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"
Qui cupis emunctim Gemmarum scire medullas, Hue venias ; totum continet
iste liber. Occultas enim Lapidum cognoscere vires, Quorum causa latens
etlectus dat manifestos, Egregium quiddam volumus, rarumque videri;
Scilicet hinc solers medicorum cura juvatur AuxiHo lapidum morbos
expellere doeta."
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TO THE READER.
" Gems would you cleanse from their dross, and fathom their
innermost
virtues, Come to our Book, and find them fully disclosed in its pages ;
Sympathies scarce understood; yet effects which are visible
plainly; These to reveal, and expound, is a task which should win us
distinction.
Hence may the curative skill of the doctor be splendidly aided, Taught
that the wearers of Stones which are Precious can
baffle diseases."
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"
And thou shalt make the Breast-Plate of Judgment with cunning work." "
And thou shalt set in it settings of Stones, even four rows of Stones:
the first row shall be a Sardius, a Topaz, and a Carbuncle. And the
second row shall be an Emerald, a Sapphire, and a Diamond. And the
third row a Ligure, an Agate, and an Amethyst. And the fourth row a
Beryl, and an Onyx, and a Jasper; they shall be set in Gold, in their
inclosings." " And thou shalt put in the Breast-Plate of judgment the
Urim, and the Thummim ; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart when he
goeth in before the Lord."
"
The Priest, having put on his robes, went into the Holy Place, and
stood before the veil which separated this from the Holy of Holies.
Then the Priest enquired of God in a low voice ; and fixing his eyes
upon the Breast-Plate he received the answer to his question by Urim,
and Thummim."—Rabbins allege that the answer was given by certain
letters engraven on the Stones in the Breast-Plate emitting a bright
light, so as to be read by the High Priest into words. Josephus says
that when the Jewels shone with peculiar radiance the answer was to be
regarded as affirmative ; but when dim, as negative. Authorities
declare that the Urim, and the Thummim signified " Light, and Truth."
■<Elian tells that the High Priest among the Egyptians, as superior
Judge, wore round his neck an image of Sapphire, which was called
"Truth."
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