V. 14.— For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. The language of the Apostle merits special attention. We have seen that the priesthood in Israel was irrevocably limited to the family of Aaron. Here we are told that Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood in the tribe of Judah. [One of the greatest of the kings of the same tribe presumed to offer incense, and was struck with leprosy to the day of his death. 2 Chronicles 26:21. At first sight this may appear but a negative proof, but the proof that the priesthood was exclusively confined to the family of Aaron was most positive. The family of Aaron was expressly designated to this office, and we have seen that the earth opened and swallowed up 250 chief men of the congregation for presuming to burn incense, and that the priesthood was further established in Aaron’ s family by his rod blossoming and bearing almonds. Why then does this Apostle say that Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood in the tribe of Judah? No doubt to show the fallacy of the assertion that if such a thing is not prohibited it may therefore be practiced. Here we are guarded against this sophistry, and taught that whatever is not enjoined in the worship of God is virtually forbidden. There are two ways in which any religious observance is enjoined, precept and example. When we have an express precept nothing more is necessary; but apostolic example is equally binding. The Apostles delivered the same directions to every church, 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 7:17; of this we have conclusive evidence in what is written on a comparatively unimportant subject. In the Church at Corinth some of the women, probably from the false principle that there was neither male nor female in Christ Jesus, and that therefore there should be no distinction in the Church, prayed and sang praises with their heads uncovered. The Apostle showed that this was improper, and concludes his argument,— "But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.” 1 Corinthians 11:16. It is impossible for language more clearly to prove that we are to be guided by the recorded example of the apostolic churches. This is all that is necessary to put a stop to the endless divisions which prevail among the disciples of Christ. But it has happened to them, as to mankind after the fall, God revealed himself in the seed of the woman, that is Christ, and appointed ordinances of worship. This is evident from the sacrifices of Cain and Abel. Through faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, and faith must have respect to the Divine testimony; but when they thus knew God they glorified him not as God, by receiving and acting upon the instructions which he was pleased to deliver. They professed themselves to be wise, and capable of discovering the most acceptable mode of worshipping God, and their wisdom issued in their changing the image of the incorruptible God into an image made like unto corruptible man, and birds and beasts and four-footed things; and as the meet reward of their folly and wickedness God gave them up to every moral abomination. Precisely the same course has been adopted since the promulgation of the Gospel, and this has issued in the manifestation of the man of sin, and the innumerable divisions of the people of God, fully realizing the description of what took place when there was no king in Israel; every man did what seemed right in his own eyes. Now as Moses, speaking nothing concerning priesthood in the tribe of Judah, precluded our Lord from acting as a priest under that dispensation, so the Lord and His apostles, speaking nothing of any ordinance of worship, is tantamount to a positive prohibition. Here we may observe the directions given by the Apostle to guard the Thessalonians against being involved in this mystery of iniquity:— "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word or our epistle.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15. This is a sufficient, and, in fact, the only security against their being involved in the apostasy. It originated in the fancied liberty of introducing into the worship of God ceremonies He had not enjoined, but which appeared calculated to have a good effect on the worshippers. This principle, once introduced, opened the floodgates of corruption. The doctrine of Christ is embodied in the few and simple ordinances which He has appointed; but, when these ordinances were changed, a new and false doctrine was exhibited, and gradually the Gospel of Christ was transformed into a system of will-worship and idolatry. The only remedy for this state of things was to adhere, without addition or diminution, to what is prescribed by the apostles, or exhibited in their practice, as recorded in their epistles.