Troposchēmalogia: Tropes and figures; or, A treatise of the metaphors, allegories, and express similitudes, &c. contained in the Bible of the Old and New Testament To which is prefixed, divers arguments to prove the divine authority of the Holy Scriptures wherein also 'tis largely evinced, that by the great whore, mystery Babylon is meant the Papal hierarchy, or present state and church of Rome. Philologia sacra, the second part. Wherein the schemes, or figures in Scripture, are reduced under their proper heads, with a brief explication of each. Together with a treatise of types, parables, &c. with an improvement of them parallel-wise. By B. K

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 Agamem∣non,* 1.1 the great Emperor of the Gre∣cian 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,* 1.2 to the Multitude of the wicked Jews, who con∣spired against our blessed Saviour.
II. The Bull is a very strong Creature; his Strength is very great in all Parts, but more especi∣ally in his Head and Neck.	II. So wicked Tyrants are often great in Power, and have the Advantage eve∣ry way to strengthen themselves; as it is said of the little Horn under the Grecian Monarchy, who waxed exceeding great,* 1.3 to∣wards 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,* 1.4 (as elsewhere hath been shewed) and to push with the Horn, metaphori∣cally signifies an exerting or putting forth of Strength or Power. The Bulls of Ba∣shan 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 restrai∣ned to one Meadow or Ground, as Cows are; they will break into every Body's Field, and feed in Pa∣stures 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 Territo∣ries, 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 quarrel∣som; they will not only fall upon the Saints, but also make War one with ano∣ther, 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;* 1.5 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.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Topsell▪ p. 77.
• * 1.2

  Mat. 26.41
• * 1.3

  Dan. 8.
• * 1.4

  Deut. 33.17. Psal. 22. Dan. 11.40.
• * 1.5

  Ezek. 34.4