A Key to Open Scripture Metaphors, Book 1 · Chapter 20
CHAP. XX. Of an Allegory.
ΑΛΛΗΓΟΡΙΑ, an Allegory, with respect to its Etymology or derivation, signifies that, when one thing is said, another thing is understood. It is the Continuation of a Trope, especially of a metaphor, and although Metonymies, Ironies and Synecdoches are likewise continued, yet not so frequently nor with that Emphasis, as in the other florid Tropes, therefore we will in a particular chapter treat of this continued Metaphor, not so much to shew the Fountains whence Allegories are taken, (for that I presume is abundantly shewn where we have treated of Metaphors) but to discover and explain some difficulties in it, and shew its peculiar nature.
These Allegories we will distinguish into Simple, and Allusive. The Simple we call such as are taken from any natural things. The Allusive we call such as respect other things, whether Words or Facts, and are from thence deduced into a translated description.
Examples of a Simple Allegory.
Gen. 3.15. The first Gospel promise.GEn. 3.15. And I will put Enmity between thee (O Serpent!) and the woman, and between thy Seed, and her Seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. The first Promise of the Gospel and the whole Mystery of Redemption to come, is proposed by God himself in this Allegory. Here are almost all Tropes in these words, especially the continuation of a metaphor. When Jehovah speaks to the Serpent, he understands the Devil, either by a Metonymie, because the Devil lurkt in the Serpent, and by it spoke to Eve; or by a metaphor, because the natural Serpent was cursed by the word of God, ver. 14. And so made abominable to the race of man, and so bore the figure of the Devil, whence the Devil is called a Serpent and Dragon; Rev. 12.7, 8. &c. By the Woman mankind is meant (by a Synecdoche) because mankind was to be sprung from those Protoplasts or first form'd Parents (Eve being call'd the Mother of all living, ver. 20) the enmity denounced, denotes the serious will of God to deliver men in due time from the power of the Devil; See Acts 17.26, 27. — 30.31. —26.18. He mentions the woman only, because she was first seduced to sin, as she confesses ver. 13. and to provoke her the more against her Conqueror. By the seed of the Serpent, the whole power and Troop of Devils and wicked men, who study the overthrow of Christs Kingdom, is Metaphorically represented. By the seed of the woman, by way of eminency, foreign, the Messiah, the son of man, is Metonymically understood,Vid. gram. sacr. pag. 869. who also was to destroy the Devils Machinations. The Enmity between him and the Serpents seed, intimates Gods immutable decree of mans Redemption by Christ. The Metaphor is continued foreign ipsum, It (that is, the foreign semen, Seed of the Woman, mention'd immediately before) shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise its heel. The first phrase (it shall bruise thy head) Metaphorically declares, that Christ will destroy the Power of the Devil, for as a Venemous Serpent when his head is bruised or broken, has neither strength nor life; so the Devils power being broken, they can no longer hurt or destroy men. But more particularly,
By the head of the Serpent, is meant Sin and Death, for as the Serpents Poyson and Power of biting lies in his head: so the Devils poyson is sin, which infects and destroys the wole man; hence it is deservedly called the poyson of Dragons, and the cruel venom of Asps, Deut. 32.33. where note, that in the Hebrew foreign a *The same word in Gen. 3.15Head is put for Venom, and the Epithete, Cruel, is added, as if there were a perfect allusion to the head of that most cruel Serpent, Gen. 3.15. Therefore when Christ takes away sin, he breaks the head of that infernal Serpent: See John 3.8. And because the Serpents life, and strength lies in his head, and because the head is the supreme and most noble Member in a Creature, by whose vertue and influence the whole body is governed, it is put for Power, Dominion, and Superiority, Deut. 28.13, 44. Lam. 1.5. &c. The Power, Strength, and Dominion of the Devil against men, consists in death or killing, Heb. 2.14. Therefore when Christ abolishes spiritual death, he breaks the serpents head, (viz. his power to destroy men spiritually.) See 1 Cor. 15.54. The other phrase (and thou shalt bruise his heel) denotes the manner and medium of effecting mens Salvation, viz. his passion, and most bitter Death. Christ is proposed as a magnificent Hero, who (as it were) with his feet tramples on the Serpent, and breaks his head. And as a Serpent when trampled upon, resists with all his strength, while he has any life, wresting and winding himself, spitting poyson, and biting his Enemy; so Jehova intimates, that the Devil would do so, by this phrase; As if he had said, thou shalt defend thy self with all thy might, and use all endeavours to destroy thine Enemy, the Messiah, (whilst I indulge thee for fallen mans sake to use thy worst) neither shall he escape unhurt, for he shall suffer a most ignominious Death, by thine Instruments: But this will not profit thee, for thou shalt not be able to touch his head, but only one of his heels, that is, the less principal part, will in some Measure be hurted by thee, but my Divine omnipotence shall cure that wound, by giving him a glorious Resurrection from Death, and by my Gospel, declaring him to the whole world to be Conquerour of Hell, and all its powers: whereas thou shalt utterly perish; not only thy heel, but thy very head shall be broken.
We have Insisted the larger upon this great Oracle of Divine Truth, because it is the Foundation of the Prophecies concerning the Messiah, and all our Hope and Comfort, which we hope shall not seem tedious to the Pious Reader.
Gen. 49.11, 12. Binding his Fole unto the Vine, Gen. 49.11, 12.and his Asses Colt unto the choice Vine; he washed his garments in Wine, and his Cloaths in the blood of grapes, —his Eyes shall be red with wine, and his Teeth white with milk—. In the last words of the Patriarch Jacob, there are many things spoken Allegorically in this Chapter—, of which these words are most Emphatical, which are spoke in the Blessing of Judah; which the Rabbies and some Christians understand by an hyperbole of an Earthly Inheritance, and the great plenty and faecundity thereof, but ver. 10. shews this to be a clear Prophecy of Shiloh or the Messiah to come of the Tribe of Judah —, and surely the Patriarch from so excellent a subject would not slip into the mention of those vain, earthly things—, and what he says of the redness of eyes with wine, it is reckon'd amongst wickednesses, Prov. 23.24. because a sign of drunkenness, which the Patriarch (who severely taxt his sons sins, ver. 4, 5.) would not reckon among his Blessings.
This is therefore An Allegory, and is to this effect expounded by the Learned Brentius—. Binding his Fole to a Vine] this is a desciption of Peace and tranquility in the Kingdom of Christ. See Jer. 23.7. and Zach. 3.10. for in Wars, they do not bind Foles or Asses to the Vines, when men cannot dwell under their own Vine and Figtree, which are destroyed, which denotes the peaceable administration of Christ in his Kingdom. See Isa. 9.5. This is not to be understood of external Tranquillity, but partly because Christ establishes his Kingdom without warlike Arms, by the Preaching of the Gospel; and partly because it brings Peace and Tranquillity of Conscience. He shall wash in Wine] this is a description of abundance, and the vile esteem of worldly things in the Kingdom of Christ. But we are to understand it of the abundance of spiritual things, as Remission of sins, Righteousness, &c. Matth. 6.33. Psal. 45.2. &c.
Some Expound this of the Passion of Christ —; The Vineyard of Christ is his Church, Isa. 5.1. and 27.2. and 65.21. Matth. 20.1. and Christ is the Vine into which the branches are grafted, John 15.1, 4, 5. and the meaning (say they) is, Christ compares his Church (because of its simplicity, humility, and the burdens of trouble which it is forc'd to bear in the World) to an Ass, which he will feed with most sweet grapes and spiritual Joy, or inebriate it, that being render'd couragious, it should despise death, Devils, Hell, and Persecutions—, and so Christ will wash his garment in wine, and his Cloaths in the blood of grapes—, that is, will pour his most precious blood upon his garments, viz. his Flesh, which his Deity puts on as a Cloathing, which will afterwards be excellent spiritual Wine to comfort and refresh the faithful. His eyes will be red with wine] that is, in his Passion, for then he had no form nor Comeliness, Isa. 53.2. viz. when Whipped, Spit upon, and Crowned with thorns, and carried about in disgrace by Pilate's Order—; so he was deform'd, for others sins. But inasmuch as in him was found no spot, nor was guile found in his mouth, 1 Pet. 2.22. His Teeth are said to be white with milk, ver. 12. Whiteness signifies purity and Innocence, &c. See Isa. 63.1, 2, 3, &c.
A description of old Age & Death.Eccl. 12. There is an Allegorical Description of old Age and Death, ver. 2. By the Darkness of the Sun, Light, Moon, and Stars,] the languishing and consumption of Vigor, Strength and Judgment is, denoted, ver. 3. By the trembling of the Keepers of the house, and the bowing of strong men] the weakness of the hands, knees, and arms is signified (See Isa. 35.3.) which are keepers of the body from hurt. The ceasing of the grinders, because few] denotes the decay of the Teeth, or their being almost gone. The darkning of those that look out at the Windows] betokens dimness of sight, the Eyes being the windows of the Body; ver. 4. The shutting of doors in the streets] betokens the contraction of the lips, and tyresomness in speech. The lowness of the sound of grinding,] signifies debility of Voice. Rising at the voice of the Bird] denotes want of sleep▪ for old men scarce sleep half the night, and are easily awaked by the Cocks crowing. The bringing low of the Daughters of Musick] denotes dulness of hearing, and that those Ears that could Judge of Musick, delight not in it. (See 2 Sam. 19.35.) ver. 5. To be afraid of high places] signifies difficulty of going. The flower of the Almond-tree shall flourish] that is, Gray Hairs. The Grashopper shall be a burden] that is, the back-bone shall bend and grow weak, so that it cannot bear any burden. Desire shall fail] that is, Appetite to Meat, and other things. (2 Sam. 19.35.) then follows a description of Death ▪ &c. In the Book of Canticles there are many continued Metaphors or Allegories that are very Emphatical and obscure, yet contains many deep Mysteries. It being a spiritual Poem, setting forth the love of Christ to his Church, &c. about which the Reader is referred to our English Expositors. See other Allegories, Isa. 28.20. Amos 3.12. Isa. 38.12. Jer. 11.6. — 12.5. Ezek. 16.3. Hos. 13.15. Zach. 14.3, 4, 5. &c.
In the Old Testament you may find these Allegories besides, Deut. 32.13, 15, 22, 32, 33, 41, 42. —33.19, 20, 24, 25. Judg. 8.2. —14.18. 1 Kings 12.11, 14. 2 Kings 19.3. Job 4.10, 11. —20.12. &c. —27.20. &c. —29.14. &c. —38.9, 10. Psal. 23.1. &c. —51.8, 9. —69.1, 2, 3. —75.8, 9. —80.8, 9, &c. —110.2, 3. —123.3. Prov. 3.8. —9.1. &c. Eccl. 11.1. &c. Isa. 1.5, 6, 7, 22. —66.6, 7. —5. ult. —14.29. —30.33. —32.23. —36.6. —42.3. —45.8. —54.11, 12. —55.1, 2, 12, 13. —59.5, 6. Jer. 4.11, 12. —5.6. —6.28, 29, 30. —12, 9. —50.17. Ezek. 13.10. &c. —17.3. &c. —22.19. &c. —23.2. &c. —29.3. &c. —31.3. &c. —32.3. &c. —34. &c.
In the New Testament, Matth. 3.10, 12. —5.13. —7.3, 4, 5, 6. —9.15. &c. —12.43. &c. —15.13. Luk. 9.62. Rom. 11.16, 17, 18. &c. —13.11, 12. 1 Cor. 3.6, 7, 8, 9, &c. —5.7, 8. —9.26, 27. 2 Cor. 3.2, 3. —5.1, &c. —10.3, 4, 5, 6. —11.2. Gal. 4.19. —5.15. —6.8, 9. Eph. 6.11. &c. The Explication of all which, (at least for the most part) may be taken from our Treatise of Metaphors, so that we shall leave them to be improved by the studious Reader.
Examples of an allusive Allegory.
PSAL. 11. Ʋpon the Wicked he shall Rain Snares (or Coals) Fire and Brimstone, and the Spirit of Terrors, the Portion of their Cup, (so the Hebrew) This is an Allegorical Description of the grievousness of their Punishment, by allusion to the destruction of Sodom, as Isa. 34.9, 10. &c. See Psal. 20.3. where by an Allegory of Burnt-offerings, &c. Prayers are meant—. More Examples, Psal. 50.3. —55.9. Isa. 10.24. where he alludes to Moses his Rod. See ver. 26. Isa. 24.18. with Gen. 7.11. Isa. 26.14. with Exod. 14.13. Isa. 30.32. with Exod. 15.20. 1 Sam. 18.5. Psal. 68.25, 26. with many others.
In the New Testament you have these Examples, Matth. 5.22. which Allegory alludes to the form of Civil Judgments amongst the Jews, and their Punishments. Matth. 6.17. Christ alludes to the hypocritical Practises of the Pharisees, who deform'd their Faces when they fasted, ver. 16. The sense is that you must not imitate them.
In New Testament Worship, there are frequent Allusions to that which is proper to the Old Testament, as was shewn, Chap. XIII. of a Metaphor, Isa. 4.5. there is an Allegoricall description of Gods Protection of his Church by allusion to the pillar of a Cloud and Fire, Exod. 13.21. See Isa. 11.14, 15, 16. —52.11. with 2 Cor. 6.17. Isa. 54.1, 4, 5. (see Gal. 4.26. 27.) &c. There are other Allegories, Isa. 54.2. from inlarging of Tents—, from the inhabiting of desolated Cities, ver. 3.5. laying the magnificent foundation, ver. 11, 12.6. (where there is withal an Hyperbole.) See Matth. 16.18. Eph. 2.20, 21. from the abolition of hostile Instruments, ver. 16, 17. See Isa. 61.6, 7, 8, 9. see Hos. 2.15. Amos 9.13, 14, 15. Zach. 14.10, 11. &c. —2 Cor. 3.13. where is the Description of the New Testament Church,2 Cor. 3.13, 14, 15 The vail of Moses. there is an Allusion to the Vail of Moses. See John 9.28. &c. the sense of which Allegory is, that as the Jews could not behold the Face of Moses because of the Vail; so the Carnal Jews (those foreign enemies of Christ) could not see the Splendor of this spiritual Moses, (that is, the chief End and Scope of his Writers) and do not understand that Jesus Christ is our Saviour, because of their willing Blindness of Mind, which as a Vail keeps the shinings of that light from their hearts, which cannot be taken away but by true Conversion. Then by way of Antithesis sayes, ver. 18. that we (viz. his Disciples) with open Face behold his glory, &c. See ver. 7, 8, 9, 13, 18, &c. See Gal. 4.28, 31. with ver. 22, 23, 24. See also another Allegory, Rev. 7.15. where there is an Allusion to the Levitical Ministry in the Old Testament Temple.