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(21) And the observances practised by the Romans in the case of wills have a place here; those balances and small coins to denote justice, and freeing of slaves, and rubbing of the ears. For these observances are, that things may be transacted with justice; and those for the dispensing of honour; and the last, that he who happens to be near, as if a burden were imposed on him, should stand and hear and take the post of mediator.

(18) But concerning precious Stones, as Carbuncles, Rubies, Diamonds, Smaragdiens or Emeralds, Onixes, and the like, which are of the best Sort, they have their Original where the Half of the Light rose up in the Love. For that Half becomes generated in the Meekness, and is the Heart in the Center of the qualifying or fountain Spirits; therefore the Stones are also meek, full of Virtue, delightful, pleasant and lovely. Now it might be asked: Why Man in this World is so in love above all other Things with Gold, Silver, and precious Stones, and uses them for a Defence or Protection, and the Maintenance of his Body? Answer: [† Ecclef. 7. 12: With Money and Treasures Men defend themselves, as with a Shield.]

(11) It is said also in a certain oracle,- "A pillar to the Thebans is joy-inspiring Bacchus," from the history of the Hebrews. Also Euripides says, in Antiope,- "In the chambers within, the herdsman, With chaplet of ivy, pillar of the Evoean god." The pillar indicates that God cannot be portrayed. The pillar of light, too, in addition to its pointing out that God cannot be represented, shows also the stability and the permanent duration of the Deity, and His unchangeable and inexpressible light. Before, then, the invention of the forms of images, the ancients erected pillars, and reverenced them as statues of the Deity.