A supplement to the several discourses upon various divine subjects

It shall continue as long as the World, and out-live the Dissolution of Nature; she shall bring forth her Man-child, maugre all the vigilancy of the Dragon, which shall be caught up to God and his Throne; and though she be forced to fly into the wilderness, yet a place is prepared for her habitation, and food for her support during that state, no less than 1260 days, or years, and this by no weaker, no meaner a hand than that of God himself^*; that hand that catches up Christ the Man-child into Heaven; that hand that sets him upon the Throne of God; provides meat for the Woman in the wilderness. The head and the body have the same Defender, the same Protector, the same hand to secure them^*. Or by Man-child is meant, the whole number of the Believers which were more numerous before she went into a wilderness-condition; the Scripture using often the singular for the plural; and the Holy Ghost expressing himself here according to the property of the Woman, which is to bring forth one at the same time. The Figure of the Church notes stability; 'tis foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth, Rev. 21.16. The length, breadth, and height of it are equal; the most perfect Figure, noting perfection and duration. So it was described in the Prophecy, Ezek. 48.16. exactly 4500 measures on each side. All belonging to this City or Church, is reckoned by the number twelve, a square number, equal on all sides; twelve Gates, twelve Foundations, twelve Tribes of Israel, twelve Apostles, twelve Stones to garnish it, Revel. 21.12, 13, 14, &c. A foursquare Figure is an emblem of unchangeable constancy. Things so framed remain always in the same posture, cast them which way you will; and among some of the Heathens was reckoned as a divine figure^*, and the character of virtuous man in regard of his constancy was [Greek or Hebrew].

It shall continue as long as the World, and out-live the Dissolution of Nature; she shall bring forth her Man-child, maugre all the vigilancy of the Dragon, which shall be caught up to God and his Throne; and though she be forced to flie into the wilderness, yet a place is prepared for her habitation, and food for her support during that state, no less than 1260 days, or years, and this by no weaker, no meaner a hand than that of God himself