But because the light passeth away, and because Christ is very man, therefore, saith Adrian, Pope, He must be represented in the form of a man. A holy lamb must not be depicted on the cross, as a principal object: but there is no let when Christ hath been represented as a man, to paint a lamb in a lower or less prominent part of the picture: since He is the true Lamb which 'taketh away the sins of the world.' In these and divers other manners is the image of the Saviour painted, on account of diversity of significations. 7. Represented in the cradle, the artist commemorateth His nativity: on the bosom of His Mother, His childhood: the painting or carving His cross signifieth His Passion (and sometimes the sun and moon are represented on the cross itself, as suffering an eclipse): when depicted on a flight of steps, His ascension is signified: when on a state or lofty throne, we be taught His present power: as if He said, 'All things are given to Me in heaven and in earth:' [Footnote 258] according to that saying, 'I saw the Lord sitting upon His throne:' [Footnote 259] that is, reigning over the angels: as the text, 'Which sitteth upon the cherubim.' [Footnote 260] Sometimes He is represented as He was seen of Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, on the mountain: when 'under His feet was as it were a paved work of sapphire stones, and as the body of heaven in His clearness:' [Footnote 261] and as 'they shall see,' as saith S. Luke, 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds with power and great glory. [Footnote 262] Wherefore sometimes He is represented surrounded by the seven angels that serve Him, and stand by His throne, each being portrayed with six wings, according to the vision of Isaiah, 'And by it stood the seraphim: each one had six wings: with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.' [Footnote 263] [Footnote 258: S. Matt, xxviii, 18.] [Footnote 259: Isaiah vi, 1.] [Footnote 260: Psalm lxxx, 1.] [Footnote 261: Exodus xxiv, 10.] [Footnote 262: S. Matthew xxiv, 30.] [Footnote 263: Isaiah vi, 2.] {48}