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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Daniel X].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1712)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>D A N I E L.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. X.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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This chapter and the two next (which conclude this book) make up one
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entire vision and prophecy, which was communicated to Daniel for the
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use of the church, not by signs and figures, as before
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+7:1-8:27"><I>ch.</I> vii. and viii.</A>),
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but by express words; and this was about two years after the vision in
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the foregoing chapter. Daniel prayed daily, but had a vision only now
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and then. In this chapter we have some things introductory to the
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prophecy, in the eleventh chapter the particular predictions, and
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:1-13"><I>ch.</I> xii.</A>
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the conclusion of it. This chapter shows us,
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I. Daniel's solemn fasting and humiliation, before he had this vision,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:1-3">ver. 1-3</A>.
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II. A glorious appearance of the Son of God to him, and the deep
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impression it made upon him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:4-9">ver. 4-9</A>.
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III. The encouragement that was given him to expect such a discovery of
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future events as should be satisfactory and useful both to others and
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to himself, and that he should be enabled both to understand the
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meaning of this discovery, though difficult, and to bear up under the
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lustre of it, though dazzling and dreadful,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:10-21">ver. 10-21</A>.</P>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Vision near the River Hiddekel.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 534.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was
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revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the
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thing <I>was</I> true, but the time appointed <I>was</I> long: and he
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understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
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2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
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3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my
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mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks
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were fulfilled.
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4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I
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was by the side of the great river, which <I>is</I> Hiddekel;
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5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain
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man clothed in linen, whose loins <I>were</I> girded with fine gold of
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Uphaz:
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6 His body also <I>was</I> like the beryl, and his face as the
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appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his
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arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice
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of his words like the voice of a multitude.
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7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with
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me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so
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that they fled to hide themselves.
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8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and
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there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in
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me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
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9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the
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voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my
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face toward the ground.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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This vision is dated in the <I>third year of Cyrus,</I> that is, of his
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reign after the conquest of Babylon, his third year since Daniel became
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acquainted with him and a subject to him. Here is,</P>
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<P>
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I. A general idea of this prophecy
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>):
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<I>The thing was true;</I> every word of God is so; it was true that
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Daniel had such a vision, and that such and such things were said. This
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he solemnly attests upon the word of a prophet. <I>Et hoc paratus est
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verificare--He was prepared to verify it;</I> and, if it was a word
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<I>spoken from heaven,</I> no doubt it is stedfast and may be depended
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upon. <I>But the time appointed was long,</I> as long as to the end of
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the reign of Antiochus, which was 300 years, a long time indeed when it
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is looked upon as to come. Nay, and because it is usual with the
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prophets to glance at things spiritual and eternal, there is that in
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this prophecy which looks in type as far forward as to the end of the
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world and the resurrection of the dead; and then he might well say,
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<I>The time appointed was long.</I> It was, however, made as plain to
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him as if it had been a history rather than a prophecy; he
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<I>understood the thing;</I> so distinctly was it delivered to him, and
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received by him, that he could say he <I>had understanding of the
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vision.</I> It did not so much operate upon his fancy as upon his
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understanding.</P>
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<P>
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II. An account of Daniel's mortification of himself before he had this
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vision, not in expectation of it, nor, when he prayed that solemn
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prayer
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+9:1-27"><I>ch.</I> ix.</A>,
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does it appear that he had any expectation of the vision in answer to
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it, but purely from a principle of devotion and pious sympathy with the
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afflicted people of God. He <I>was mourning full three weeks</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>),
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for his own sins and the sins of his people, and their sorrows. Some
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think that the particular occasion of his mourning was slothfulness and
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indifference of many of the Jews, who, though they had liberty to
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return to their own land, continued still in the land of their
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captivity, not knowing how to value the privileges offered them; and
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perhaps it troubled him the more because those that did so justified
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themselves by the example of Daniel, though they had not that reason to
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stay behind which he had. Others think that it was because he heard of
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the obstruction given to the building of the temple by the enemies of
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the Jews, who <I>hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their
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purpose</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+4:4,5">Ezra iv. 4, 5</A>),
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<I>all the days of Cyrus,</I> and gained their point from his son
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Cambyses, or Artaxerxes, who governed while Cyrus was absent in the
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Scythian war. Note, Good men cannot but mourn to see how slowly the
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work of God goes on in the world and what opposition it meets with, how
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weak its friends are and how active its enemies. During the days of
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Daniel's mourning he <I>ate no pleasant bread;</I> he could not live
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without meat, but he ate little, and very sparingly, and mortified
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himself in the quality as well as the quantity of what he ate, which
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may truly be reckoned fasting, and a token of humiliation and sorrow.
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He did not eat the pleasant bread he used to eat, but that which was
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course and unpalatable, which he would not be tempted to eat any more
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of than was just necessary to support nature. As ornaments, so
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delicacies, are very disagreeable to a day of humiliation. <I>Daniel
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ate no flesh, drank no wine, nor anointed himself,</I> for those three
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week's time,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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Though he was now a very old man, and might plead that the decay of his
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nature required what was nourishing, though he was a very great man,
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and might plead that, being used to dainty meats, he could not do
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without them, it would prejudice his health if he were, yet, when it
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was both to testify and to assist his devotion, he could thus deny
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himself; let this be noted to the shame of many young people in the
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common ranks of life who cannot persuade themselves thus to deny
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themselves.</P>
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<P>
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III. A description of that glorious person whom Daniel saw in vision,
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which, it is generally agreed, could be no other that Christ himself,
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the eternal Word. He was by the side of the river Hiddekel
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
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probably walking there, not for diversion, but devotion and
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contemplation, as Isaac walked in the field, to meditate; and, being a
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person of distinction, he had his servants attending him at some
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distance. There he <I>looked up,</I> and saw <I>one man Christ
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Jesus.</I> It must be he, for he appears in the same resemblance
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wherein he appeared to St. John in the isle of Patmos,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+1:13-15">Rev. i. 13-15</A>.
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His dress was priestly, for he is the high priest of our profession,
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<I>clothed in linen,</I> as the high priest himself was on the day of
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atonement, that great day; <I>his loins were girded</I> (in St. John's
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vision his <I>paps</I> were <I>girded) with a golden girdle</I> of the
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finest gold, that of Uphaz, for every thing about Christ is the best in
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its kind. The <I>girding of the loins</I> denotes his ready and
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diligent application to his work, as his Father's servant, in the
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business of our redemption. His shape was amiable, <I>his body like the
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beryl,</I> a precious stone of a sky-colour. His countenance was awful,
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and enough to strike a terror on the beholders, for his face was <I>as
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the appearance of lightning,</I> which dazzles the eyes, both brightens
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and threatens. His <I>eyes</I> were bright and sparkling, <I>as lamps
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of fire.</I> His <I>arms and feet</I> shone <I>like polished brass,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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His <I>voice</I> was loud, and strong, and very piercing, <I>like the
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voice of a multitude.</I> The <I>vox Dei</I>--<I>voice of God</I> can
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overpower the <I>vox populi</I>--<I>voice of the people.</I> Thus
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glorious did Christ appear, and it should engage us,
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1. To think highly and honourably of him. <I>Now consider how great
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this man is,</I> and in all things let him have the pre-eminence.
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2. To admire his condescension for us and our salvation. Over all this
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splendour he drew a veil when he took upon him the form of a servant,
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and <I>emptied himself.</I></P>
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<P>
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IV. The wonderful influence that this appearance had upon Daniel and
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his attendants, and the terror that it struck upon him and them.</P>
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<P>
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1. His attendants <I>saw not the vision;</I> it was not fit that they
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should be honoured with the sight of it. There is a divine revelation
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vouchsafed to all, from converse with which none are excluded who do
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not exclude themselves; but such a vision must be peculiar to Daniel,
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who was a favourite. Paul's companions were aware of the <I>light,</I>
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but <I>saw no man,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:7,22:9">Acts ix. 7; xxii. 9</A>.
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Note, It is the honour of those who are beloved of God that, what is
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hidden from others, is known to them. Christ <I>manifests himself to
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them, but not to the world,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+14:22">John xiv. 22</A>.
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But, though they saw not the vision, they were seized with an
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unaccountable trembling; either from the voice they heard, or from some
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strange concussion or vibration of the air they felt, so it was that a
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<I>great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide
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themselves,</I> probably among the willows that grew by the river's
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side. Note, Many have a <I>spirit of bondage to fear</I> who never
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receive <I>a spirit of adoption,</I> to whom Christ has been, and will
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be, never otherwise than a terror. Now the fright that Daniel's
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attendants were in is a confirmation of the truth of the vision; it
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could not be Daniel's fancy, or the product of a heated imagination of
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his own, or it had a real, powerful, and strange effect upon those
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about him.</P>
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<P>
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2. He himself saw it, and saw it alone, but he was not able to bear the
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sight of it. It not only dazzled his eyes, but overwhelmed his spirit,
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so that <I>there remained no strength in him,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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He said, as Moses himself, <I>I exceedingly fear and quake.</I> His
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spirits were all so employed, either in an intense speculation of the
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glory of this vision or in the fortifying of his heart against the
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terror of it, that his body was left in a manner lifeless and
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spiritless. He had no vigour in him, and was but one remove from a dead
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carcase; he looked as pale as death, his colour was gone, his
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<I>comeliness</I> in him was <I>turned into corruption,</I> and he
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<I>retained no strength.</I> Note, the greatest and best of men cannot
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bear the immediate discoveries of the divine glory; no man can see it
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and live; it is next to death to see a glimpse of it, as Daniel here;
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but glorified saints see Christ as he is and can bear the sight. But,
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though Daniel was thus dispirited with the vision of Christ, yet he
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<I>heard the voice of his words</I> and knew what he said. Note, We
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must take heed lest our reverence of God's glory, by which we should be
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awakened to hear his voice both in his word and in his providence,
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should degenerate into such a dread of him as will disable or indispose
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us to hear it. It should seem that when the vision of Christ terrified
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Daniel the voice of his words soon pacified and composed him, silenced
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his fear, and laid him to sleep in a holy security and serenity of
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mind: <I>When I heard the voice of his words I fell into a slumber,</I>
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a sweet slumber, <I>on my face,</I> and <I>my face towards the
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ground.</I> When he saw the vision he threw himself prostrate, into a
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posture of the most humble adoration, and dropped asleep, not as
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careless of what he heard and saw, but charmed with it. Note, How
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dreadful soever Christ may appear to those who are under convictions of
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sin, and in terror by reason of it, there is enough in his word to
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quiet their spirits and make them easy, if they will but attend to it
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and apply it.</P>
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<A NAME="Da10_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Da10_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Da10_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Da10_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Da10_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Da10_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Da10_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Da10_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Da10_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="Da10_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="Da10_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="Da10_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Daniel Alarmed and Comforted.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 534.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>10 And, behold, a hand touched me, which set me upon my knees
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and <I>upon</I> the palms of my hands.
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11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved,
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understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright:
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for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word
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unto me, I stood trembling.
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12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first
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day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten
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thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for
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thy words.
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13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and
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twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to
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help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
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14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy
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people in the latter days: for yet the vision <I>is</I> for <I>many</I>
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days.
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15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face
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toward the ground, and I became dumb.
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16 And, behold, <I>one</I> like the similitude of the sons of men
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touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto
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him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are
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turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.
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17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my
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lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in
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me, neither is there breath left in me.
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18 Then there came again and touched me <I>one</I> like the
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appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
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19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace <I>be</I> unto
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thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me,
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I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast
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strengthened me.
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20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and
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now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I
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am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
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21 But I will show thee that which is noted in the scripture of
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truth: and <I>there is</I> none that holdeth with me in these things,
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but Michael your prince.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Much ado here is to bring Daniel to be able to bear what Christ has to
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say to him. Still we have him in a fright, hardly and very slowly
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recovering himself; but he is still answered and <I>supported</I> with
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|
<I>good words</I> and <I>comfortable words.</I> Let us see how Daniel
|
|
is by degrees brought to himself, and gather up the several passages
|
|
that are to the same purport.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Daniel is in a great consternation and finds it very difficult to
|
|
get clear of it. The hand that <I>touched him</I> set him at first
|
|
<I>upon his knees and the palms of his hands,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, Strength and comfort commonly come by degrees to those that have
|
|
been long cast down and disquieted; they are first helped up a little,
|
|
and then more. <I>After two days he will revive us, and</I> then
|
|
<I>the third day he will raise us up.</I> And we must not <I>despise
|
|
the day of small things,</I> but be thankful for the beginnings of
|
|
mercy. Afterwards he is helped up, but he <I>stands trembling</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
for fear lest he fall again. Note, Before God <I>gives strength and
|
|
power unto his people</I> he makes them sensible of their own weakness.
|
|
<I>I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Hab+3:16">Hab. iii. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
But when, afterwards, Daniel recovered so much strength in his limbs
|
|
that he could stand steadily, yet he tells us
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>)
|
|
|
|
that he <I>set his face towards the ground and became dumb;</I> he was
|
|
as a man astonished, who knew not what to say, struck dumb with
|
|
admiration and fear, and was loth to enter into discourse with one so
|
|
far <I>above him;</I> he <I>kept silence,</I> yea, <I>even from
|
|
good,</I> till he had recollected himself a little. Well, at length he
|
|
recovered, not only the use of his feet, but the use of his tongue;
|
|
and, when he <I>opened his mouth</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
that which he had to say was to excuse his having been so long silent,
|
|
for really he durst not speak, he could not speak: "<I>O my lord</I>"
|
|
(so, in great humility, this prophet calls the angel, though the
|
|
angels, in great humility, called themselves <I>fellow-servants to the
|
|
prophets,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+22:9">Rev. xxii. 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
"<I>by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me;</I> they break in up
|
|
on me with violence; the sense of my sinful sorrowful state <I>turns
|
|
upon me</I> when I see thy purity and brightness." Note, Man, who has
|
|
lost his integrity, has reason to blush, and be ashamed of himself,
|
|
when he sees or considers the glory of the blessed angels that keep
|
|
their integrity. "<I>My sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained
|
|
no strength</I> to resist them or bear up a head against them." And
|
|
again
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
like one half dead with the fright, he complains, "As for me,
|
|
<I>straightway there remained no strength in me</I> to receive these
|
|
displays of the divine glory and these discoveries of the divine will;
|
|
nay, <I>there is no breath left in me.</I>" Such a <I>deliquium</I> did
|
|
he suffer that he could not draw one breath after another, but panted
|
|
and languished, and was in a manner breathless. See how well it is for
|
|
us that the treasure of divine revelation is put into <I>earthen
|
|
vessels,</I> that God speaks to us <I>by men like ourselves</I> and not
|
|
by angels. Whatever we may wish, in a peevish dislike of the method God
|
|
takes in dealing with us, it is certain that if we were tried we should
|
|
all be of Israel's mind at Mt. Sinai, when they said to Moses, <I>Speak
|
|
thou to us, and we will hear, but let not God speak to us lest we
|
|
die,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+20:19">Exod. xx. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
If Daniel could not bear it, how could we? Now this he insists upon as
|
|
an excuse for his irreverent silence, which otherwise would have been
|
|
blame-worthy: <I>How can the servant of this my lord talk with this my
|
|
lord?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, Whenever we enter into communion with God it becomes us to have a
|
|
due sense of the vast distance and disproportion that there are between
|
|
us and the holy angels, and of the infinite distance, and no proportion
|
|
at all, between us and the holy God, and to acknowledge that we cannot
|
|
<I>order our speech by reason of darkness.</I> How shall we that are
|
|
dust and ashes speak to the Lord of glory?</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The blessed angel that was employed by Christ to converse with him
|
|
gave him all the encouragement and comfort that could be. It should
|
|
seem, it was not he whose glory he saw in vision
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:5,6"><I>v.</I> 5, 6</A>)
|
|
|
|
that here <I>touched him,</I> and <I>talked with him;</I> that was
|
|
Christ, but this seems to have been the angel Gabriel, whom Christ had
|
|
once before ordered to instruct Daniel,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+8:16"><I>ch.</I> viii. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
That glorious appearance (as that of the <I>God of glory</I> to
|
|
Abraham,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+7:2">Acts vii. 2</A>)
|
|
|
|
was to give authority and to gain attention to what the angel should
|
|
say. Christ himself comforted John when he in a like case <I>fell at
|
|
his feet as dead</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+1:17">Rev. i. 17</A>);
|
|
|
|
but here he did it by <I>the angel,</I> whom Daniel saw in a glory much
|
|
inferior to that of the vision in the verses before; for he was <I>like
|
|
the similitude of the sons of men</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
one like the appearance <I>of a man,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
When <I>he</I> only <I>appeared,</I> as he had done before
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+9:21"><I>ch.</I> ix. 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
we do not find that Daniel was put into any disorder by it, as he was
|
|
by this vision; and therefore he is here employed a third time with
|
|
Daniel.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He lent him his hand to help him, <I>touched him, and set him upon
|
|
his hands and knees</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
|
|
|
|
else he would still have lain grovelling, <I>touched his lips</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
else he would have been still dumb; again he <I>touched him</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
and put strength into him, else he would still have been staggering and
|
|
trembling. Note, The hand of God's power going along with the word of
|
|
his grace is alone effectual to redress all our grievances, and to
|
|
rectify whatever is amiss in us. One touch from heaven brings us to our
|
|
knees, sets us on our feet, opens our lips, and strengthens us; for it
|
|
is God that works on us, and <I>works in us, both to will and to do</I>
|
|
that which is good.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He assured him of the great favour that God had for him: Thou art
|
|
<I>a man greatly beloved</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>);
|
|
|
|
and again
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>O man greatly beloved!</I> Note, Nothing is more likely, nothing
|
|
more effectual, to revive the drooping spirits of the saints than to be
|
|
assured of God's love to them. Those are greatly beloved indeed whom
|
|
God loves; and it is comfort enough to know it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. He silenced his fears, and encouraged his hopes, with good words and
|
|
comfortable words. He said unto him, <I>Fear not, Daniel</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>);
|
|
|
|
and again
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>O man greatly beloved! fear not; peace be unto thee; be strong, yea,
|
|
be strong.</I> Never did any tender mother quiet her child, when any
|
|
thing had grieved or frightened it, with more compassion and affection
|
|
than the angel here quieted Daniel. Those that are beloved of God have
|
|
no reason to be afraid of any evil; peace is to them; God himself
|
|
speaks peace to them; and they ought, upon the warrant of that, to
|
|
speak peace to themselves; and that peace, that <I>joy of the Lord,</I>
|
|
will be <I>their strength.</I> Will God <I>plead against us with his
|
|
great power?</I> will he take advantage against us of our being
|
|
overcome by his terror? <I>No, but he will put strength into us,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+23:6">Job xxiii. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
So he did into Daniel here, when, by reason of the lustre of the
|
|
vision, <I>no strength</I> of his own <I>remained in him;</I> and he
|
|
acknowledges it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>When he had spoken to me I was strengthened.</I> Note, God by his
|
|
word puts life, and strength, and spirit into his people; for if he
|
|
says, <I>Be strong,</I> power goes along with the word. And, now that
|
|
Daniel has experienced the efficacy of God's strengthening word and
|
|
grace, he is ready for any thing: "<I>Now, Let my lord speak,</I> and I
|
|
can hear it, I can bear it, and am ready to do according to it, <I>for
|
|
thou hast strengthened me.</I>" Note, To those that (like Daniel here)
|
|
have no might God <I>increases strength,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+40:29">Isa. xl. 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
And we cannot keep up our communion with God but by strength derived
|
|
from him; but, when he is pleased to put strength into us, we must make
|
|
a good use of it, and say, <I>Speak, Lord, for thy servant hears.</I>
|
|
Let God enable us to comply with his will, and them, whatever it is, we
|
|
will stand complete in it. <I>Da quod jubes, et jube quod vis--Give
|
|
what thou commandest, and then command what thou wilt.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. He assured him that his fastings and prayers had come up for a
|
|
memorial before God, as the angel told Cornelius
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+10:4">Acts x. 4</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Fear not, Daniel,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is natural to fallen man to be afraid of an extraordinary messenger
|
|
from heaven, as dreading to hear evil tidings thence; but Daniel need
|
|
not fear, for he has by his three weeks' humiliation and supplication
|
|
sent <I>extraordinary</I> messengers to heaven, which he may expect to
|
|
return with an olive-branch of peace: "<I>From the first day that thou
|
|
didst set thy heart to understand</I> the word of God, which is to be
|
|
the rule of thy prayers, and to <I>chasten thyself before thy God,</I>
|
|
that thou mightest put an edge upon thy prayers, <I>thy words were
|
|
heard,</I>" as, before, <I>at the beginning of thy supplication,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+9:23"><I>ch.</I> ix. 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, As the <I>entrance of God's word is enlightening</I> to the
|
|
upright, so the entrance of their prayers is pleasing to God,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:130">Ps. cxix. 130</A>.
|
|
|
|
From the first day that we begin to look towards God in a way of duty
|
|
he is ready to meet us in a way of mercy. Thus ready is God to hear
|
|
prayer. <I>I said, I will confess, and thou forgavest.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
5. He informed him that he was sent to him on purpose to bring him a
|
|
prediction of the future state of the church, as a token of God's
|
|
accepting his prayers for the church: "<I>Knowest thou wherefore I come
|
|
unto thee?</I> If thou knewest on what errand I come, thou wouldst not
|
|
be put into such a consternation by it." Note, If we rightly understood
|
|
the meaning of God's dealings with us, and the methods of his
|
|
providence and grace concerning us, we should be better reconciled to
|
|
them. "<I>I have come for thy words</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
to bring thee a gracious answer to thy prayers." Thus, when God's
|
|
praying people call to him, he says, <I>Here I am</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+58:9">Isa. lviii. 9</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>what would you</I> have with me? See the power of prayer, what
|
|
glorious things it has, in its time, fetched from heaven, what strange
|
|
discoveries! On what errand did this angel come to Daniel? He tells him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I have come to make thee understand what shall befal thy people in
|
|
the latter days.</I> Daniel was a curious inquisitive man, that had all
|
|
his days been searching into secret things, and it would be a great
|
|
gratification to him to be let into the knowledge of things to come.
|
|
Daniel had always been concerned for the church; its interests lay much
|
|
upon his heart, and it would be a particular satisfaction to him to
|
|
know what its state should be, and he would know the better what to
|
|
pray for as long as he lived. He was now lamenting the difficulties
|
|
which his people met with in the present day; but, that he might not be
|
|
offended in those, the angel must tell him what greater difficulties
|
|
are yet before them; and, if they be <I>wearied</I> now that they only
|
|
<I>run with the footmen, how will they contend with horses?</I> Note,
|
|
It would abate our resentment of present troubles to consider that we
|
|
know not but much greater are before us, which we are concerned to
|
|
provide for. Daniel must be made to know what shall befal his people
|
|
<I>in the latter days</I> of the church, after the cessation of
|
|
prophecy, and when the time drew nigh for the Messiah to appear, <I>for
|
|
yet the vision is for many days;</I> the principal things that this
|
|
vision was intended to give the church the foresight of would come to
|
|
pass in the days of Antiochus, nearly 300 years after this. Now that
|
|
which the angel is entrusted to communicate to Daniel, and which Daniel
|
|
is encouraged to expect from him, is not any curious speculations,
|
|
moral prognostications, nor rational prospects of his own, though he is
|
|
an angel, but what he has <I>received from the Lord.</I> It was the
|
|
<I>revelation of Jesus Christ</I> that the angel gave to St. John to be
|
|
<I>delivered to the churches,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+1:1">Rev. i. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
So here
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I will show thee what is written in the scriptures of truth,</I>
|
|
that is, what is fixed in the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of
|
|
God. The <I>decree of God</I> is a thing written, it is a
|
|
<I>scripture</I> which remains and cannot be altered. <I>What I have
|
|
written I have written.</I> As there are scriptures for the revealed
|
|
will of God, the letters-patent, which are published to the world, so
|
|
there are scriptures for the secret will of God, the close rolls, which
|
|
are <I>sealed among his treasures,</I> the book of his decrees. Both
|
|
are <I>scriptures of truth;</I> nothing shall be added to nor taken
|
|
from either of them. The <I>secret things belong not to us,</I> only
|
|
now and then some few paragraphs have been copied out from the book of
|
|
God's counsels, and delivered to the prophets for the use of the
|
|
church, as here to Daniel; but they are the <I>things revealed,</I>
|
|
even the <I>words of this law,</I> which belong <I>to us and to our
|
|
children;</I> and we are concerned to study what is written in these
|
|
<I>scriptures of truth,</I> for they are things which <I>belong to our
|
|
everlasting peace.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
6. He gave him a general account of the adversaries of the church's
|
|
cause, from whom it might be expected that troubles would arise, and of
|
|
its patrons, under whose protection it might be assured of safety and
|
|
victory at last.
|
|
|
|
(1.) The <I>kings of the earth</I> are and will be its adversaries; for
|
|
they set themselves against the Lord, and against his Anointed,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+2:2">Ps. ii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
The angel told Daniel that he was to have come to him with a gracious
|
|
answer to his prayers, but that the <I>prince of the kingdom of Persia
|
|
withstood him one and twenty days,</I> just the three weeks that Daniel
|
|
had been fasting and praying. Cambyses king of Persia had been very
|
|
busy to embarrass the affairs of the Jews, and to do them all the
|
|
mischief he could, and the angel had been all that time employed to
|
|
counter-work him; so that he had been constrained to defer his visit to
|
|
Daniel till now, for angels can be but in one place at a time. Or, as
|
|
Dr. Lightfoot says, This new king of Persia, by hindering the temple,
|
|
had hindered those good tidings which otherwise he should have brought
|
|
him. The kings and kingdoms of the world were indeed sometimes helpful
|
|
to the church, but more often they were injurious to it. "When <I>I
|
|
have gone forth</I> from the kings of Persia, when their monarchy is
|
|
brought down for their unkindness to the Jews, then <I>the prince of
|
|
Grecia shall come,</I>"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
The Grecian monarchy, though favourable to the Jews at first, as the
|
|
Persian was, will yet come to be vexatious to them. Such is the state
|
|
of the church-militant; when it has got clear of one enemy it has
|
|
another to encounter: and such a hydra's head is that of the old
|
|
serpent; when one storm has <I>blown over</I> it is not long before
|
|
another rises.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The <I>God of heaven</I> is, and will be, its protector, and,
|
|
under him, the angels of heaven are its patrons and guardians.
|
|
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[1.] Here is the angel Gabriel busy in the service of the church,
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making his part good in defence of it twenty-one days, <I>against the
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prince of Persia,</I> and <I>remaining there with the kings of
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Persia,</I> as consul, or liege-ambassador, to take care of the affairs
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of the Jews in that court, and to do them service,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
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And, though much was done against them by the kings of Persia (God
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permitting it), it is probably that much more mischief would have been
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done them, and they would have been quite ruined (witness Haman's plot)
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if God had not prevented it by the ministration of angels. Gabriel
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resolves, when he has despatched this errand to Daniel, that he will
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return <I>to fight with the prince of Persia,</I> will continue to
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oppose him, and will at length humble and bring down that proud
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monarchy
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>),
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though he knows that another as mischievous, even that of Grecia, will
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rise instead of it.
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[2.] Here is Michael our prince, the great protector of the church, and
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the patron of its just but injured cause: <I>The first of the chief
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princes,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
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Some understand it of a created angel, but an archangel of the highest
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order,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+4:16,Jude+1:9">1 Thess. iv. 16; Jude 9</A>.
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Others think that <I>Michael the archangel</I> is no other than Christ
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himself, the <I>angel of the covenant,</I> and the Lord of the angels,
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he whom Daniel saw in vision,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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He <I>came to help me</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>);
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and there is <I>none but he that holds with me in these things,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
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Christ is the church's prince; angels are not,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+2:5">Heb. ii. 5</A>.
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He presides in the affairs of the church and effectually provides for
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its good. He is said to <I>hold with the angels,</I> for it is he that
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makes them serviceable to the <I>heirs of salvation;</I> and, if he
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were not on the church's side, its case were bad. But, says David, and
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so says the church, <I>The Lord takes my part with those that help
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me,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+118:7">Ps. cxviii. 7</A>.
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<I>The Lord is with those that uphold my soul,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+54:4">Ps. liv. 4</A>.</P>
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