312 THE CURIOUS LORE OF PRECIOUS STONES
and fresh. By his fervent faith he has become our shepherd and leader.
As
the sapphire is likened to the heavens (from this stone is made a color
popularly called lazur), I conceive it to mean St. Paul, since he was
caught up to the third heaven, where his soul was firmly fixed. Thither
he seeks to draw all those who may be obedient to him.
The
chalcedony was not inserted in the high-priest's breastplate, but
instead the carbuncle, of whieh no mention is made here. It may well
be, however, that the author designated the carbuncle by the name
chalcedony. Andrew, then, can be likened to the carbuncle, since he was
splendidly illumined by the fire of the Spirit.
The
emerald, which is of a green color, is nourished with oil, that its
transparency and beauty may not change; we conceive this stone to
signify John the Evangelist. He, indeed, soothed the souls dejected by
sin with a divine oil, and by the grace of his excellent doctrine lends
constant strength to our faith.
By
the sardonyx, showing with a certain transparency and purity the eolor
of the human nail, we believe that James is denoted, seeing that he
bore death for Christ before all others. This the nail by its color
indicates, for it may be cut off without any sensible pain.
The
sardius with its tawny and translucent coloring suggests fire, and it
possesses the virtue of healing tumors and wounds inflicted by iron;
hence I consider that it designates the beauty of virtue
characterizing the apostle Philip, for his virtue, animated by the
fire of the Holy Spirit, cured the soul of the wounds inflicted by the
wiles of the devil, and revived it.
The
chrysolite, gleaming with the splendor of gold, may symbolize
Bartholomew, since he was illustrious for his divine preaching and his
store of virtues.
The
beryl, imitating the colors of the sea and of the air, and not unlike
the jacinth, seems to suggest the admirable Thomas, especially as he
made a long journey by sea, and even reached the Indies, sent by God to
preach salvation to the peoples of that region.
The
topaz, which is of a ruddy color, resembling somewhat the carbuncle,
stops the discharge of the milky fluid with which those having
eye-disease suffer. This seems to denote Matthew, for he was animated
by a divine zeal, and, his blood being fired because of Christ, he was
found worthy to enlighten by his Gospel those whose heart was blinded,
that they might like new-born children drink of the milk of the faith.
The Chrysoprase, more brightly tinged with a golden hue than
