THE ARGUMENT
WHEN the Tabernacle was erected, near to Mount Sinai, [Exod. ult.] the first day of the second year, after the children of Israel parted from Aegypt, and was so replenished with God’s Majesty, that none, no not Moyses himself could enter in, our Lord speaking from thence, called Moyses, and declared to him the offices of the Levites; [Nu. 1.] whom only, and no others, he deputed for the administration, and charge of sacred things: whereof this book (wherein they are written) is called Leviticus. In which, saith S. Hierom, all and every Sacrifice, yea almost every syllable, and Aaron’s vestments, and the whole Levical order breathe forth heavenly sacraments, or mysteries. [Epist. ad Paulinum.] For first, God here prescribeth what sacrifices he will have, in what manner, and to what purposes. Then what parts and qualities he requireth in Priests; how they shall be vested and consecrated, severely punishing some that transgressed: with commandment neither to offer in sacrifice, nor to eat things reputed unclean, and the manner of purifying such things, and persons, as by divers occasions were polluted: Interposing also some moral and judicial precepts, appointeth certain solemn feasts, times of rest, and Jubilee year. Finally, promiseth rewards and threateneth punishments to those that keep or break his commandments: with particular admonition touching vows and tithes. So this book may be divided into five special parts. The first, of divers sorts of Sacrifices: in the seven first chapters. The second, of consecrating Priests, and their vestments, with punishment for offering strange fire, in the three next chapters. The third, of distinction between clean and unclean, with the manner of purifying certain legal uncleanness, and other precepts moral and judicial, from the 11. chap. to the 23. The fourth, of feasts, times of rest, and Jubilee, with privileges, rewards, and punishments, from the 23. chap. to the 27. The fifth, of vows, and tithes, in the last chapter.