And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
Ver. 1. And there appeared] This and the two next following Chapter s are an exposition of the former vision.
A great wonder] As shadowing out and showing great wonders.
In heaven] That is, in the Church, or (according to some) in the visible heaven, where sun, moon, and stars are.
A woman] Alma mater Ecclesia. The Church is called a woman, for her, 1. Weakness; 2. Fruitfulness; 3. Lovingness, 2 Samuel 1:26 .
Clothed with the sun] With Christ's own comeliness, Ezekiel 16:14. She is also conspicuous, Matthew 5:14, and scorched with persecution, Song of Solomon 1:6. All which notwithstanding she is comely. Uxor fulget radiis mariti, saith the Civilian.
And the moon under her feet] She treads upon the world's trash, bears patiently all changes and chances; and though the curs of the world bark at her, she shines still:
" En peragit cursus surda Diana suas. "
A crown of twelve stars] A crown in token of victory.
Twelve stars] Those white horses, Revelation 6:2, the twelve apostles and their successors, in and by whom mystical Christ goeth forth conquering and to conquer.