Chap. t 2. An Expojition upon the Book ofJOB. Veit 19. 285 ferently lignifies a Prince ora Prieft , and is frequently ufed in the old Teftament for both : And the verb whence this noun is derived, lignifies to adminifter, both in political, and ecclefiafti- cal affairs,.and fo either a governour in the Common- wealth, or a overnour in the Church. It is put for a Church -governour, If .28.7. The Prieft and the Prophet have erred, Pfal.99 6. Mo- les and lia°on among his Priefts : And for a State- governour 2-Sam 8.IS. Davids fns were chief riders : For both, Gen .4t, 45 The Prieft, or Prince of On; ExoJ.LI6, The. Prieft, or Prince of Midixn. Three reafons are afligned,why thofe two dignities fell under one exprefl-ion. First, Becaufeof old time, the Prieft etnd the Prince were one perfön. The eldeft.in the family (before the giving of the law) was both : And after the giving of the law, together with all the . ceremonial inftitutes , the high Prieft of Barons order was -a great Prince in Ifrael. Secondly. The-Priefthood in general was anoffice of honour, therefore it is expreft by a word ofhonour. Thirdly, Becaufe the Priefts were unto God, the King ofhea- ven, as Princes are unto the Kings of the earth Princes stand but a degree belowKings , and bear the great offices in King- doms,they are. ofKings fecret counfel , and know their hearts, they conveigh the minde of Kings to the people , and often as Commiflìoners reprefènt their perfons. Such (in their capacity) were Priefts, in reference unto God ; and are therefore called gods nigh ones. This is it which theLord fpake (faithMofes , when the two fons of Aaron were (lain by fire, while theyoffer- ed with ftrange fire , (Levit.i o.3 .) Dill befanftified in thofe that come nigh me, or in my nigh ones ; fuch efpecially were the Priefts; they approached.to God, and received his mind , and were therefore Paid to fpeak from Gods mouth, and topreferve knowledge, even the knowledge of - himfelfintheirlips. God committed bis fecrets, and the myfteries ofhis will to the Priefts firft , and by their Miniftery conveyed both unto the people They were as the veffel or cabinet , in whichGod laid up thofe pretious treafures ; The Priefts lips Jhoedd koep knowledge , and theyJhoittdfeekthe lawat his month, for he is the meffenger of the Lordof hofts (Ma1.2.7;) Godgave the honour ofthis title to the whole Nation of the Jews ¡ley were called a Nation ofPrriefs, O ó 3 (Exod::,
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