strength. 3. He saw these chn.riots drawn by horses of different colours. In the first chariot we have red horses; in the second, black; in the third, white· and in the fourth, grisled or piebald grey. Now, the prophet seemed utterly unable to understand the meaning of these objects. But he is anxiouR to do so, and he addresses the int.crpreting angel, and says, " What are these, my lord?" Here is the answer: "And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth," etc. The chariots, then, are the four "spirits," or winds, as the margin has it. Sowa translate the word, "celestial spirits," and suppose that angels are referred to. 'l'he "four ,duds" probably represent the invisible agencies by which the Almiahty is pleased to carry on the government of the world. These spirits stand befo~e the Lord of all the earth, and are in bis presence, at his disposal, ever ready to execute bi~ behests. My purpose in these sketches is not speculative, but practical. Were it speculative, I should find a wide and fertile field for hypothetical thouaht. For example, a large variety of opinions exist concerning the four chariots and horses and their charioteers. Some suppose that they represent the great monarchies of the ancient world-the Chaldean, the Grecian, and the Roman. Some, indeed, have supposed them to refer to the four Gospels. And some have supposed them to refer to the history of the Church after Constantine--the /frst, to the wars of invaders of the Roman Empire, and the w~s of controverted doctrines and opinions; the second, to the blackness of darkness, the ignorance, oppression, and misery of papal domination;. the third, to the light and knowledge, the joy and triumph, of the Reformatitm; and the fourth, to the mixed condition of things, the <'.On fusion of false doctrine and true, right and \TTong precepts, holy and unhol.v rites of worship, subsequent to that great revolu- tion. But I take the vision to illustrate God's government of the world; and it illus- trates four facts concerning that government-its variety, immutability, universality, and supremacy. I. , ARIETY. This is suggested by the colour of the steeds that bear onward the chariots of his plans. The "red horses," emblem of war and bloodshed. The '' black," emblem of calamity, distress, and mourning. The "white," emblem of gladness and prosperity. The "grisled" and "bay,'' or piebald, a mixture of events, prosperity and adversity, friendship and bereavement, sorrow and joy, etc. Has not this ·variety characterized the providence that is over man from the beginning until this hour? It is not only seen in every page of the history of nations and Churches and families, but in the history of individuals. The experience of every me.n is more changeable than the weather. There is a constant alternation-the red, the black, the white, the mixed. These changes a.re useful. 1. They break the monotony of life. They tend to keep the heart of humanity on the alert. There is but little opportunity for moral sleep. 2. The.1/ create a desire for a state of certainty. They prompt a search for a " city that bath foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God." This is not our rest. II. IMMUTABILITY. These chariots move between two "mountains of brass." Though tbey are borne by a variety of steeds, and move rapidly towards every point of the compass, and carry a variety of events wherever they go, they are overshadowed and hedgea in by the immutable, represented by mountains .of brass. God's immutable counsels of decrees keep all the motions and commotions, all the convulsions and revolu- tions of the world in their place. As the ocean, amidst all its ebbings and flowings, rage 'lnd fury, is bound to obey the moon, which remains serenely settled in her orbit, so all .Le agiLations of the earth are bound to obey the immutable decrees of Heaver... Thank God, that in this changing world .of ours there are mountains of brass, things that cannot be shaken. ".All flesh is grass, . . . but the word of our God shall stand for ever; " "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure." Ill UNIVERSALITY. These chariots, borne by these varied coloured steeds, rolled towards every point of the globe, some to the north and some to the south. They walked " to e.nd fro through the earth." Yes; through the earth-through every part of it. Not a spot unvisited or ignored. God's providence embraces all, matter e.nd mind, great and small, good and evil. All we have, and all that every creature has, is borne to us in these chariots; they bear to us our trials and our joys. Hence we i;hould bow with resignation under all our i!Orrows, and shout with· gratitude in 11,ll OlU' Oil, VI, 1-16,] THE BOOK OF ZEUHARIAH. 65
enjoyments. Honce, too, we should practically realize our dependence upon him in every moment of our life. "Give us this day our daily bread " etc. IV. Sul'HEMAOY. "These are the four spirits ~f the heav~ns, which go forth from standing berore the Lord of all tbo earth." He 1s at the head of all. No evil spirit moves without bis permission and control; no good spirit without bis inspiration and guidance. He is the Lord of all the earth. How great must be be who manages all things I "All good proceedetb from him, as sunbeams from the sun; All evils foll before him ; his will through all is done." Let us trust him with an unbounded confidence. Let us obey him with loving loyalty. " Of him, and by him, and to him are all things." "He is over all, God blessed for ever."-D. T.