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THE CORONATION 455
heaven and with their temerity in persecuting and
tempting the incarnate Word and his Mother, and con
tending with those in whom they had no part or right
whatever, since they could accuse Them of no sin, injus
tice or imperfection. Saint Michael justified the works
of the divine justice, declaring them most righteous and
unblamable chastisements for the disobedience and
apostasy of Lucifer and the demons. Anew they anathe
matised them and confirmed the sentence of their
dam
in all
nation, confessing the Almighty as holy and just
his works. The demon and his angels on the other hand
likewise tried to defend their rebellion and the audacity
of their pride; but all their reasonings were false, vain,
and full of diabolical presumption and error.
521. A silence ensued in the altercation and the Lord
of hosts spoke to the most holy Mary: "My
Mother
and my Beloved, chosen from the creatures by my eternal
wisdom for my habitation and holy temple! Thou hast
given Me human form and restored the human race;
Thou hast followed Me, imitated Me and merited the
graces and gifts communicated to Thee above all my crea
tures and Thou hast never permitted them to be unprofit
able in Thee. Be Thou the worthy object of my infinite
love, the protection of my Church, its Queen, Mistress
and Governess. To Thee is commissioned my power,
and, as the almighty God, I place it in thy most faithful
In virtue of it do Thou command the infernal
disposal.
dragon, that as long as Thou shalt live in the Church, he
shall not sow the seed of error and heresy which he
holds in readiness; cut off his hardened neck, crush his
head; for during the days of thy
life I desire that the
Church shall derive this advantage from thy presence."
522. The most holy Mary executed this command of
the Lord and as Queen and Mistress enjoined
the infer-
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