.$12 it"Reveritiòwiftlie Apacalyple C A i'.Zo .. toyled in the Interpretation ofthis Chapter ; but above allthe reff: the Popifh.Commenters do molf.pittiftilly dexe themfelves therein, as towhom it is like an intricate Maze and Labyrinth, whence there is no winding ofa mans felfout. So are all the other-parts of this book alfo, as wherein they wander and rove hither and thither ;. neither can they finde any paflage out any where , and fo indeed the cafe muff needs hand with them, when as they have not the truth for their guide ; The Expofìtion ofthe former part of this book, _ whereof a rehearfall is made in this Chapter for the greateft part,. will as I hopemake all things eafie, and ready unto us. To the end therefore that in this calling ofthings paff to memory,thofe matters. which have been delivered fcatteringly before as touching the 'Dra- gon, might be now let under one view, and fo might bee the better t nderffood,the HolyGhoff fpeaketh firff of all touching his Appre- henfion. The which declareth unto us briefely and by confequence,., that he was fet loofe before this, and that he railed filch troubles during that time, ashe is wont to do, when his reines are let go,and hangloofely uponhim. Out of which it may be eafily conjedured, what was the condition of the PrinÍitive Church, as long as this Whirle-winde might turn all upfide;down at his ?feature. But his rage was bridled at laft,.and his-power was ernfhed by the Angel, ofwhom we have a defcription in this place. We have learned out ofthe former Chapters, who this Angel is,namely that it is Conflan- tine thegreat,whobeingborne once, and that the Male Childe ofthe Church, and waging wear in his Mothers Qarrell .againff the Ty- rants, the Heathen Emperours. The Dra;on,ts Paid 'to come down ont ofheaven, bringing filch helpe with him as was not looked for,as it is, Chap. a. 6.7, &c. So the Angel being to fight againft the whore, and to come upon her before ?flee was provided , was faid to come dorm ont of heaven, Chap.t 8.i, He bath the Key of the bottomlefe 'Pit, that is, power to open it, and to fhut up the Dragon in it, but not to fendout the Hellitli fmoke ; in which refpe& alone, the Aneelof the bottomlefe Pit had a key.given him,Cha.9. .There is great difference: then between thefe twokeyes. This great chain, are the foundations that he layd for the Chriffian liberty tobe built,with which he held the Dragon as it were tyed in chames during a long fitccelfion of',. Chriffian Emperours,fo that he could not kit- himfelf to make fuch troubles againtf the Chtarch as he had done. For 'now heatheñith men had all pafftgefhut up from them, to come to the higheff go- vernment of the Empire, or ifany ofthem fhould get up to it by fraud, as Inlian did, yet they were fo bound and, fettered with this chaine
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