9. Sometimes also representation is made of the four living creatures spoken of in the visions of Ezekiel and the aforesaid John: the face of a man and the face of a {49} lion on the right,--the face of an ox on the left, and the face of an eagle above the four. These be the Four Evangelists. Whence they be painted with books by their feet, because by their words and writings they have instructed the minds of the faithful, and accomplished their own works. Matthew hath the figure of a man, Mark of a lion. These be painted on the right hand: because the nativity and the resurrection of Christ were the general joy of all: whence in the Psalms: 'And gladness at the morning.' [Footnote 268] But Luke is the ox: because he beginneth from Zachary the priest, and treateth more specially of the Passion and Sacrifice of Christ: now the ox is an animal fitted for sacrifice. He is also compared to the ox, because of the two horns,--as containing the two testaments; and the four hoofs, as having the sentences of the four Evangelists. [Footnote 269]By this also Christ is figured, who was the sacrifice for us: and therefore the ox is painted on the left side, because the death of Christ was the trouble of the apostles. Concerning this, and how blessed Mark [Footnote 270] is depicted, in the seventh part. But John hath the figure of the eagle: because, soaring to the utmost height, he saith, 'In the beginning was the word.' [Footnote 271] [Footnote 268: Psalm xxx (_Exaltabo Te_), 5. These symbols, however, were not at first definitely settled, and as we are informed by S. Austin, the lion was sometimes given to S. Matthew and the angel and or man, to S. Mark. The reasons of the appropriation of the various symbols are beautifully expressed in a hymn quoted in the Camden's Society's 'Illustrations of Monumental Brasses,' Part I, p. 30.] [Footnote 269: This passage is very obscure. Durandus's words are, _quasi quatuor evangelistorum sententias_. We cannot but think that the two sentences have been misplaced. The sense is then plain. Christ is also signified by the ox--as containing in Himself the Law and the Gospel--and accomplishing that which is written of Him by the four Evangelists, e.g. His promises of the descent of the Holy Ghost, of being always with His Church, etc. S. Peter Chrysologus, Sermo v. de Christo, Hic est _Vitulus_, qui in Epulam nostram quotidie, et jugiter immolatur.] [Footnote 270: S. Mark is painted with a contracted brow, a large nose, fair eyes, bald, a long beard, fair complexion, of middle age, with a few grey hairs. Durand. vii, 44, 4.] [Footnote 271: S. John i, 1.] {50}