01.4. The Vision of The Night

Chapter 4 THE VISION OF THE NIGHT.

’’ I saw by the night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle-trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white." - Zechariah 1:8. The prophecies of Zechariah are esteemed as some of the sweetest and most pleasant fruits which grow on the tree of the Old Testament. This prophet has much resemblance both to Isaiah and Ezekiel. Glowing as the latter, and rich as he in sublime descriptions, and grand, striking, and mysterious visions, he shares with the former the name of Evangelical prophet. The Anointed of God, with his kingdom, forms the central point and axis around which the fire- wheel of all his flaming imagery of visions and revelations continually revolves. All the glory is given to the Messiah. Thus, in the picture before us, the most prominent object in the foreground, which leaves all the rest in the shade and in the distance, is the long expected Saviour of the world, the testimony of whom is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10.) It is a beautiful and consoling representation. Let us examine it more closely. We will consider, 1. The time in which the vision was beheld.

2. The vision itself, in its consolatory signification.

1. THE TIME IN WHICH THE VISION WAS BEHELD.

Zechariah expressly states, that it was a vision of the night. He means in the first place, the natural night; when the wearied children of men repose themselves in sleep. The Lord then came to him and opened the eyes of his mind, and permitted him to see manifestly depicted before him, in all their brilliant coloring, the forms which he describes. The Lord would effectually imprint upon his mind that great truth, that He who keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. It is therefore put forth, not as a mere statement, but illustrated by a palpable representation, and revealed to him, not in the daytime, but in the shadows of the night. Of such a nocturnal visitation from God, almost all the saints, both of the Old and New Testament, were enabled to testify; and Elihu speaks of it to Job as though it were of ordinary occurrence. " In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumbering upon the bed; then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man" ― (Job 33:15-17.) O how many are there, who like Nicodemus, trace their first acquaintance with Jesus to that silent hour. When our wearied body is at rest, and when surrounded by darkness, we are freed from the agitating occupations of the day, our souls are more quick in their perception, our thoughts more free and unrestrained, our reflections more deep and penetrating, our conscience more powerful in its operations, more unchecked and pointed in its appeals. Then does the trumpet of the word give a clear and certain sound; then peals around us the thunder of the curse; then does the call to repentance shake and alarm our inmost souls; and if the sight of our sins be vouchsafed us, of our base and unprofitable life, of our broken vows and resolutions, of our defilement and dissimulation ― if that death which awaits us, that final judgment to which we are hastening, and that bleeding Saviour whom we despise; if these awful visions pass before us, and invade the solitude of our chamber, and stand around our bed ― O how terrific, how appalling the spectacle! Whither can we fly from such dreadful sights? To the gay and thoughtless company of our friends? They are buried in sleep. To the distractions of daily occupation? They are at an end. To the places of concourse and the busy haunts of men? They are forsaken. It is night, and there is no sound to affect the ear, nothing to engage the eye, or restrain the vigor of the mind. At such a time your little bark of the soul is driven out upon the restless wave. You cast anchor once and again;. but the anchor takes no hold. You anxiously look around for a haven of rest. But, behold in every haven the tempest rages as in the open sea, and the abyss is yawning beneath. You seek to appease the storm within, and say to yourself, " Be at rest; there is no danger. Why art thou anxious? " But no consoling thoughts can at such a season avail. Your perplexity and distress increase, till at length you find Him who said to the sea, " Peace, be still;" and then there is a great calm. Your danger is passed, your fears are gone; you are now secure and happy in the haven where you would be.

Multitudes of Christians can number, in their own experience many such painful, but not the less salutary, night scenes, and can say, in a certain sense, with the Temanite, " In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, fear came upon me, and trembling which made all my bones to shake. Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up. It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes; there was silence, and I heard a voice saying, Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his Maker?" (Job 4:13-17.)

There are some, perhaps, present, who, absorbed by day in the cares of the world, or hurried into the vortex of its dissipations and pleasures, hear not the call of God to consider their ways. 0, that such visions of the night, such communications from heaven, may soon be vouchsafed you; and that the voice of the Almighty may reach your inmost soul. God grant that it may be this very night, for we know not that another shall be added to your number. May it not already be said to some one, who now hears me, to-morrow thou shalt die! Let this thought be with you, brethren, when next you retire to rest upon your beds.

" I saw by the night," saith the prophet, and he appears to intimate by that expression, the circumstances under which he beheld the vision. Zechariah lived about five hundred years before the first Advent. Together with his parents, he was carried by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon, and afterwards, in consequence of the decree of Cyrus, returned, with the first of the captivity, who sought the land of their fathers; and he assisted in laying the foundation both of the city and temple.

It was then a happy time, a season of rejoicing and of cheerful hope. The covenant God of Israel had made manifest His care for his people, in a way which could not be misunderstood, and all things were full of joyful expectation of the golden age that was about to return. It was not then night to the people of Israel, but bright and shining day. But this was not of long continuance. The Samaritans sought to interrupt the harmony which prevailed. For scarcely were the walls of the city and of the temple commenced, with alacrity and gladness, when these strangers, who were more heathen than Jews, proposed to associate themselves with the children of Abraham in the work, and thus to acquire a right in the temple of the Lord, and in the administration of its services. This could never be allowed. Hence arose implacable hostility, for the Samaritans sent letters to Babylon, calumniating the Jews engaged in the undertaking, representing them with great bitterness as a faithless and rebellious race, who might endanger the peace of the Persian monarchy. Credit was given to these base accusations, and a royal edict issued, by which the building of Jerusalem was forbidden, and permission given the Samaritans to compel the Jews, by fire and sword, to desist from the work. Then followed a time of tumult and distress to the people of God, and their hopes perished. Their brightest prospects were in a moment over-clouded, and God seemed to have again forsaken His inheritance. The most lovely morning was unexpectedly converted into a night of gloom.

Allusion, no doubt, was made to these painful circumstances, when the prophet said in my text, " I saw by the night." It seemed as though this external obscurity inwardly prevailed in his soul, as if the day had declined within him, and was succeeded by the night. And how should it be otherwise! Every thing around him tended to produce such oppressive sensations; his gloomy forebodings enveloped his soul in thick clouds of doubt and despondency. No indications of the watchful and protecting care of the Almighty were visible. Yet, notwithstanding, dark as it appeared both outwardly and within, Zechariah was enabled to say of himself, " I saw by the night, and behold! "

" I saw by the night.’’ Some can speak of the night who have passed through it, and are now rejoicing in the blessings of the morning. It is night, in spiritual things, in proportion as our eyes are darkened. Then the hand which has assigned our pain and suffering is unperceived, we are lost in the wilderness of uncertainty, and no outlet can he found either on the right hand or on the left; or a fire falls upon our spiritual building, and we know not whence the flames have been kindled, by which our honour, our name, and domestic happiness are destroyed, whether they are derived from heaven or from hell.

It is night, when the world misunderstands and calumniates us, and we cry to God to interpose in our behalf, and there is neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regardeth; or when we lie sunk in the deepest need, and stroke upon stroke is laid upon us, and our prayer cannot reach the clouds, but is dissipated and lost in the air around us, no help appears, no aid is at hand, no prospect of deliverance opens before us, no explication is given of our embarrassments, and our wanderings in the dark valley remain an incomprehensible dispensation, a deep mystery, the meaning and intention and final issue of which are altogether hidden from our view. When it is thus with any poor soul, he is enveloped in darkness. The greater light which rules the day has set before his eyes. He is the man of whom Job speaks, when he says, that his way is hid, and that God hath hedged him in. (Job 3:23.)

O how great, how blessed the change, when God says respecting a soul, " let there be light, and there is light." The darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. Thus it was with Job, when the scope and intention of all his afflictions were made known to him; and with Hagar, when the angel pointed out to her the well of water in the wilderness; and with Abraham, when a voice came to him from heaven, " lay not thy hand upon the lad," and his fiery trial was at once terminated; and with Jacob, when that testimony was borne him, " thou hast power with God, and with man, and hast prevailed;" and the Lord blessed him in the night, after his severe conflict. And many such visitations from on high are vouchsafed the children of God, even in our own days. Salvation comes to their house as an unexpected guest, their trials melt away and disperse as a veil of mist upon the mountains, or a bright light from heaven suddenly illuminates their path. But my brethren, this can scarcely be termed, to see by the night. It is rather the day-break shedding its lovely rays, its opening glories, into the cave of Adullam. (1 Samuel 22:1; Micah 1:15) The Saviour then manifests himself to us as he doth not unto the world, and our unbelieving doubts and fears are at once dispelled; and whilst we acknowledge the power and presence of the Godhead, we exclaim with grateful heart. Lord thou hast changed my night into day. (John 14:22; John 20:27-28) But when the sun remains hidden behind the clouds, and the footsteps of Jehovah are in the great waters, and men, without seeing their way plainly, follow the guidance of their God, and rest in naked faith on the Divine assurance, " what I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter;" and, believing in opposition to human reasonings, and hoping against hope, repose simply upon him who has said, " When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee" ― (Isaiah 43:2) When, entrenching themselves in such promises, as in a strong hold, and looking by faith to that Angel of the Lord who said to Manoah, " Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret or wonderful?"(Judges 13:18) and by this name, " The Wonderful," they are refreshed as with milk and honey in the desert ― When, without tasting, or seeing, or feeling, they rejoice in the very present help of that God who delivered Daniel from the jaws of the lion, and preserved the three children in the burning fiery furnace, and commanded a fish to take up Jonah, and keep him as in an ark of safety in the deep waters ― when they rely on that God who sent dogs to Lazarus, that they should lick his sores and mitigate his pain, and who appointed ravens to minister to Elijah, and feed him in the wilderness ― Then, brethren, then may it be said, that they see visions in the darkness, that they perceive God through the thick and lowering clouds; and in the words of Zechariah they may exclaim, " I saw by the night and behold!"

There is another description of night of a yet more troublous kind, which David had in view when he said, " Hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit." But even then we are not left without hope. We have that most precious promise, that while we trust in the Lord and stay ourselves upon our God, a light shall rise in obscurity, and our darkness shall be as noon day. (Isaiah 58:10.) When Satan assaults me with his fearful allurements or his fiery darts, and I am left without help or succour, then has the sun set beneath my horizon. But I see by the night, and behold, mine eye rests upon Him, who to death is its plague, and to the grave its destruction; and that great truth is brought home to my mind, that in Him I have already ’’ overcome the wicked one," and he can no more put me to shame. Then it is given me, at the sight of my victorious Head, to triumph in the conflict, and to enjoy peace in the midst of tumult and alarm. What is this but a vision of the night?

When, after a painful fall, I am alarmed with a sense of my sin and misery, and almost overwhelmed with despair, then I sit in darkness, the light shineth not about me, my sins are greater than I can bear. At length I am enabled to think of that grace, which recovers the children of God from the horrible pit and from the miry clay, and sets their feet upon a rock, and orders their going. I call to mind the good Shepherd, who left the ninety and nine sheep in the wilderness, and came to seek and to save that which was lost, and did not desist until he found it, and laid it on his shoulders, and carried it home rejoicing. how cheering the sight! As yet the Lord has not manifested himself to me, nor can I rejoice; but mercy has again visited me, and though confidence and hope have not returned, yet "my soul waiteth for the Lord, yea, more than they that watch for the morning." (Psalms 130:6.) When the Lord takes from me the sense of His indwelling through the Spirit, and withdraws from me the light of his countenance, and leaves me to the experience of my utter sinfulness; when the vigor of my spiritual life fails, and the indications of my state of grace lose their special character; when faith, which before could rejoice, gives utterance only to a poor compressed and feeble cry, " O God, be not severe to me; " when love is withered by the wintry blast, or chilled and frozen, so that I am compelled to exclaim, with David, " I am like unto one appointed to die," and I can no longer dare to regard myself as of the camp of Judah; when I transgress without tears, and stumble and fall without contrition, and read the word without delight, and pray without earnestness; Oh, this is indeed a season of spiritual darkness. But there is a faith which can dissipate even such a darkness as this, and under the full conviction of our spiritual poverty, needs not the aid of sensible perception. He who is " the Amen, the faithful and true witness," (Revelation 3:14.) stands before me in this my low estate, and I hear him saying in the spirit, " In a little wrath I hid my ’’ face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord, thy Redeemer. For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord, that hath mercy on thee." ( Isaiah 54:8-10.) By faith I behold a covenant God in Christ Jesus; I look to "Him that justifieth the ungodly," that requireth only empty vessels, that he may fill them with his glory. (Romans 4:5.) The mystery of righteousness opens itself before me; I see that I am justified and saved, not by works of my own, but only through the merits of Jesus; that my faith, hope, and charity must be derived from Him: that His intercession alone can make my approach acceptable unto the Father; and while the senses are dead within me, and my heart is sunk in wretchedness and misery, it is given to me by the Holy Ghost to cast myself by faith on that Saviour, who hath said, "my grace is sufficient for thee, my strength is made perfect in weakness." Then is the night turned into day. The sun has not indeed dispersed the overhanging clouds, and his bright beams have not yet penetrated my inmost soul; but I can by faith enter within the veil, and I behold the sun, though many are the clouds which intervene. Then can I say that I see by the night, and give praises to Him who hath opened mine eyes to behold.

2. THE VISION OF THE NIGHT.

What was the vision which our prophet beheld? Truly it was a lovely sight, and it remained stationary before his wondering eyes in all the brightness and freshness of its coloring. An angel also talked with him, and showed him what these things were, but we need not refer to his words, because even the vision itself speaks to us " good words and comfortable words." It is full of the richest consolations, the most cheering promises.

Let us now turn aside and see this great sight. The place whereon we stand is holy ground. (Exodus 3:3-5) The man who stands among the myrtle-trees, seems to be clad in bright and glittering armour, and as appears in the sequel, is the Angel of the covenant, the man Christ Jesus. Our Lord reveals himself to his people under different characters, suited to their various wants and circumstances. Is any one of them timid and distrustful? he unveils his face, beaming with a love beyond that of a mother, and exclaims, " Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee." (Isaiah 49:15.) Behold "as one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you." (Isaiah 66:13.) Have any wandered from the fold? The good Shepherd leaves them not to perish upon the mountains, and upon every high hill, but seeks them out, that he may deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. (Ezekiel 34:12.) Is any sick? he reveals himself as the good physician, who healeth all our diseases. (Psalms 103:3.) Is any one dispirited and alarmed? instantly he stands before him with his sword drawn in his hand. As Captain of the host of the Lord is he now come. (Joshua 5:13-14.) Does any trembling sinner feel oppressed under a sense of the wrath of God? the Saviour manifests himself as coming from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah; glorious in His apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength. And to the inquiry, who is this, and wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the wine fat? the incarnate God replies, " I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. I have trodden the wine-press alone, and of the people there was none with me; for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury, and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come." (Isaiah 63:1-4) Or is any tied and bound with the chain of his sins? the Lord Jesus makes Himself known, as sent " to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound," (Isaiah 61:1) as the mighty deliverer, who bears " the keys of hell and of death." (Revelation 1:18.)

Now in the days of Zechariah a warrior was, of all men, held in chief estimation, for there was then war in the land. And behold, the Keeper of Israel reveals himself as such; " I saw by the night, and behold a man" Our Lord is a man. This is a truth full of comfort, for it reminds us that our own nature is united to the Godhead, that it is borne by Him who sitteth upon the throne. Christ is a man; how sweet the assurance. The Church is his bride; she bears His name. This blessed privilege applies equally to every individual believer. (Isaiah 49:14-16.) He will not deny us, but acknowledge us for his own. Our Saviour a man! O blessed truth. It is in the form of man that we are best enabled, that we love most to contemplate him. In that form he lives in our thoughts, he stands before us as our Advocate with the Father, when we kneel at his footstool. We think of his wounds, we trace with wonder and adoring gratitude the prints of the nails in his hands and feet. We here behold the fountain of every blessing, the source of our peace. And is it not as man that the Son of God was enabled to suffer in our behalf, to be wounded for our transgressions, to die that we might live? Is it not thus that he makes manifest to saints and angels a love which is stronger than death? Well, therefore, may we rejoice, when we can say respecting our visions of the Almighty, " I saw by the night, and behold, a man." The man whom Zechariah beheld, rode upon a horse. In the Song of Solomon the church is represented under the figure of horses; " I have compared thee, my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariot." (Song of Solomon 1:9) And in the tenth chapter of the prophecy from which my text is taken, it is said, " The Lord of hosts hath visited his flock, the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle." We may therefore conclude that it is the Church which is represented by the red horse in the vision, that it is ourselves who are sprinkled with the blood of Jesus.

We are led and directed by His Spirit and His word, and His hand nourishes and supports us. At first we bear the yoke of the law, and are oppressed with that grievous bondage which neither we nor our fathers could bear. Then, being delivered from the law, we become the servants of righteousness, and walk abroad in the green pastures, and by the still waters of grace and comfort, and rejoice in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free. The battle-horse of Job is an apt emblem of the confirmed Christian, who is strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. " He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength, he goeth on to meet the armed men. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted, neither tumeth he back from the sword. The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield. He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage, neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet. He saith among the trumpets. Ha, ha. He smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting." (Job 39:21-25.) But if at any time he is elated by the thought of his own imaginary power and glory, the Lord takes effectual means to humble him. He passes the yoke over his beautiful neck, and sends him with Judah to plow, or with Jacob into the valley to break the clods. (Hosea 10:11.)

It is through the man Christ Jesus that we are made more than conquerors. He fighteth for us, and by the arm of His power every enemy is put in subjection under our feet; and when at length He shall come again in his glorious majesty, to judge both the quick and the dead, we shall accompany his chariot of victory, and participate in the splendours of his triumph.

There is another truth which is intimated by the appearance of the man on horse in the vision, namely, the speedy help and deliverance which the Lord affords to his church in every difficulty or distress. If the Saviour of mankind still walked upon the earth in the garb of mortality, the faith of many a child of sorrow would be greatly exercised whilst He was administering relief to a fellow-sufferer, and often would be heard the cry of the sister of Lazarus, " Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." But now He is a very present help to his people wherever his aid is sought. In places the most remote from each other, it may at the same moment be said, in the language of the church of old, " The voice of my Beloved! Behold he cometh leaping upon the mountains and skipping upon the hills. My beloved is like a roe or a young hart. Behold he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, showing himself through the lattice." (Song of Solomon 2:8-9.) In the hour of need his presence is manifested both by day and by night, and even when the doors are shut, He stands in the midst, as He visited the disciples at Jerusalem, and says, "Peace be unto you." When we may suppose him far distant, " Behold, He stands at the door and knocks; if any man hear His voice and open the door, He comes in to him and sups with him, and he with Him." (Revelation 3:20.) To the righteous there ariseth a light in the darkness. The bright shining of the Saviour’s countenance beams through their habitation and refreshes their soul. They can say with Habakkuk, " Thou ridest upon thy horses and thy chariots of salvation." (Habakkuk 3:8.) The horse beheld in the vision was red, as representing the church, which is covered with the blood and righteousness of the Saviour, and thereby obtains deliverance from sin and guilt, and from the power and dominion of the wicked one. And whence cometh He that sitteth upon the horse! Is it not from the Red Sea, where the enemies of the spiritual Israel were signally overthrown by the arm of the Almighty? Is it not from Gethsemane and Golgotha, where he triumphed over principalities and powers, and made a show of them openly? Thus was bruised the head of the serpent; thus was the prey taken from the mighty, and the lawful captive delivered; thus was peace made by the blood of the cross. And he stood among the myrtle-trees. These, my brethren, are the trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. Under the influence of the heavenly dew their branches spread, and they cast forth their roots as Lebanon. (Hosea 14:5-9) Supported by the grace, power, and faithfulness of Jehovah, they flourish in unfading verdure, and yield the sweetest fragrance, through the immediate operation of the Holy Ghost. The true church, the children of God on earth, are here represented. They are as the lovely myrtle, wherewith the King of kings entwines a wreath of glory for his head, as he says by his prophet, thou shalt be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God." (Isaiah 62:3.) For they are " predestined by Jesus Christ to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made them accepted in the Beloved." (Ephesians 1:5-6.) And as branches of myrtle were emblematic of joy among the Jews, and were borne with songs of gladness before the bridegroom; so do the children of God cause joy to abound in the kingdom of heaven. God himself rejoices over them. (Isaiah 62:5.) For thus saith the Lord, " Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken, neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate, but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, (that is, my delight is in her,) and thy land Beulah, (or, married) for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married." (Isaiah 62:4.) And where grew the myrtle-trees? " In the bottom;" that is, in a low ground. In such a situation they flourish to the greatest advantage: their leaves assume the richest verdure, and there they yield the sweetest fragrance. And so it is in spiritual things. In the valley of humiliation and lowliness of mind, of self-renunciation and poverty of spirit, there will you find the most rapid growth, the greatest conformity to the will of God, the most perfect transformation into the likeness of Him who calls us into the valley, that he may teach us heavenly wisdom, and confer upon us the blessing of peace. " At that time Jesus answered, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so. Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls." (Matthew 11:25-26; Matthew 11:28-29.) The man stood between the myrtle-trees. So Christ abides with his church. He " dwells with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’’ (Isaiah 57:15.) He is in the midst of his church and people to employ them as seemeth good unto him, and to protect them by his power. " Yea," exclaims the prophet Zephaniah, " the Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17) And behold, " behind him were there red horses speckled and white." And what are these? Our prophet himself made the same inquiry, and has recorded the answer. " The man that stood among the myrtle-trees answered and said, These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth." (Zechariah 1:10.) Are they not then the hosts of Mahanaim, ministering spirits " sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation!" May they not also be regarded as the perfections of the Godhead, which surround us for our comfort and deliverance, His grace, His truth, His mercy, His almighty power? or as the precious promises, resting on which, neither the Red Sea, which seems to shut us in, and keep us in the power of the enemy, nor the cloud-capped mountains, with their inaccessible summits, nor the deepest gulfs yawning at our feet, nor the darkest night, with all its fearful horrors, can move us or obstruct us in our onward progress toward the heavenly Zion! The promises, the attributes, and the angelic messengers of Jehovah, these ever accompany him who was seen among the myrtle-trees, and wherever he is, there are also the hosts of God around him; and wherever Christ gains admittance into a house or heart, the glory of the Lord filleth the same.

This, then, was the vision of Zechariah, which he saw by the night to his comfort concerning Jerusalem, and it is a personification of truth. Even now may it be seen among us. Think of this heavenly vision; think of it as you lie upon your bed at night, whenever care spreads her heavy wing over you, and Satan hurls against you his fiery darts; think of it by day, as often as darkness pervades your soul; and when all sense and feeling are gone, lift up the eye of faith, and behold that which was seen by Zechariah by the night, and be comforted.

I well know, that in every affliction and distress of the beloved children of God in these days, as well as in former times. He is near at hand to comfort and to bless them. Only take courage, brethren, be comforted; before another sun has set, many, perhaps, who now think that the Lord hath forsaken them, and their God hath forgotten them, ashamed of their unbelief, will exclaim with Jacob, " Surely God is in this place, and I knew it not!" Many such, perhaps, may have their eyes opened, as the servant of Elijah, to behold the mountain covered with chariots of fire and horses of fire, and feel constrained to cry aloud with the prophet. My father, my father! the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof." But yet, beloved brethren, if this consolation should be absent, and if darkness should for a time be left to hang over you, then may God grant, in his mercy, that you may at least be enabled to exclaim with Zechariah, at such a time and under such circumstances, I saw by the night, and behold! behold! ―

Amen.