The Levites ought to be utterly free from all earthly
desires. What their virtues should be on the Apostle’s own
showing, and how great their purity must be. Also what their
dignity and duty is, for the carrying out of which the chief virtues
are necessary. He states that these were not unknown to the
philosophers, but that they erred in their order. Some are by
their nature in accordance with duty, which yet on account of what
accompanies them become contrary to duty. From whence he gathers
what gifts the office of the Levites demands. To conclude, he
adds an exposition of Moses’ words when blessing the tribe of
Levi.