neal, and hyssop,
i.e. faith, hope and charity, as stated above (ad 5), was put into
the water for the purpose of sprinkling, because we are baptized in
the faith of the God-Man. By the waters of Baptism or of his tears
man washes his clothes, i.e. his works, and all his hair, i.e. his
thoughts. The tip of the right ear of the man to be cleansed is
moistened with some the blood and oil, in order to strengthen his
hearing against harmful words; and the thumb and toe of his right
hand and foot are moistened that his deeds may be holy. Other matters
pertaining to this purification, or to that also of any other
uncleannesses, call for no special remark, beyond what applies to
other sacrifices, whether for sins or for trespasses.

Reply Obj. 8 and 9: Just as the people were initiated by circumcision
to the divine worship, so were the ministers by some special
purification or consecration: wherefore they are commanded to be
separated from other men, as being specially deputed, rather than
others, to the ministry of the divine worship. And all that was done
touching them in their consecration or institution, was with a view
to show that they were in possession of a prerogative of purity,
power and dignity. Hence three things were done in the institution of
ministers: for first, they were purified; secondly, they were adorned
[*'Ornabantur.' Some editions have 'ordinabantur'--'were ordained':
the former reading is a reference to Lev. 8:7-9] and consecrated;
thirdly, they were employed in the ministry. All in general used to
be purified by washing in water, and by certain sacrifices; but the
Levites in particular shaved all the hair of their bodies, as stated
in Lev. 8 (cf. Num. 8).

With regard to the high-priests and priests the consecration was
performed as follows. First, when they had been washed, they were
clothed with certain special garments in designation of their
dignity. In particular, the high-priest was anointed on the head with
the oil of unction: to denote that the power of consecration was
poured forth by him on to others, just as oil flows from the head on
to the lower parts of the body; according to Ps. 132:2: "Like the
precious ointment on the head that ran down upon the beard, the beard
of Aaron." But the Levites received no other consecration besides
being offered to the Lord by the children of Israel through the hands
of the high-priest, who prayed for them. The lesser priests were
consecrated on the han