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similar symbolic imagery in Ezek. xvii. 3; and to explain the great eagle pictured there and here, ornithologically, from Bochart, as the asterias, or largest of the eagle tribe.-But let me add, as an Apocalyptic expositor, that there needs also to be a correspondence in the thing symbolized with the symbol. In Ezekiel, as the eagle just mentioned was the greatest of his species, so the power symbolized was that of the greatest of existing empires,—the as yet unbroken Babylonish power; and as wielded by Nebuchadnezzar, the most eminent of living monarchs. 3 This intended appropriateness in Ezekiel's figure is the more marked, inasmuch as in the 7th verse of the same chapter "another great eagle" 4 is mentioned, without the distinctive definite article, in designation of another kingdom and king, that of Egypt; a king great indeed, but not pre-eminently great as the king of Babylon.-Applying the same rule of interpretation in the present case we may infer that as "the eagle, the great one," is the symbol, so there must be meant the Roman empire in its unbroken greatness, or at least in undivided action, albeit with the two wings for characteristics, and as under some Roman Prince preeminently great, heading and directing it.-And I think we shall find all the figured notifications to meet in the character and acts of the emperor that immediately succeeded Valens, I mean Theodosius. First to him,

1 « A great eagle with great wings (Sept. δ αετος ὁ μέγας ὁ μεγαλοπτέρυγος) long-winged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar, and cropped off the top of his young twigs, and carried it into a land of traffic," &c; i. e. to Babylon.

2 "Why TOU αETOV тOν μEYAλov? Michaelis observes; It must allude to a particular eagle already mentioned in the Apocalypse: yet I do not recollect any other than that which (see Apoc. viii. 13)* flew through the heaven, and proclaimed the threefold woe now past.'-It is not improbable that the great eagle, a species so denominated, may be meant. We find in Ezek. xvii. 3, from whom the expression may be borrowed, δ αετος ὁ μέγας, ὁ μεγαλοπτέρυγος. Bochart tells us that the great eagle of Ezekiel was the aσTepias, said by Elian to be the μέγιστος αετων.” Middleton ad loc.

See the testimonies to his greatness in Bishop Newton on Daniel's prophecy of the Image. Sept. αετος έτερος μεγάς μεγαλοπτέρυγος.

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5 His reign lasted from A.D. 379 to 395.

* I have given reasons Vol. i. p. 362, Note 1, for preferring the reading ayyeλov in this passage.

alone of Roman emperors from Constantine to Charlemagne, the title has attached,-deservedly attached, to use Gibbon's expression,' of "THEODOSIUS THE GREAT." Next it was his lot, alone of Roman Emperors after its bipartition by Valentinian, to unite the two wings or divisions of the Empire, the Eastern and the Western, under his own sway.2-Further it was preeminently his character to use all this his imperial power, success, and greatness, as a protector and nursing father to the orthodox Church of Christ. As Gibbon says;

Every victory of his contributed to the triumph of the orthodox and catholic faith." Indeed not the professing orthodox church alone (contradistinctively to the Arian) might claim Theodosius as a friend and protector, but Christ's true church also, included in the former. For none, I think, can read his history without the impression of his real personal piety.+-More particularly consider his conduct with regard to the errors and hostility of Paganism and Arianism, wherewith the dejected Dragon had been already long persecuting Christ's faithful Church. Against Paganism he was an enemy so determined and influential, that it thenceforth never again raised its head. The cross was thenceforth supreme over the Roman world. Again, against Arianism, this was his as determined language, addressed to certain Arians in the year 383. "I will not permit throughout my dominions any other religion than that which obliges us to worship the Son of God in the unity of essence with the Father

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iv. 429; "The great Theodosius, an epithet which he honourably deserved on this momentous occasion." And again, p. 421; "The great Theodosius; a name celebrated in history, and dear to the Catholic Church."

2 His actual reign indeed over the West, as well as East, was very short. But even previously his laws were of force through the whole empire. Thus Gibbon, vi. 7, on stating that in the year 425, "the unity of the Roman government was finally dissolved, and by a positive declaration the validity of all future laws limited to the dominions of their peculiar author," adds in a note, that forty years before, i. e. under Theodosius, unity of legislation may be shown to have existed. 3 v. 103. 4 See his character as sketched in Milner.

5 So Mosheim, iv. 1. 1. 15, and Gibbon, v. 91, &c.

6 Walsh, p. 117, observes that the globe, which by the Roman Cæsars had been surmounted by an eagle, and by the Constantinian family by a phenix, was by Theodosius first surmounted by a cross.-A copy of the Theodosian medal is appended in illustration.

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and the Holy Ghost, in the adorable Trinity. As I hold my empire of Him, and the power which I have to command you, He likewise will give me strength, as He hath given me the will, to make myself obeyed in a point so absolutely necessary to your salvation, and to the peace of my subjects." This language was followed up by casting Arian heretics out of the churches, and by severe laws against them: so that, as Mosheim tells us, he was the means of making the dogmas of the Nicene faith. every where to triumph in the empire; and none could thenceforth publicly profess Arianism, (let the exception be marked by the reader,) but the barbarian Goths, Vandals, and Burgundians.2

Thus did Theodosius apply his imperial power to defeat the Dragon's projects, so far as hitherto developed ; and, as Augustine observes in language singularly illustrative of the passage before us, furnish help to the Church, which had been before grievously deprest and afflicted under the persecutions of the Arian Valens.3-And this is to be observed, that it was not by mere individual favor and support, the which would both during his life have been less influential, and with his life have terminated; but by the solemn act and co-operation of professing Roman Christendom, that is of the Roman world. "The work of Theodosius," says Dean Waddington," was considerably promoted by the Council which he assembled at Constantinople: the object of which, besides the regulation of several points of ecclesiastical discipline," (and let it be observed that there was no recognition or support given therein to the gathering superstitions of the age)" was to confirm the decision of Nice against the Arians, and to promulgate the doctrine of the divinity of the Holy Ghost against the Macedonian heretics.' So that, under Theodosius' presiding influence, Roman

1 Waddington, Hist. of Church, p. 99. See also Gibbon, v. 15, 31, &c.
2 iv. 2. 5. 15.

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3" Ex ipso initio imperii sui non quievit justissimis et misericordissimis legibus adversus impios laboranti Ecclesiæ subvenire, quam Valens hæreticus, favens Arianis, vehementer afflixerat." C. D. v. 26. 1. 4 A.D. 381.

5 Waddington, p. 99.

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