which will serve at a good explanation of it. His treatment of the foundation stones is topological;—a more usual one is allegorical, which I will give from the Commentary of Michael Ayguan on the Psalms. "Jasper," says the comment of Marbodus, "is the first foundation of the Church of God, and is of a green colour. Whoever hath it upon him, no phantasm can hurt him. It signifies those who always hold the faith of God, and never depart from it,—or wither,—but are always flourishing therein, and fear not the assaults of the devil." Allegorically, the Jasper, the first foundation-stone, which promotes fecundity and causes unity, symbolizes the first Article of the Creed, "I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth."
"The Sapphire," says Marbodus, "is of the colour of the sky. It signifies them that, while they be yet on earth, set their affections on things above, and despise things terrestrial: according to that saying, Our conversation is in Heaven." The reason why, in the Prose, it is compared to the Throne of God, is clearly that verse in Exodus: "They saw the God of Heaven: and under His feet was at it were the paved work of a Sapphire stone." "The Sapphire," says Ayguan, "which reconciles, heals, consoles, gives sight, and is the King of Stones, symbolises the second Article of the Creed: And in Jesus Christ His Only Son our Lord."
"The Chalcedony," Marbodus continues, "while it is in a house, doth not shine: when under the open air it glitters brightly: it resists those that would cut it or scratch it: when heated, either by the sun, or by
