So the prophet _Ezekiel_ describes the motion of the alate globes under the cherubims’ feet; as it ought to be understood, _Ezek._ i. 12. _Sanchoniathon_ the _Phœnician_ in _Euseb._ _p. e._ I. 7. writes, that the nature of serpents is divine. “’Tis the most spiritual animal of all and fiery; that it performs all its various motions by its spirit, without other organs;” and much more of this kind, to our purpose. _Jerem._ xlvi. 22. The shout and the march of an army is compar’d to the motion of a serpent. Thirdly, from the form, pass we to the _mind_ of the serpent, if we may be allowed so to talk. The wisdom of this creature is celebrated from the time of creation itself. _Moses_ writes, it was more subtle than any other creature, _Genes._ iii. 1. Our Saviour recommends to the ministry, to imitate the prudence of serpents, as well as the innocence of doves: he makes it the symbol of Christian prudence. The psalmist compares the slyness of the wicked to the serpent, which refuses to be charmed. _Aristotle_ writes, that this animal is very crafty; but if we inquire into authors, concerning this wisdom of the creature, nothing occurs satisfactory: in truth ’tis figurative and symbolical; meaning the charm of rhetorick and oratory, taken from the divided tongue of this creature, and more especially regarding the preachers of evangelical truths: διγλωσσία among the antients was prudence. Our Saviour in the forecited place of the apocalypse, is represented with a two-edged sword in his mouth, meaning the efficacy of preaching. The people affirmed, “never man spake like this man;” and he sent the divine spirit of eloquence and languages upon his apostles, in the likeness of cloven tongues of fire. _Servius_ on the second _Æneid_, speaking of the tongue of _Laocoon_’s serpent, _Sibila lambebant linguis vibrantibus ora_, tells us, no creature moves its tongue with so much swiftness; so that it seems triple. ————_tresque vibrant linguæ_———— Says _Ovid_ of _Cadmus_’s snake. • • • • • The tongue was the only active arms of the apostles, as the bifid tongue of the serpent is its only weapon; and which, as the ancients thought, carried life and death with it.