15. But the steps to the altar [spiritually set forth the apostles and martyrs of Christ, who for His love poured out their blood. The bride in the Canticles of Love calleth it a purple ascent. Also, the fifteen virtues are set forth by them: which were also typified by the fifteen steps by which they went up to the temple of Solomon:] [Footnote 233] and by the prophet in fifteen Psalms of degrees, therein setting forth that he is blest who maketh ascents in his heart. This was the ladder that Jacob beheld: 'And his top reached to the heavens.' By these steps the ascent of virtues is sufficiently made manifest, by which we go up to the altar, that is, to Christ: according to that saying of the Psalmist, 'They go from virtue to virtue.' [Footnote 234] And Job, 'I will seek him through all my steps.' Yet it is said in Exodus, 'Neither shalt thou go up by steps to my altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.' [Footnote 235] For perhaps the ancients did not as yet use trousers. In the Council of Toledo, it is decreed that the priest, who for the sake of grief at the misfortune of another, strippeth the altar or any image of its garments, [or girdeth himself with a mourning vest, or with thorns, [Footnote 236]] or extinguisheth the lights of the church, shall be deposed. But if his church be undeservedly spoiled, he is allowed to do this for grief: or, according to some, he may on the day of the Passion of our Lord make bare the altars as a sign of grief. Which is, however, reprobated by the Council of Lyons. Lastly, altars which have been built at the instigation of dreams, or the empty revelations of men, are altogether reprobated. [Footnote 233: This passage also is not found in the Venetian edition.] [Footnote 234: Psalm lxxxiv (_Quam dilecta_), 7] [Footnote 235: Exodus xx, 26.] [Footnote 236: This passage also is not found in the Venetian edition.] {42} CHAPTER III OF PICTURES, AND IMAGES, AND CURTAINS, AND THE ORNAMENTS OF CHURCHES Use of Pictures and Curtains--Objections against the Use, answered-- Place of Pictures--The Saviour, how Represented--The Angels--The Evangelists--The Apostles--The Patriarchs--S. John Baptist-- Martyrs--Confessors--Institution of Pictures--Of Crowns--Of Paradise--Of the General Ornament of Churches--Of Pyxes--Of Relicaries--Of Candlesticks--Of Cups--Of the Cross--Of Altar Cloths and Veils--The Treasures of the Church, when Displayed, and why--Of Ostrich Eggs--Of Vessels for the Holy Mysteries--Of Chalices--General Observations on the Respect due to Church Ornaments.