THE KIND OF CREATURES OFFERED IN SACRIFICE TO GOD.
God commanded not the fiercer creatures to be offered to Him in sacrifices, but lambs and kids, meek and lowly creatures; none that had stings in their tails or venom in their tongues. The meek lamb was the daily sacrifice; the doves were to be offered by pairs. God would not have honey mixed with any sacrifice; that breeds choler and choler pride; but oil He commanded to be used; that supplies and mollifies the parts. Swelling pride and boiling passions render our services carnal; they cannot be spiritual, without an humble sweetness and an innocent sincerity: one grain of this transcends the most costly sacrifices. A contrite heart puts a gloss upon worship.—Charnock.