A Key to Open Scripture Metaphors, Book 2 · Part 2 · Subpart 7
Christ compared to an Hart.
Cant. 2.9.
My Beloved is like a Roe, or young Hart.
THe Lord Jesus in several places is resembled to an Hart.
Simile.
I. AN Hart is a lovely and pleasant Creature, so called in the Proverbs, Prov. 5.19.pleasant Roe. 'Tis observed by Writers, that the Hart hath some resemblance of a Lion, a Horse, and a Grey-hound, which are all accounted very stately Creatures.
II. An Hart (as Naturalists tell us) hath no Gall.Gesner collected by Topsall ▪ p. 99.
III. An Hart is a Creature that exceedingly delights in Musick, loves to hear such that can sweetly sing.Pliny, lib. 8. cap. 32.
IV. An Hart or Stag (saith Pliny) is the most gentle and mild Beast in the World.Ibid.
V. An Hart is a Creature that has a very clear Sight, and a quick Hearing; nay, can see (if Credit may be given to Historians) in the Night as well as in the Day.Topsall, p. 91.
VI. An Hart is a very loving Creature to those of its kind, and will help its Fellow, when forc'd to take to a River, one resting his Head upon the Loins of his Fellow; and if the foremost tireth,Pliny. the hindmost changeth place with him.
VII. An Hart is a very sociable Creature, greatly delights in Company; Multitudes of them will (if they can) be together.
VIII. An Hart is a Creature that is chased exceedingly by Dogs, and vexed by Hunters.
IX. The Hart is a mighty swift Beast,Pliny. excellent in leaping, and ascending Mountains:Topsal, p. 95. Their Swiftness doth not only appear upon the Earth,Pag. 91. but also upon the Waters. David alludes to this, when he says, The Lord hath made my Feet like Hinds Feet. Psal. 18.34The lame Man shall leap (saith the Prophet) as an Hart.Isa. 35.6.
X. Dictum est de Cervis, quòd a…errimè pugnant pro uxoribus, Wolfang. Franzius Hist. Animal. p. 66.& sua certamina instituunt in montibus. — It is said of the Harts, that they fight fiercely for their Females upon the Mountains.
XI. An Hind, when she has brought forth her Young, lodges them (say the Naturalists) in some Rock,Topsall out of Gesner, p. 102. or other bushy and inaccessible Place, covering them; and if they be stubborn and wild, beating them with their Feet, until they lie close and contented. They leap over their young, teaching them to run, and leap over Bushes, Stones, and small Shrubs, against a Time of Danger.Pliny, lib. 8. p. 213. Or, as Pliny saith, their little Ones they practise and exercise to use their Legs from the very beginning, &c. They bring them to high, steep, and ragged Rocks, and there shew them how to leap, and withal acquaint them with their Dens,Ibid. and Places of Harbour.
XII. The Hart, when 'tis hunted by the Dogs, will flie to Men; nay, rather than be made a Prey to the Hounds, run to the Huntsman: In short, it greatly desires and pants after Help and Relief in its Distress.
XIII. Mirabilis est foreign inter Cervos & Serpentes, &c. There is, say Historians, a marvellous Antipathy, and continual Enmity between the Hart and Serpents.
1. The Hart knows, by a wonderful Instinct of Nature,Pliny. Gesner. in what Holes or Caverns they lurk and hide themselves, and by his Breath brings them out, that he may spoil and destroy them.
2. The Hart is hard beset, and much annoyed by Serpents,Pliny lib. 8. p. 214. Topsall, p. 100. Gesner. in Lybia. Multitudes of them do set upon him together, fastening their poysonful Teeth in every part of his Body; some on his Neck, Breast, Sides, Back; twine about his Legs, biting him with mortal Rage, which he, throwing himself upon the Ground, destroys, others he bruises, and so clears himself of them.
XIV. Cervi, devoratis Serpentibus, ita inflammantur, Wolf. Franz. Hist. Animal. p. 164ut ardentissimam sitim concipiant, — ejulationes edant, donec ad fontem perveniant, &c. The Hart, when it hath devoured Serpents, is so inflamed with vehement Thirst, that he cries with a lamentable Moan, and rests not, till he comes to a Fountain to drink.
Ibidem.XV. Odium inter Serpentem & Cervum etiam durat post mortem, &c. The Hatred between the Serpent and the Hart continues after Death, when the Hart is slain. Pliny and Sextus affirm,Pliny. Sextus. that if a Man sleep on the Ground, having upon him an Hart's Skin, Serpents never annoy him. The Virtues of his Horn are wonderful; nay, Naturalists affirm,Gesner. Topsall, p. 103. Pliny. Dioscorides. Solinus. the whole Nature and Disposition of every part of this Beast to be good against Poyson, and venemous things; his Blood hath excellent virtue in it.
Parallel.
I. JEsus Christ is exceeding lovely, and pleasant to look upon, tho not to every Eye. Some cannot discern wherein the Hind resembles a Lion, a Horse, or a Grey-hound; this is known only to the curious Observer: So there are some that see nothing lovely nor pleasant in Christ, think there is no Form nor Comeliness in him;Isa. 53.2. but a Believer, who hath the Eyes of his Understanding enlightned, can clearly discern a Loveliness and Amiableness in the Lord Jesus.
II. Jesus Christ hath no Rancour of Spirit, retains no Envy or Indignation to poor Sinners for Injuries done to him; he prayed for those that murdered him: Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.
III. Jesus Christ greatly delights in the Melody of the Souls of sincere Christians, in the well-tuned Instruments of their Hearts, who by fervent Prayer can open their Case, and send forth the Desires and Breathings of their Souls to him; such make sweet Musick in his Ear: When they sing spiritual Songs, and Hymns of Praise to him, with Grace in the Heart, he is exceedingly delighted. Sing Praise unto the Lord, sing Praises.
IV. Jesus Christ is meek and humble in Spirit, and may rather be compared to a Hart than Naphtali, whom Jacob says was as a Hind let loose, Gen. 49.21giving goodly Words. Learn of me, for I am meek, Mat. 11.29and lowly in heart, and you shall find Rest to your Souls.
V. Jesus Christ hath so quick and sharp an Eye, that he can see into the very Heart of a Man or Woman. All things lie naked and open to his Eyes. Heb. 4.13.Day and Night are alike to him; he sees as well in Darkness as in the Light. His Ears are always open to the Prayers of his Saints, he is quick in hearing their Complaints.
VI. Jesus Christ dearly loveth his People, all sincere Christians, and is ready to help them, not only when they are in the Water, but in the Fire.Isa 43.2. When thou passest through the Waters, I will be with thee, and through the Rivers, they shall not overflow thee: When thou walkest through the Fire, thou shalt not be burnt, neither shall the Flame kindle upon thee. Isa. 41.10, 13, 14.— I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my Righteousness.
VII. Jesus Christ was very sociable in the days of his Flesh, he took delight to be amongst poor Sinners, and great Multitudes flock'd together to him.Prov. 8.31. My Delight was with the Children of Men.
VIII. Jesus Christ was exceedingly chased, pursued, and hunted by wicked Men, in the days of his Flesh, (as he is now in his Members.) No sooner was News brought of his Birth, but Herod, that Fox, pursued him, (Blood-hound like) to take away his blessed Life; many Dogs were (I may say) always at his Heels) hunting him from one place to another: He was seldom quiet, or had rest whilst on Earth; such was the Rage of the Devil against him, that old malicious Hunter.
IX. Jesus Christ (saith Mr. Ainsworth) is ready to help his Church;Ainsworth he is like an Hart for Swiftness. Some of the common Epithets expressing the Qualities of this Creature, are (amongst the rest) these, nimble, agile, or winged, as if he did rather flie than run; now for agility and swiftness none like Christ; he is said to come leaping over the Mountains, and skipping over the Hills, that is, over all Impediments that might hinder Good from his People, whether it respect their Sins and Unworthiness, or the Opposition of the World, and their and his Adversaries,Zach 4.7. Isa 40.4. & 41.15. Habak. 3.6 who are likened to a Mountain: Who art thou, O great Mountain, before Zerubbabel? And every Mountain and Hill shall be made low.
X. So Christ (pro sua Ecclesia certamina acria cum Diabolis & Morte sustinuit) sustained sharp Encounters and Conflicts with the Devils and Sin, for his Spouse, (the Church,) removing those Mountains that hid his Grace, and separated him from her.
XI. Jesus Christ lodges his Children under his own Pavilion, he hides them in the secret Place of the Almighty, or under the Wings of his Power, Love, and gracious Protection, covering them with the Mantle of his pardoning Mercy. But if Believers are stubborn and disobedient, kicking like an untamed Heifer, the Lord Jesus in a way of Mercy beats them with the Rod, lays Afflictions upon them, to humble them, and bring them to submit to his blessed Pleasure, and causing them to be contented with their Condition. He teaches his Saints to leap over all Opposition, or exercises them to use their Feet from the beginning, how to improve their Graces, and learn Experiences so, that they may escape the Danger of the Hunter, and keep clear off the Hounds before pursued. And because he would every way secure and save them from Death, he acquaints them where their Dens, Place or Places of Safety and sure Harbour are. Behold, Exod. 33.21, 22.there is a Place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a Rock. — I will put thee in a Clift of the Rock, and will cover thee with my hand, &c.
XII. Jesus Christ, when pursued, and under the heavy pressure or weight of our Sins, saw the great need he had of Help and Succour; and therefore 'tis said,Heb. 5.7. In the days of his Flesh he offered up Prayers, with strong Cries and Tears, unto him that was able to save him from Death, and was heard in that he feared. He accepted of Relief from the very Angels, who in his Distress shewed their readiness to comfort him.
XIII. There is an unreconcileable Enmity between Jesus Christ, and the old Serpent, and his Race.Gen. 3.15. I will put Enmity between thy Seed and her Seed, &c.
1. Jesus Christ knows all the Holes and lurking Places of the old, venemous, and mischievous Serpents, and by his Spirit, and Breath of his Mouth, viz. the Preaching of the Gospel, brings them out of the Hearts and Bodies of Men, that he may dispossess, spoil, and destroy them.
2. Christ was hard beset with evil Spirits, his Enemies were numerous; the Devil tempted him;Mat. 4.1, 2, 3, 4. many with Serpentine Rage assaulting him, grievously annoyed him; and at last, how did this venemous Off-spring set upon him, and torment him in every part of his Body, and cast Contempt upon all his Offices? and to this day, how doth Satan and his Instruments, twine about and annoy every Member of his Mystical Body? But Christ, notwithstanding all their Rage, by humbling himself unto Death, overcame them all. He spoiled Principalities and Powers, he made a shew of them openly, Col. 2.15. Gen. 3.15. 1 Joh. 3.8.triumphing over them in it. He shall bruise thy Head.— To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the Works of the Devil.
XIV. Christus destr…ens Diabolum verè sensit ardentissimum onus irae Dei in se derivari, &e. When Christ came to destroy, break the Head of, or devour the Serpent, (the Serpent as 'twas foretold, crush'd or bit his Heel) he was sensible that the heavy Wrath of God was upon him, insomuch that he sweat as it were great Drops of Blood in the Garden; and when he was on the Cross, he cried out, I thirst, and with a bitter Cry ran to the Fountain of all Fulness, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
XV. Christus post mortem ubi resurrexit, &c. Christ being slain, or after his Death and Resurrection, sitting at the right hand of the Eternal Father, retains mighty Efficacy in himself against the old Serpent, and all the Venom of Sin. A Man that hath on him the Robe of his Righteousness, cannot be hurt or devoured by the Devil. The Virtue of his Horn of Power is infinite, whether respecting the Power of his Grace to help his Church, or the Power of his Anger to destroy his Enemies. The whole and every part of Christ is excellent against Satan, and the Poyson of Sin; the Example of his Life, his Death, Resurrection, Intercession; his Word, Spirit, Gospel, and Grace, powerfully expell it. The Virtue of his Blood is admirable, it heals all Diseases of the Soul, makes Atonement, and cleanses us from all Sin.1 Joh. 1.….
Metaphor.
I. THe Hart is but a weak Creature in comparison of Lions, Elephants, &c. and can't save himself from his Enemies.
II. The Hart is a very timerous and fearful Creature, will run as being affrighted, when no danger approaches.
III. An Hart is, as Naturalists tell us,Pliny, lib. 8. p. 21 3. an envious Creature, is loth to part with that which is good for others; when he has cast his Horn, he hides it in the Earth, so that 'tis hard to find it; and is unkind to such of its own kind as are wounded.
IV. The Hart, tho he lives long, and is famous for length of Life, yet dies at last as well as other Creatures.
Disparity.
I. JEsus Christ excells all in strength, all the mighty Monarchs of the Earth, and Powers of Hell and Darkness, are nothing in his hand: I have laid Help upon one that is mighty.
II. Jesus Christ is void of all Fear, his Courage is beyond the fearless Courage of a Lion, flies from no Enemies, &c.
III. Jesus Christ is ready to part with any thing that will do poor Sinners good. He left his Kingdom, the Bosom of his Father, and shed his precious Blood for our sakes; He gives all things that are good both for Body and Soul. He envies not our Happiness, and is exceeding merciful to poor wounded Sinners.
IV. Jesus Christ, tho he once died, yet dieth no more: Death hath no more Power over him. He ever liveth to make Intercession for us.
Inferences.
1. FRom the Enmity of the Hart to Serpents, which our Parallel shews to be true of Christ in a spiritual sence, we may infer, That the eternal Ruin,Rom. 16.20. and final Overthrow of the Devil, and his cursed Off-spring, is at hand; he will tread them down under his Feet shortly.
2. Moreover, from hence we may infer further Terror to the Enemies: Christ's quick and piercing Eye sees all their secret Abominations, pries into their Cabals, and close Councels; and as he sees what Mischief and Violence is hatching by them. so he is swift-footed, will soon skip over all Mountains, and with his direful Vengeance confound them.
3. Besides this, we may learn from hence what Fools many Men are; whilst they pursue after the poor Hart, they study not the way to hunt for this spiritual Venison. Jesus Christ is worth the Chase; who would not hunt for such an Hind?
4. Let Saints be comforted, Christ has Hind's Feet; He will soon get over all Difficulties, and deliver them.
Lastly; Let us pray with the Church, Make haste, my Beloved, and be thou like a Roe, Cant. 8.14or a young Hart, upon the Mountain of Spices.