An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-eighth, thirty-ninth, fortieth, forty-first, and forty-second,…

and to those two Bullocks and Bulls, joins this third called Reemim, being beasts belonging, at least, to the same kind with them. I find the same confirmed Psal. 22. by comparing those words of the 12. verse, Many Bulls have compassed me; strong Bulls of Bashan have beset me round; with those of the 21. (which answer them) Save me from the Lions mouth, hear me (we read, thou hast heard me) from the horns of the Reemims ⟨p. 353⟩(we rendered Unicorns) as if the Psalmist intended under the word Reemim, a sort of beasts much like in kind, if not of the same kind, with the Bullocks and strong Bulls of Bashan, spoken of before (as the learned Author endeavours there to make out more largely and distinctly) to whom I refer the Reader. By what hath been said, I suppose we have made it appear plainly, that the beast meant by this word Reem, is an animal near in kind to the Bull or Bullock, which can be no other than a wild Bull or Bullock, which is to other Bulls or Bullocks, as wild Swine, B•ars or Sows, are to those which are tame, or live and feed about our houses. But seeing there are several sorts of these wild Bulls or Bullocks, we do not conceive the word Reem, to be a common appellation which may be given to them all, but that it signifies some one certain sort among them. To find out which, will not be hard to those who consider what the Scripture holds out concerning the beast there called Reem; namely, the eminent greatness of his horns, and the eminent greatness of his strength; both which are ascribed to him, not only Deuteronomy 33.17. and Psal. 22. but Psal. 92.10. My horn shalt thou exalt, like to the horn of a Reem; i. e. Thou shalt exalt it greatly and strongly, even like the horn of a Reem. This makes it evident, that this Reem cannot be that beast which Aristotle calls Bonasus, nor that which later Writers call Bubalus or Bufalus (we in English, a Buff) which is so far from being better fitted by his horns, for fight and force, than our Bulls, that his horns are indeed altogether unfit for either; as Aristotle shows (lib. 3. de part. Anim. cap. 2.) his horns being turned inward, and one against the other, and therefore (as he saith, lib. 9. Hist. Animal. cap. 45.) are unuseful for his own defence. The horns indeed of some of those beasts, are of another fashion, as Gesner describes them, and also Scaliger, Exerc. 206. Sect. 3.