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the souls of the good and bad against each other, was assigned to the Archangel Michael, who is so represented on the tower of Glastonbury, the tomb of Henry VII., on numerous frescoe paintings on the walls of Churches, &c.

He is usually represented as an Angel armed with a spear in one hand and a cross on his forehead, or

O JEWITT. del sc.

S. MICHAEL, from a MS, in the Bodleian Library.

with a thunder-bolt and a flaming sword to withstand the power of evil angels, or carrying a shield or banner charged with a cross. In armour, with a cross, or scales weighing souls, the devil being often represented in one scale, and several human figures (for souls) in the other. In the Golden Legend he is in armour winged, in one hand holding a sword

in the posture of striking, in the other a cross bottonée. In Callot's Images he is represented winged trampling on the dragon, and piercing him with the spear which he holds in his left hand; in his right he has a pair of scales. In Italian pictures S. Michael is always represented fully armed in his combat with the devil or dragon; but the German paintings, which are generally of a higher order, represent him without defensive armour, and with only a cross in his hand, allegorical of the power of the cross over evil; in the Clog almanack his emblem is a pair of scales; and in Le Clerc's almanack he is represented at the head of the heavenly host with his spear in his hand, expelling Satan and the fallen angels from heaven.

According to S. Dionysius, the Areopagite, and other theologians, there are three great divisions of Angels, each division consisting of three orders, or choirs, thus making nine in all. These are very variously represented, and to many of them we do not think that there is any definite or distinctive attribute; those that we have met with we have been enabled to distinguish rather by their accompanying scrolls than by any conventional symbol. The following is a list of the divisions and choirs, with such emblems as we have been able to find, which are by no means to be considered discriminative.

I. COUNCILLORS of the Most High, who consist of

I

1. Seraphim. Generally represented covered all
over with eyes.

2. Cherubim. Represented with six wings,
and generally standing on wheels, as recorded
in the visions of Ezekiel. Sometimes they
carry an open
book.

These two orders ever stand adoring and praising in the presence of God.

3. Thrones. Support the seat of the Almighty, and

are represented carrying a throne or tower. II. GOVERNORS, who rule the stars and regulate the universe.

4. Dominations, with a sword, triple crown, and sceptre, or with an orb and cross.

5. Virtues, in complete armour, carrying a crown and censer, or pennon and battle-axe.

6. Powers, chaining or scourging devils, or holding a baton.

III. MESSENGERS of God's will.

7. Princedoms, or principalities, holding a lily,
or in complete armour, with pennons.
8. Archangels, consist of S. Michael, (see su-
pra,) S. Raphael, who appeared to Tobias,
and is represented generally with a pilgrim's
staff, S. Gabriel, (see Part II.,) and S. Uriel,
who appeared to Esdras'. When not repre-

q Isa. vi. 2.

r For further information on the medieval legends respecting the Archangels, see C. Stengelii, Historia S. Michaelis, S. Gabrielis, et S. Raphaelis. 18mo. Augsburgh, 1629, with the curious engravings.

8

2 Esdras iv. 1.

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FROM PAINTED GLASS, NEW COLLEGE CHAPEI., OXFORD

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