And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
Ver. 5. And she brought forth a man child] Constantine, the Christian Church's first and chief champion.
Who was to rule all nations] The whole Roman empire, but especially to overrule and subdue the Church's many and mighty enemies, as Constantine did most notably.
Caught up to God and to his throne] To rule in the Church next under God himself. And to this height of honour he was caught when the empire was cast upon him, not once thinking of it. Bonus Deus Constantinum magnum tantis terrenis implevit muneribus, quanta optare nullus auderet, saith Augustine. (De Civ. Dei, v. 25.)