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Meditation LI. Ʋpon first Fruits and Gleanings.
VVHat the Apostle saith of the heavenly Bodies, that one Star differeth from another Star in glory, is true also of the heavenly Laws and Com∣mands of God, as well Ceremonial as Moral, that they differ from each other in their weight and worth. Some of which set forth the greater things, and others the less; as may be easily seen in this double Command of First fruits, and Gleanings; one of which is far greater than the other, though the less is not to be neglected, because it is a stream that flows from the same Fountain, the Soveraign will and appointment of God. But that we may the better take the Dimensi∣ons of this Law of First fruits, let us view it by the help of some Considerations, as Astronomers by instruments judge of the Altitude, and Magnitude of a Star. We may first see it in the extent of those things in the offering of which God would be honoured and acknowledged; he required the firstlings of Men and Cattel, the first fruits of trees, and of the Earth, in the sheaf, and in the threshing floor, in the dough, and in the loaves. It did reach to all their Substance, and the encrease, which without this Service was but a polluted and an unclean heap.
Secondly, In the solemn manner of the offering of them unto God, which was to be done with an hum∣ble Confession of their Fathers poverty; A Syrian ready to perish was my Father, and of the hard bondage