Except _Aaron_, and those that issued from his loines, (in whom the _series_ of _Priests_ was continued) all the rest of _Levi_ his posterity were called _Levites_.
Both in the _High-priest_, and the _second_ or _Inferiour Priests_, there are two things considerable. First, their _Consecration_. Secondly, their _Office_. In both these, somewhat they _differed_, in somewhat they _agreed_.
In their _Consecration_ they differed. First,[44] The _High-priest_ was _anointed_: the materials of this Chrism or oyntment are prescribed, _Exod. 30. 23._ It was poured upon _Aarons_ head, _Levit. 8. 12._ It ran down to his beard, and to the border of his garments, _Psalm. 133. 2._ The _Second Priests_ were only _sprinkled_ with this oyle, mixed with the blood of the Sacrifice, _Levit. 8. 30._ In this was typed out the unction of our _Saviour_, who was _anointed_ with the oyl of Gladness above his Fellows, _Psal. 45. 8._ He was _anointed_ above his Fellows, _Extensive_, and _Intensive_, _Extensive_, for though _Aaron_ was _anointed Priest_, _Saul_ anointed _King_, _Elisha_ anointed _Prophet_, _Melchisedeck_ _King_ and _Priest_, _Moses_ _Priest_ and _Prophet_, _David_ _King_ and _Prophet_; yet none save only _Christ_, _King_, _Priest_, and _Prophet_. _Intensive_, he was _anointed_, we _sprinkled_. He was _full_ of grace and truth, _John 1. 14._ And from his _fulness_ we received grace for grace, _ver. 16._ And all Christians, especially Ministers, are unto _God_ the sweet savour of _Christ_, _2 Cor. 2. 5._
[44] _Hinc Sacerdos summus in fonte legitur Sacerdos unctus, Levit. 4. 5. Jonathan habet, Sacerdos magnus vel summus. Desertè Aben Esra, Sacerdos magnus ipse est Sacerdos unctus. Lyranus adhuc clarius Sacerdos unctus est Sacerdos magnus, quia inferiores Sacerdotes non ungebantur, &c._
Secondly, they differed in their Garments, which were a necessary adjunct to their _Consecration_. The _High-Priest_ wore at the time of his ordinary ministration in the _Sanctuary_, eight Garments, _Exodus 28._ First, _Breeches of linnen_, put next upon his flesh. Secondly, _A Coat of fine linnen_ put over the breeches. Thirdly, _A girdle embroidered, of fine linnen, blew purple, & scarlet_, wherewith the coat was girded. Fourthly, _A Robe all of Blew_, with seventy two bells of Gold, and as many Pomegranates of blew purple, and scarlet, upon the skirts thereof; this was put over the coat and girdle. Fifthly, _An Ephod of gold and of blew purple, scarlet, and fine linnen curiously wrought_; on the shoulders thereof were two fair _Beryl_ Stones, engraven with the names of the Twelve Tribes of _Israel_. This _Ephod_ was put over the Robe, and girded thereto with a curious girdle made of the same. Sixthly, _A Breast-plate wrought of gold, blew, purple, scarlet, and fine linnen_, which being a span square, was fastened by gold chains and rings, upon the _Ephod_: herein were set _twelve_ several Stones, on which the names of the _twelve Tribes_ were engraven: Moreover, in this Breast-plate were the _Urim_ and the _Thummim_ placed. Seventhly, _A Miter of fine linnen, sixteen cubits long, wrapped about his head_. Eighthly, _A plate of purple gold, or holy Crown two fingers broad_, whereon was engraven _Holiness to the Lord_: this was tyed with a blew lace upon the fore-front of the _Miter_.