Matthew Poole and continuators on Zechariah 6:1

1 AND I turned , and lift up mine eyes , and looked, and behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains, and the mountains were mountains of brass .

See chap. 5. ver. 1. let. b.

Ibid let. c. d.

The appearance or Emblem is plain enough, we can easily conceive that; but the things signified hereby are most difficultly found out, and perhaps not found when we think they are; here then, if any were, all are bound to write modestly, and all are bound to read carefully, and to judge candidly; whether by these Chariots are meant. 1. The various changes made by Wars in the Nations, the Chariots as some say were Chariots for War, and drawn by several coloured Horses, and thus Wars and Mutations thereby might be signified. 2. Or, the four Monarchies of different temper and carriage toward the Iews and others, whom they ruled as very many Learned Expositors think▪ Or, 3. The four Gospels, with the Apostles and Preachers of the Gospel sent by Christ as others. Or, 4. Angels who are sometimes stiled Chariots of God, and who are by the Prophets, Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and by the Apocalypses introduced as great Ministers and Servants of Christ in the Affairs of his Church, I determine not, though perhaps all these might fairly be woven into one web, in which Angels as employed in the Affairs of Church and Empire, act their part in the revolution and changes of things, be these of what temper soever they will in both, till the Gospel be preached▪ by the M[illegible: 3 letters]iah, and his Apostles.

Out of a deep, shady, and dark Valley which here is laid between two Mountains▪ so God's Judgments are a great deep, whilest his Righteousness is as the great Mountains, Psal. 36.6.

These Mountains appear to the Prophet very wonderful, for they were of Brass to denote the immoveable decrees of God, his steddy executions of his Councels, the insuperable restraints upon all Empires and Councels which God keeps within the Barriers of such impregnable Mountains, whence not one can start till he open the way, and possibly it may import the pressures, difficulties, and distresses of the times signified hereby.