Beasts use to be bound with cords to their work, they will hardly else abide by their work. Neither reason nor religion binds beasts to their work,1 therefore cords must. The word here rendered to bind, signifieth very fast and strong binding, and such is binding with cords. Moses useth the word (Deut. 11.18.) with respect to the Divine Law, which God commanded the people of Israel, to bind as frontlets between their eyes, and so to hold them fast for ever. The word is used also (Neh. 4.6.) to note the fixing of stones in a Building or Wall, by Lime, Cement, or Mortar, And all the Wall was joined together unto the half thereof; that is, the Wall was fastened and cemented half ⟨p. 365⟩high. Now saith the Lord, Canst thou bind the Unicorn? 2Canst thou make him fast with his bands: The word signifieth a thick and strong band, which will hold pulling and not break; A three-fold cord (saith Solomon Eccles. 4.12.) is not easily broken. Canst thou bind the Unicorn in his band? Some make the Pronoun his in the Hebrew to be only Paragogical, without any necessary signification in the construction; but I conceive there is somewhat peculiar in it, when he saith, canst thou bind the Unicorn with his band. Every beast hath his special band or way of fastening to his work; so that, when 'tis said, Canst thou bind the Unicorn with his band? it seems to sound as if it had been said, hast thou a proper band for the Unicorn, as I know thou hast for other beasts, the Horse, Ox, and Ass? hast thou a band which will hold him to his work? I know among all thy tackling, thou hast none will do it; he will break thy bands, and cast thy cords from him, as stubborn and proud men are said to do the bands and cords, that is, the laws and commands of God (Psal. 2.2.) Many beasts have their bands, the Unicorn will have none, he will not be bound; or if he be, he breaks his bands, and refuseth to obey; either he will not come to hand, nor admit bands or cords to be put upon him, or he strives against them and casts them off. In a word, 'tis as if the Lord had said; Thou canst not get the Unicorn into his gears (as the Husband man speaks) thou canst not harness him as thou dost a horse, nor yoke him as thou dost an Ox, to Plough or Cart; he will not touch thy work. Canst thou bind the Unicorn with his band, In the Furrow, or for the Furrow, or to the Furrow.
Beasts use to be bound with cords to their work, they will hardly else abide by their work. Neither reason nor religion binds beasts to their work,1 therefore cords must. The word here rendred to bind, signifieth very fast and strong binding, and such is binding with cords. Moses useth the word (Deut. 11.18.) with respect to the Divine Law, which God commanded the people of Israel, to bind as frontlets between their eyes, and so to hold them fast for ever. The word is used also (Neh. 4.6.) to note the fixing of stones in a Building or Wall, by Lime, Cement, or Morter, And all the Wall was joyned together unto the half thereof; that is, the Wall was fastened and cemented half ⟨p. 365⟩high. Now saith the Lord, Canst thou bind the Vnicorn? 2Canst thou make him fast with his bands: The word signifieth a thick and strong band, which will hold pulling and not break; A three-fold cord (saith Solomon Eccles. 4.12.) is not easily broken. Canst thou bind the Vnicorn in his band? Some make the Pronoune his in the Hebrew to be only Paragogical, without any necessary signification in the construction; but I conceive there is somewhat peculiar in it, when he saith, canst thou bind the Unicorn with his band. Every beast hath his special band or way of fastning to his work; so that, when 'tis said, Canst thou bind the Vnicorn with his band? it seems to sound as if it had been said, hast thou a proper band for the Unicorn, as I know thou hast for other beasts, the Horse, Oxe, and Ass? hast thou a band which will hold him to his work? I know among all thy tackling, thou hast none will do it; he will break thy bands, and cast thy cords from him, as stubborn and proud men are said to do the bands and cords, that is, the laws and commands of God (Psal. 2.2.) Many beasts have their bands, the Unicorn will have none, he will not be bound; or if he be, he breaks his bands, and refuseth to obey; either he will not come to hand, nor admit bands or cords to be put upon him, or he strives against them and casts them off. In a word, 'tis as if the Lord had said; Thou canst not get the Vnicorn into his gears (as the Husband man speaks) thou canst not harness him as thou dost a horse, nor yoke him as thou dost an Oxe, to Plow or Cart; he will not touch thy work. Canst thou bind the Vnicorn with his band, In the Furrow, or for the Furrow, or to the Furrow.
