Zechariah 1

Zechariah 1:3

I Will turne] I will againe make you feell the effects of my grace and favour.

Zechariah 1:5

Your fathers] the effects of those prophesies, have been reserved for you, and not for your fathers who died a great while since: and though those ancient Prophets be dead, according to the course of ture: yet the power of their word is still living, and is yet this day directed to you, and tyeth you to obedience.

Zechariah 1:6

My words] the accomplishment of their prophecies after their death, hath shewen sufficiently that their words died not with them: and your fathers in their calamities acknowledged as much, and began to turne to God: and it is fitting for you to follow them therein, and accomplish it.

Zechariah 1:7

Seat] which is January Moone.

Zechariah 1:8

A man] the Sonne of God appearing in humane shape: who as chiefe, sendeth his Angels, and they give him an account, V. 11 Riding] like a warrier, and head of the celestiall armies. See Rev. 19. 11. 14 A red Horse] to signifie Gods fierce anger against the enemies of his people, the execution of which he came to tell the people of The myrtle trees] which represent the Church, composed of weake and low plants, but pretious and holy ones, as the Myrtle tree is That were] by this property of the Myrtle tree, which delighteth in valleyes, sea-shoares, and river sides, is signified the lowly and abject condition of the Church in this world; and particularly the subjection it was in, at that time under the Persian Empire Horses] with horsemen upon them, which were created Angels, Ministers, and Warriours under that head. See Psal. 68. 17. Now by these colours it seemes may be understood the Angels severall services, the red ones for punishment, the white ones for grace, and the spectled ones for a punishment of visitation.

Zechariah 1:9

The Angell] it seemes to be the same, as was amongst the mirtle trees: namely; the Sonne of God, who appeared in this vision in both these qualities of the head of the Church on horseback, and of her Prophet in the shape of an Angell.

Zechariah 1:10

To walke] as his posts and messengers, to take notice of the state of the world, and to make relation to him of it.

Zechariah 1:11

All the earth] all other nations are in peace and prosperity, onely thy people cannot recover themselves of their late calamities Is at rest] or is inhabited.

Zechariah 1:12

The Angell] namely; the Sonne of God, who is intercessor to the Father for the safety of the Church These] of the captivity, as Zechariah 7:5. the ruines of which lasted still, though the people were set at liberty long before.

Zechariah 1:15

I was but a little] I was willing to punish my people by their meanes, but with a moderation be fitting the end which was to correct them; and according to my mercy towards them: But the instruments which I have made use of therein, have added their rage, and the excesses of their cruelty thereunto, not containing themselves within the limits of my revealed will, though they could not go beyond my secret permission. See Isay 47. 6.

Zechariah 1:16

A line] that is to say; her buildings shall be reedified and made up againe.

Zechariah 1:17

Chuse] shall confirme and renew the right and priviledge which he had granted her, of being the place of his residence. See Isay 14. 1. Zechariah 2:12.

Zechariah 1:18

Foure hornes] a figure of the Churches enemies which had set upon her from the foure corners of the world, or of the foure Monarchies by which she had been and should be oppressed, untill Christs comming. Dan. 2. 17. & 7. 3. Now by these hornes must be meant iron hornes, such as warriers did weare upon their helmets; and therefore Carpenters are brought in to breake them, and not Butchers.

Zechariah 1:20

Carpenters] a figure of the instrument which ruined those Empires that persecuted the Church.

Zechariah 1:21

So that] so that they have easily brought it to passe, seeing none had power to resist them.