Well, here we see that these two Generals and grand Captains, Michael and the Dragon, do muster both their armies, join battle, and fight a pitched field, the event and success whereof is this, that the Dragon and his Angels go down. O blessed success may we say! For if the Devil had prevailed, it had been woe to us: sith this battle was about, and concerning the very salvation of mankind by Christs death and resurrection. We know how the Devil set upon Christ alone to tempt him unto sin, that so he might overthrow the work of our redemption, supposing in this combat or monomachy to have got the day: but ⟨p. 214⟩he prevailed not. Afterward, how strongly did he oppugn him by his Angels; I mean, the Scribes and Pharisees, the high Priests and Elders of the people; yea, all the Devils in hell, and his whole infernal army, not only in murdering and crucifying his natural body, but also in using all forcible and cunning means to keep him down, that he might never rise up again; as the great stone upon his tomb, the sealing of it, the watch set to keep it? For the Devil knew right well, that if Christ rose again, he should lose the field: For the resurrection of Christ is our actual justification, And Christ was mightily declared to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead. 1Well, do the Dragon and his angels what they can, yet Christ is risen again, and hath spoiled principalities and powers; yea, all the infernal army, and hath made a show of them openly, and hath led them all in triumph upon his cross: so that we see in this first and greatest battle, the Devil hath the foil. And it is further said, that this Devil and all his angels were cast out of heaven, and their place was no more found: which is not to be understood of their first casting out of heaven immediately after their creation: ⟨p. 215⟩for at that time they were no Devils, nor enemies to the Church, but Angels of light; but now since their fall, and since they were Devils: they are said to be cast out of heaven, not because they ever came in heaven since they were Devils, but because they can no longer impeach the Church touching her blessed estate in heaven. They are without all hope to dispossess her of her inheritance; for that is ratified & made sure unto her in the death and resurrection of Christ.
Well, here wee see that these two Generals and grand Captains, Michael and the Dragon, doe muster both their armies, joyn battell, and fight a pitched field, the event and successe whereof is this, that the Dragon and his Angels goe downe. O blessed successe may wee say! For if the Divell had prevailed, it had been woe to us: sith this battell was about, and concerning the very salvation of mankind by Christs death and resurrection. We know how the Divell set upon Christ alone to tempt him unto sinne, that so hee might overthrow the worke of our redemption, supposing in this combat or monomachie to have got the day: but ⟨p. 214⟩he prevailed not. Afterward, how strongly did hee oppugne him by his Angels; I mean, the Scribes and Pharisees, the high Priests and Elders of the people; yea, all the Divels in hell, and his whole infernall army, not only in murthering and crucifying his naturall body, but also in using all forcible and cunning meanes to keepe him downe, that hee might never rise up again; as the great stone upon his tomb, the sealing of it, the watch set to keep it? For the Divell knew right well, that if Christ rose againe, he should lose the field: For the resurrection of Christ is our actuall justification, And Christ was mightily declared to be the Sonne of God by his resurrection from the dead. 1Well, doe the Dragon and his angels what they can, yet Christ is risen again, and hath spoiled principalities and powers; yea, all the infernall army, and hath made a shew of them openly, and hath led them all in triumph upon his crosse: so that we see in this first and greatest battell, the Divell hath the foyle. And it is further said, that this Divell and all his angels were cast out of heaven, and their place was no more found: which is not to be understood of their first casting out of heaven immediately after their creation: ⟨p. 215⟩for at that time they were no Divels, nor enemies to the Church, but Angels of light; but now since their fall, and since they were Divels: they are said to be cast out of heaven, not because they ever came in heaven since they were Divels, but because they can no longer impeach the Church touching her blessed estate in heaven. They are without all hope to dispossesse her of her inheritance; for that is ratified & made sure unto her in the death and resurrection of Christ.
- 1Rom. 4.25.
