part, and first his promise.
[Doctrine.] Long life and the length of dayes is the blessing and gift of God, that which he promiseth and performeth to all those who feare him and walke in his wayes. Prov. 10.27. The feare of the Lord increaseth the dayes; but the yeares of the wicked shall be dimi∣nished,
and 16.31. Exod. 20.12. Deuter. 25.45. 1 Kings 3.14. And if thou wilt walke in my wayes to keepe mine ordinances and my com∣mandments, as thy father David did walke, I will prolong thy dayes. Psal. 91.16.
[Reason 1] Because God will be glorified by his in this life, as the Psal∣mist, I will not dye, but live, and declare the workes of the Lord. Now the longer they live, the more they may glorifie God; then it is a blessing.
[Reason, 2] Because it is a blessing to helpe many, and to draw many unto God in this life, but that is done by living long; seeing it is so long before a man comes to be able to doe either; many of his yeares and dayes spent before he be fit for it.
[Object.] But many of the children of God dye untimely, and live not long; how then is this true?
[Answer.] This is not simply a blessing, as if he were happy that lives long, but as a symbole or signe of Gods good favour, and love. If then, he shewes his love to some rather by taking them out of this life, then by prolonging their daies, he doth the rather performe his promise then breake it. A man promiseth ten acres of ground in one field, and gives him an hundreth in another, he hath not bro∣ken his promise. So if God have promised long life, that is, an hundred yeares here, and after not give it him, but gives him e∣ternity in the heavens, hath not broken his promise, for it being not promised as a blessed and happy thing in it selfe, but as a signe of his good will, which is greater sometimes to be taken out of this life. As Ieroboams good sonne was, that he might not be infected with the sinnes of his fathers house, and not afflicted with the sight of those horrible judgements that were to fall upon that gracelesse family; which was no ill bargaine to be taken from earth to heaven, from the conflict to the triumph, from the battell to the victory, from men to God, and to the company of his An∣gells and Saints.
[Vse 1] This is to admonish old men to be thankefull unto God for his mercy in preserving them so long, and lengthening their dayes, specially if they have beene found in the way of righteousnesse. Prov. 16.31. If they have feared God and walked uprightly and humbly before him; it hath beene his blessing upon them, and mercy to them; otherwise it hath beene but a curse unto them, for they have but lived to heape up wrath against the day of wrath, and to make up a greater measure of their sinnes, that God may make a greater measure of vengeance. So that it had beene better for them never to have beene borne, or else to have dyed so soone as they were borne; for the longer they live, the more sinnes they commit, and the greater shall be their torments. But greater shall be his glory that is found in the way of righteousnesse and in wel∣doing because he hath more glorified God. And he ought still to
use this as a blessing of God, that he may glorifie him more, and fit himselfe more for him and for his service; imagining that as old age is a blessing, so is it a bond, that he should performe; as Psa. 71.17, 18. O God, thou hast taught me from my youth even untill now: therefore will I tell of thy wondrous workes. Yea, even unto mine old age and gray head. O God forsake me not untill I have de¦clared thine arme unto this generations, and thy power to all them that shall come. And if he have borne it in his youth it will be lesse burdensome in his old age, for to others it is heavy.
[Ʋse 2] Then is it lawfull for a man to pray for long life, that he may live to glorifie God here; so did David, Psalm. 102.27. so Hezekiah, Isaiah 38.3. True it is that a Christian man should be equally prepared to life or death; for in things wherein a man can∣not certainely know, which will make more for the glory of God, and their owne good and salvations; the will of man should be equally prepared for both, left it should resist God; so in this. And because he should lesse torment and vex himselfe with the desire of life or feare of death; yet is it not unlawfull for him to pray for life for the grounds before, so he pray for it as for other things, conditionally. Truth is that of Solomon, Eccles. 7.1. The day of death is better then the day of ones birth, because of mise∣ries and fearefull times, when it is like as August: to be Diù vive∣re, diù torquere, to live long, to be vexed long: Or as Cyprian,* 1.1 Death is not only not unpro∣fitable to believers, but profitable; because it sets a man out of danger of sinning, and puts him in a security of not sinning. Yet proves it nor that it is the more to be desired. When as a man may shew his patience, and spirituall fortitude in his owne miseries, and the more he suffers and conquers, the more he shall be glorified. And in other mens miseries he may shew piety, comfort and good will towards other, and mercie to them in their miseries, and finde himselfe the more mercie. And his sinnes he may breake off, not by ending his life, but by amending of it, & by true repen∣tance. And so his age may be a crown of righteousnesse. He is a wise Physitian that knowes how to temper his medicine, that it will confirme health: And he is a wise man who learnes so to live, that a good death may follow after.
[Doctrine.] Peace, plenty, prosperity, a prosperous estate, and plenty of outward things, a liberall portion, God hath promised, and will performe to those who feare him, and will walke in his wayes, 1 Tim. 4.8. Bodily exercise profiteth little: but godlinesse is profitable unto all things, which hath the promise of the life present, and of that that is to come, Deut. 28.1. Psal. 84.11.
[Reason 1] Because they may by them be better able both to glorifie God, & benefit men, being helps of their weaknes, and strength to their infirmities.
[Reason 2]
Because he might encourage them against all the discouragements they shall finde in professing his feare, and by these ballance them that they be not driven backe from him by the tempests Satan will stirre up against them.
[Vse 1] They who have the true feare of God, may best be, and live without carping care for the things of this life, they may best take the Apostles exhortation; Let their conversation be without co∣vetousnesse, Heb. 13.5, For they have his promise and covenant to be provided for of a liberall and rich portion: he that hath cove∣nanted with a rich wealthy man, and one of great power, with a Prince of a countrey, that he shall be in safety and abundance un∣der him for such and such service, hath taken all care he will for it, onely his care is to use it well: so it should be with these. And farre better may it be, seeing his power and riches ex∣ceedeth all: he hath promised, and will performe; and though the Lions lacke, and suffer hunger, yet shall they lack no∣thing at all who feare the Lord. But many wicked men, voyd of Gods feare, have more abundance then most of those who feare him. Be it so; yet is not this crossed: for as the life of man con∣sists not in abundance, so not their prosperity when they have competencie. And a little that is sufficient which the righteous hath where there is contentment with it, is better then great riches of the ungodly. And if such have not so great abundance and seeme sometime to be scanted, it is either because they have some secret sin known to God which shuts up his hand towards them, or because they seek them indirectly, which God makes frustrate, or he sees how their hearts would be upon them, and stolne away from him, and that riches would devoure, or for a time obscure their religion; knowing their hearts better then themselves or as Chrysost. ho. 16. ad popul. Antioch. He first makes men fit to use and dispose the riches he meanes to give them, and after gives them riches.* 1.2 Which unlesse he had done, the bestowing of riches had not beene a gift, but a punishment and revenge. This publicke and generall charter of God hath these exceptions.
[Vse 2] To teach every man what is the nighest and readiest way, what is the Kings high-way to prosperity and plenty, to riches and wealth, the feare of God, and the walking in his wayes. Many men who hasten to riches, and have set downe with themselves, and resolved to be rich, take many wayes to it, by false weights and measures, by cozenning or deceit, by flattery or other wic∣ked courses. Happily a man may come to riches or abundance sooner then another, that keepes the Kings high-way; as he that hath found a bye and casting way, may come to his journeyes end speedier then he that keepes the ordinary way; but they shall not prosper with him. Prov. 20.21. An heritage is hastily gotten at the beginning, but the end thereof shall not be blessed. But poverty
shall come upon him. Prov. 28.22. A man with a wicked eye hasteth to riches, and knoweth not that poverty shall come upon him. And he shall be guilty of much sinne, and bring much sorrow upon himselfe. Prov. 22.20. 1 Tim. 6.9.10. But they who take the right way shall be sure of them, and not finde sorrowes with them. For so Gods blessing makes rich, for they shall have them by vertue of his covenant, and as testimonies of his love, which is farre bet∣ter then farre greater riches, if it be but a pittance.
And I gave them him] That he had promised, that he performed.
[Doctrine.] God in his will and decrees, covenants and promises, is most certaine and sure. So much is here, and James 1.17.
[Vse.] To comfort those who live in trouble and affliction in this life, the Lord will make good all his promises to them in due time, upon this should they stay themselves as the Anchor hold, fast against all temptations, herewith should they comfort themselves, As Psal. 119.49.50. Remember the promise made to thy servant, wherein thou hast caused me to trust. It is my comfort in my trouble; for thy promise hath quickened me. As Abraham said, Gen. 22.8. God will provide; it may be in this life, but if the leaves fall, the rootes are sure to stand; though earthly things are not alwayes performed, because they are not absolutely promised, yet heaven∣ly and eternall shall.
My feare.] Or for the feare wherewith he feared me.] The con∣ditions on the Priests part are feare and humility.
[Doctrine.] Though men be bound to doe and suffer whatsoever God shall lay upon them; and when they have done all, both are, and must confesse they are unprofitable servants. Luke 17.10. yet the Lord in his great mercy and goodnesse propoundeth, promiseth, and performeth a reward unto them here, and Gen. 22.16.17. Mat. 6.4.6.18. Mat. 10.42. Marke 10.29.30. Hebrewes 6.10.
[Reason 1] Because of the imperfection and corruption of men; therefore hath he propounded them.
[Reason 2] Because he is faithfull, and having promised, must, and will performe.
[Vse.] This is to encourage and hearten us to obey in all things with chearefulnesse, and to beare all things with patience by the hope and expectation of these things. Heb. 10.32. ad 38. and 11.24.25.26. Mat. 5.11.12. 2 Cor. 7.1. Indeed the most ingenuous, filiall & acceptable service, is to obey for the love of God, and that sim∣ply without respect of reward, but be∣cause of our infirmity that cannot, and Gods mercie who hath so provided for our weaknesse. For as S. Chrysostome speakes,* 1.3 We ought in grievous and irksome things, to consider not the la∣bours but the rewards; as Merchants
minde the gaine, not the dangers of the sea; so must we looke at heaven and the presence of God.
For the feare.] These blessings of life and peace are promised for Gods feare, and this is the condition he required of them for them.
[Doctrine.] He that would have the blessings of God performed to him, which he hath promised, must have this condition of his feare and must feare him, for that he commends here in Levi, he com∣mends to posterity, and commands the performance for the obtai∣ning of the other. Deuter. 5.29. Oh that there were such an heart in them to feare me, and to keepe all my commandements alway: that it might goe well with them, and with their children for ever. Psalm. 115.11.13. Prov. 14.26.27. Luke 1.50. This feare of God is a continuall reverent awe of him, rising partly on consideration of his power, and partly of his mercy. First, it is a reverent awe, serve the Lord in feare, and rejoyce in trembling. Secondly, continued not onely for a brunt or in some judgement, as those in Jonah 1.16. but Prov. 28.14. Blessed is the man that, feareth alway; but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into evill. Thirdly, the grounds, 1. Gods power, though there be no expectation of evill, as we re∣verence a man of authority, though he bear no evil will unto us, but good, even for his authorities sake. 1 Kings 19.13. Heb. 12.21.2. his mercy because he hath shewed them mercy and goodnesse, both in soule and body. Psal. 130.4. Hos. 3.5. Job 1.9.
[Reason 1] Because onely they must have them to whom they belong; now as Christ of one, health, Mar. 15.26. And he answered and said, it is not good to take the childrens bread & to cast it to whelps. So of all, they are childrens bread, onely their portion, which are Gods. Now they are onely his which feare him. Mal. 1.6. Honour is filiall feare.
[Reason 2] Because in covenants no man may expect anothers promise, but he that performes that he undertooke; so in this. And though the mercy of God be great, it is to be expected and found, not when men performe no conditions, but in passing by their infirmi∣ties when they performe them
[Vse 1] It is matter of comfort to as many as live in the feare and conti∣nuall awe of God: to them belong the promises, and they shall have the performance of them; for the performing their conditi∣on, he cannot nor will not but performe his. They may happily be in reproach and scorne in the time and age they live in, for the feare of God which they professe, the righteous being an abomi∣nation to the wicked, and restraining themselves from evill be made a prey to the wicked, Isaiah 59.••5. yet against these must this comfort them, thinking that these things are but as sower sawce to make sweet and delicious meate more tooth some and more wholesome: neither must it trouble them to see others in
abundance, greater then they, and happily when they are such as performe no condition with God at all, but are Atheists and pro∣phane blasphemers, and wicked miscreants, and such like: for this should rather comfort them: if he do so in his generall provi∣dence to those who have no promise, what will he do to those who have the promise? And if he feed the swine, will he starve the children? If the dogges be full, and corn-fed, will he desti∣tute the children when the bread is theirs? He will not sure. It may be they shall not have things superfluous to abuse unto wan∣tonnesse, and so to grow worse; but they shall have that which is necessary and fitting for them: And that little is better then the o∣thers much.
[Vse 2] To stirre up every man that hath not this feare, to labour and use all meanes to come by it. It is the condition that makes him capable of the blessings of God, and the lawfull heire of them. He that knew a meanes to make himselfe capable of some rich mans goods, and to be his heir or executor after his death, would desire it, seeke for it, and strive to attaine it by all meanes. Admit it were the reverencing, and honouring, and pleasing of him in all things; would he not be double diligent about it? So in this, eve∣ry man should pray earnestly for it, and long after it. Nehem. 1.11. Psal. 86.11.
But because many take the comfort to them, who have no part in it, and perswade themselves they have this feare, when they have no portion of it; we may not unprofitably call to minde the five effects, as five notes to know this childelike feare by, handled Chap. 1.6.
He was humbled before me.] The second thing God commen∣deth in these as the thing he delights in and approved, and as the condition on their parts, for which he gave them his blessings, is humility.
[Doctrine.] He that is humble and lowly in minde shall receive the blessings of God; to him hath God promised them and will performe them. James 4.6. But the Scripture offereth more grace, and therefore saith, God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble, Psal. 138.6. Prov. 3.34. and 29.23.
Non solum fidelibus inutilis non est mars, verumetiam utilis repe∣ritur; quoniam peccandi periculis hominem substra hit, & in non pec∣candi securitatem constituit.
Nisi hoc fe∣cisset, diviti∣arum eroga∣tio non do∣num, sed ul∣tio fuisset & poena.
Oportet in rebus gravibus & molestis, non labores sed praemia considerare; ut Mercatores non maris pericula, sed lu∣crum spectant: Ita & nos coelum & Dei praesentiam. Chrysost. in Ioh. Hom. 7.