No, there is a further meaning in it, somewhat else is shadowed under the name or notion of Lions. First, in Scripture the Lion signifies any one in authority, especially in kingly authority, (Gen. 49. 10.) the tribe of Judah (which was to have the Sceptre and the rule, the Magistracy or government being settled in that Tribe) is compared to a Lion, Judah is a Lions whelp, from the prey my son thou art gone up, he stooped down, he couched as a Lion, and as an old Lion, who shall rouse him up? As Lions are chief, the most eminent among the beasts of the field, so Kings and Magistrates are chief, the most eminent among the sons of men. Christ is called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, from the prerogative of his power and the excellency of his Kingly condition above all others, his name being King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Secondly, the Devil is compared to a Lion, he is called a roaring Lion, because of his cruelty and devouring nature, He goeth about like a roaring Lion seeking whom he may devour. And the Lions here in the Text how old soever they be (are whelps of this old Lion) the Devil: not great men in general, but wicked great men, men mighty in power, and mighty in sin, mighty sinners. It is frequent in Scripture to shadow out powerful, wicked, tyrannical men by the name of Lions, and the reason is, because they imitate the qualities and conditions of the Lion. A man acts by reason, and a beast acts by sense or passion: reason is the difference between a man and a beast: therefore when man either acts against reason or without reason, the name of a beast is justly put upon him: and the name of that beast most fitly, whose qualities & passions he most resembles: man in regard of his headstrong unruliness, is compared unto a Horse and to a Mule, ⟨p. 62⟩Psal. 32. 9. Be not as the Horse or as the Mule which have no understanding, whose mouth must be held in wit with bit and bridle. Be not unruly. For subtlety, man is called a Fox; for flattery or filthiness, a Dog or a Swine; and here for rapine and cruelty a Lion. Thus the Prophet Nahum elegantly, Chap. 2. 11, 12. Where is the dwelling place of the Lions, and the feeding place of the young Lions? that is, where is the dwelling place of oppressors and cruel tyrants? And Ezek. 19. 1, 2. Take up a lamentation for the Princes of Israel, and say, what is thy mother?
No, there is a further meaning in it, somewhat else is shadowed under the name or notion of Lions. First, in Scripture the Lion signifies any one in authority, especially in kingly authority, (Gen. 49. 10.) the tribe of Judah (which was to have the Scepter and the rule, the Magistracy or government being setled in that Tribe) is compared to a Lion, Judah is a Lions whelpe, from the prey my son thou art gone up, he stooped downe, he couched as a Lion, and as an old Lion, who shall rouze him up? As Lions are chiefe, the most eminent among the beasts of the field, so Kings and Magistrates are chiefe, the most eminent among the sons of men. Christ is called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, from the prerogative of his power and the excellency of his Kingly condition above all others, his name being King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Secondly, the Devil is compared to a Lion, he is called a roaring Lion, because of his cruelty and devouring nature, He goeth about like a roaring Lion seeking whom he may devoure. And the Lions here in the Text how old soever they be (are whelps of this old Lion) the Devil: not great men in general, but wicked great men, men mighty in power, and mighty in sin, mighty sinners. It is frequent in Scripture to shadow out powerfull, wicked, tyrannicall men by the name of Lions, and the reason is, because they imitate the qualities and conditions of the Lion. A man acts by reason, and a beast acts by sence or passion: reason is the difference between a man and a beast: therefore when man either acts against reason or without reason, the name of a beast is justly put upon him: and the name of that beast most fitly, whose qualities & passions he most resembles: man in regard of his headstrong unrulinesse, is compared unto a Horse and to a Mule, ⟨p. 62⟩Psal. 32. 9. Be not as the Horse or as the Mule which have no understanding, whose mouth must be held in wit with bit and bridle. Be not unruly. For subtilty, man is called a Fox; for flattery or filthinesse, a Dog or a Swine; and here for rapine and cruelty a Lion. Thus the Prophet Nahum elegantly, Chap. 2. 11, 12. Where is the dwelling place of the Lions, and the feeding place of the young Lions? that is, where is the dwelling place of oppressors and cruell tyrants? And Ezek. 19. 1, 2. Take up a lamentation for the Princes of Israel, and say, what is thy mother?
