A Key to Open Scripture Metaphors, Book 2 · Part 2 · Subpart 10
Christ a Lion.
Revel. 5.5.
foreign, &c. Behold, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah hath prevailed.
IN this Text Christ Jesus is expressed by the Metaphor of a Lion, whose Nature and Properties are illustrated and applied in the following Parallel. The word foreign is derived foreign, which signifies to see, because of his acute Sight.
Metaphor.
I. A Lion (saith Ainsworth) is a Kingly Beast, and as Topsall tells us, justly stiled by all Writers the King of Beasts.
II. The Lion is a Majestical Creature; Majesty (saith one) sits in his very Face: Which occasioned that Speech, That an Army of Harts (which are timerous Creatures) having a Lion to their Captain, were more terrible than an Army of Lions with a Hart to their Captain.
III. The Lion is a very strong Creature: Out of the Strong (saith Sampson) came forth Sweetness.Judg. 14.14.
IV. The Lion is a very magnanimous Creature, and couragious Beast, and a great Conqueror; he was used by the Ancients as an Hierogliphick to denote Dominion; and it was counted ominous, if a Woman brought forth a Lion,Venning. as signifying that Country to be subdued by Strangers. Hence the Adage, Societas Leonum, the over-ruling Society.
V. The Lion coucheth down to take his Rest, and then is very still and quiet.
VI. The Lion is a very fierce, fearless, and terrible Creature, especially when he is rouzed up, and provoked by an Enemy.
VII. A Lion hath a terrible Voice; when he roareth, all the Beasts of the Field tremble.
VIII. A Lion is sharp-sighted; his name foreign is derived of foreign, a Greek Verb, that signifies to see.
IX. The Lion seems to be a Creature much for Justice, and will retaliate to others, according to the Nature of the Offence done. See the Metaphor where God the Father is compared to a Lion.
X. A Lion marks those that have injured him, or abused or wrong'd his young Ones, and will revenge it; as appears by divers Passages mentioned by Naturalists, one of which take as followeth:
In Bangius, a Mountain of Thracia, there was a Lioness which had Whelps in her Den, the which Den was observed by a Bear. The Bear one day finding the Den unfortified, by the absence both of the Lion and Lioness, entred into the same, and slew the Lions Whelps, afterwards went away, and fearing Revenge, for better security against the Lion's Rage, climbed up into a Tree, and there sate as in a sure Castle of Defence. At length the Lion and the Lioness returned both home, and finding their little Ones dead in their Blood, according to natural Affection, became both exceeding sorrowful, to see them so slaughtered, whom they loved; but searching out the Murtherer by the foot, followed with great Rage up and down, until they came to the Tree whereon the Bear was ascended; and seeing her, looked both of them ghastly upon her, oftentimes assaying to get up into the Tree, but in vain, being not endued with the Power of climbing. Then the Male forsook the Female, leaving her to watch the Tree, and he, like a mournful Father for the loss of his Children, wandred up and down the Mountains, making great Moan and Sorrow, till at last he saw a Carpenter hewing Wood, who seeing the Lion coming towards him, let fall his Ax for fear; but the Lion came very lovingly towards him, fawning gently upon his Breast with his Fore-feet, licking his Face with his Tongue. Which Gentleness of the Lion the Man perceiving, he was astonished; and being more and more embraced and fawned upon by the Lion, he followed him, leaving his Ax behind; which the Lion perceiving, he went back, and made Signs with his foot to the Carpenter, that he should take it up. But the Lion seeing the Man did not take it up, he brought it himself in his Mouth, and delivered it unto him, and then led him into his own Cave, where the young Whelps lay all imbrued in their own Blood; and from thence to the Place where the Lioness did watch the Bear. They making Signs, and looking up into the Tree where the Bear was, the Man conjectured that that Bear had done this grievous Injury unto them; he thereupon took his Ax, and hewed down the Tree near the Root, which being done, the Bear tumbled down headlong, and the furious Beasts tore her all to pieces. After this, the Lion conducted the Man to the Place and Work where he first found him, without doing him the least violence or harm.
The Truth of this, and of the following Story, is not imposed upon the Reader; yet finding it recorded by such credible and eminent Authors, (and in it self probable) we thought fit to transcribe it, as serving to divert the Reader, and illustrate the insensible Wisdom of God in his Works.
XI. As a Lion will revenge the Hurt and Injury done to him, and to his young Ones, so he is ready to requite Kindnesses done to him; as appears by another Passage, thus recorded by Historians:
One Andradus, having fled from his Master by reason of some hard Usage received at his hands, by chance happened to take up his Lodging in a Cave, which (unknown to him) was a Lions's Den; where when he had been a while, not long before Night, the Lion came from Hunting, and having gotten a Hurt upon his foot, he no sooner espied the trembling Man in this fearful Place, but he cometh gently unto him, stretching forth his foot, and making Moan, as tho he desired Help. The Man took the Lion by the Paw, searched the Wound, pull'd out a Thorn, bound up his Foot, and gave him ease; which kind Office being performed, was first of all requited with a daily portion of Provision, which the poor Slave roasted in the Sun. After this the Man escaped, and got away; and the Lion missing him made great Lamentation. But so it happened, he was no sooner gone, but he was taken by some whom his Master had sent out to search for him; and then, alas! there was no other way but Death, and no other Death but to be torn in pieces by wild Beasts; for the Romans kept Beasts on purpose upon that account. But it so fell out, that this Lion was took up before the time came, and put into the Theater, who greedily rent in pieces such as were thrown unto him; yet when this poor Slave, his old Friend, was cast in, he forgot his Fury, and turned it into Fawning; by which the por Soul perceived what Lion it was, and thereupon renewed his Acquaintance with him, to the Admiration of all. The Matter being known, and related to them that that were concerned, he had not only his Life,Topsall, p 366. … Gellius in his …. but the Lion also to wait upon him, who became a faithful Servant to him. Hic est Leo Hospes Hominis, hic est Homo Medicus Leonis, was that which the People would say, when they saw him lead along his Lion through the Streets: Here goes the Lion which was the Man's Host, and there is the Man who was the Lion's Physician.
XII. No Creatures love their Young (as you may percieve by the foregoing Story in part) more than the Lions, which they further demonstrate in their Defence; for they will receive many terrible Blows, Slashes, and Wounds, the one opening the bleeding Body, and the other pressing the Blood out of the Wounds; standing invincible, never yielding till Death,Topsall's History of … footed Beasts, p. 363. as if Death it self were nothing to them, (saith the Historian) so that their young Ones might be safe.
XIII. Lions are full of Clemency to them that prostrate themselves at their feet;Corpora magnanimo satis est prostrasse Leon…. Ovid. they will not touch such as do (as it were) by submission humble themselves to them.
XIV. Out of the dead Carcase of Sampson's Lion came forth Sweetness, as in his Riddle.
XV. None can take away the Prey from an hungry Lion.
XVI. 'Tis affirmed, that if a Man be anointed all over with the Blood of a Lion,S…xtus. Topsa…, p. 3…7. he shall never be destroyed by wild Beasts.
XVII. The Blood of a Lion (as Naturalists say) being rubbed or spread upon a Canker or Sore, which is swell'd about the Veins, will presently cure the Grief.
Parallel.
I. THe Lord Jesus is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, King of the Kings of the Earth.
II. Jesus Christ is full of Majesty. It may be truly said of him, that he carries Majesty in his Face, Majesty in his Looks, Majesty in his Words, Majesty in his Walking. Christ being our Captain, tho we are timerous Creatures, is enough to oppose, scatter, and vanquish the most potent Army, that ever the Prince of Darkness, or the God of this World,1 Cor. 1.24. could raise against them; his Looks and Words affright his Enemies.
III. Christ is the Power of God; He is a mighty Man, nay,Isa. 9.6. Isa. 62.1. He is a mighty God, mighty to save.
IV. Christ is of superlative Courage, of an invincible Mind; for he never encountred with any, but he was Conqueror. He subdued the Devil, yea, whole Legions of them, and rode in Triumph through the Air.Col. 2.15. He overcame the World, trampling it under his Feet. He conquered Sin, yea, Death it self. The Woman bringing forth the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, portended nothing less, than the Conquest of the Devil's Kingdom.
V. Christ appears in his Dispensations, for some time to couch down, as it were; suffers himself to be abused (in his People) and seems to lie still, as if he were asleep.
VI. Christ, when he is rouzed up by the Cruelties of the Enemies of his Church, and the Cries of his People, will be very terrible;Isa. 41.25. he will come upon Princes, as upon Mortar. Tho now he seems still and peaceable, like a Lamb; yet the Day is at hand, when he will rise up like a Lion, to destroy and devour at once.
VII. When Christ shall utter his Voice at the last Day, and come to Judgment, he will make the Nations of the World quake.Zeph. 1.14 Let all the Inhabitants of the Earth tremble, for the Day of the Lord cometh, for 'tis nigh at hand. Joel 2.1. & 3.16.The Lord shall also roar out of Zion, and utter his Voice from Jerusalem, and the Heaven and Earth shall shake, &c.
VIII. There is nothing hid from the Eyes of Christ, he sees into the darkest Corners of Mens Hearts and Imaginations; the most subtil Sinners cannot escape his Notice. There is no secret Place, where the Plotters, or wicked Men, can hide themselves from him; He sees all their horrid Designs and Combinations.
IX. Jesus Christ will reward every one according to the Nature of his Works, in the great Day; and when he comes forth to judg Babylon, he will retaliate upon her according as she hath done. Thou hast given them Blood to drink, Rev. 16.5, 6.for they are worthy, for they have shed the Blood of thy Saints and Prophets. Rev. 18.6.Reward her as she hath rewarded you.
X. Christ marks all those that injure him and his People. Wherefore doth the Wicked contemn God? he saith in his Heart, Psal. 10.13, 14.he will not requite it. Thou hast seen it, for thou beholdest Mischief and Spite, to requite it with thy hand. 1 Sam. 15.2, 3.I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, now go and smite Amalek. I will contend with them that contend with thee, Isa. 49.25, 26.and I will save thy Children: And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own Flesh, and they shall be drunken with their own Blood, as with sweet Wine.
XI. The Lord Jesus, as he avenges the Wrongs and Injuries done to his People, so he will requite Kindnesses shewed to them. Such as feed the Hungry, Mat. 25.38, 39.cloath the Naked, visit the Sick, and those that are in Prison, for Christ's sake, shall be rewarded: Their Work of Faith, Mat. 10.42and Labour of Love shall not be forgotten; yea, He that gives but a Cup of cold Water in the Name of a Disciple; shall not lose his Reward. Mark 9 41.Which is a Reward of Grace, not Merit; for there is no proportion between eternal Life, and the best of our Performances, yet God accepts of them.
XII. The Lord Jesus loveth his People with such a strong and endeared Love, that he did not only fight with cruel Enemies in their behalf, but freely also received many Lashes and sore Wounds in his Body, and stood invincible, never yielding till Death: He made his Soul an Offering for Sin. Yea,Isa. 53. Death it self was nothing to him, so that he might save his poor Church from Wrath, and eternal Misery.
XIII. The Lord Jesus is full of Clemency, Compassion, and Tenderness of Bowels to all that humble themselves at his Feet. He resisteth the Proud, James 4.(and will tear them in pieces) but giveth Grace to the Humble.
XIV. Sampson's Riddle is unfolded best in the slain Body of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah; from thence comes all the Honey, the Sweetness of Grace and Glory.
XV. None can deliver themselves out of Christ's hand, when he rises up for the Prey.
XVI. That Person, whosoever he be, who applieth Christ's Blood by Faith, or hath every Faculty of his Soul, viz. the whole Man bathed therein, shall never be destroyed by the Devil, nor the Powers of Darkness.
XVII. The Blood of Christ cures all Wounds, Cankers, and putrifying Sores of the Soul, or inward Man, when applied by the hand of Faith.
Metaphor.
THe Lion is cruel, blood-sucking, proud, preying, stony-hearted, malitious, a Devourer of Flocks and Herds, the very Tyrant of Beasts.
Disparity.
THe Lord Jesus is mild, merciful, tender-hearted, forgetting Injuries, the Preserver and Saviour of the innocent, poor, weak, and helpless Ones, &c.
Inferences.
1. LEt the Ungodly tremble, who think Christ Jesus will never appear as a Lion, but always shew himself in his Lamb-like Disposition. Christ is a Lion as well as a Lamb, and will ere long rise up to the Prey.
2. What will become of the Murtherers and Destroyers of his Church, in the Day of his fierce Wrath, when he comes to make Inquisition for Blood?
3. O that Sinners from hence would learn to prostrate themselves at his feet!
4. This speaks much Comfort to the Godly; He is full of Bowels, and like a Lion, able to defend and deliver them.
5. By Faith and Prayer let us strive to rouze up this Lion of the Tribe of Judah, to tear in pieces all his implacable Enemies.