the crucified orator 706 sinners.”41 For it is rare among men overwhelmed with many sins that they would not feel that they deserve eternal punishment. Therefore, please understand with what singular zeal of filial love and with what burning devotion one ought to surround the Virgin Mother, because one not only can but must anticipate certain salvation from her clemency. A matter much worthy of mention — and not alien to my statement — is recorded by the Apostle-Prophet in the 12th chapter of his Revelation. He says there that he was shown “a Woman clothed with the Sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of the twelve stars” [Rev 12:1]; she was about to give birth. However, there was also a dragon, full of vigilance, waiting to devour the beloved Offspring of the Woman, as soon as He was delivered into the world. However, the heavenly Woman gave birth without any danger to the male child — a Son. In order that He might be taken away [from the] dragon’s jaws, “her child was caught up to God and to his throne, and the woman fled into the wilderness” (Rev 12:5-6). At that moment, Michael, the Commander of God’s Army, burst forth from the heavenly court. Attacking the dragon with his legion, he overwhelmed, cast out, and thrust him down to the earth. With utmost reluctance, the ancient serpent accepted the defeat inflicted upon him by the auxiliary forces of the heavenly Woman. Henceforth, he again pursued her with renewed strength. But she expediently received two wings from Heaven and flew again into the desert. The inspired prophet writes: “And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had borne the male child. But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle that she might fly from the serpent into the desert” (Rev 12:13-14). In this remarkable Woman — crowned with a starry diadem, girded with the light of the sun, with her sacred feet resting upon 41 Richardus a S. Laurentio, De Laudibus B. Mariae Virginis Libri XII, Duaci 1625, Lib. II, col. 86.
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