2374. 'They pressed on the men' means that they wished to resort to violence against truth. This is clear from the meaning of 'the man' (vir) as that which is intellectual and rational with a person (homo) - truth therefore, 158, 1007. Resorting to violence against truth is perverting the things which are matters of faith; and they are perverted when they are separated from charity and when people deny that they lead to goodness of life.

158. That 'man' (vir) means the internal man, or what amounts to the same, one who is intelligent and wise, is clear in Isaiah,

I look, and there is no man, and from these there is no counsellor. Isaiah 41:18.

['No man'] stands for no wise and intelligent person. In Jeremiah,

Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem and see if you find a man, if anyone is executing judgement and seeking truth. Jeremiah 5:1.

'Executing judgement' stands for being wise, and 'seeking truth' for having intelligence.