CAP.12. A levelationof theApocalypse. 395 fuch a difpofing ofthe Provinces,but he fpeaketh not ofthe number; in the life of Auguffue,Chap. 47. Strabo relates the fame thingafter- wards,faying; That ten Kingdoms are, andalWayes Were belonging to the Emperours portion : For Cefar held the reff diffinguiflsed into ten Provinces ; as for example: Africa,the Gallia,8rit.zny,Germany,`Dacia; Myfie,andThracia, Cappadocia, 4rmenia,Syria,Paleffina andJudea, Egypt. And this is that that Cyprian writeth toSuccefus; That Vale- rian Wrote back_to the Senate,that as many of Cefars men as had either beforeconfef fed themfelves to be Chriffians,or didnow coofeffefomuch, fhouldbe confifcated, and fens in bonds, With their names takenandfet down in á Book,into Cefarspoffeffons.That is,into thofe outmoft Cour- tries which wehave fpoken of, that belong to the Empire of Rome. Therefore whether we refpeft thofe countries,which the Emperour held in his own power,or thofe which he gave unto the people; thofe countries were thefe ten horns here fpoken of, that is, they were the power and ftrengthof the Dragon, whereon all his force depended. And yet the number did not alwayes remain the fame, but was chan- ged as occafion ferved. But it was enough for the Holy Choff to de- fcribe the enemy by force certain property ; And indeed there could be none more clear then this amplenefs ofhis Jurtfdieti-on and Terri- tories,and this fo remarkable a courfe that he took in dividing the Provinces. NoW he Weareth thecrowns upon his heads,not on his horns, becaufe the fupreme faveraignty did refide at Rome, unto which the ref}of the provinces fubmitted their authority, as acknowledging it to be received therefrom. 4.. whofe tail drew. Having now (hewed what kinde of nature and properties the Dragonhath, he now- cometh to thew how he carrieth himfelf towards the Church. And he mentioneth a double cffe& and work of his :One againft the Stars ; another againft the Woman. As for thofe, he threw down many of them from their hea- venly profeffìon,with the - cruelty of his perfecutions, who ought to havebeen the lights oftheworld,todireft others thatlive in the dark- nefs Oferrours& wickednefs. For this is to cal theStarsof heaven to the earth;Eufeb.Book6.Chap.4t.Seemore of this before Chap.6.t 3. And the Dragonfloodbefore the Woman : That is,he did watch dili- gently,leafl any1hould be born,that fhonid fight in the defence ofthe Chriftian Religion.He turnedevery ftone,and ufed all the policy and power he had to cut off this hope.And certainly,as loonas theDragon Maximinuefaw dlexander the fonofMammea to be fomewhat well inclined towards the Chriffians,fothat he was thought to have been E f f inflruaed
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