Folio 96v - the mermecoleon, continued. Versus; verse
are the heavenly dew, just as before her, the patriarch Isaac, blessing his son, signifying that Christ would be born from his seed, said to him: 'God give thee of the dew of heaven and the fatness of the earth' (Genesis, 27: 28), signifying the chaste, untouched virgin Mary. 'Early in the morning' refers to the time of prayer. The mussel opening its mouth signifies the occasion when Mary says to the angel: 'Behold the handmaiden of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word' (Luke, 1:35). 'The foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones' (Revelation, 21:19), that is, the prophets and Apostles on whose faith and doctrine the whole city of the church is founded. Of these it is said in the Psalms: it is founded on holy hills (see, eg, Psalms, 15:1); the wall was adorned with every precious stone (see Revelation, 21:18-19). They were furnished, that is, with every kind of virtue and good work. It is not only the prophets and apostles who are called 'foundations', but lesser men also, who had or have a life and faith like theirs. They are called 'foundations' not by virtue of their personalities, but the way in which they exercised their virtue; because it was through their virtue that they founded the church. On account of this, John shows here in which virtues they were as a light in the church, reckoning their number as twelve, demonstrating that they shone in every virtue. For this number signifies the universe, because it is made from parts containing seven, that is by threes and by fours; and that faith is first among the virtues according to the statement of Prudentius. Verse Faith, the first of the virtues, ready to fight, takes to the field in battle with doubt. And because without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews, 11:6), faith is set in the first foundation. It should not trouble you that stones
Folio 96v - the mermecoleon, continued. Versus; verse | The Aberdeen Bestiary | The University of Aberdeen