The Literal Meaning of Genesis (continued)
and so forth. These words are understood as addressed to the Devil under the figure of the king of Babylon.'? But for the most part they apply to the body of the Devil, which he recruits even from the human race, especially to those who attach themselves to him through pride by rejecting the commandments of God.73 Thus, one who was a devil was called a man in the Gospel, where it is said, A man who is an enemy bas done this.7* And one who was a man was in turn called a devil in the Gospel, in the words, Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you ts a devi]?75
Now, the body of Christ, which is the Church, is called Christ, as when St. Paul says, You are Abrabam's offspring,'® after he had said shortly before this, The promises were made to Abraham. and to his offspring. It does not say, "And to offsprings, " as if to many, but as to one, "And to your offspring, " which is Christ.77
Again, St. Paul says, For just as the body is one and bas many members, and all the members of the body, although they are many, are one body, so it 1s with Christ.78 In a similar manner, the body of the Devil is called the Devil, for he is the head of the body, that is, of the multitude of the wicked, especially of those who fall from heaven, inasmuch as they fall away from Christ and the Church. Hence it is that many statements are made figuratively, referring to the body, statements which are applicable not so much to the head as to the body and its members. Lucifer, then, who rose at dawn and fell, can be understood as the brood of apostates from Christ and the Church, a race that turned towards darkness on losing the light which it bore, just as those who turn towards God pass from darkness to light, that is, those who were darkness become light.
CHAPTER 25
The words of Ezekiel, 28.12-15, taken as referring to the body of the Devil.
32. Under the figure of the prince of Tyre these words in Ezekiel are taken as spoken to the Devil: You are the seal of likeness