236 The Gofpet of the Peace-Ofering. fecret working of the Word and Spirit in the Heart, fan&ifying the Heart effeaually, but gradually, by imperceptible Degrees, as Leaven feafons the Lump. Thus the joining of Leaven with the Peace - Offering, may teach us, That we and our Services muttt be feafoned with the new Leaven of Grace ; whereby the old Leaven of Corruption is changed and altered, and fo the whole Man made Savoury. Look as there is an old Leaven which muff be purged out ; for they that are in the old unfavoury Lump of the Flefh, cannot pleafe God : So there is a new Leaven wherewith every ones Heart and Life fhould be feafoned ; a new prin- ciple of Grace, a Spirit of Life from God, which in time works out the contrary old Principle of finful Corruption, as an Antidote that works out Poifon out of the Body. 2. Take Leaven in the bad Senfe, and fo it fignifies finful Corrup- tion. In this Senfe the Scripture often fpeaks of it, as z Cor. 5. Hence we may learn, that as God accepteth thePeace-Offering, though offered with Leaven ; fo he accepteth the fincere endeavours and fer vices of his People, though there be a mixture of finful Corruption in them. Or if we take Leaven as in that fenfe of Sorrow and Grief, as Pfal.. 73. 21. Thus my Heart was leavened. Their having fome fower Lea- ven amongft their Feafts, may teach us, That in all our rejoycings in this World, there is a mixture of Sorrow ; there is no Profperity fo entire but hath force Sorrow, form Affili&ion with it : As there is no Day but hath force Clouds. Rofes have Thorns, Honey bath a Sting, Crowns and Scepters have Cares and Troubles. And it is not only fo in natural Joy, but in thofe better Joys and Confolations of the Al- mighty. Spiritual Joy is, and ought to be accompanied with godly. Sorrow, and is too oft accompanied with a mixture of carnal Sorrow, and unbelieving Doubts and Fears. There is force of this Leaven with the PeaceOfferings of Praife and Thankfgiving to the Lord. q.. The fourth Ceremony is this, That they muff not eat the Fat, or Blood; but give them wholly to the Lord, verf, 16, 17. I number this among the Ceremonies of the Peace-Offering, becaufe it is here firft mentioned ; and here indeed was the firft occafion for it : For there being nopart at all of the Burnt-Offering to be eaten, there was no need there to forbid the eating of Fat or Blood ;. but in the Peace- Offerings, they were to eat force part : Therefore here comes in this Exception, refpe&ing the Peace-Offerings in the firft place, though ex- tended likewife to all the rett. The firft Prohibition is of Fat; And
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