Commentary on Genesis and Exodus, Theological treatise · Chapter 28 · Questions · Question 30
QUEST. XXX. Of the mysticall application of the priestly pectorall with the Vrim and Thummim.
NOw the mysticall signification of the Pectorall with the Vrim and Thummim followeth: First, I will omit the curious significations, which are brought by some, as being impertinent and superfluous: 1. As Iosephus and Philo by the breast-plate understand the Zodiake; by the twelve precious stones▪ the twelve signes in the Zodiake, and the twelve moneths of the yeere: which application Hierome himselfe seemeth not much to mislike. 2. Hierome by the foure rowes of precious stones would have signified the foure morall vertues, Prudence, Fortitude, Iustice, Temperance; Epist. ad Fabi…l. 3. Beda thus applieth them, that as there were foure order of stones, and in every of them three: so, In quatuor virtutibus sancta Trinitatis fidem teneamus; That wee should professe and hold the faith of the Trinity joyned with the foure morall vertues. 4. Gregorie by the twelve stones, containing the names of the twelve Patriarkes, insinuateth thus: Ascriptos patres semper in pectore ferre, est antiquorum vitam sin… intermissione cogitare; To beare the fathers written in the breast▪ is alwayes to thinke of the life of those which are gone before.
Secondly, there are fitter applications than these. To omit the rest: 1. Hierome by the twelve precious stones understandeth the twelve Apostles, by whom the Church was inlightened, and upon whose doctrine the Church of God was founded: as the twelve Apostles are set forth by these twelve precious stones, Apocal. 21. So also Gregorie: Sancti Apostoli lapides sant ornamenti in pectore; The holy Apostles are the stones of ornament in the breast. 2. As the Vrim and Thummim was put unto the precious stones, it signifieth Christum esse & conversari cum sanctis, that Christ is conversant with his Saints, Procopius. 3. Rupertus understandeth it thus, that as the Priest did beare two stones on his shoulders; and twelve in the breast-plate of judgement: so Christ, cunctorum super humeros peccata portavit, carried the sinnes of all upon his shoulders: and in judgement, shall give unto every one according to his workes: by the twelve stones signifying the divers mansion places in the kingdome of heaven. 4. The Vrim, that is interpreted light, shewed, that in Christo sunt reconditi omnes thesauri scientia & sapientiae, in Christ are laid up all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge: and Thummim, which betokeneth perfection, symbolum fuit perfectae puritatis, &c. was as signe or symboll of perfect purity, which is to be sought only in Christ, Calvin. So also Marbach. 5. So both those doe signifie, that extra Christum nihil aliud nisi tenebrae & peccatum, without Christ there is nothing but darknesse and sinne, he is our illumination and perfection, Gallas. 6. As the two stones, each of them having six names were upon the Priests shoulders, and the twelve stones with their particular names in his breast: so Christ, non gestat solum electos in humeris per potentiam, sed & in pectore per dilectionem, doth not only beare his elect in his shoulders by his power, but by love and dilection in his breast: neither this in generall, but every of their names are there written: so, singuli fideles, &c. the faithfull in particular are for ever written in Christs breast, Ferus. 7. As there are two offices of the Mediatour, one to reconcile us unto God, the other to communicate the mercies of God unto us: so both these functions of the Mediatour are here shadowed forth. As the Priest did beare the names of the tribes in his breast: so Christ doth present the Church in the sight of his Father: and as there was Vrim and Thummim beside, so Christ from God communicateth unto us all illumination and perfection: hee is both our wisdome, and righteousnesse, Iun. in Analys. Piscator. 8. And that Christ was prefigured by the Vrim and Thummim, this may be a reason, because in the second Temple they were wanting, as likewise the Arke with other things. Id agente Deo, &c. God so providing, ut sanctiorum rerum desiderio afficerentur, &c. that they might long for more holy things which should be offered in the new Testament, Montan.