The History of the Old Testament Methodized

SECT. XLVIII.

JAcob thus expiring, Joseph fell upon his face and wept upon him, and kissed him, and doubtless closed his eyes, according as God had promised unto Jacob, Gen. 46.4. Then he commanded the Physicians to Embalm him, his Body being to be kept long, and to be carried far. And accordingly forty days were spent in the embalming of him (according to the custom of the Country ) that those fragrant Herbs, Drugs, Spices and Ointments they used therein might the better diffuse themselves, and penetrate into all the parts of the Body. And the Egyptians mourned for him 70 days; that is, after 40 days had been spent in embalming him, not only Joseph and his Brethren, but the Court and chief men of Egypt did mourn for him 30 days more before he was carried to be buried. Then Joseph not being willing (as 'tis probable) to show himself publicly in those days of his mourning, or because it was not the manner or custom for Mourners to come into the presence of the King, [see Esther 4.2.] desired some of the Courtiers to procure the King's Leave and Consent that he might go into Canaan to bury his Father there. For his Father had long since (even before he came into Egypt ) digged a Grave for himself in that place where his Ancestors were buried, and made him swear that he would bury him there, see Ch. 47.29. Pharaoh very readily consented to it. Hereupon Joseph, attended with a great many of Pharaoh's Courtiers and Officers of State (whom by his Prudence and sweet Disposition he had obliged ) and with all his own Brethren, and his Fathers Family went up with many Chariots, and Horsemen, and a great Train into Canaan to bury his Father. But the Hebrews left their Children, Flocks and Herds behind them, as a pawn that they intended to return. When they came to the Valley of Arad in Canaan, not far from Hebron or Macpelah (which was beyond Jordan, if we consider where Moses was when he wrote this History, [see Deut. 1.1. & 3.25.] Joseph chose this place as most convenient to perform the Funeral Solemnities for his Father, and there He and his Company made a sore and great Lamentation for seven days together. When the Inhabitants of the Land saw this, they said, This is indeed a grievous mourning to the Egyptians, and in memory thereof that place was called Abel mizraim. Then Joseph and his Brethren honourably buried their Father in the Cave of Macpelah, which Abraham bought ( with the Field belonging to it) for a Burying-place, of Ephron the Hittite, Ch. 23.16. The Funeral Solemnity being over, Joseph with his great Train returned into Egypt again. His Brethren seeing their Father was dead, began to fear (so unquiet is a guilty Conscience ) that Joseph would now deal with them, according to their Deserts, for the evil usage he had formerly received from them. Hereupon they send a Message to him to entreat (as it seems) that they might be admitted into his presence. Which being granted, they acquaint him that it was their Fathers Command, before he died, that they should humbly beg his pardon and forgiveness of them, and accordingly they did earnestly beg it at his hands, and they hoped he would not deny it them, seeing they were his Brethren, and served the same God that He did, (namely, the God of his Father, ) and were truly penitent for their former heinous Transgression against Him. Then falling down at his Feet, they told him, They were his Servants. Joseph could not forbear weeping at this their behavior towards him, and pitying their Perplexity, and being grieved that they should in the least doubt of his kindness towards them; He told them, It was true, He was in great Power there, yet he was under God, under His All-seeing-Eye, and bound to give an account of his actions unto Him, who had forbidden him all Revenge, and had wonderfully raised him up, not only that he might do good to the Egyptians, but especially to them that were his own Flesh and Blood. And he had no cause to be offended at what they had. For whatever their intent was, God meant it for good both to him and them. And therefore bad them be of good courage, and not at all to fear any hurt from him. For he would be so far from hurting them, that he would nourish them and their Children. And accordingly He did so for 54 years after his Fathers death. All which time, even unto his own death, he continued his kindness to them, and continued in his Authority and Government, and saw his Son Ephraim 's Children to the third Generation; and the Children of Machir the Son of Manasseh (his other Son) were also brought up upon his Knees; that is, he took pleasure in their Infancy to let them sit upon his Knees, and to dandle them, see Ch. 30.3. Joseph having now arrived at the age of an 110, and having Governed Egypt under several Kings 80 years, and finding his death approaching, he told his Brethren, That God would surely visit them in mercy, and would bring them out of that Land into Canaan, which he had promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that He would give it them. And therefore to testify his Own, and confirm their Faith concerning the Promises of Canaan (which was a Type of Heaven ) he commanded that his body should be kept and carried into Canaan, when God brought them out of Egypt, and carried them thither, see Heb. 11.20. He took also an Oath of them to perform it, which Oath as 'tis like was Recorded, and transmitted to succeeding Generations, that they in whose time that Deliverance should be brought to pass should perform it. And accordingly his Body was embalmed and kept in a Chest until the time it might be carried into the Land of Canaan, and was afterwards carried thither and buried at Shechem, [see Josh. 24.32.] Jacob 's Purchase, and Joseph 's Inheritance. And there also (as 'tis probable) the Bodies of the other Patriarchs Jacob 's Sons and Joseph 's Brethren were buried, [see Acts 7.16.] their Bodies being carried up into Canaan with His.

Thus died Joseph in the 2369th Year of the World, 16 years before the Death of Levi, 60 years before the Birth of Moses, 140 years before the Israelites coming out of Egypt. As may be gathered from Gen. 15.13. & Exod. 12.41.

Ch. 50. whole Chapter.

SECT. XLIX.

WIth the Life of Joseph endeth the First Book of Moses 's History called Genesis, which containeth a space of Two thousand three hundred sixty nine years from the Creation of the World. The next to it in order of time is the Book of Job, as Learned Men conceive. 'It is likely that Job lived when the Israelites were in Egypt, and that he lived in the Land of Uz in Idumea, or Arabia bordering upon it. [See Lam. 4.21.] Where he had such bad Neighbors, the Chaldeans on the one side, and Sabaeans on the other. The Book of Job is undoubtedly a true History, and accompanied fully with all the Circumstances requisite to a true History from first to last, and attested so to be by the Prophet Ezekiel, Chap. 14.14. Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, they should deliver but their own Souls by their Righteousness saith the LORD. And by the Apostle James, Ch. 5.11. Behold we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord: that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. This Book is written, in the judgment of the Learned, in Prose to verse. 3. of Chap. 3. And in Verse from thence to Chap. 42. verse. 6. and then it concludes in Prose. The Penman of it seemeth to be Elihu, one of the Speakers in it, as may be gathered from Chap. 32. verse. 15. They were amazed, they answered no more, they left off speaking. Vers. 16. When I had waited (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more.) Vers. 17. I said I will answer also my part, I also will show mine Opinion. So that he seemeth here to speak of himself as the Writer of this History.

Job was the Son of Nahor, Abraham 's Brother, descended from him by his Son Huz, Gen. 22.21. Huz his First-born, and Buz his Brother, &c. Three of his Friends most likely were of the Posterity of Abraham, viz. Eliphaz and Zophar of the Posterity of Esau, [Gen. 36.10. These are the Names of Esau's Sons, Eliphaz the Son Adah, the wife of Esau.] Bildad of Abraham 's Race by Keturah. And Elihu the fourth of the Race of Nahor, Abraham 's Brother. The Book consists of these general Parts:

1. A Description of Job 's Uprightness. He was an upright man, fearing God, and eschewing evil.

2. Of his Prosperity.

• 1. He had a numerous Issue, seven Sons, and three Daughters.
• 2. For Estate He was the greatest man in the East, having 7000 Sheep, 3000 Camels, 500 Yokes of Oxen, 500 She-Asses.
• 3. He had a great many Servants.
• 4. There was great Unity and Love among his Children, they feasting one another in their Courses. To which may be added Job 's Piety, and paternal Care in offering Sacrifices for them.

3. Of his wonderful Afflictions; Satan obtained a Commission to have Power over his Possessions, over his Children, and over his own Person (yet so as not to take away his life) and his own Wife mocked at him. Hereupon He curses the day of his Birth, and wishes he had died before or immediately after his coming into the World, Ch. 1. & 2. to the 11 verse. and Ch. 3.

4. Of his four Friends coming to him to visit him in this his sad Condition. Whereof the three first, viz. Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar argue and debate the matter with him; and pretend to maintain that he that was so extraordinarily, and extremely afflicted by God as Job was, must needs either be a great and open Sinner, or a Close Hypocrite, from verse. 11. of Ch. 2. to the end.

Eliphaz begins, and is the first Opponent in this Disputation, whose Argument is contained in the 4th and 5th Ch.

Job 's Answer to him is contained in the 6th and 7th Ch.

Bildad is the second Opponent. His Discourse is contained in the 8th Ch. And it is mainly a Confutation of Job 's Reply to Eliphaz.

Job 's Answer to him is set down in the 9th and 10th Ch. In which, like an ingenuous Disputant, he grants that which is true in Bildad 's Argument, and denies what is false.

Zophar is the third Opponent, whose Discourse and Argument is contained in Ch. 11.

Job 's Answer to him is set down, Ch. 22, 13, 14. and it is framed not only as an Answer to Zophar 's Argument, but also to what Eliphaz and Bildad had alleged before; and he concludes with an humble Supplication to God for a mitigation of his Afflictions.

Eliphaz speaks again, and rejoyns, Ch. 15.

Job Replies to him, Ch. 16, & 17.

Bildad also Rejoyns, Ch. 18.

Job Answers him, Ch. 19.

Zophar Rejoyns also, Ch. 20.

Job Answers him, Ch. 21.

Eliphaz undertakes him a third time, Ch. 22.

Job 's Answer to him is couched in Ch. 23, & 24.

Bildad also undertakes him a third time, Ch. 25.

Job Answers him, Ch. 26. and that puts an end to the Disputation, which Job closes with two Speeches:

The first is contained in the 27th & 28th Ch. wherein he professeth his Integrity, and his Resolution to hold it to the end.

The second is contained in the 29, 30, 31 Ch. wherein he speaks of his former great Happiness, and laments his present miserable Condition, both in respect of outward and inward Temptations; and asserts the Uprightness and Inoffensiveness of his Carriage.

The Disputation being ended, Elihu who takes upon him to be as it were Moderator, begins to speak, and he makes four distinct Speeches:

The first is contained in Ch. 32, & 33. In the close of which he gives Job leave to make his Defense, who not Replying, he proceeds to

His second Speech, contained in Ch. 34.

His third is set down in Ch. 35.

His fourth in Ch. 36, & 37.

Then the Almighty Himself spake out of the Whirlewind, and gave the final and decisive Sentence between Job and his Friends.

And first the Lord Reproves the Ignorance of Job, and shows him how unfit he was to contend with his Maker, Ch. 38. & 39.

Job hereupon humbly abases himself before the Lord, and yields the Cause, and promises Silence, and not to Complain anymore, Ch. 40. v. 3, 4, 5.

Then the Lord Reproves Job for not being brought to a full acknowledgment of the Exact Justice of his Creator, and his own Sinfulness. The Lord also manifests and declares his own Power, and Job 's Weakness, Commanding Job, by way of Irony, to do that which none but God can do.

Then he Exemplifies his own infinite Power, in his having created at first, and still having the Government over those two vast Creatures, viz. Behemoth and Leviathan, from verse. 6. of Ch. 40. to the end of 41.

5ly, The Conclusion of the History, which is contained in Ch. 42. where Job confesseth himself Guilty, and humbles himself before the Lord, repenting in Dust and Ashes. God then Reproves his Friends for not speaking of him the things that were right. He Charges them to offer Burnt-Offerings for themselves, and to get Job to Intercede for them; for him he would accept.

Job is now delivered from his Affliction, and blessed with double as much Estate as he had before, and in time with as many Children as He had before, viz. with seven Sons and three Daughters. His Friends and near Relations visit him, and present him with Gifts. The years of his life are doubled. For he lived an 140 years after his trouble, and so was 70 years old when his troubles began, and died 210 years old, the longest liver born since Terah.

SECT. L.

ABout this time died Levi in Egypt, aged 137, Exod. 6.16. being Grandfather by the Mothers side to Moses and Aaron, and great Grandfather by the Fathers. For when he had begotten Kohath in Canaan, and a Daughter called Jochebed in Egypt, Amram the Son of Kohath took to wife Jochebed the Daughter of Levi his own Aunt (doing therein that which was then customary, though afterwards it was expressly forbidden, Lev. 18.12. & 20.19.) and by Her He had Miriam, Aaron, and Moses; and having attained to the age of 137. (the just age of His Grandfather Levi ) He died a little before the Departure of the Israelites out of Egypt. See Exod. 6.18, 20.

SECT. LI.

THe Children of Israel being, now by the especial blessing of God, increased in Egypt from 70 Souls to a vast multitude, after the death of Joseph and the twelve Patriarchs, by degrees fall into great Enormities and Abominations. As 1. Many of them began to be Corrupt in their Religion, and committed Idolatry with the Idols of Egypt, as is intimated, Josh. 24.14. Put away the God's which your Fathers served on the other side of the Flood, and in Egypt, and serve you the Lord. See also Ezek. 20.8. 2. Some of them joined in Marriage with the Egyptians, as may appear from Lev. 24.10. And the Son of an Israelitish woman, whose Father was an Egyptian. For these and their other great Sins and Transgressions, the Lord now casteth them into a Furnace of Afflictions, partly to punish them for their Sins, and partly to keep them from setting their hearts on Egypt, and to make them long after Canaan the promised Land. And accordingly now there arose a new King in Egypt (who knew nor Joseph, nor the Services he had done for that Crown) who fearing the number and strength of the Israelites, did resolve to keep them under. Wherefore calling together his Senators and Counselors of State, He Represents to them the vast increase of the Israelites, and their swarming in the Land, and then speaking vehemently and overlashing (as men in passion use to do) he tells them, They were more and mightier than themselves, at least (he intimates) it would be so quickly, if some course were not speedily taken to prevent it. Therefore (says he) let us consider of the matter, and deal wisely with this people. For if we suffer them to go on, and to multiply after this rate, we may assure ourselves, that if we should have Wars with any Nation, they will join with our Enemies, and fight against us, or at lest will get up out of this Land into Canaan (as it seems there is a talk among them they shall in time do) and so we shall loose the commodity and benefit of their Tribute and Service. The King, and his Counselors having considered of the matter, at last come to this Resolution, and made this Decree, That Task-Masters should be set over the Israelites, who should force them to work in the King's Service; namely, to build for him Magazines and Storehouses for Arms and Ammunition, and Granaries for Corn, and should be employed in raising many and great Buildings for the Kings use, particularly in builing for Him two Frontier Cities, Pithom and Rameses, by which he would keep them from getting out of the Kingdom. Accordingly these Task-Masters being appointed, did impose such hard and unreasonable Services on them, as did exceedingly afflict them. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied, by the special blessing of God, which the Egyptians perceiving, were grievously vexed at it, and hereupon used all Rigour towards them, and made their lives bitter with hard Bondage, employing them in making Mortar and Brick, in Tillage, and the work of the Field, and probably in scouring Ditches, and other vile Works, and slavish Services.

Exod. 1. from 1. to 15.

SECT. LII.

ABout this time Aaron was born, namely, three years before his Brother Moses, and 83 years before the Departure of the Israelites out of Egypt. See Exod. 7.7.

SECT. LIII.

PHaraoh seeing himself crossed in his first device, and perceiving that the more they afflicted and oppressed the Israelites, the more they increased; He now seeks to bring his purpose to pass another way, and that was by enjoining the Hebrew-Midwives to smother or strangle all their Male-Children in the very birth. But Siphra and Puah (two Principal Midwives of the Hebrew Women to whom this Injunction was given) fearing God, did not obey the King therein, which he understanding, sent for them, and asked them, Why they had not obeyed his Command? They answer, That the Hebrew-women were more lively than the Egyptian-women, and very frequently were delivered before the Midwife could come to them. And we suppose (say they) they have heard of your Majesty's Command to us, and therefore choose rather to make use of their Neighbors and Friends, than to send for professed Midwives. The Lord was well pleased with the carriage of these Midwives in this matter, and therefore he dealt well with them; and in Recompence of their fearing of Him more than the King, and of their tenderness towards the Israelitish Infants, He built them houses, that is, so increased their Off-spring (because they had spared the Off-spring of the Israelites ) that many Families sprang from them. See Ruth. 4.11.

Pharaoh finding his Project to fail, viz. of bringing about his Design secretly by the help of the Midwives, he now openly discovers his Rage, and sets out a most barbarous Edict, whereby he enjoins his Subjects, the Egyptians, to take by force the Israelites Male-Children away from them as soon as they were born, and to drown them in the River. And it seems at first the Egyptians were forward to execute this bloody Edict, though afterwards it is probable the rigor of it did by degrees abate. For that it continued not all the time of the Egyptian Bondage, appears by this, because there were found so many under twenty years old when they went out of Egypt. Perhaps this Pharaoh within some few years after died, and so the Decree was not so violently executed as before.

Exod. 1. from 15. to the end.

SECT. LIV.

THis bloody Edict before-mentioned seems to have come out in the time which intervened between the birth of Aaron, and the birth of Moses. For about this time Iochebed the Wife of Amram (see Section 50.) brought forth a Son, and she and her Husband out of their natural affection to him, quickened by the rare beauty they beheld in his Countenance, [ Acts 7.20.] resolved to do what they could to save him (being not afraid of the Kings Commandment, Heb. 11.23.) but trusting in God, that He would assist them therein, they hid him three months, and when they could hide him no longer, because possibly some notice was taken of it, or some stricter search was made, they laid him in an Ark of Bullrushes, (daubed over with slime and pitch) in the Flags by the River-side, setting his Sister Miriam (a young Maid of about twelve years of age) at a convenient distance to see what became of him. The Kings Daughter (by Josephus called Thermutis ) coming down hither with her Maids to wash herself, finds the Child, and though she supposed him to be one of the Children of the Hebrews, yet moved with Compassion towards the Infant (who wept ) she sends for a Nurse to take care of him, and through the procurement of Miriam (who offered herself to fetch one) but especially through the overluing Providence of God, Jochebed his own Mother is sent for, and commanded by Pharaoh 's Daughter to nurse up this Child for her, and she promised to pay her for it. Accordingly Moses 's Mother nursed up her own Son for this Lady, who after he was grown up, adopted him for her Son, (calling him Moses, because he was drawn out of the water) and as he grew up, and was capable, she gave him such Princely Education as was suitable to her Son, training him up in all the Learning and Wisdom of the Egyptians, [Acts 7.22.] viz. In Arithmetic, Geometry, Astronomy, Astrology, natural Philosophy, &c. And thus the Lord, by his secret Providence, fitted Moses for those high Services, which in after-times he intended to employ him in; his rare abilities, his known Wisdom, and singular Learning being afterwards (no doubt) a special means to make him more respected and honored both among the Egyptians and his own People, and every way the more able and fit for the Government of the Commonwealth of Israel. He continued about forty years in the Court of Egypt, as the adopted Son of Pharaoh 's Daughter, and became famous among them, mighty both in Words and in Deeds, as Stephen speaks, Acts 7.22. that is, of great Abilities both for discoursing and giving Counsel concerning any business propounded, and for the wise and successful managing of any Affairs that he undertook.

Exod. 2. from 1. to 11.

SECT. LV.

MOses being now come to the age of forty years, began to think of abandoning his Honors in Pharaoh 's Court, and accordingly refused to be called The Son of Pharaoh 's Daughter any longer, choosing rather to suffer Affliction with the People of God, then enjoy the Pleasures of Sin for a season; and having a lively Faith in the Promises of God made to his People, He esteemed the Reproach of Christ greater Riches than the Treasures in Egypt, for he had respect to the recompense of Reward; that is, He preferred the afflicted Condition of the people of God, and esteemed the Reproaches that the Members of Christ's Mystical Body unjustly suffer greater Riches than the Treasures of Egypt. For such Reproaches, he knew, would be recompensed with an exceeding great Reward, and to this he had an Eye, Heb. 11.24.25, 26. Looking upon himself therefore as one of God 's Israel, he resolved to forsake the Honors and Pleasures of the Court, and to join himself to the poor oppressed People of God of his own Nation, and to afford them what help he possibly could for their Deliverance, finding himself inwardly, and by an especial instinct of God's Spirit called thereunto. Going therefore to visit his Country-men, he saw (to his great grief) the excissive Burdens and Oppressions they groaned under; and among other displeasing Sights, he saw one of those rigid Egyptian-Taskers smiting, and cruelly beating one of his Brethren, an Hebrew; and He beat him so much, that (as 'tis probable) he almost killed him. Moses seeing this (and having doubtless some extraordinary Impulse, Warrant, and Call from God to do it,) and observing there was no other Egyptian by to take notice of it, he fell upon this Egyptian and slew him, and having killed him, buried him in the Sand. By which act he meant to intimate to his Brethren, the Hebrews, that God intended to make Him in due time their Deliverer from their Egptian -Bondage, though (it seems) at this time they understood it not, Acts 7.25. This thing (though done privately) yet quickly came to be more known than Moses thought it had been. For going forth the day after to visit his Brethren again, he saw two Hebrews striving and fighting one with another. He was much troubled at this, and would have reconciled them, and set them at one again. Wherefore he said to him that did the wrong, Why dost thou such a vile and wicked thing as to quarrel and fight with one of thy own Brethren. He that was the Aggressor and the injurious Person malepertly replied, Who made thee a Prince, and a Judge over us? What, dost thou intend to slay me as thou didst the Egyptian yesterday. Moses then perceived the thing he had done was blown abroad, and in a short time it came to Pharaoh 's ears, who being greatly Incensed at it, resolved to have his life for it, if he could catch him. Hereupon Moses thought it needful to consult his own safety, and accordingly betook himself into the Land of Midian.

Exod. 2. from 11. to 16.

SECT. LVI.

BEing come into Midian (a Country so called from Midian, a Son of Abraham by Keturah, Gen. 25.2. lying in Arabia Petraea near the Red-Sea, ) he came at last to a Well, where he sat down to refresh himself, being (as 'tis probable) attended with two or three Servants, as became a Person that had been so great a Man in Egyt. An eminent Priest in Midian (whose Name was Jethro ) lived thereabout, and had seven Daughters, who (according to the simplicity of that Age) came to the Well to draw Water, and fill the Troughs to water their Fathers Flocks, and used great diligence that it might be done first before others came, which possibly in that hot Country they did the more strive for, because they that came last, were sometimes scanted of water. Presently some Shepherds came, who rudely and uncivilly drave these Virgins, and their Flocks away, and with the water they had drawn, sought to water their own Cattle, and so to make them wait till they had done. Moses seeing this injurious dealing, withstood the Shepherds, and stood up in the defense of the Virgins (though a Stranger) and helped them to water their Flocks. When they came back to their Father, he asked them, How it happened that they had dispatched so soon. They told him, That a Stranger (who by his habit seemed to be an Egyptian ) had been so Civil to them as to withstand the Shepherds, and to draw water for them, and had helped them to water their Flocks. He asks them, Why they had not brought him home with them? and bids them go presently and invite him to come and eat bread with them. Moses upon this Invitation comes, and being admitted into Jethro 's Family, in a short time by their Converse together, they were very well pleased the one with the other, insomuch that Jethro afterwards gave him Zipporah, his Daughter to wife, who bare him a Son whom he called Gershom, whereby he intimated that he was a Stranger in that Land, and yet God had comfortably provided for him. Another Son he had also afterwards by her whom he called Eliezer, Ch. 18. 4. by which name He signified, that God was his helper. In process of time that cruel Tyrant Pharaoh (of whom Moses was so much afraid) died, but though the Tyrant was gone, yet the Tyranny remained; for another Pharaoh arose who made the Burdens and Afflictions of the Children of Israel as heavy, or heavier than they were before. They sighed and cried unto the Lord by reason of their Oppressions, and God heard their groaning, and remembered his Covenant which he had made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to own them for his People, and accordingly resolved to deliver them in such ways as were most for the Honor of his Great Name, and for their profit and advantage.

Exod. 2. from verse. 16. to the end.

SECT. LVII.

ABout this time Caleb the Son of Jephunneh was born, viz. forty years before he was sent by Moses to spy out the Land of Canaan. See Josh. 14.7, 10.

SECT. LVIII.

MOses since he came into Jethro 's Family had (as it seems) betaken himself to the Pastoral Employment, as an exercise that allowed great liberty, and opportunity for Contemplation. And keeping his Father-in-laws Sheep in the Desert, that he might provide fresh Pastures for them, he drave them to the further side of the Desert nigh to Mount Horeb. Here Christ, the eternal Son of God, the Messenger or Angel of the Covenant (Mal. 3.1.) appeared to him out of a burning Bush, (which though it burnt, yet it was not consumed.) Moses being stricken with admiration at the sight, and not knowing at first what to think of it, he determined to approach nearer to it, hoping thereby better to inform himself. The Lord calls to him out of the midst of the Bush, Moses, Moses. Moses hearing himself called by his Name, answered, Here I am. The Lord then charged him not to draw too nigh to the Bush, but to put off his shoes; that is, that he should in all humility present himself before Him as a poor Caytiff, not worthy to stand in the presence of so great a Majesty. He further tells him, That the place whereon he stood was holy Ground; that is, made holy at this time through the presence and apparition of God, without which it was but like other Ground. And therefore by that outward expression he should testify the inward reverence of his mind. Moreover the Lord said, I am the God of thy Fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to whom I promised to be their God, and the God of their Seed after them. Moses hearing this, hid his Face out of an awful Reverence of so great a Majesty, being afraid, through a sense of his own vileness, to look up towards God. The Lord further said unto Moses, I have seen the Affliction of my People in Egypt, and heard their Cry. Then (speaking of Himself after the manner of men) He tells him, He was come down to deliver them out of their Bondage, and to bring them into a good and large Land, a Land flowing with Milk and Honey; and He intended to send him to speak to Pharaoh to let his People go. So that the secret Inspiration which Moses had before from God, Exod. 2.11. is here now advanced to an open Call, and full Commission. At his first Call he was very forward, and killed the Egyptian, but since his flight out of Egypt he was become more cautious. Therefore he said unto the Lord, Who am I (a mean man) that I should go to Pharaoh (a great proud and tyrannical Prince) and should think to deliver a distressed People out of his Power. The Lord answered, I will certainly be with thee; so that thou needest not fear either thy own Weakness, or the Power of them to whom I send thee. And this present Apparition of mine out of the burning, but not burned Bush, shall be a Token and Evidence to thee, that at this time I have sent thee. And hereafter, when thou hast brought the people out of Egypt, this may further serve to strengthen thy Faith in my Power and Providence over them; I do now foretell thee, Ye shall serve me upon this Mountain. Moses conceiving himself now, after so many years absence, in a manner unknown to the Children of Israel, he begins to think that they might question, Whither indeed he was sent of God or no, and might demand of him under what Name or Title God had made known Himself to him. If that should so happen, he humbly desires to know by what Name or Title the Lord would please to be mentioned to them, seeing many of his Names were abused by application of them to Idols. The Lord answers, If thou enquirest concerning my Name, I am that I am. Therefore go and tell the Children of Israel, That I AM hath sent thee unto them; and further tell them, That the Lord God of their Fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, hath sent thee unto them, and tell them, This is my Name forever, and this is my Memorial unto all Generations; that is, by this Name shall all Generations remember Me. Go then therefore and call the Heads of the Tribes of the Children of Israel together, and deliver this Message to them, that they may acquaint their Brethren of the several Tribes here-with, and tell them, That I have by the watchful Eye of my Providence mercifully visited them, and have observed what hath been done unto them in Egypt, and that I do intend assuredly to deliver them out of the House of Bondage, and will bring them into Canaan, a Land abounding with all things serving both for Necessity and Delight. And the Elders of the People shall hearken unto thee, and shall go along with thee to Pharaoh, and you shall say unto him, The Lord God of the Hebrews hath appeared to us, and commanded us to offer to Him a Sacrifice, and to celebrate to Him a Feast thereon, and hath commanded Us to come to thee, and to request of Thee so much liberty that we may go three days Journey into the Wilderness to perform this Sacrifice to the Lord our God. The Lord further adds, I know Pharaoh will be so obstinate, that he will not let you go, no not by a mighty Hand; that is, no not though divers great and heavy Plagues be inflicted on him. For I will stretch out my Hand upon Egypt, and will smite them with all those great and smarting Plagues which I intend to bring upon them, and I know that not till after the last and tenth Plague (viz. the slaying of their First-born ) will he let you go. And I will, before I bring you out of Egypt, give you favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, and they shall be willing to lend you anything you shall desire of them, viz. Jewels of Silver, and of Gold, and fine Raiment, and you shall put them upon your Sons and upon your Daughters, and so you shall come forth with great Substance, as I have promised, Gen. 15.14. and shall spoil the Egyptians. Moses Replies, That he feared his Country-men, the Hebrews, would be very difficult at first to believe him, or that God had indeed appeared to him, and humbly desires to know what he should do in that case. The Lord, to encourage him against his fears, furnishes him with Power to work Miracles, which might be an Evidence of the Divine Presence with him, and a Seal to the Israelites that he came with Commission from God, and that God had sent him. Accordingly first he bids him throw down his Rod or Staff, which he had in his hand, upon the ground, and suddenly it became a Serpent, so that Moses was ready to fly from it out of fear. But God Commands him to take it by the tail, which he accordingly did, and it became immediately a Rod again. Then God commanded him to put his hand into his Bosom, which when he plucked it out again, it was become as white and leprous as Snow. Then God commanded him to put it into his Bosom again, and when he drew it out this second time, behold it was as whole and sound as his other hand. Then the Lord tells him, That if the Children of Israel were not wrought upon, nor did incline to believe him for the first Sign, possibly they would for the second. But if it should so happen that they should not be brought to believe him for either of these, when he came into Egypt he should take of the water of the River Nile and pour it upon the ground, and it should presently become blood upon the dry Land, which should be a further Demonstration to them that God had sent him. Moses being still fearful, Replied, Ah Lord, I am not Eloquent, I am not a man of a free and ready Speech, as those should be who are employed to speak to Princes. I am slow of speech; I was so formerly, neither do I find the matter much mended with me since thou didst vouchsafe to speak to me, and Call me to this great Service. The Lord answered, Who hath given to man the faculty of Speech? or who deprives him of that faculty? and so of Hearing or Seeing. Do not I the Lord give these Abilities, and take them away at my pleasure. Now therefore Go, I will be with thy mouth, and will teach thee what thou shalt say. But Moses being still under great fears, and deeply apprehensive of his own unfitness for so difficult a Service; He cried out, Ah Lord, I pray thee send by the Ministry of such an one whom thou wilt find fitter for this great Service than I am, whoever he be, and send not by me who am so unfit and so unable. Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses for this his distrustful Despondency, and He said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy Brother? I know that he is a good Spokes-man, and he shall be joined in Commission with thee, and I will by an inward motion of my Spirit cause him to come forth to meet thee, and he will be heartily glad to see thy face again, and thou shalt instruct him concerning this your common Commission; and I will teach you both what you shall do. He shall speak to the people as from thee, and thou shalt give Direction and Counsel to him as from Me; revealing my Mind and Will unto him, and acquainting him what he shall say to Pharaoh. Ch. 7. 1. And thou shalt take this Rod of thine in thy hand, and with it thou shalt do Signs and Wonders before Pharaoh and the Egyptians.

Ch. 3. whole Chapter.

Ch. 4. from verse. 1. to verse. 18.

SECT. LIX.

MOses being now confirmed partly by Miracles, partly by the promise of Divine assistance, and having his Brother Aaron given him for his Partner, he undertook the Work. Returning therefore to his Father-in-law Jethro, and concealing (as 'tis probable) from him the glorious Vision he had seen, and the honorable Employment he was called unto, lest Jethro should by proposing Difficulties and perils in the undertaking discourage him; He in a respectful manner desires him to permit him to go into Egypt to visit his Brethren, and see how they did. Jethro readily consents to it, and bids him go in peace. Notwithstanding, Moses (it seems) after he had obtained leave of Jethro, made not such hast as he ought to have done. Therefore God appears to him a second time in Midian, and quickens him to the Journey, assuring him, that all those in Egypt that sought his life were dead. Then Moses took his Wife and his two Sons Gershom and Eliezer, (Exod. 18.3, 4.) and setting them upon Asses, intended to carry them with him into Egypt; and he took his Rod (with which God appointed him to work Miracles) in his hand, and the Lord appointed him, when he came into Egypt, to do all those Wonders and Miracles before Pharaoh which he should put into his hand; that is, give him Power to do. But the Lord tells him, That he will harden Pharaoh 's heart; that is, he will withdraw and withhold his Grace from him (as by withholding Light he causeth Darkness ) and would permit Satan to excite and spur on his corrupt Nature; so that notwithstanding the many things that should be offered to him for his Conviction, he should more and more harden his own heart against God, and should refuse to let the People go. However he commands him to speak thus unto Pharaoh; Thus saith the Lord, The People or Posterity of Israel are my First-born, being chosen of my free Grace first, out of all Nations, to be my peculiar People, and are as dear to me as the First-born are to their Parents. Therefore let them go, that they may serve me. If thou refuse to let them go, behold I will slay thy Son, even thy First-born; and not thine only, but the First-born of all the Egyptians, thy Subjects also, and so accordingly it afterwards came to pass.

Ch. 4. from verse. 18. to 24.

SECT. LX.

AS Moses was now upon his Journey towards Egypt, with his Wife and Children, the Lord (as it seems) visibly appeared to him; and either by a Sword drawn in his hand, or by inflicting some sudden violent Sickness upon him, put him in great danger of his life, and revealed to him the Cause thereof to be, because he had neglected to Circumcise his youngest Son, (see Gen. 17.14.) there being a great Incongruity in it, that He should take on him the Government of God's Circumcised People, who had neglected to impose this Badge of the Covenant on his own Son. 'It is like the reason why Moses neglected to Circumcise this his younger Son, was, because his Wife had been so highly displeased at his Circumcising of the elder. But however it was, Zipporah seeing the danger her Husband was now in by reason of this neglect, and that he was at this time, through sickness, so disabled, that he himself could not do it, she took a sharp Knife (possibly made of Flint ) and Circumcised him herself, and then cast the Foreskin, newly cut off, at her Husbands feet, saying, in a discontented humor, Surely thou art a bloody Husband to me. For, for thy sake, and for the sake of thy Religion, I am forced thus to shed the blood of my Son. This being done, the Lord let Moses go, and released him from his Sickness. And 'tis like upon this occasion and trouble, Zipporah with her Children was sent back from thence to her Fathers house again, as appears Exod. 18.2, 3.

Ch. 4. from verse. 24. to 27.

SECT. LXI.

MOses being now freed from all Incumbrance, went on his Journey towards Mount Horeb, where his Brother Aaron (being before warned of God to come thither) met him, and at their meeting kissed and embraced him. Then Moses acquainted him with all these wonderful Passages, and with all that the Lord had said unto him, and what Miracles he had impowered him, and commanded him to work, and what Service he had employed him about, and how Aaron was appointed to join with him therein. This done, they went on, and when they came into Egypt, they called together the Elders of the Children of Israel, and Aaron spake to them what Moses had directed him to say from God, and Moses wrought (as was appointed him) those three Miracles before mentioned, Sect. 57. for the confirming their Faith. See Ch. 4. from verse. 2. to the 10. The people of Israel, when they heard and saw these things, they greatly rejoiced, and believed that God had now in mercy visited them, and had looked down with Pitty and compassion on their Afflictions, and they bowed their heads, and worship'd God with great Reverence, Humility, and Thankfulness.

Ch. 4. from 27. to the end.

SECT. LXII.

SHortly after this, Moses and Aaron make their first Address to Pharaoh, several of the Elders of Israel accompanying them therein. See Exod. ch. 3.18. They Represent to Him that the God of their Fathers had appeared unto them, and commanded them to offer a Sacrifice, and to celebrate a Religious Feast to him in the Wilderness. Therefore they humbly beseech him that they may have liberty to go three days Journey in the Desert; namely, to the Mount Horeb, to perform this which the Lord required of them, lest if they should neglect to obey Him therein, he should punish them with the Pestilence or Sword, or some such dreadful Judgment, for their Disobedience. Pharaoh, like a proud and imperious Prince, answers, Who is the Lord that I should obey his Voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go. Then looking upon Moses and Aaron with Indignation, He asks them, What they had to do to seduce the People, and take them off from their work? And then looking upon the People with anger, Get you to your Burdens (says he) and see that you perform your daily Task, or I will take a course with you. I understand very well that you are a great and numerous People (indeed too many) and these two men Moses and Aaron design to get ease and rest for you from your Burdens, that so you may increase more, and possibly may then think of rebelling against me. But I shall take Care to prevent that. And accordingly that very day he charged the Task-Masters that were Egyptians, and the Officers under them, which were Israelites, (appointed to take the Over-sight of their Brethren in their Labors) that they should no more give the people Straw to make Brick withal, as heretofore they had done, but they should gather and provide Straw for themselves, and yet notwithstanding they should exact the same tale and number of Bricks of them which they made before, and not abate them anything of it. For, says he, They are idle, and therefore they Cry, Let us go Sacrifice to the Lord our God. I Command you therefore to impose more work upon them, that they may have enough to do, and may not be at leisure to regard lying words, such as this Moses and Aaron tell them, who flamm them with stories of their being sent from God. The Task-Masters and Officers acquaint the people with this strict and severe Injunction of the King. Whereupon a considerable part of them were forced to scatter themselves through all the Land of Egypt to provide Straw, and Straw failing, they were fain to gather Stubble instead of it. And the Task-Masters pressed them on notwithstanding to finish every day as much work as when they had Straw allowed them. And when there happened any failure in the Work, the Israelitish Officers or Overseers (that were set over their Brethren) were beaten for it. Whereupon these Officers addressed themselves to Pharaoh, and humbly Remonstrated, That the Egyptian Task-Masters that used to furnish the Israelites with Straw, now did not do it, and yet they required of them to make the same number of Bricks daily as before, which was in a manner impossible for them to do. And when they did it not, they their Overseers were beaten for it, though the fault was not in them, but in the Egyptian Task-Masters. Pharaoh answered them roughly and tyrannically; You are idle, You are idle, therefore you say, Let us go and do Sacrifice to the Lord. Get you gone, and see that you finish the Task that is every day required of you, and yet you shall have no Straw furnished to you. The Officers of the Children of Israel seeing themselves in this very ill condition, and having no hope of remedy, they go to Moses and Aaron (who possibly came out to meet them, to see what answer they had from the King) and like ignorant passionate men, who mistake Occasions for Causes, they charge the Injuries of their Enemies upon their best Friends, and in an angry and discontented Mood say to Moses and Aaron, The Lord look upon you; that is, the Lord take notice and consider what you have brought upon us, and judge you for it. You have made us to stink, and to be abhorred of Pharaoh, and his Servants, and have put a Sword into their hands to slay us. You have by this your Address to Pharaoh stirred up Him and His Courtiers to tyrannize more over us than they did before. Moses being greatly grieved at this their Complaint, betook himself to some retired place, where by prayer and deep sighs he might present his own and the people's distress unto the Lord, and he said, Ah Lord, why hast thou thus dealt with thy people against whom Pharaoh's Rage is not at all mitigated, but much increased since I mediated for them? Why hast thou sent me on such a Message as this, which hath not been a means to deliver thy people, but much more to afflict them? The Lord answered, Thou shalt quickly see what I will do unto Pharaoh; My Hand shall be so strong and heavy upon him, that he shall not only be content to dismiss you (as Exod. 3.20.) but shall be ready with all his Power to drive you out, rather than hold you any longer. See Exod. 12.31.33. And the Lord to encourage Moses the more in his Work, repeateth his Name to him, and the Covenant which he had made with the Fathers. He says to him, I am theLord; I appeared unto Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, by the Name of El Shaddai, God Almighty; that is, such a God as is All-sufficient, and able to perform all my Promises, Gen. 17.1. but by my Name Jehovah, and that which it importeth, have not I been made know to them; that is, so fully as I intend now to be made known to their Posterity, to whom I shall really fulfil, and give a Being to my Promises, by my wonderful Deliverance of them out of Egypt, and bringing them at length into the Land of Promise. For I made a firm Covenant with those my Servants Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and confirmed it by an Oath to give that Land of Canaan (wherein they were but Strangers and Sojourners ) to them and their Posterity for an Inheritance. And I have heard the groaning of the Children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered my Covenant. Therefore go to them and tell them, I am the Lord, and I will deliver them from that cruel Servitude under which they groan, and will with an outstretched arm, and inflicting terrible Judgments on the Egyptians, bring them forth. And I will take them to myself for my peculiar people, and will be to them a God, and they shall assuredly know, that 'tis I the Lord, and none else, who did all these great things for them. Moses, as God had commanded him, went to the Children of Israel with this Message, but thorough the anguish of their Spirits, and the extremity of their Sufferings, they regarded not what he said, nor were disposed to believe anything that he spake concerning their Deliverance. So greatly prejudicial are the immoderate passions of men not only to God's truth, but to their own welfare. Then God commands Moses to go and speak to Pharaoh again, and to require him to let the people go out of his Land. Moses answered, That the Children of Israel would not hearken to him, how then should he think that Pharaoh would hear him, or mind or regard his words; and especially seeing he was a man of uncircumcised lips, and had an imperfection in his speech and utterance, and was very unfit to be sent to Pharaoh on such a Message as that was. However God bids Him and Aaron go again to the Children of Israel, and to encourage them with expectation of Deliverance, and to go to Pharaoh to require him, in his Name, to let them go. Moses and Aaron being thus to be employed as Instruments in the Hand of God of this great Deliverance, their Stock and Lineage is here set down, to show that they were both descended of Levi; and this might possibly be so ordered by the Spirit of God as an Antidote against the fabulous Reports of Heathen Writers (such as Justin and Tacitus ) who tell false Stories of the Original both of Moses and of the people of the Jews. Which things though they happened not till many years after, yet were now foreseen by the Spirit of God who assist •• Moses in penning this History. And Moses being to set down his own and Aaron's Descent from Levi, for orders sake he begins with the Stock of Reuben and Simeon, Levi 's elder Brothers. And possibly in this place he mentions only those three, and not the Heads of the other Tribes, that it might appear that they were not rejected of God, notwithstanding Jacob 's severe Commination, Gen. 49.3, 5. As also to show that though Reuben and Simeon were elder then Levi, yet God had freely chosen out of the Tribe of Levi, Moses to be the first Captain of his people, and his Brother Aaron the first High Priest, to whom his Posterity should succeed in that Office. And these are that very Moses and Aaron whom the Lord commanded to bring forth the Children of Israel out of Egypt, who were increased now to many thousands, so that they might be called the Hosts of the Lord, Exod. 12.37, 41.

Ch. 5. whole Chapter.

Ch. 6. from verse. 1. to 28.

SECT. LXIII.

MOses being now 80, and Aaron 83 years of Age, they are commanded by the Lord to go again to Pharaoh, to require him to dismiss the people. Moses would have excused himself again, because he was not Eloquent; but the Lord tells him, Behold I have made thee a God to Pharaoh; that is, one to whom the Word of God shall come, and by whom it shall be made known to Aaron, and by him to Pharaoh, For Aaron shall be thy Interpreter and Spokes-man. But I know that Pharaoh will not hearken unto you, but will harden his heart against all that you shall say. However be not discouraged thereat, for I will multiply my Signs and Wonders in the Land of Egypt, and will bring forth my Hosts; that is, my people the Children of Israel, by inflicting great Plagues and Judgments on the Egyptians, and they shall know that I am the Lord, by the Judgments that I will execute upon them, and by which I will at last deliver my people. Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded them, and went again unto Pharaoh, requiring him in the Name of the Lord to let the Children of Israel go out of his Land. Pharaoh asks them, How he shall know that they were sent of God? What Miracle could they work to induce him to believe it? Moses hereupon gave Aaron his Rod, and bad him cast it upon the ground, and said, It should become a Serpent, and Aaron did so before Pharaoh and his Servants, and accordingly it became a Serpent. Then Pharaoh called for his Magicians and Sorcerers (wherewith the Land of Egypt abounded, and whereof the chief at that time were Jannes and Jambres, 2 Tim. 3.8.) and they did the like in outward show and appearance, but not in reality, the Devil (by whose Power they did work) casting a mist before the people's eyes, whereby they thought they saw that which indeed was not. I say these Magicians cast down their Rods, and they seemed to be turned also into Serpents or Dragons. Some aerial Representations possibly of them being there made by the art of the Devil; or possibly the Devil might bring thither some true Serpents unperceiveably from other places, and might remove the Rods from the people's eyes. But the Dragon or Serpent into which Aaron's Rod was turned swallowed up theirs; God hereby showing that the Power whereby Moses and Aaron had wrought their Miracle was infinitely above that of Satan, whereby the Magicians had endeavored to equal the Work which Moses had done. Yet notwithstanding this Miracle, Pharaoh 's heart was still hardened, so that he would not let the people go, as God had foretold.

Exod. 6. verse. 28, 29, 30.

Exod. 7. from 1. to 14.

SECT. LXIV.

PHaraoh continuing still obstinate, God sends Moses and Aaron again to him, and by their Ministry inflicts ten Plagues successively upon the Eyptians, from which the Israelites (as 'tis probable) were wholly exempted. See Exod. 8.22. & 9.26. & 10.23. All which are reckoned Psal. 78. & 105. which Plagues were all sent within one month in this Order.

1. God Commands Moses and Aaron to go and meet Pharaoh the next Morning, who would then come to walk by the side of the River Nile, and to tell him, That seeing he had refused to obey the Voice of the Lord, he would bring a grievous Plague upon Him and his People. They had shed the blood of the Israelites Children, and drowned them in that River; Therefore God had commanded him to give order to Aaron with his Rod to smite the waters of the River; and he accordingly stretched forth his Hand over the Rivers, Streams and Ponds, (probably over some of them in the Name of the rest) and striking those Waters, they were immediately turned into blood; Yea by the influence of God's Almighty Power upon that percussion all their other Streams and Rivers, Ponds and Pools, yea Cisterns of water (whether of Wood or Stone ) were turned into blood for seven days together. By which Plague the Fish that were in the River died, whereby the Egyptians were deprived of that which was their chief Food, as may be gathered from Numb. 11.5. We remember the Fish that we did eat in Egypt freely, and Isa. 19.8. God threatens this as a great Judgment to Egypt, The Fishers shall mourn, and all that cast Angles into the Brooks shall lament, and they that spread Nets upon the Waters shall languish. So that this was a sore Plague on the Egyptians who fed much on Fish, and traded much with them, and maintained themselves by them. And one great evil followed this also; for hereupon the River stank so horribly, that they could not drink of the waters of it (which used to be their ordinary Beverage, see Jer. 2.18.) but were fain to dig Pits near the River, that they might have some water to drink. But all this did not work upon Pharaoh 's obdurate heart. For his Magicians and Sorcerers getting some water either from the Sea, or out of the new-digged-Wells, or from the houses of the Israelites dwelling here and there intermixed with them, did by their Enchantments, and the Devil 's help, get some blood whereby they tinctured the waters, or else unperceiveably removed the water, and substituted blood in the place thereof. Which when Pharaoh saw done by them, he went away to his own house, and heeded not, nor laid to heart the foregoing Plague inflicted on him by Moses.

Exod. Ch. 7. from 14. to the end.

2. God Commands Moses and Aaron to go to Pharaoh again, and to require him to let his People go; and to tell Him, That if he refused to do it, He would smite all his Borders with Frogs. They accordingly resolutely pursue their Commission, and evidence their Courage and Fidelity in God's Cause, notwithstanding the ill success they had had before. But Pharaoh would not give ear to them. Hereupon Aaron stretched forth his Rod over the Rivers, over the Streams, and over the Ponds, and the Frogs came up in great abundance upon the Land, (namely, not only those that were in the Rivers before, but an innumerable number of new ones were produced,) and they crawled into Pharaoh 's house, and into his Bed-Chamber; yea upon his Bed, and into the Houses of his Courtiers, and the rest of his people; yea into their Ovens and Kneading-Troughs, so that they were grievously annoyed with them. Pharaoh calls for his Magicians to see if they could imitate this Miracle, and they, by stretching forth their Rods over the River, did by the Power of the Devil bring forth some true Frogs by unperceptible Conveyance to the place where the Contest was, (which possibly at this present was not covered with Frogs by Moses 's Working) though it is like they were but very few in comparison of those Moses and Aaron had produced. And when they had brought them, they could not remove them again. Pharaoh and his people being thus grievously distressed with this Plague, he began to stoop a little, and to acknowledge God whom before he would not know, and therefore desires Moses and Aaron to entreat the Lord to remove these Frogs, and he would let the people go that they may Sacrifice unto the Lord their God. Moses knowing that he was constituted as a God to Pharaoh [Ch. 7. verse. 1.] to bring Judgments upon him, and romove them at God's appointment, and having in him the Faith of Miracles, and being directed by the Spirit of God, He told Pharaoh, He would do him the honor to let him appoint the time when he should pray to the Lord for him, and by his power deliver him from this Plague. And (says he) if my prayer take no effect, then do thou glory over me, and say, I am no better than one of thy Magicians; but if I do deliver thee, then own and obey the great God of Heaven, whose Servant I am. Pharaoh desires the Frogs may be removed by the next Morning. Moses Replies, Be it according to thy word, that thou mayst know, that there is none like unto the Lord our God. Moses then cried unto the Lord to remove this Plague from Pharaoh, and the Lord heard him, and immediately the Frogs died that were in the Houses, Villages, and Fields; only some remained in the River; and they gathered the dead Frogs together and cast them upon heaps, so that the Land stank by reason of them. But when this Plague was removed, and Pharaoh saw there was some respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not to Moses and Aaron as the Lord had foretold.

Exod. Ch. 8. from verse. 1. to 16.

3. Pharaoh having thus mocked God (promising and not performing ) the Lord to manifest his Indignation against him, Commands Moses now to strike him with a new Judgment, without giving him any warning, as at other times he had done. Aaron therefore is commanded forthwith to stretch out his Rod, and to strike the dust of the Land, that it may become Lice through all the Land of Egypt. Which Aaron accordingly doing, abundance of Lice came on Men and Beasts; the dust in very part of the Land; that is, a great deal of it turning into that Vermin. The Magicians also try their Skill again, and accordingly they smote the dust of the ground with their Rods, as Aaron had done, and endeavored to do the like, but all in vain. For here God confounded their Enchantments in a thing most vile, wherein yet he honored himself. For he so restrained the Devil, and disabled these Magicians, his Servants, that they could neither make Lice, nor make a show of them. So that they were forced to acknowledge to Pharaoh, That this was the Finger of God, and that this Miracle was wrought by the Power of the Almighty, and not by Art or Sorcery, which they should have acknowledged of all the rest of the Miracles wrought by Moses and Aaron, but their Master the Devil would not permit them to do it. However, though the Lice continued both upon Man and Beast; yet Pharaoh 's heart was still hardened, so that he would not hearken unto Moses, as the Lord had before told him.

Exod. Ch. 8. from 16. to 20.

4. It being usual with Pharaoh to walk in the Morning by the River-side, Moses is sent again to meet him there, and to require him in the Lord's Name to let the people go, and to acquaint Him, That if he refused to do it, God would send upon him, and his people, swarms of Flies, Wasps and Hornets, and such noisome Insects which should fill their Houses, and vex and sting them, and they should swarm in all the Land where the Egyptians dwelt, but should not come into Goshen where the Israelites dwelt, and then they should know, to their Cost, that the Lord Jehovah was the only Ruler in the whole Earth, and that he would put a difference between his own People, and the Egyptians, and would deliver them from that Judgment which should be the portion of the Egyptians. And he tells him, This thing should come to pass the next morning. Pharaoh not regarding this threatening, the very next morning there came a grievous swarm of divers sorts of Flies, [see Psal. 78.45. Psal. 105.31.] into the house of Pharaoh, and his Servants, and into all the Land of Egypt. So that the people of Egypt were wonderfully annoyed with them, and (as it seems) several of them destroyed by them. Pharaoh being now terrified with this Plague, He yields thus far, That the Israelites should have liberty to Sacrifice to the Lord their God, provided they went not out of Egypt to do it. This Moses would not accept of, but requires they may have liberty to go three days Journey into the Wilderness to offer this Sacrifice. For (says he) if we should in Egypt offer unto our God Oxen, Cows, Calves and Bullocks, which the Egyptians exhibit Divine Honor unto, it would seem an abominable thing unto them, and they would be ready to stone us. Pharaoh tells them, They shall then go into the Wilderness, provided they would not go very far, and would pray for him that this Plague may be removed. Moses promises that they would pray for him, but intreats him to be true and faithful to his word and promise, and not to deal anymore deceitfully with them. Moses goes out accordingly, and and intreats the Lord to remove this Plague from Pharaoh, and his People, and the Lord was pleased presently to do it. So that the next day this dreadful host of Flies, Wasps and Hornets, was quite gone. But though the Plague was removed, yet Pharaoh 's obstinacy was not; for he would not yet let the People go.

Exod. Ch. 8. from 20. to the end.

5. Upon the first day of the seventh Month (which was shortly after made the first month of the Year) God Commands Moses to go to Pharaoh again, and to tell him, That if he would not let his People go, but did obstinately keep them still, he would smite all sorts of his Cattle with a grievous Murrain, viz. Horses, Asses, Camels, Oxen and Sheep, and this Judgment (he tells him) shall be inflicted the very next day. And so accordingly it was, by which the generality of the Cattle of the Egyptians died, but of the Cattle of tne Children of Israel, died not one. And Pharaoh sent into Goshen to see whether the Cattle of the Children of Israel had escaped, and he found it was so. Yet notwithstanding his heart was hardened, and swelled with pride and malice against the Children of Israel, so that he would not let them go

Exod. Ch. 9. from verse. 1. to 8.

6. About the third day of this Month God intending to bring a Sixth Plague upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians, He Commands Moses and Aaron to go to him, and to take handfuls of ashes out of the Furnace, and to sprinkle the ashes towards Heaven, to intimate to Pharaoh that the Plague came from the God of Heaven, and that as he and his people had oppressed the Israelites with Furnace-work, in forcing them to burn Brick for them, so they now should be punished with burning Sores, caused by ashes taken out of the Furnace. And Moses and Aaron did as God commanded, and they sprinkled handfuls of ashes towards Heaven, which miraculously, by the mighty Power of God, became a Cloud of small dust over-spreading the whole Land of Egypt, and so fell down both upon Man and Beast. And this dust, where it fell, caused Blains and Boils, and, as it seems, of an extraordinary nature, for they are thus described Deut. 28.27. The Boils of Egypt which cannot be cured. And the Magicians themselves (who it seems continued to harden and embolden Pharaoh not to be moved with the things done by Moses, telling him (as 'tis probable) that they were done by Magic ) and were still at hand to resist Moses and Aaron as far as they could, were now smitten with these Boils and Blains breaking out upon them. So that they were forced to go away, and cease fighting against God. But yet Pharaoh 's heart was so hardened, that he would not let the people go for all this.

Exod. Ch. 9. from 8. to verse. 13.

7. Some few days after, God sends Moses again to Pharaoh, to require him to let his people go, that they may serve him; and to let him know, that though his Hand had been already heavy upon him, yet there were far sorer Plagues still behind, which he had determined to bring upon him and his people, if he continued obstinate, and which should sting him to the very heart. And these he would presently pour forth thick and threefold upon him, that he might know there is no God like to the great Jehovah in all the World. Moses is further commanded to speak thus to Him from the Lord, I have stretched out my Hand and destroyed a great part of thy Cattle by Murrain and Pestilence, and I should have destroyed thee and thy people thereby also, (as you well deserved) but that I have raised thee up for this very purpose, that the World might see my Justice in punishing of thee, and my Power in my Conquest over thee. And dost thou yet so impudently exalt thyself against Me and my People? Behold about this time tomorrow I will cause it to rain a very grievous Hail upon Thee, such as hath not been in Egypt since it became a Land inhabited by Misraim Son of Cham, who gave Name to that People and Country. And Moses the more to set forth the terror of this Plague that was coming upon them, advises the Egyptians to send for, and get home their Cattle and Servants, and all that they had in the Field; For all that was found there, would be destroyed by the Hail. Some of Pharaoh 's Servants believed this threatening of the Lord, and got their Servants and Cattle into houses, and so had them preserved; but Others regarded it not. On the morrow Moses stretched forth his Rod towards Heaven, and the Lord sent Thunder, and Hail mixed with Fire, that ran upon the ground, which destroyed not only a great part of their Corn, viz. the Barley that was eared, and the Flax that was boll'd, and in the Stalk, and their Herbs, but brake a great part of their Trees, and killed both Man and Beast that were in the Storm, verse. 25. (so saith the Psalmist, Psal. 78.47, 48.) He destroyed their Vines with Hail, and their Sycamore-Trees with Hail-stones. He gave up their Cattle also to the Hail, and their Flocks to the Thunderbolts. And this dreadful Hail fell on all the Land of Egppt, only in the Land of Goshen there was none. Pharaoh terrified with this dreadful Judgment, sent for Moses and Aaron, and told them, He did now plainly see, and accordingly did acknowledge, That he had sinned against God, and confessed, That God was Righteous, and he and his people wicked. He desires them therefore to pray unto the Lord to remove this Judgment, and that there might be no more such dreadful Thunder and Hail, and he would let them go, they should stay no longer. Moses promises as soon as he should be out of the City, he would stretch forth his hands in prayer to the Lord. He knew, by Inspiration from God, that then the Thunder and Hail should immediately cease; and Pharaoh might hereby be instructed, that the Earth is the Lord 's, and the whole Creation is at his disposal. But as for thee, and thy Servants, (says he) I know beforehand that ye will be never a whit the better for the removal of this Judgment. And the event proved it to be so. For when, upon Moses 's prayer, the Thunder and Hail ceased the heart of Pharaoh, and his Servants were hardened as before, and they would not let the people go.

Exod. Ch. 9. from 13. to the end.

8. About the seventh day of this Month God sent Moses to Pharaoh again, telling him, He had hardened his heart, and the hearts of his Servants, that he might glorify his Power and Justice in bringing more signal Judgments on him. However, though Pharaoh be obstinate, yet thou Moses (says God) shalt for a remembrance of my Power and Justice declare to thy Children, and Children's Children the Wonders I have done in Egypt upon Pharaoh and his people, that so you, in your several Generations, may know and be assured that I am the Lord. Then Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh again, and expostulating with him, asked him, How long he would refuse to humble himself before the Lord, and keep his people from going to serve him? They tell him, If he continued still obstinate, on the morrow the Lord would send Grashoppers and Locusts into all his Quarters, and they should be sent in such vast numbers, that they should in a manner cover the face of the Earth from man's sight, and should devour the residue of the Grass, Herbs, and what was green on the Trees, and the Wheat, and Corn which had escaped the Hail, and they should fill his house, and the houses of his Servants, and of all the Egyptians in such a manner, that neither he nor his Ancestors, nor any that lived in Egypt before him did ever see such vast numbers of Locusts, nor any that did did so much mischief as these should do. And Moses and Aaron when they had delivered their Message, came away and left him. Then Pharaoh 's Courtiers and Servants said to him, How long shall this man Moses be a Snare to us? that is, an Instrument, and means to bring Ruin and Destruction upon us? We beseech thee l • t these people go; Seest thou not that the Land is already almost ruined by the Plagues and Judgments that have been brought upon us? Then Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron again to him, and told them, He was content they should go, and serve the Lord their God. But then recalling himself, He asks, Who among them, and how many of them, did they desire should go? Moses tells him, They would go up All; with their Old, and with their Young, with their Wives, Sons and Daughters, with their Flocks, and with their Herds; For they must make use of some of them for Sacrifice, and of part of these Sacrifices they must keep a Riligious Feast unto the Lord. Pharaoh being angry at this motion, that they should desire their Children should go also (whom he intended to keep as Hostages for their coming back) he said in a passion, I wish you might find no more savor from God than you are like to find from me, in this your Suit, to let your Children go also. Look to it, if you will presume to go in this manner, at your own peril be it. I shall never consent that you should All go. But as for you that are men grown, I care not if I permit you to go. For that was all (as I understood) that at first you desired. Moses and Aaron not accepting of this, Pharaoh caused them to be driven out of his presence. Then Moses stretched forth his Rod over the Land of Egypt, and the Lord sent an East-wind which blew very fiercely all day upon that Land, and the next morning it brought a vast Army of Caterpillars, and Locusts very grievous, such as had never been seen there before, nor are like ever to be again; and they were so many that they in a manner covered the face of the Earth where there was any Herbage, and by flying so many together like a Cloud, they in a manner darkened the Air, and they devoured all the Corn, and Grass, and Herbs that the Hail had left. See Psal. 78.46. and Psal. 105.34. Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in hast, and said to them, I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you, in using you as I have done. However pardon the wrong that I have done you, and once more entreat the Lord to be favorable to me, and remove this deadly Plague from me, which consumes and destroys all, and is like to bring a grievous and general Famine upon us. And Moses went out, and entreated the Lord for Pharaoh, and the Lord sent a strong West-wind that carried the Grashoppers and Locusts away, and cast them into the Red-Sea, where they all perished. But though this dreadful Judgment was removed, yet Pharaoh 's hardness was not, for he would not yet let the people go.

Ch. 10. from verse. 1. to 21.

The Month Abib, otherwise called Nisan, (answering to part of our March, and part of our April, ) which before had been the seventh Month (as we shown before) was from this time forward made the first Month of the year; and upon the tenth day of this Month, or a little before, was instituted the Feast of the Passover, In Commemoration of God's passing over them, and not involving them in the Common Plague that smote the Houses of the Egyptians. Touching which Passover several Laws and Directions are given to Moses. 1. Concerning the Sacrifice itself, or the matter of the Feast, viz. a Lamb, or Kid of the first year, a Male without blemish. 2. This must be set apart on the tenth day of this Month. Thus it was ordered at this time, that it might be in readiness, and not to seek when they were encumbered with business about their going away. 3. If one Household was too little for a Lamb, they were to join the next Household to them, and they were to make their account proportionably to the Lamb, and to the persons that were to eat of it, taking care that there might not be too few, nor too many for it. 4. They were to keep the Lamb to the 14th day of the same Month. 5. Every Master of a Family of all the Congregation of Israel (whom it especially concerned) was appointed to kill it on the 14th day between the two Evenings; that is, between our three a Clock in the Afternoon and Sun-set. 6. They were to strike, and sprinkle with a bunch of Hyssop, dipped in the blood thereof, the two side-posts, and upper door-posts of the door of the House where they did eat it. 7. None of them were to go out of the House where they did eat it till the morning. 8. They were not to break a bone of it. 9. They were not to eat it raw or sodden, but roasted with fire. And they were to roast it whole, Head, and Leggs with the appurtenance; that is, the inwards being first taken out, and washed. 10. They were to eat it with unleavened Bread and bitter Herbs. 11. They were to eat it with their Loins girded, their Shooes on their feet, and their Staff in their hand, like men in hast, and ready to be gone, and march out of Egypt. 12. They were to let nothing of it remain unto the morning; but if anything were left after they had eaten, it was to be burnt with fire. These things being observed by them, Moses tells them, The Lord intended to pass by all the Houses of the Israelites where the Paschal-Lamb was thus eaten, and the doors thus sprinkled, but He would smite by his holy Angel all the First-born of the Land of Egypt, both of Men and Beasts that remained. And he would then execute Judgment on all the God's of Egypt; that is, either some such notable Judgment or Stroke should befall their Idols as did the Philistines Dagon before the Ark, 1 Sam. 5.3. or else perhaps he intended hereby to signify, That he would make it appear that their Idol-God's were vain, and unable to preserve themselves against his Hand, who was the true and only God. 13. This Passover was to be observed by them afterwards in succeeding Generations, for a Memorial of this great Deliverance, and they were to observe it forever; that is, all the time that that Ceremonial Service should last; namely, till Christ (who is the true Passover ) shall be sacrificed, who fulfilling all the Figures, shall abolish the use of them, and bring in a new Age and State into the Church. 14. A Feast of Unleavened Bread must be observed the seven days immediately following. The first of these seven days was the 15th day of this Month, and began at the Evening immediately after the eating of the Passover, which they were to eat at the latter end of the 14th day, as is said before, and every person, whether stranger or born in the Land, that did eat leaven during that time, was to be cut off from Communion with the Church, and in case of contumacy and contempt, was liable to Capital Puniments from God, or the Magistrate. See Gen. 17.14. Exod. 31.14. The first and last days of this Feast were to be holy Convocations, and to be observed in the manner of Sabbaths, and no servile-work to be done in them. Yet with this difference, that on these days meat might be dressed, but not on the Sabbaths. And on these days the people were to meet for the Public Worship of God. Lastly, They were to acquaint their Children from Generation to Generation with the meaning of this Passover, and upon what occasion it was Instituted. Moses having received these Directions from God, Communicates them to the people, commanding them to draw out their Lambs according to their Families, and to set them apart on this 10th day, to be in readiness against the 14th, as was prescribed. And further, He enjoins them, that when they were to march out of Egypt (for which they should now prepare themselves) they should borrow of the Egyptians Jewels, and Vessels of Silver and of Gold, and precious Vestments, and possibly rich Furniture, and such kind of things, and that God would dispose the hearts of the Egyptians to lend them anything, rather then that they should stay. The people of Israel when they heard these things, bowed the head, and worshipped, in token of their ready submission and reverent acceptance of these Commands from God, and their willingness to obey them.

Ch. 12. from verse. 1. to 29.

9. God now Commands Moses, by stretching forth his hand towards the Heavens, to bring a ninth Plague on Pharaoh and his people. Which was three days of Palpable Darkness; thick Clouds, gross Mists, and moist Vapours, as 'tis probable so thickening, and condensating the Aer, that it might be felt, and in likelihood by their moistness extinguishing all Fires, and artificial Lights, as Candles use to be put out by a damp. Neither, it seems, had they any light from Sun, Moon or Stars from above, but the darkness was so thick they could not see one another for three days together, and with the terror thereof they durst not so much as move from the places where they were. And being under the arrest of this hideous Darkness, they sat still, not seeing whether to go, or what to do. And as some gather from Psal. 78.49. they had at that time many frightful Apparitions of Devils, and evil Spirits among them. But the Israelites had all this while light in their Dwellings as at other times, and might have in these three days time gone away with all that they had, but God would not suffer them to go away as Fugitives, but to march out in a way of honorable and triumphant Victory over their Enemies. When the three days darkness was over, on the 14th day of this month Pharaoh sent for Moses in great hast, and offered that they should all go, Men, Women and Children, only their Flocks and Herds should be left there as a Pledge and Pawn of their Return. But Moses Replied, Thou must not only give way that we ourselves may go, but must permit us to take our Cattle also, that we may have wherewith to sacrifice to our God. For we know not what sort, or what number of Cattle we shall be ordered to sacrifice to the Lord, till we come thither; therefore our Cattle must go with us, there shall not an Hoof be left behind. But Pharaoh 's heart was so hardened, that he would not consent to this; But falling into a great Rage and Passion with Moses, he bids him get him out of his sight, and never see his face more. If he did, he should die for it. Moses tells him, He had spoken right in that, for he should see his face no more. But God having revealed to him what he intended to do to Pharaoh, and his people. He acquaints him boldly with a Tenth Plague (and a very dreadful one ) that the Lord would bring upon them. He tells him, That very night, about midnight God would by his holy Angel (see Exod. 12.23.) slay the First-born in all the Land of Egypt, from the First-born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon the Throne, to the First-born of the Maid-Servant that is grinding at the Mill, and the First-born of their remaining Cattle. And there shall be such an hideous Out-Cry in all the Land of Egypt, as never was before, nor shall ever be again. But in the Habitations of the Children of Israel all shall be so still, and quiet, that the very Dogs, who are usually rouz'd by the least noise, shall not so much as once bark, or move their tongues, or make any disturbance either to Man or Beast. And when all this shall come to pass, then (says he) you shall know how great a difference the Lord doth put between the Israelites and the Egyptians. And then shall these thy Servants and Courtiers be sent by thee unto me, and shall bow themselves unto me, saying, Go forth thou, and all the people that follow thee, over whom thou hast the Government, and after that I will go forth, with all the people of Israel with me, and with all that we have. Moses having thus spoken, went out from Pharaoh in a great anger, (i) his zeal for the Glory of God heightening his indignation against the obstinacy of Pharaoh.

Ch. 10. from verse. 21. to the end.

Ch. 11. from verse. 4. to the 9.

10. The Israelites when they first came down down into Egypt, being but few, part of the Province of Goshen was sufficient for them, but afterwards they multiplied so much, that they spread all over that Country, and besides had many mixed Habitations in other parts of Egypt. The evening therefore of this 14th day of this Month being come, Moses called for the Elders of Israel to draw out their Lambs, according to their Families, and to kill the Passover, and to sprinkle with a bunch of Hyssop the Door-posts of their Houses with the blood of the Lamb, and that none of them should stir out of the doors where they did meet to eat the Passover till the morning. The Children of Israel doing as the Lord had commanded them by Moses; at Midnight the Angel of the Lord smote all the First-born in the Land of Egypt, from the First-born of Pharaoh that sat on the Throne to the First-born of the Captive that was in the Dungeon, and all the First-born of their remaining Cattle.

Pharaoh, upon this, and his Servants, and the Egyptians rose up in the night, and there was a great and hideous Cry thorough out all the Land; for there was not an house in Egypt (which had a First-born in it) where there was not one dead; and in houses where there were no Children, probably the eldest and chief of the Family was slain. Pharaoh hereupon presently sent his Servants that were about him to Moses and Aaron, and commanded them to speak to them in his Name, That they should presently go away, and should take their Wives and Children, Herds and Flocks, and all that they had along with them; and he desires they would bless him, and pray for him at their departure, that He might not perish by this Plague. And the Egyptians were very urgent with the Israelites, and used humble and earnest Entreaties to them to be gone (see Exod. 11.8.) saying among themselves, that if they did not hasten them away, they were all dead men; that is, in extreme danger of death, and like to perish. The Egyptians being in this dreadful Consternation, the Israelites (as Moses had commanded them) borrowed of them Jewels, and Vessels of Silver, and Vessels of Gold, and fine Raiment, and rich Furniture, and such like precious things for their use in keeping the Festival. And God thus disposed their hearts thorough the great and panic fear they were in; For it seems they thought that if the Israelites were not sent away presently, the next Plague would destroy them all. And besides, that the Lord gave the Israelites favor in their eyes, so that they very readily lent them, and furnished them with anything they desired of them. And possibly they thought the Israelites intended only a three days journey into the Wilderness, there to sacrifice unto the Lord, and then would return, and so they should have their rich things again. And that which in likelihood inclined their hearts the more to favor the Israelites, was the high opinion that both Pharaoh 's Courtiers, and the people of Egypt had generally of Moses. For him they much honored and feared, in regard of his Wisdom and Conduct: and the manifold Miracles that had been wrought by his Ministry, both in bringing