First in the anointing of the high priests, as of ⟨p. 350⟩Aaron and his sons after him, oil was poured on his head,1 and it ran down to the very edge of his garments, whereby was signified that Christ the true high priest was anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows, 2that is, that his manhood was filled with the gifts and graces of God, both in measure, number,3 and degree above all men and angels. Secondly, the sumptuous and gorgeous apparel which the high Priest put on, when he came into the sanctuary, was a sign of the rich and glorious robe of Christs righteousness, which is the purity and integrity of his humane nature and of his life. Thirdly, the special parts of the high Priests attire were, first the Ephod, the two shoulders whereof had two onyx stones,4 whereon were engraven the names of the twelve tribes of Israel: six names on the one stone, and six on the other, as stones of remembrance of the children of Israel to God ward: secondly, the breastplate of judgement like the work of the Ephod, wherein were set twelve stones according to the names of the children of Israel, graven as signets every one after his name. Now by these two ornaments were figured two things in Christ: by the first, that he carries all the Elect on his shoulders, and supports them by his spirit so long as they are in this world, against the world, the flesh, and the devil. By the second, that Christ our high priest being now in his sanctuary in heaven, hath in memory all the Elect, & their very names are written as it were in tables of gold before his face, and he hath an especial love unto them and care over them. Upon this ground the church in the Canticles prays on this manner, Set me as a seal on thy heart, and as a signe• upon thy arm. 5And indeed this is a matter of comfort unto us all, that Christ hath our several names written in precious stones before his face, though he be now in heaven and we on earth: and that the particular estate of every one of us is both known and regarded of him. Again, God gave to Moses the Urim and Thummim, which was put on the breastplate of the high priest, when he was to ask counsel from God of things unknown, before the mercy seat, whence God gave answer. What the Urim and Thummim was, it is not known: and it is like it was not made by any art of man, but given by God;
First in the annointing of the high priests, as of ⟨p. 350⟩Aaron and his sonnes after him, oile was poured on his head,1 and it ran down to the very edge of his garments, whereby was signified that Christ the true high priest was annointed with the oyle of gladnesse aboue his fellowes, 2that is, that his manhoode was filled with the gifts and graces of God, both in measure, number,3 and degree aboue all men and angels. Secondly, the sumptuous and gorgious apparell which the high Priest put on, when he came into the sanctuarie, was a signe of the rich and glorious robe of Christs righteousnesse, which is the puritie and integritie of his humane nature and of his life. Thirdly, the speciall parts of the high Priests attire were, first the Ephod, the two shoulders whereof had two onyx stones,4 whereon were engrauen the names of the twelue tribes of Israel: sixe names on the one stone, and sixe on the other, as stones of remembrance of the children of Israel to God ward: secondly, the brestplate of iudgement like the worke of the Ephod, wherein were set twelue stones according to the names of the children of Israel, grauen as signets euery one after his name. Now by these two ornaments were figured two things in Christ: by the first, that he carries all the Elect on his shoulders, and supports them by his spirit so lōg as they are in this world, against the world, the flesh, and the deuill. By the second, that Christ our high priest beeing now in his sanctuarie in heauen, hath in memorie all the Elect, & their very names are written as it were in tables of gold before his face, and he hath an especiall loue vnto them and care ouer them. Vpon this ground the church in the Canticles praies on this manner, Set me as a seale on thy heart, and as a signe• vpon thy arme. 5And indeede this is a matter of comfort vnto vs all, that Christ hath our seuerall names written in pretious stones before his face, though he be now in heauen and we on earth: and that the particular estate of euery one of vs is both knowne and regarded of him. Againe, God gaue to Moses the Vrim and Thummim, which was put on the breastplate of the high priest, when he was to aske counsell from God of things vnknowne, before the mercie seat, whence God gaue answer. What the Vrim and Thummim was, it is not knowne: and it is like it was not made by any art of man, but giuen by God;
- 1Exod. 29.7. Psal. 113.2.
- 2Psal. 45.7.
- 3Exod. 28.2.
- 4Exod. 28.12.21.
- 5Cant. 8.6.
