A paraphrasticall explication of the twelve minor prophets. Viz. Hoseah. Joel. Amos. Obadiah. Jonah. Micah. Nahum. Habakkuk. Zephaniah. Haggai. Zechariah. Malachi. / By Da. Stokes. D.D.

CHAP. VI.

1. WHen I lift up mine eyes again, to look about me, I saw four warlike Chari∣ots, passing from between two strong mountains, that appeared like mountains of brasse (a type of four warlike troops, under the conduct of their famous Commanders, that made, all, their passage through the (a) streights of Anti-taurus, which are between the fastnesse of the rough, and craggy hills in Cilicia: and through which the Babylonians, and Persians, and Alex∣anders forces, and the armies of the Comman∣ders, that succeeded him, were wont to make their way into Syria, and Iudaea, and other parts thereabout.

2. The first Chariot was drawn by red horses (figuring the bloody actions of the Babyloni∣ans, which we had felt already) The second Chariot was furnished with black horses (which sad and mournful colour made them apt to re∣present the frequent famines, and other heavy calamities, that many were to suffer under the Persian Monarchie.)

3. In the third Chariot I observed they were white horses, which colour, in opposition to the former of the Persians sable hue, might figure the joyful triumphs, and victories, that the forces of the great Alexander (who com∣manded that Chariot) were to have over the vast armies, and countries of the sad, and mournful Persian, that was at last to tast of that sorrow, which himself, before, had brought upon others.

The fourth Chariot, consisting of divided forces, was brought along by Horses of several colours, some (b) speckled with round white spots, like hail-stones, other of a (c) pale colour like ashes (the emblem of the Syrian, and Egyp∣tian forces: which fell so often and sodainly (like hail-shot) in several places, before they were looked for: and by policie, and subtilty concealed, and covered their intentions (like fire under the ashes) till by the sodain breath of their boisterous commands they would have it to break out. And these armies of the Syrian and Egyptian Kings were the rather joyned together in this vision, because they came both from Alexander: and the sufferings of the Iews under them, should be much alike: some full of sad storms, other of greater miseries,

that would turn many of them to their last dust and ashes: sometime under the one sort of Commanders, and sometime under the other.

4. Then I applied my self again to the Angel, by whose instructions I had been all this while informed, and said unto him. What are these my Lord?

5. And he answered me to this purpose, that these were for their busling in the world; and the large compasse they take up, (d) like the four winds under heaven, i. the four Empires, under several Commanders dispersed toward the four climates of the known habitable world. And though the winds may show their boisterous, and uncertain dispositions, in them∣selves considered: yet they shall execute no∣thing, but according to the providence, and wisdom, and pleasure of the Lord of Hosts, and therefore it is said that they go not forth, till they have (e) presented themselves before the Lord of all the earth, (f) to receive his commands.

6. That which hath the black horses is the Persian Armie, which took their progresse not long since toward the Northern countries. And

the white, (those of Alexanders troops, shall follow as hard after them of Persia, when the time of their Commission for that service is is come. But the speckled, the various expedi∣tions of Alexanders forces under (g) Ptolo∣maeus Lagi, shall take their way toward the Southern parts, and be setled in Egypt.

7. And the pale horses, i. those troops of Alexanders followers, that shall take their name and rise from Seleucus, they shall have ma∣ny several plots, and essayes about these parts of the world, and in all the countries hereabouts they will make their several attempts. (h) And the Commission which they recovered from the Almighty Commander of all, runs in these terms. Go, make your several per ambulations and assayes in several Countries of the earth. And so accordingly they wil dispose of themselves here, and there, in the several progresse of their military forces.

8. While I was intent upon the Visions, the Angel called me nearer to him, as if he had some new observation to impart, and this it was. Mark these Armies of the Persians, saith he that took their journies into the North, they

have revenged the injuries you received from the Babylonian, and so abundantly satisfied the anger, which I justly conceaved against those Northern parts.

9. Then came a particular commmand to me from the Lord to this effect:

10. That I should take to me some of them, that were newly returned from the captivity of Ba∣bylon (which God had so powerfully revenged by the hand of the Persian) And, amongst those that I was to make choice of, Hulday (al. Helem) was to be called by name: From whom, and from Tobijah and Iedajah: my self making my appearance at the same time in the house of Iosiah, the son of Zephaniah.—

11. From them I was to receave silver and gold which lay in their hands for the orna∣ments of the Temple) and employ it to the ma∣king of several crowns, whereof one to be set up∣on the head of Iosuah, the Son of Iosedeck, the High-Priest (that herein he may be (i) like the High-Priests, his Predecessors, that were wont to be honoured with a crown in times of publick joy, and gratulation.)

12. And then shalt thou say unto him, Behold the man, whose name is the BRANCH, from the root of Iesse. (Fix your eies upon your Messias, your great Deliverer, of whom and whose deliverie, all other deliverers and de∣liverances, as this of Babylon, are but little shadows) He shall bud forth and flourish in due time (answerable to his name of BRANCH) and it shall be out of that place which himself shall make choice of, and he shall build the Church of God, into a just fabrick (your Temple now to be raised, and your Builders that are now in hand with the work, shall be Types and Figures of it.)

13. It is he, that shall build that spiritual Temple of the Lord. It is he that shall purchase to Himself great Honour, and Glory, and a name above every name. And he shall have not a crown onely, like your High-Priest, but a throne of Glory upon which he shall sit and rule, remaining a Priest for ever, and a Kingly Priest, a Priest upon his throne. And the counsail of Peace shall proceed in virtue of both those Titles, and Dignities, that of His Kingdom, and that of His Priest-hood.

14. There shall be crowns also, as for the High-Priest, so for the honorable memorie of others, that have found favour with God, for their good endeavours about the outward

Temple, now in hand: by name for Helem, for Tobijah, for Iedajah, and for Hen, the Son of Zephaniah. And these crowns shall be hung up in the Temple of the Lord, as a memorial of them (with their names to that purpose ex∣pressed upon the crowns.)

15. And (to help on the work, and the or∣naments, and honour of the Temple) many foreiners, and people of remote countries shall come, and contribute towards this building (as the praeludium to the whole crowds of Gentiles that shall help to build up the spiritual Tem∣ple) And by this you shall know, that I Zacharie, that relate the prophesie of these things, am a true Prophet of the Lord, and have my Com∣mission from the Lord of Hosts, for what I pro∣mise to you, judge of me by the event. Provi∣ded alwaies that you be diligent in obeying the commands of the Lord your God. For this pro∣mise runs under that condition.

Notes

• (a)

  Pyla Cilicia.
• (b)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• (c)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 vel 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chald. cinereos transtulit.
• (d)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 pro 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• (e)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sistere coram aliquo.
• (f)

  Quo sensu etiam 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 c. 4. 14. & alibi.
• (g)

  Called by Duniel, King of the South. Chap. 11. 40.
• (h)

  Dix•• Deus.
• (i)

  Vnde Apoc. 4. 4. 24 Presbyteri coronas habent, qui sunt Ecclesiae Christianae Episcopi, per Principes Sacerdotum, vel Principes 24 Ephae∣meriarum adumbrati.