The liberal supply which both the king and people made for the maintenance of the priests and Levites, is another proof how much the service of the sanctuary lay in the hearts of the people. Those only can have a real sense of the value of ordinances who have been deprived of them. I cannot pass over this long account of the liberality of the people towards their priests, without remarking the grateful conduct of Azariah the chief priest upon the occasion. We have not only had enough to eat (said he) but we have left plenty. It were devoutly to be wished that while the people are liberal to their ministers, all ministers were liberal to them. An idle priest is of all characters the most odious. And what Paul hath said of men in general, ought in a most special manner to be followed up in law concerning the supposed servants of the sanctuary; If any will not work neither should he eat. 2 Thessalonians 3:10.

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