Bonaventure, on Rev 21:10

“And he took me up in spirit to a great and high mountain: and he shewed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God,”

“Now, the great number of thoughts arising out of faith transcend in clarity the light of the stars. Hence, in the Apocalypse: "He took me up in spirit to a mountain, great and high, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven." And I saw that it had twelve gates, and over each gate a pearl, so that each gate was of a single pearl. These thoughts of faith are compared to the stars and also to twelve pearls. Although these stars are countless, there are twelve signs through which the sun runs its course. These twelve signs are merely clusters of stars which have divers influences because of their different configurations and lights. And the sun, in combination with these, affects the course of life on earth at different times and according to the different influences. These thoughts also, arising from the considerations of faith, are compared to the clarity of pearls because they are bright, vivifying and joyful in the manner of pearls. For pearls have brightness or refulgence, while they also comfort through their efficacy, and rejoice the heart.”

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