Final answer:
Milton's 'golden compass' from Paradise Lost is not directly from a specific piece of scripture but is a poetic invention that symbolizes divine creation and order, synthesizing various theological and philosophical concepts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Milton's golden compass references a metaphor in his epic poem Paradise Lost, but there's a need for clarification since the mention of a golden compass could also evoke historical, mythological, or alchemical images, such as the golden instruments of navigation, the Golden Bough in Virgil's Aeneid, or alchemical symbols. The closest biblical scripture that seems to provide the basis for Milton's image is found in the book of Proverbs in the Old Testament, which often uses the image of a path or way that is to be followed, akin to the circle that a compass draws. However, the specific concept of the golden compass in Milton's use, as a symbol of divine creation and order, is not directly taken from a single piece of scripture but is rather a poetic invention by Milton that encapsulates various theological and philosophical ideas.