And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
Ver. 32. And to devise curious works.] "This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working." Isa 28:29 Pliny a makes mention of some famous painters, whose rare pieces were Oppidorum opibus venditae: sold for so many towns' wealth. A certain craftsman set a watch clock upon a ring that Charles V wore upon his finger. b King Ferdinand sent to Solyman the Turk, for a present, a wonderful globe of silver of most rare and curious device; daily expressing the hourly passing of the time, the motions of the planets, the change and full of the moon; lively expressing the wonderful conversions of the celestial frame. c To which I may well add that admirable invention of printing, a special blessing of God to mankind.
a Lib. xxiii.
b Sphinx Philos., p, 90.
c Turk. Hist., fol. 713.