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PARADISE REGAINED. 405
7. 476. p. 38. Is yet more iingly ; ]
In this fpeech concerning riches and realms, our poet has culled all
the choiceft, fineft flowers out of the heathen poets and philosophers
who have written upon thefe fubjedts.
It is not fo much their words,
as their fubftance fublimed and improved. But here he foars above
them, and nothing could have given him fo complete an idea of a di-
vine teacher, as the life and character of our Bleffed Saviour.
BOOK III.
/. 13. p. 43. as the oracle
Urim and. Thummim, thofe oraculcus gems
On Aaron s breaji ; ]
Newton.
Aaron's breaft-plate was a piece of cloth doubled, of a fpan fquare,
in which were fet in fockets of gold twelve precious ftones bearing the
names of the twelve tribes of lfrael engraven on them, which being
fixed to the ephod, or upper veftment of the high prictt's robes, was
worn by him on his breaft on all folemn occafions. In this breaft-plate
the Urim and Thummim, fay the Scriptures, were put. And the learned
Prideaux, after giving fome account of the various opinions concern-
ing Urim and TJiummim, fays it will be fafeft to hold, that the words
Urim and Thummim meant only the divine virtue and power, given to
the breaft-plate
in its confecration, of obtaining an oraculous anfwer
from God, whenever counfel was aflted of him by the high-prieft with
it on, in fuch manner as his words did direct ; and that the names of
Urim and Thummim were given hereto only to denote the clearnefs and
perfection which thefe oracular anfwers carried
always
with them.
For Urim fign'tfieth light,
and Thummim, perfeclion.
Newton.
1. 25. p. 44. gl r y 1he reward]
Our Saviour having withftood the allurement of riches, Satan attacks
him in the next place with the charms of glory.
I have fometimes