The _High-priest_, and the _Inferiour Priests_ agreed in their _consecration_ in these particulars. It was required first, that both should be void of bodily blemish, _Levit. 21. 17._ Secondly, that both should be presented unto the Lord at the door of the _Tabernacle_, _Exod. 29. 4._ Thirdly, that both should be washed with water, _Exod. 29. 4._ Fourthly, that both should be consecrated by offering up certain Sacrifices, _Exod. 29._ Fifthly, that both should have of the blood of the other Ram, put upon the tip of the right ear, the thumb of the right hand, and the great toe of the right-foot, _Exod. 29. 20._
In the time of their _Consecration_, certain pieces of the sacrifice were put into the _Priests_ hand, _Exod. 29. 9._ The ceremony in the _Christian Church_, used by the _Bishop_ unto the _Minister_ in time of _Ordination_, _that the Bishop_ giveth the _Bible_ into the hands of the _Minister_, doth much resemble this. And both may signifie, that no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of _God_, as was _Aaron_, _Heb. 5. 4._ Hence _Consecration_ in the _Hebrew_ phrase is termed, _Filling of the hand_. And contrary to this did _Jeroboams Priests_, whosoever would, he _Filled his own hand_, _1 King. 13. 33._ that is, _He thrust himself into the Priesthood_.
In the discharge of their offices, the _High-Priest_ differed from the other _Priests_: First, because he onely, and that but once a year, entred into the _Holy of Holies_, _Exod. 16. 34._
Secondly, the _High-Priest_ might not mourn for the death of his neerest kin, _Levit. 28. 10, 11._ The phrases used there to express mourning are two. First, _uncovering the Head_. Secondly, _Renting the Cloaths_: Of both these somewhat is spoken in the Chapter of _Burial_; but concerning the latter it will not be amiss to note, that the _Talmudists_ determine the matter thus; saying,[47] That it was lawful for the _High-Priest_ to tear the skirt, or neither part of his Garment, but from the bosom downward it was unlawful: which if it be true, then it doth not necessarily follow, that _Caiaphas_ did contrary to the law in renting his clothes, _Matth. 26. 65._ _The inferiour Priests_ might mourn for these six; _Father_, _Mother_, _Son_, _Daughter_, _Brother_, and _Sister, that had no Husband_. _Levit. 21. 2._