Aaron the priest, forthwith paid the penalty of their attempts. The earth burst its fastenings, and opened the depth of its bosom, and while they stood erect and alive, they were swallowed up by the parting gulph. And not only were the leaders smitten with the anger of an indignant God, but two hundred and fifty besides, who were partakers and associates in the same mad undertaking, and had gathered together with these in the same daring spirit, were with speedy vengeance consumed by the fire that went forth from the Lord: warning men, and proving to them, that whatsoever bad men, by human will, attempt for the overthrow of God's ordinances, is done contrary to God's will. Thus also Azias the king, when he took the censer, and violently took upon him to sacrifice, in opposition to the law of God, and on Azarias the priest resisting, refused to be obedient and give way, confounded by the Divine anger, was marked by the Spot of leprosy upon his forehead; on that part of his body marked by his offended Lord, on which they are marked who have found favour in His sight. The sons also of Aaron, who placed strange fire on the altar, which the Lord had not commanded, were at once consumed by an avenging God. Now all these have their sect and followers in them, who despise the tradition of God, and follow after strange doctrines, clothing themselves with the institutions of man's device; these the Lord reproaches and upbraids in His Gospel, saying, "Ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may establish your own tradition."
13.
Schismatising is more heinous than lapsing, and nullifies confessorship.
This crime is worse than that which backsliders appear to commit; and these indeed, when they revert to a state of penitence, deprecate God's wrath by the necessary course. In their case the Church is considered and appealed to; in the other it is opposed. In the former instance there may have been a force introduced; in the latter free-will forms a proportion of the sin in question. The backslider injures only himself; but whoever
