Daniel 10

IN the third year of Cyrus king of Persia This fell out in the 31 year, which was the last year of the Kingdom of Persia, but the third year after his seisure and Monarchy of Babylon; indeed its said Dan. 1. ult. that Daniel continued to the first year of Cyrus, i. e. in his place of Honour but he lived much longer., a thing was revealed unto Daniel Revealed by an Angel from Heaven, not in a dream, or in any more obscure and uncertain way, but plainly. This Chapter is but a general preface to what is more particularly declared in the next Chapter. (whose name was called Belteshazzar) By thi name Daniel was famous among many people, and they took notice of him by his honourable Place, Name and Prophesie and the thing was true Both in the matter, and that which was truely to come to pass, not feigned, nor a bare conjecture, it was Truth., but the time appointed was long, and he understood the thing i. e. For 300 years space, as was said Dan. 8.26. or to the end of Antiochus his persecution, or of the World, Dan. 12.2., and had understanding of the vision And he understood the thing and the vision. This is doubled to beget the greater credit, and assurance of the Truth of it..

In those days I Daniel was mourning There are several cause of Daniels mourning. 1. Because the Iews had Liberty to go out of Captivity, yet many of them staid still in Babylon. 2 Because when they were Building the Temple, Walls and City they were greatly hindred and molested, Ezra 4.4. 3. Because he foresaw the many calamities of the Iews that would befall them for their sins, especially in destroying the Messiah, and rejecting his Gospel. three full weeks He fasted and mourned all that time, both to declare his deep sense of those calamities ensuing, and to be in a better posture to receive Divine impressions, which usually God reveals to humble Souls..

I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth Fasting and Feasting are very inconsistent, Daniel at other times lived magnificently according to the dignity of his Place, he had the best Bread, Flesh, Wine, and Anointing after the manner of the East, all which he laid aside, that by austerity he might afflict his Body, and quicken his soul suitably to the time of Iacobs trouble; and to a true Fasting frame., neither did I anoint my self at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

And in the four and twentieth day of the first month It was the month Nisan, which is March., as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel This Hiddekel, was Tigris, which is a great branch of Euphrates; the Prophets had many of their Visions by Rivers.:

Then I lift up mine eyes, and looked, and behold He beheld wistly and with a composed mind., a certain man Which man some will have an Angel, either Gabriel, who appeared to him before, or Michael chief among the Angels, Iude 9. Arch-angel, who is mentioned after. Or rather Christ, who was true Man. 1. He appeared to Daniel in Royal and Priestly Robes, which was not proper for any Angel. 2. He appeared in so great brightness, and majesty which made Daniel astonied, and laid him prostrate. 3. Compare this place with Dan. 12.6, 7. and you find him the same as here, revealing the secrets of times, and of Gods Providence towards his Church, which is Christ. clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz See Rev. 1.13, 14, 15, 16, 17. where the Lord Jesus Christ is described as here in Daniel, and for the same end. Now he appeared thus (before his incarnation) in the Old Testament as a praeludium of it, as the best Expositors grant it. By this appearance the Lord Christ held out clearly his three Offices of King, Priest, and Prophet. The girding of loines signifies his readiness to obey the commands, and do the work of hi Father; besides the Ornament of the curious golden Girdle..

His body also was like the beryl Which is of a Sea colour, others translate it, the Chryso ite, others the Jacinth, the word in the Text like the Tarsis, this is a colour like the sea; the Beryl, which is Azure, and like the Heavens, show Christ to be immortal and glorious, the Lord from Heaven heavenly, 1 Cor. 15.47. See Ezek. 1.16. and 10.9. and 28.13., and his face as the appearance of lightning His face as the lightning quickens to succour his Saints and terrifie his Enemies, Matth. 24.27. and 28.3. Rev. 4.5., and his eyes as lamps of fire His eyes like lamps of Fire, signifie Omniscience, Splendor, and Terror in Christ., and his arms and his eet like in colour to polished brass Note his incredible power and swiftness to defend or to destroy invincibly., and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude By this the Lord would distinguish the Lord Christ from Creatures, and when he comes with a noise and a sound, to show the grandeur and terrour of his Presence. And thus his Presence is wont to be ushered in before the Revelation of great things, Ezek. 1.24. and 43.2. Act. 2.2. Rev. 1.10, 15. and 14.2, and 19.1. By the example of Moses, Isaiah, Ieremiah and the Apostles, noting also the mighty power of Christ to tear..

And I Daniel alone saw the vision; for the men that were with me saw not the vision So Luk. 24.16. Act. 9.7. 1. The Lord hereby shows his power over our senses, both outward, and inward in a signal distinguishing way. 2. The weakness of mortals to see or hear heavenly things, unless he strengthen them. 3. Their flying and quaking argued the terrour of God upon them; and thereby the Truth and certainty of the Vision by hearing such a sound though they saw it not, Act. 9.7, 8.: but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision Great in the appearance, and great in the great things revealed., and there remained no strength in me By the recoiling of his Spirits inward.: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption His colour was changed into paleness, as one that is faint, and pining into a Consumption by terrour and consternation., and I retained no strength.

Yet heard I the voice of his words Nevertheless he made me to hear, here was power in weakness, and yet this added to his fear and frailty., and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground As one that swounded, or as one that slumbred, and as one that adored the ground..

¶ And behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees, and upon the palms of my hands What a poor Worm is man to crush or to raise by the mighty hand of God! Thus dealt the Angel Gabriel with him before, chap. 8.16, 17..

And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved That the Lord moulds and models us as Clay in his hands to receive his impressions. We are not fit for any great thing till we are abased, and yet when we are vilest in our eyes we are most pretious in Gods eyes. Understand the words that I speak to thee, and stand upright. Thus Saul when he was struck down, and struck blind then he received his Call and Commission to be an Apostle, and to know the Mystery of Christ, see H b. 3.16., understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent; and when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling The Lord does not restore at once his Servants from their frailties, that they by gradual comforts, may prize every drop of Mercy, being not quickened at once, when they are mortified, but may be admonished by the remaines of fears and frailties, to keep their hearts humble..

Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day The Lord is quick in hearing the fervent prayer of an humble Soul, though he does not presently let them know it. God heard the first day though he sent not his Angel to tell Daniel of it till three weeks after. 2, A Soul that would obtain great things from God by Prayer, must be solemn, and fervent in seeking God. 3, The fervent and constant Prayers of the Saints, make God to send from Heaven and save. Thus in Peters case, Acts 12.5, 6, 7. to verse 15. and here in Daniels. that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thy self before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days This place has some difficulty, therefore variously expounded. Some expound it of earthly Princes, some of Angels, and among them some will have good Angels meant, who they say have the patronage of the Kingdomes and Provinces of the Earth, but who can imagine that good Angels should quarrel one with the other; therefore say others, they are bad Angels that oppose the people of God, and their deliverance, seeking rather their ruine, as Michael and the Devil strove, Rev. 12.7. now sometimes God permits Satan to do much this way. But I judge by the Prince of Persia is meant Cambyses who was an Enemy to the Iews and hindred the building of the Temple. Now he could not properly resist the Angel, but figuratively he did; Angels power is not unlimited, but by Commission, and Instructions from God, and their works successive. Therefore God suffered the wicked counsels of Cambyses to take place awhile; but Daniel by his Prayers, and the Angel by his Power overcame him at last: And this very thing laid a foundation of the Persian Monarchies ruine, verse 20. and doubtless that King was stirred up to his evil machinations against the people of God, by the Prince of the powers of darkness, that ruleth in the Children of disobedience, Eph. 2.2.: but lo, Michael one of the chief princes came to help me This we take to be Christ. 1. His name signifies who is like God. 2. He is the first in dignity above all the Angels, Heb. 1.4, 5, 6, 7. &c. called Archangel, and the Churches Prince, verse 21.3. The chief Champion of his Church, helping Gabriel not as his fellow but as his General. Thus we see what care God takes of his Churches safety against their potent Enemies, but doubling their succours, (when he could do it, if he pleased without means) thereby to consult his own glory in the World by defeating the counsels, and breaking the powers of the mightiest Enemies, after he had given them rope to do their worst., and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befal thy people in the latter days Now at last, with much ado, after the contest is over, I am come to give thee understanding touching all the purposes, and providences of God relating to his Church: this made amends for the delay; this was comfortable effect of effectual fervent Prayer; this was Gods overflowing kindness to his servant Daniel, to certifie him by so honourable a messenger as this, that God would not only give him the knowledge of the present times and dispensations towards his Church and their Enemies; but for a long time after even 490 years to the coming of the Messias, as he did to David, 2 Sam. 7.19. By which we learn this solemn Truth, that God will never leave himself without witness to his people; but in the wors of times he will afford them sufficient discoveries of his care of them; as he did by this Prophesie in those dark days.: for yet the vision is for many days.

And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb He was not yet quite free of all his Fear, of which we heard verse 9. happily this pressed him down the more, when he considered the Majesty of the Angel, the greatness of the Vision, and his own frailty; this transported him with astonishment: and above all, that he saw so much of God in it, in his favor to him, and his poor Church..

And behold, one like the similitude of the sons An Angel in the shape of a man, and no other but Jesus Christ, as before he that had humbled him, now helped and incouraged him. of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth Which cannot be till the Lord touch our lips, Psal. 51.15. Isa. 6.5, 6, 7. Ier. 1.9., and spake, and said unto him that stood before me; O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength Though the Angel appeared to him, and spake to him as a man, yet could not Daniel bear his presence without some dread..

For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord The condition of the Church under the Gospel is a better dispensation then the Law and the Prophets, when God spake often by Angels; but now by his Son, and that not in Angelical shape and splendour, but as a mean man, in a meek and humble garb, and most familiar, Isa. 61.1, 2, 3. Iob. 13.6. Acts 3.22.? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.

Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me Daniel needed a second touch, and another word of incouragement before lie could hear, and bear the Angels words as to the Vision and Prophesie and now being fortified by degrees, he has got Courage..

And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not The Lord is gracious and compassionate towards his Saints under their infirmities, Psal. 103.13, 14.: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong And this tender carriage towards him, was a token for good to him and his People, that the Lord would be propitious to them.: and when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthned, and said, Let my lord speak, for thou hast strengthened me.

Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee i. e. By what I have said already, and what I have further to tell thee upon thy prayers which God has accepted, and has given me in charge to reveal to thee as followeth to the end.? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia Cyrus, or Cambyses, who by their Counsels and Captains hinder the work of God; and to bring the Prince of Greece upon him, viz. Alexander the great, who utterly ruined the Persian Monarchy, which is ushered with the word Lo, because it was a wonder that the Prince of Greece with 30000 men should do it. Thus the Lord sets and disposeth the Fates of Empires, and changeth them as he lists: especially in his Churches quarrel.: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.

But I will show thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth i. e. In the peremptory decree and purpose of God; more authentick and unalterable than the Lawes of the Medes and Persians. Now God has appointed to deliver the Iews from the Persians by the Greek; and from the Greek by the Maccabees, especially the Seleucids and Lagids; and how the Romans should come after, and plague the people of God long, both by the persecuting Emperors, and by Antichrist, and how that also should have an end.: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince Jesus Christ alone is the Champion, and Protector of his Church, and that all-sufficient; when all the Princes of the Earth besides deserted or opposed it. For it cannot be meant of Angels in any sound sense, as Popish Interpreters would have it, thereby to countenance their Angel-worship; for can we imagine upon rational and orthodox Principles, that the Angels of Heaven should be divided into Parties, and but two of them mind the cause of the Church of God, with other like absurdities, which accompany the Popish sense that Maldonate, a Lapide, &c. fasten upon this Scripture..