282 Chap. 38. ú1n Expoftion upon the BookofJ o a. Vetf. 39. However, 'Lis plain, that by the Lion in the firft part of the verfe, ismeanr, an old Lion ; far he (lands oppofed to the young Lion, in the latte r part of the ce.fe : Wilt thou hunt the preyfor the Lion ? Naturaliflsfpeak many things of the nature of the Lion, to whom I refer the Reader, I thall have occafion to touch fome of them, while I mention what the Scripture faith of him. The Lion bears a four-fold refemblance in Scripture. Firfl, The Lion is the emblem of a King. Judah, whole tribe was the flock of Kings, or the trib:Royal, is called a Lions whelp (Gen. 49 9.) Thus fpake Jacob, Judah is a Lionswhelp ; from . the prey nay Son iban artgone up ; he 'looped down, he couched as a Lion, and as an old Lion who (hall ?wife him up ? The Kings of the earth are compareddto,Lions ; Firii, Becaufe of their great- nefs and fupe-iority : What the Lion is among beans, Kings are among men, their chiefs, Secondly, Becaufe of their floutnefs and courage. Solomon faith of the Lion (Troy. 3o. 3o.) He le f rongefl among beafls, and tnrneth not awayfor any ; That is, he is co: afraid of any beat. To be bold as a Lion, is a facred as well as a common proverbisl, noting greater+ boldnefs. 1Arifiotls ciopatrminlo faith, theLion never flies or makes any hafly retreat, let the dan- cir patentibur ger be what is will in open view but goes off, keepinghis own fubit gut etc- a p p a ruit, pederen pace. A modern Writer (peaks thus : he Lion in Africk is more timque dire fierce than in colder climate.; Ile fhrinkr not in danger, except fume Mitt, covert of woods hid a himfrom witneJes, and then he will rake the benefit of aflight, which otberwife he Rents to difdain. Such is the Z.eoni true fpirir of Kings ; they are much above ignoble fears. Third- x ferir cle rnentiainfup- ly, Lions refemble Kings, becaufe of their mildnefs and noble- tplieer. Plin. nefstothem that fubmir. Fourthly, Becaufe of the flatelinefsof 1.8,c.16, their gate, and majefly of their afpea. Fifthly, Becaufe of their Satúeflpro- vigilancy and watchfulnefs. The Lionlleeps (fay Naruralils) firgilans rut . with hiss es open, he flees as if he were not afleep and as lTigilans us. Y P' P P feeptro impofi- force obferve, he often moves his rail while he fleepeth, as giving . tusperpetam notice, that he is nor (as we fpeak) fall aí eep. vigilia'fymbo And as the Lion is an emblem of earthly Kings, fo, Secondly, of the Lord yefusCbrifl, the Kingof heaven and earth, the Icing of Kings To (hew his fuperemcnenc excellency, he is called a Lion (Rev, 5, j. ) There was found none worthy toopen the Book, het the Lionof the tribe of 'udah. Now Jcfus Chrifl is compa- red
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=