(for we read that fifty of the princes had joined in the rebellion) were directed to take censers, to put fire therein, and incense, before the Lord, and that he would then show who was holy. I need hardly tell the result to any here -I need hardly relate one of the most awful judgments against sin that was ever recorded. Whilst they daringly held the censers in their hands in the midst of the congregation, "the glory of the Lord appeared, the ground clave asunder that was under them, and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up; and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods, they and all that appertained unto them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them; and THEY PERISHED FROM AMONG THE CONGREGATION; AND THERE CAME OUT A FIRE FROM THE LORD, AND CONSUMED THE TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY MEN THAT OFFERED INCENSE."

In the history of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, we have a striking display of the daring rebellion of man, and the holiness and justice of God. Such a judgment we might have concluded, would have awed the most carelesswould have terrified the most daring offender, and, for a time at least, we should have hoped, all would have been obedience and contrition in the camp of Israel. But what is the fact?

what is recorded as the effect produced on their minds? On the morrow, yes, on the morrow, we read that ALL the congregation of the children of Israel-not a few, but ALL the congregation, MURMURED against Moses and Aaron, saying, YE HAVE KILLED the people of the Lord!

Can we wonder that the anger of the Lord was kindled against this perverse people? Can we wonder at the punishment inflicted on them ? "And it came to pass," continues the sacred historian, "that when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation, and behold the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared. And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces. And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire thereon from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the Lord; the plague is begun. And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and RAN INTO the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the

people. And HE STOOD BETWEEN THE DEAD AND THE LIVING, AND THE PLAGUE WAS STAYED."

In the conduct of Aaron and Moses, under circumstances so trying and difficult, we have a striking proof of the power of divine grace in the soul, and most satisfactory evidence of the heavenly and holy nature of the motives and principles by which they were actuated. No persons could have met with more ingratitude-none could have been more tempted to anger and revenge: they were both old, and sinking under the weight of years, and the pressure of their respective employments; both were active and devoted to the service of the people over whom the Lord himself had placed them -both were disinterested in their views, and anxious mainly for the welfare of the children of Israel. Yet they experienced from this people nothing but ingratitude and continual provocation-their authority was despised, and their very lives threatened and endangered. But, instead of rejoicing in their punishmentinstead of valuing themselves on the evident manner in which the Lord had fought for them against their enemies—their whole care seems to have been to appease his anger, to save this guilty people, and not to suffer his whole displeasure to arise.

There is something peculiarly affecting in

this part of the sacred narrative. Moses directing Aaron to go quickly to make an atonement for the people-his prompt and active obedience-his running at his advanced age, without regard to consequences, into the midst of an enraged multitude, and a devouring pestilenceafford illustrious proofs of their courage, patience, meekness, forgiveness of injuries, and their unwearied labours and prayers for their ungrateful enemies. Their conduct is indeed worthy not only of our highest admiration, but may be proposed for our constant and devout imitation. To evidence such unwearied zeal under trial-such patience under injury —such meekness under every possible insultare duties surely indispensably incumbent on every follower of a meek and forgiving Redeemer.

But this is not the only, nor indeed the chief instruction, which this history conveys to us. I hope I need not inform any here, that Aaron the high priest was an eminent type of Christ. Aaron was called of God to the honour of the high priesthood; but Christ is called to be an High Priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec. Aaron was ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins; yet holy as he was, he was compassed with infirmity: but Christ, our great High Priest, though touched with

the feeling of our infirmities, is, blessed be his name, holy, harmless, and undefiled; and, being made perfect, he is now passed into the heavens, and is "become the author of eternal salvation to all that obey him, having by one offering of himself perfected for ever them that are sanctified."

In Aaron staying the plague of divine wrath, we have the all-prevailing sacrifice of Christ, most plainly typified, most evidently set forth. Jesus died for his enemies -prayed for his murderers-interposed with the incense of his meritorious sacrifice, to stay the plague which sin had occasioned, by which multitudes have perished-by which we must also perish eternally, unless we lay hold on his atonement, who is even now "standing between the dead and the living, that the plague may be stayed," and praying his ungrateful creatures to be reconciled unto God. This is the glorious Gospel of the ever-blessed God-this is that hope which the sincere believer in Jesus, lays hold on, as an anchor to his soul, both sure and stedfast. And blessed be God, it is a hope which maketh not ashamed, which never fails-which never can fail, being fastened on the Rock of ages, on him who is immutably the same, yesterday, to-day, and for ever.