The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

""What""THE PRIESTHOOD. 449God." ! The words of the Apostle are present tohis mind :hast tliou that thou hast notreceived? And if thou hast received, why dost2thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?" Aswell might the vessel which is filled with preciousliquor, boast on that account of being superior tothe vessel which is filled with water. The Priestknows full well that the powers he has receivedfrom God are given to him not to feed his own vanity, but to enrich the hearts of the faithful and;thatthough he may be instrumental in pointing out toothers the way to heaven, he himself will become areprobate, unless he is adorned with personal virtues ;like those unhappy priests of Jerusalem whodirected the Magi to Jesus in Bethlehem, but didnot go thither themselves.I have planted," says the Apostle, Apollowatered, but God gave the increase. Thereforeneither he that plantethisanything, nor he thatwatereth, but God that giveth the increase." We3perform the outward ceremony, God alone suppliesthe grace.The obligations of the minister of God are, therefore, commensurate with his exalted dignity.The Priest is required to be a man of profoundlearning and of solid piety.The lips of the priestshall keep knowledge, and they (the people) shallseek the law at his mouth." 4 As physician of the1 I. Pet. iv. 17.2 1. Cor. iv. 7.8 I. Cor. iii. 6, 7.* Malach. ii. 7.38* 2D