John Trapp on Zechariah 1:18

Verſe 18. Then I lift up mine eyes and ſaw] That is, I gave good heed to this ſecond viſion alſo: which was added purpoſely for confirmation of the former promiſes; which ſhould be certainly accompliſhed to the Church, notwithſtanding her many and mighty enemies. Horns they are called for their might and miſchievouſnes: by a metaphor, à feris cornupetis from fierce beaſts, whoſe ſtrength and wrath lies in their horns; or elſe from warriers, who wore iron horns upon their helmets.

and behold four horns] Not the foure Monarchies (for the Grecians and Romanes were not yet: and this is ſpoken here for the preſent comfort of the afflicted Church) but the enemeis of Iſrael from all the four parts of the world (fee Pſal. 107.2, 3.) for they were ſurrounded; On the North were the Syrians, Aſſytians, and Babylonians. (Ab Aqu lone nihil boni, Ier. 4.6. and 6.1) On the Eaſt, the Ammonites and Moabites. On the South, the Edomites and Egyptians. On the Weſt, the Philiſtines, as may be gathered out of Ieremy and Ezekiel. Geneva is at this day a ſmall people, invironed with enemies, French, Spaniſh, Savoy, Pope, and barred out from all aid of neighbours, cit[illegible: 1 letter]es, and churches: yet, by the mighty arm of God, ſtrangely and ſtrongly upheld and deſended.

This Mr. Beza repreſented in a moſt elegant emblem of a city depainted as hanged by a twined threed;Melch. Ad. in vit. Bez. 227. ſuſtained and maintained by the mighty hand of God alone. Would any man take the Churches picture? ſaith Luther: then let him paint a a ſilly poor maid, ſitting in a wood or wilderneſſe, compaſſed about with hungry wolves,Loc. com. de perfec. verae Eccleſiae. lions, bores, and beares, and with all manner of cruel and hurtfull beaſts; and in the midſt of a great many ſurious men aſſaulting her every moment and minute, for this is her condition in the world.