THE General Argument OF THE Third Book of MOSES, CALLED LEVITICUS. L EVI was the third Son of Jacob From him his Pofterity had the name of Levites: Aaron, who, with his Sons, was called to the Priesthood, was from him called a Levite, Exod. 4. 14. And that Priesthood that was fetled in that Family is called Levitical, Heb. 7. 11. The Law relating to the discharge of the Prieft's Office is properly called the Levitical Law; and upon that account that Book of Mofes, which more especially treats of the Holy Rites and Services, in which these Priests were by their Office imployed, is very fitly, from the Subject-matter of it, called Leviticus. And this is the main Subject of this very excellent Book, as will more clearly appear afterwards. A 2. And And because a great part of the Priest's Of fice was taken up in attendance upon the Altar, and he was nearly concerned in the Sacrifices and holy Oblations which were presented by the People; and because this Book treats largely of thofe Sacrifices, and the Rites-thereunto belonging, and that in the very beginning of it. I know not how to let the Reader into the Book it felf, any better way, than by premifing fomething concerning the Sacrifices themfelves which are here treated of. And to that purpose I fhall Firft, Confider the matter of thefe Sacrifices, or what things they were which were required or allowed to be offered at the Altar. Secondly, I fhall confider the several forts or kinds of these Sacrifices, with the particular Laws annexed unto them; and fhall in this matter offer nothing but what the Text of the Law gives me ground for. Thirdly, I fhall in very few words fhew how very usefull it is to understand this mar ter. I. I fhall confider the matter of these Sacrifices, or what things they were which were required or allowed to be offered at the Altar. And thefe Oblations being either of living creatures, or of things that were inanimate, I hall, First, Confider what living Creatures were admitted for Sacrifices, where thefe Sacrifices were bloudy. And they were Five onely; viz. Out of the Herd, the Bullock onely; Out of the |