The office of the _Levites_ was to pitch, to take down, to bear up and down the _Tabernacle_, and the vessels thereof. _Levi_ had three sons, _Gershon_, _Cohath_, and _Merari_: and accordingly the whole company of the _Levites_ were distinguisht into 3 orders, _Gershonites_, _Cohathites_, and _Merarites_. The _Gershonites_ charge was to carry the coverings, and hangings of the _Tabernacle_. The chief things within the Sanctuary were committed to the _Cohathites_. The Wood-work, and the rest of the instruments were committed to the charge of the _Merarites_, _Num. 3._ This was the office of the _Levites_, in _Moses_ his time, whiles they were on their journey, in the Wilderness; but afterward when they were setled in the promised Land, then _David_ changed their office, appointing them, some to have the charge of the Treasures of the _Temple_, _1 Chron. 26. 20._ others to be Over-seers and _Judges_, others to be Porters, others Singers, _1 Chron. 23. 4._ The Singers in time of singing were clad in linnen Robes or Surplesses, _2 Chron. 5. 12._ The Singers were divided into twenty four _orders_ or _courses_, _1 Chron. 25. 8._ And the Porters into as many, _1 Chron. 26._ that both might supply their turns weekly by lot, as the _Priests_ did. In _Moses_ time also, their _consecration_ began at the _five and twentieth_ year of their age: In _Davids_ at the _twentieth_, _1 Chron. 23. 24._ _Ezra 3. 8._ Here we may note the liberty granted unto the Church in changing Ceremonies: the Office of the _Levites_ in _Davids_ time, was not the same as in _Moses_: and again, _Moses_ and _David_ agreed not in the time of their _consecration_. Again in the Christian Church we shall find in _Matthias_ his election, the use of _Lots_; not so in _Pauls_, or any other of the _Apostles_: In their meetings, use of an _holy-kiss_; and at the Lords Supper, use of their _Love-feasts_: both now antiquated thoroughout Christendom.
Moreover, there are certain _degrees_ observable among the _Levites_: First, their _Initiation_, when they were a month old, they were _Initiated_ and presented unto God, _Numb. 3. 15._ Secondly their _consecration_, they were _consecrated_ by imposition of hands, when they were five and twenty years old, _Numb. 8. 24._ From thence for five years following, they learned their Office. Those that imposed hands on them are said in the Text, _Numb. 8. 10._ to be the _sons of Israel_, _Ghazkuni_ interpreteth that place, the _First born of Israel_. They were the Representive Church; and in allusion to this, the Church of Christ is called the _Church of the First-born_, _Heb. 12. 23._ At the same time the _Levites_ were _waved_ by the _Priests_, that is, as the Greek reads it,[50] _Separated_, which word is used for the _Ministers of Christ_,[51] _Separate me ~Barnabas~ and ~Paul~_, _Act. 13. 2._ Thirdly, their _Ministration_, to carry up and down the _Tabernacle_, and this was at the thirtieth year of their age, until the fiftieth, _Numb. 4. 3._ Lastly, their _vacation_, or _discharge_ from that laborious service of carrying the _Tabernacle_; notwithstanding even then they were to serve in their charge, to encamp round about the Tent, to sing, and to beware that no stranger came into the Temple,[52] and likewise to over-see and instruct younger _Levites_ in the manner of _Bishops_. Unto these degrees the Apostle seemeth to have respect: They that have ministred well, get themselves a good _degree_, _1 Tim. 3. 13._ The like kind of[53] _degrees_ are observable among the _Vestal Virgins_: they remained in their Nunnery thirty _years_. _Ten years_ they learned the Mysteries of their Profession; _Ten years_ they exercised them; and _Ten years_ they taught them others. From this custome of _Imposing hands_ on the _Levites_ hath flow’d the like custom, used by the _Apostles_ in conferring Orders, _Acts 6. 6._ _1 Tim. 5. 22._