C A P.11. r evelationofthe Apócalypfe. 39 fuch a confidence in the righteoufnes ofChrift alone,as the Scriptures do teach,which was indeed a moll worthy ornament of thePrimitive Church, as upon which the opinion touchingour own í}rength and freedom ofwill ingood things, had not caft any blemithes to obfcure thegloryof it.Elfwhere this clothing is made ofwhite and pure linen, but the comly hewofno later time did come neer this excellent glo- ry of the Sun. The Moon under herfeet, is referred commonly to the contempt and trampling upon the vanity of worldly things, which are as changeable as the Moon. In which refpeft, the Woman taketh no more care over thofe things, then of the Moon that is trodden under feet. But we have learnt out ofthe former Chapters, that the Moon fignifieth that light of truth and dot-trine that is borrowed from the Scriptures; Which beingnow put under her feet, may {hew that all the paths of the Church are direfted and compofed according to the only fluare of them : For it is not enough to thine round about with the Sun, un- leffe a mans foot-Reps be let ii_i thepath way of piety. As therefore the clothingwith the Sun is the doctrine offaith, fo the Moon under the feet is the doEtrine of manners, Which are either publihe or private. Thofe comprehend the whole manner of worfhippmg God, and of calling back fuch as erre and flip alide, to the right way, which is commonly called Difcipline. Thefe that are private, do Phew them- felves in the common converfation ofevery one; The glory of the Woman was very great at that time, when the light ofTruthwas her torch bearer, to goe before her in all things, whether the was todo any thingpublikely, or elfe privately. I had rather allow ofthis later interpretation, becaufe it is more convenient to Rickunto that fignification which hath been once re- ceived, And yet I would not altogether caft away the former, be- caufe it is both godly and learned. The CroWnof twelve Stars upon the bead. Noteth out the twelve .Apoftles,whowere the glorious and gliffering generals in miniffring about thedoftrine,as by whole preaching the Church was founded;it dothwithall in the fecondplace, note out thofe Apoftolike men, who receiving the Word from the Apoftles themfelves,who hadPeen Chrift With their own eyes, did preferve the Church chafe andundefiled all their time.But wemuff obferve,that the Womanbeareth theftars after another manner then Chrift did; He being the Lord o fall,carryedthem in his hand itsfervants,Chap. r. t o,She carrieth them on the top offer head,as being her principali ornament : So much then ofthe literall expofition. The
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