A Golden Chain

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;