The First Trumpet. Let the reader likewise consult Isaiah, c. xxxii. v. 19, with regard to the image of hail, and the Chaldee paraphrast upon it. Moreover, the same paraphrast teaches us that trees, in prophetic parables, signify the great and rich, who for oaks of Basan (Isaiah xi. 13) substitutes the princes of provinces; for cedars, (Isaiah xiv. 8) rich men; for fir-trees, sometimes princes, (Isaiah xxxvii. 24) sometimes kings, (Isaiah xiv. 8) Who likewise paraphrases that passage of Zecbariah xi. 2. " Howl, fir-tree ; for the cedar is fallen! because the mighty are spoiled. Howl, ye oaks of Basan, for the fenced forest is fallen ! Howl, ye kings, for your princes are debased; ye who were rich in wealth are spoiled. Howl, satraps of provinces, for the region of your strength is laid waste." Whence, by analogy, it is easily collected, that herbs are to be taken for the common people, when, as in this place, they are connected with trees. Now, in order to collect something respecting the event from history, I would deduce the beginning of this trumpet (until something more certain shall be established) from the death of Theodosius the First; that is, from the year of Christ 395 ; because then the Christian religion seems to have plainly triumphed over the gods of the Gentiles; and at the same time, as combined in a certain common term with the end of the former, and with the beginning of the present seal, the irruptions of the Barbarians having in a small degree been attempted before, but been repressed in the ensuing years, when the empire was again at peace, began at length to take place in a horrible manner, and to hang over the whole Roman world, continually and cruelly wasting and depopulating it with fire and sword. | |
|