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APOCALYPTIC HORSES.

WHITE HORSE, RED HORSE, BLACK HORSE, PALE HORSE.

BLACK HORSE.--The period of the "black horse and rider with the
balance" is generally referred to the reign of Severus. But here
the commentators are at a loss. "The balance" sometimes betokens
justice; sometimes is considered as indicative of a season of
scarcity. The "black horse" is always associated with calamity. I
humbly differ from all commentators. The "horse is black," say
some, to show the "severity of the nature" of this emperor. But his
nature was generally the reverse of severity. Now I shall give
reasons for considering that "the balance" is the balance of
Justice, and the "bread for a penny, and oil and wine," indicative
of plenty, not scarcity--of plenty owing entirely to the prudent
provisions of this emperor; and in proof of this, as well as what I
shall say further on the subject, I adduce, not the testimony of
professed Christian commentators, but the _undesigned_
testimony--the stronger for that reason--of one of the most astute
adversaries of Christianity--Gibbon.

Now, Christian reader, mark his _undesigned_ corroboration of the
veracity of this prophecy, as applied to Severus.

_Scripture_--"Balances in his hand."

What says Gibbon? "Salutary laws were executed with inflexible
firmness." "In the administration of justice, the judgments of the
emperor were characterised by attention, discernment, and
impartiality;[187] and whenever he deviated from the strict line
of equity, it was generally in favour of the poor and
oppressed."--_Gibbon_.

_Scripture_.--"A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures
of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine."

_Gibbon_.--"He left in the public granaries a provision of corn for
seven years, at the rate of 2500 quarters a day."

But the "black horse." Does this colour seem suitable to a period
of general equity and justice? How simple is one explanation, at
least so it appears to me, the first, I believe, who ever remarked
the circumstance, and how minutely does the singular fact tend to
attest the awful truth of the prophecy--"Severus was an
African!"--_Gibbon_. And the "horse is black," not as indicative of
calamity, but of the country of which Severus was a