APPLICATION.
My beloved, the Emperor is our Heavenly Father, who hath drawn away his children from the jaws of the devil by the sufferings of his blessed Son. He is the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Deut. xxxii. "Is he not thy Father who hath obtained thee by conquest, made, and established thee?" The only daughter is the human soul, which is delivered to five soldiers, that is, to the five senses, to guard; being armed by powers received in baptism. These senses are, sight, hearing, &c. which have in charge to preserve it from the devil, the world, and the flesh. The burning lamp is the will, subjected in all things to the control of God, and which in good works should shine out brilliantly, dispersing the gloom of sin. The barking dog is Conscience, which has to struggle against error; but, alas! the soul, desirous of gazing upon the objects of this world, looks abroad as often as it acts contrary to the divine command; and then is willingly seduced by a duke—that is, by the Infernal Ravisher.
