XXVIII. De quibusdam coelestibus gaudiis doclorum et rectorum animarum

XXVIII. De quibusdam coelestibus gaudiis doclorum et rectorum animarum

But I also saw others in that same brightness, just as was said above, as if through a mirror, who were clothed in garments of sapphire color, adorned with stones of beryl and other gems, in which there also appeared at their chests, like signs of the seven planets, shining in a wondrous way. They wore crowns on their heads, adorned like topaz, and had shoes made of the purest gold. In their hands, they held what looked like crystal trumpets, from which the wind blew a fragrance like incense and offerings of frankincense, with which they sang in hymns and praises of those who have a voice before God. But the remaining ornaments of these were hidden from me. These people, because they had faithfully served God with the perfection of good works, were resting happily in the clarity and joys of the aforementioned beatitude. And since they had carried true justice in their hearts with the passion of their bodies, refusing to resist God through unstable injustice, they had gazed upon Him with great constancy in their faithful works, wearing crowns adorned like topaz upon their heads; and since they had wisely led their subordinates to walk in right paths before God, they had shoes as if made of pure gold. But also because they demonstrated true doctrine in their actions, both in word and example. They had set themselves before others like a mirror, and even the rumors of the holy works, namely in the direction of true self-control, in the mortification of their flesh, and in the office of holiness, they had sent forth to the believing peoples, where they were constantly engaged in the service and praise of their Creator, day and night, imitating the faith and justice of the patriarchs, prophets, and apostles, who had manifested the truth that is in God with their cries; they held in their hands what were like crystal trumpets, from which the wind blew the fragrance of myrrh and incense, with which they also sang in the hymns and praises of those who have a voice before God. These individuals, while they were physically present in this earthly world, were inspired by that same divine inspiration through which God designed to make them teachers and leaders among His people. They governed their subordinates with both word and example, rescuing them from evil and not allowing them to fall into destruction, where they also offered themselves to God through good works. But the other meanings and symbols of these things are hidden from my sight and understanding.