Tropes and Figures, Treatise 1 · Head 8 · Part 31 · Subpart 16
Wicked Men compared to Bulls.
Pſal. 22.12. Many Bulls compaſſed me about, ſtrong Bulls of Baſhan.
THe Hebrews call the Bull Tor, or Taur; which the Caldee call Abir, for a ſtrong Ox; the Grecians, Tauros; the Latins, Taurus; the Italians, Tauro; the French, Taureais; the Germans, ein Steir, ein Ʋnucherſteir, das Ʋncher, ein Mummelſteir, ein Hagen, and ein Bollen; the Illyrians, Vul, and Juneez. By all which ſeveral Applications it is evident, that the Name Taurus in Latin is not derived from Tanouros, the ſtretching out of the Tail, nor from Gauros, ſignifying proud, but from the Hebrew Tor, which ſignifieth great, &c.
The Epithets of this Beaſt are many, viz. Wild, ſharp, Plower, Warrier, Horn-bearer, blockiſh, great, gliſtering, fierce, violent, &c.
Violent, cruel, and proud Perſecutors, that abuſe and infeſt the Poor and Needy, are compared to Bulls, Bulls of Baſhan; that is, ſaith Glaſſius, the Enemies of Chriſt, who were ſtrong and fierce, i. e. ſtrong and outragious Perſons, ſuch as were the High-Prieſts, Scribes, &c. that ſet themſelves againſt Chriſt; ſo Ainſworth. Baſhan was a fertile Country, famous for excellent Paſture, the Beaſts that fed there being very fat, ſtrong, and great. Hence the Bulls, Rams, or Heifers of Baſhan, are metaphorically put for fat Ones, Deut. 32.14. which is transferred to Men, Prov. 22.12. Strong Bulls have beſet me, &c. that is, Enemies ſtrong, fierce, and cruel. The Oaks of Baſhan are uſed in the like ſence, Iſa. 2.13. Zech. 11.2.
| Metaphor. | Parallel. |
| A Bull is a Ring-leader of the Herd; for which cauſe, ſaith Geſner, Homer compared Agamemnon, Topſell▪ p. 77. the great Emperor of the Grecian Army, to a Bull, &c. | SO proud and cruel Perſecutors are often Ring-leaders of all the Herd of their bloody Crew, like as were the High-Prieſts, Scribes, and Phariſees,Mat. 26.41 to the Multitude of the wicked Jews, who conſpired againſt our bleſſed Saviour. |
| II. The Bull is a very ſtrong Creature; his Strength is very great in all Parts, but more eſpecially in his Head and Neck. | II. So wicked Tyrants are often great in Power, and have the Advantage every way to ſtrengthen themſelves; as it is ſaid of the little Horn under the Grecian Monarchy, who waxed exceeding great, Dan. 8. towards the South, and towards the Eaſt, and towards the Holy Land; but more eſpecially of the fourth Beaſt, or Roman Power, who hath, with human and diabolical Power, with a high Hand, and ſtiff Neck, ſtrove againſt the Saints of God for many Years. |
| III. A Bull with his Horns doth often run at Men, Women, and Children, ſo that the Sight of them (when they come towards ſome Perſons) makes them cry out; for many have been gored, and torn to pieces by Bulls: they are indeed a cruel Sort of Creatures, eſpecially when enraged, and therefore all ſtrive to get out of their way. | III. So wicked Tyrants, Perſecutors, and bloody Enemies of God's Church, do often furiouſly run at all that ſtand in their way, not only Men and Women, but poor Children, &c. Horn denotes Power,Deut. 33.17. Pſal. 22. Dan. 11.40. (as elſewhere hath been ſhewed) and to puſh with the Horn, metaphorically ſignifies an exerting or putting forth of Strength or Power. The Bulls of Baſhan frequently exerciſe that Authority and Power (which for a time is ſuffered to be in their hands) againſt the Saints; yea, puſh and gore them with their Horns in a cruel manner, tearing them in pieces: and by reaſon of which many timerous Perſons being afraid of them, to avoid the Danger, are ready to run away, (viz. leave their native Country) when they hear that furious Bulls (or cruel Tyrants) are like to be let in upon them. |
| IV. Bulls are ſuffered to feed in rich Paſture, till they are very fat; they are like ſome lawleſs Sort of People, being not always reſtrained to one Meadow or Ground, as Cows are; they will break into every Body's Field, and feed in Paſtures none of their own. | IV. So wicked Men are ſuffered to feed as it were in fat Paſtures, until they grow fat, and kick againſt the Lord. They will not know their own Territories, nor be content with what God hath lent them, but make Incurſions into their Neighbours Countries; and, as if they were lawleſs, make all their own which they can lay their hands upon, and care not what Spoil they make. |
| V. Bulls will fight furiouſly with other Beaſts, and with one another. | V. So wicked Men are very quarrelſom; they will not only fall upon the Saints, but alſo make War one with another, out of Pride and Ambition, and to accompliſh their own vain-glorious and covetous Deſigns; as we ſee this day, how one Popiſh and Heatheniſh Bull attacks and wars with another. |
| VI. Bulls ſometimes, to prevent their doing of hurt, are ſhackled and penn'd up, who by that means grow rather the more fierce and mad, and would do the greater miſchief could they get looſe. | VI. So wicked Men ſometimes are by the Almighty reſtrained many ways from running at, and ſpoiling of the Lord's People;Ezek. 34.4 he puts Shackles as it were upon their Legs, and Hooks into their Jaws, which doth greatly enrage them; fain would they be revenged, and vent their cruel Malice upon the Saints, but cannot, their Ways are ſo block'd up. |
Inferences.
I. This further ſhews the baſe and cruel Nature of the Ungodly.
II. It ſerves to inform us, what a Mercy 'tis they are reſtrained.
III. It may teach us alſo to cry to God to ſhackle and pen them up, and break their Horns, viz. deſtroy or take away their Power.