(83) But seeing it has been the most excellent rising up, and generating, in the holy heavenly Nature, therefore also it is loved by Man above all other in this World. For Nature has indeed wrote in Man's Heart, that it is better than other Stones and Earth; but Nature could not reveal or manifest to him the Ground thereof, from whence it is come or proceeded, whereby now thou mayest observe the Day-spring or Morning-redness.

(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.]

(17) Differently, the stones might be the various phases of salvation; some occupying the upper, some the lower parts of the entire body saved. The three hundred and sixty bells, suspended from the robe, is the space of a year, "the acceptable year of the Lord," proclaiming and resounding the stupendous manifestation of the Saviour. Further, the broad gold mitre indicates the regal power of the Lord, "since the Head of the Church" is the Savour. The mitre that is on it [i.e., the head] is, then, a sign of most princely rule; and otherwise we have heard it said, "The Head of Christ is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Moreover, there was the breastplate, comprising the ephod, which is the symbol of work, and the oracle logion; and this indicated the Word logos by which it was framed, and is the symbol of heaven, made by the Word, and subjected to Christ, the Head of all things, inasmuch as it moves in the same way, and in a like manner. The luminous emerald stones, therefore, in the ephod, signify the sun and moon, the helpers of nature. The shoulder, I take it, is the commencement of the hand.

(16) So in like manner the Earth and Stones have their Descent; for when the Salitter kindled itself in Nature, then all became very rugged, thick, and dark, like a thick dark Mist or Cloud, which the astringent Quality dried up hard with its Coldness.

(16) Now the high priest's robe is the symbol of the world of sense. The seven planets are represented by the five stones and the two carbuncles, for Saturn and the Moon. The former is southern, and moist, and earthy, and heavy; the latter aerial, whence she is called by some Artemis, as if Aerotomos (cutting the air); and the air is cloudy. And cooperating as they did in the production of things here below, those that by Divine Providence are set over the planets are rightly represented as placed on the breast and shoulders; and by them was the work of creation, the first week. And the breast is the seat of the heart and soul.

(26) Also within the Earth, grow curious precious Stones, Silver, and Gold, and these are a Type of the Heavenly Generating or Production.