400 4Rervelation ofthe Apocalypfe. C A P.ti molelt men , fothat now they might freely give rhemfelves whol- ly, to corrupt all Religion. Therefore that Pimple purity which Chrifl ordained, the Apoftles pratlifed, and all thofe that fol- lowed next after, did faithfully preferve, while the croffe kept their rnindes from waxingwanton,began tobe wholly defiled, and violated with idle and filthy rites , which they mingled with ir. That clothing made of the Sun, which was wholly woven out of the thrids of the moll Holy truth, both woof and warp, began to bechanged in the faniity of our own works. The Moonwhich be- fore governed their (ceps was taken away, and invocation of Saints was fet in the roome of it in the publike worfhip of God, and the whole moll Holydifcipline was diftained, and defloured. The Stars that glittered fo like a crown on her head, were changed into honourable coed Lords. Which things the Woman feeing,could not endure thegriefof it,but got herfelf from thence prefently upon it, yea flew away to fotne place , where the might at leaft want the torment of minde, which thebeholding of thefe evils would have put her to, that is , where no publike Affemblies were to be fouud , wherein the Ordinances of Goddid flourifh in their integrity. For this Woman loth not bear the perfonof the faithfull one by one, but of the whole affemblies of the faithful]. Thus we fee that the womans fon brought more mifchief to her, then her enemy , not withany delire or purpofe he had to hurt her, but by means of the wickednefs of' men, who did abufe this happy peace in fo foul a falhion, to workall manner of ini- quity with it. 7. And there Was abattell in heaven. Hitherto of the Perfecution, which lafted all the time,while there was no man that for this whole fpace of the fix feats, would oppofe any outward force againft the fury of the Dragon; now at length there is a batten made, when Michael once arofe, who might take weapons, and fight for the fafety of the Church , and deliver it from the power of her enemies. Now as for Michael, this name is perhaps properly belonging to C'hrift alone ; and yet fo, as it is communicated to the faithfull , as far as they can carry any refemblance of . this name : Even acs he imparteth to them that overcome., his pother to rule the nations Withan iron Rod. For the two Soveraign Prin- ces that fight one againfi the other, do not fet upon this combat,with their forces on both fides in the heaven, which is properly fo called (for how can the Devill appear in heaven, who was thruft down from
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=