DOI chapter:
Plate 1-XCIII
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62036#0262
124
PLATE LAL
THE CHURCH.
Fig. 8. The four following examples are from a MS. Bible, of the 13th century (Bod. Lib.), and
represent the Church in different positions. In the first, she is placed in opposition to
the Synagogue, as in Jigs. 4. and 5., and appears holding the Infant Jesus in her arms, at
the Nativity, while the other figure is turning away with closed eyes and falling crown,
and the Tables of the Law broken in pieces.
9. This is another form of the Car of the Church before described, but with some variations;
here it appears to be drawn by the Four Animals, and the Church herself stands within
it, crowned, and holding the Chalice. The Saviour is standing by her, and the Synagogue
again appears turning away blindfolded.
10. The same idea repeated, with the positions of the Evangelists changed, and here the Car
contains, or is accompanied by, the Apostles, ten in number, probably on account of
St. Matthew and St. John being amongst the Evangelists; they hold their books in
their hands, and Christ Himself is following, or guiding, the whole.
11. In this singular representation, the Church, crowned, with the nimbus, and holding the
Cup, is seated on high, while Demons and Evil Spirits are trying to drag her down;
the gates of Hell endeavouring to prevail against her.
12. A very different symbol from the preceding ones is that of the Dove, which appears to set
forth the Church, or body of Christians, animated by the Holy Spirit, of which the Dove
is the peculiar emblem; it is gifted with six wings, that it may fly rapidly through the
world, and its substance is of silver and gold, the former signifying the clearness of
its Eloquence, the latter, the brightness of its Love and Charity. From the Hortus
Deliciarum, a MS. of the 12th century (Strasburg Lib.). (15.)
PLATE LAL
THE CHURCH.
Fig. 8. The four following examples are from a MS. Bible, of the 13th century (Bod. Lib.), and
represent the Church in different positions. In the first, she is placed in opposition to
the Synagogue, as in Jigs. 4. and 5., and appears holding the Infant Jesus in her arms, at
the Nativity, while the other figure is turning away with closed eyes and falling crown,
and the Tables of the Law broken in pieces.
9. This is another form of the Car of the Church before described, but with some variations;
here it appears to be drawn by the Four Animals, and the Church herself stands within
it, crowned, and holding the Chalice. The Saviour is standing by her, and the Synagogue
again appears turning away blindfolded.
10. The same idea repeated, with the positions of the Evangelists changed, and here the Car
contains, or is accompanied by, the Apostles, ten in number, probably on account of
St. Matthew and St. John being amongst the Evangelists; they hold their books in
their hands, and Christ Himself is following, or guiding, the whole.
11. In this singular representation, the Church, crowned, with the nimbus, and holding the
Cup, is seated on high, while Demons and Evil Spirits are trying to drag her down;
the gates of Hell endeavouring to prevail against her.
12. A very different symbol from the preceding ones is that of the Dove, which appears to set
forth the Church, or body of Christians, animated by the Holy Spirit, of which the Dove
is the peculiar emblem; it is gifted with six wings, that it may fly rapidly through the
world, and its substance is of silver and gold, the former signifying the clearness of
its Eloquence, the latter, the brightness of its Love and Charity. From the Hortus
Deliciarum, a MS. of the 12th century (Strasburg Lib.). (15.)