Brightman - BS2823 B85 1644

CAP .12. ARevelation ofthe Apocalypfe. 4Ö1 from thence from the beginning, never to return thitheragain after- wards) but this battei is made in the Church upon earth , inwhich fenfe the Dragon wasfeen to be in heaven , as it is above, verf3. In the combate eachPrince doth put forth all his power by their Minifters and helpers , who are called by their names, the better to defcry themof what quality they be ; Conftantine therefore that faühfall Souldier of Chriff,who was right now called the man-child, or manly Son,is here called Michael,by a name that is communicable fromGod to the Creature. But Marentizu, Maximintss, Licinitus and the refs, by whofe tyrannie the Devill vented out his malice a- gainft the Church, are calledby the name of the Dragon ; the Angels are the forces that wage war under thecolours of eachCaptain.We have hewed before at the 6. Chap . ' began this war againft theDragon, when he caft Dioclefzan,andMaximinus Hercau- litas down from the top of their Empire, by a pretence of a volunta- ry yeelding it up ; and when he compelled Galeritcs to recant his blafphemies by means of that horrible torture that his difeafes put him to. But when Ckrift fought, and did fuccour his Church,by the power of his ownhand , whichhe flretched forth from heaven ina miraculous manner ; But it pleated him to ufe the help of his Ser- vant in this war,whereinhe fhould get a full and finals vi&ory , and the 'Dragon was to be caft head=long down from heaven, and that in an evident manner. This is therefore that war, which Conît4ntine undertook firft againft Maximítss,the Son ofMdximinua Herculitu. And then that which he waged againft Maximintns in the East by Licinius ; and Taft of all,that which he undertook againft Licinius himfelf, who entcrprifed the fame things with the other Tyrants. For that we may take notice with what guides and fetterson both thefe warred together. Conftantine was made chief Generals of this mofl Holy warfare by a miracle. For behold there Was a heavenly fign,of a me bright Crof fe, Which hefaW about midday in heaven, to- getherWïth this infcripticn, In this,or by this overcome. The meaning whereof, a vifion that he faw by night as hee lay quietly, did more fully open unto him.For thereby, was this thingconfirmed certainly unto him, that hee was appointed as Generali over this war, not fo much by the people, in their affembly,as by the voiceof the Almigh- ty, all-/,nfficicnt God himfelfe. For I have no mind to abrogate the authority of this miracle. Conftantine himfelf confirmed themat- ter by oath toEufebitss. And yet this miracle is of finals moment to itablifh the Romiflt Idolatry, for as yet the impiety of adoring the Croft'

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