dragons, Ezek. 29. 3. Psal. 74. 13. But this wonder was a signe of their destruction, if they obeyed not: for the desolation of a Countrey is signified, by the dwelling of dragons there, Mal. 1. 3. Esay 13. ••0. 22. Psal. 44. 20. See also the notes on Ex∣odus 4. 3.
Vers. 11. wise men] Philosophers: of these see Ge∣nesis [unspec 11] 41. 8. sorcerers,] or; witches: such as do bewiteh the senses and minds of men, by chang∣ing the formes of things to another hue. And from the Hebrew Cashaph, (which hath the signi∣fication of changing or turning) the Greekes have formed their word Bascaino, and the Latines Fas∣cino, which is to bewitch: & it is used for unlawfull devillish Arts and Artizens, such as Gods Law con∣demneth, and punisheth with death, Deut. 18. 10. Exod. 22. 18. and applyed to false teachers, and their crafts, Gal. 3. 1. Rev. 18. 23. & these Egyptian sorcerers, were types of seducers, who resist the truth, as Iannes and Iambres withstood Moses, here 2 Tim. 3. 8. where Paul setteth downe the names of the chiefe of these sorcerers, as they were kept in the Iewes private records. For so to this day, in their Babylonian Thalmud, tract. Menachoth, chap. 9. they shew how Iohanne and Mamre, chiefe of the sorcerers of Egypt, withstood and mocked Moses, saying, thou bringest straw into Aphraim, (as water into the sea;) for they thought, he did his miracles by sorcerie, whereas the land of Egypt was full of sorce∣rers. This Mamre, was also an Amoritish name, Gen. 13. 18. called in Greeke Mambree; and by Paul Iambres, in 2 Tim. 3. 8. where the Syriacke writeth Ianbres: for letters are often changed e∣uen in the same tongue, as Merodach, Esay 39. 1. or Barodach, 2 King. 20. 12. Nemuel, 1 Chro. 4. 24. or, Iemuel, Exod. 6. 15. and many the like. And that not Paul onely, but the Iewes commonly so named them, appeareth also by a Chaldee para∣phrase of the law that goeth under the name of Ionathan; there upon this place of Exodus, their names are written Ianis and Iambres: and in ano∣ther Hebrew commentarie on the Law, called Thanchuma, in fol. 40. they are named Ionos and Iombros. Among the heathens also, their memo∣rie continued, though corrupted; for Plinie in nat. hist. lib. 30. cap. 1. speaketh of Moses and Iamnes, and Cabala (or as some read it Iotape,) whom he calleth Iewes, by whom Magicke was used. And Origen against Celsus, lib. 4. sheweth how Numeni∣us a Pythagorean Philosopher speaketh of Moses miracles in Egypt, and his resistance by Iannes and Mambres magicians: Apuleius also a Latine Phi∣losopher (in his second Apologie) mentioneth one Ioannes, among the chiefe Magicians: that their names as it seemeth were renowmed over all. magicians see the notes on Gen. 41. 8. inchant∣ments] or, secret sleights, jugglings. A word not used in this sense, save here, and in verse 22. and it hath the signification; of secret and close conveyance or, of glistering like the flame of a fire or sword, as Gen. 3. 24. where with mens eyes are dazled. And by this word, God putteth difference betweene Moses miracles which were done in truth; and theirs done by flieght or sorcery: which were al∣so figures of the signes and lying wonders, that Anti∣christ worketh, 2 Thessal. 2. 9. whose Church is called Egypt, Revel. 11. 8. their rods] that is, their dragons made of rods: or, if they were all turned to rods againe, it was the greater miracle. But by comparison with Exod. 4. 4. it is most likely it was a serpent till Aaron tooke it into his hand a∣gaine. And here Moses and Aaron doe overcome Iannos and Iambres at the first, in that wherin they most excelled: so they that are of God, overcome Antichrist; for greater is he that is in them, than he that is in the world, 1 Ioh. 4, 3. 4.
Vers. 13. waxed strong] or hard; both by his own impenitency, Rom. 2. 5. and Gods just worke in [unspec 13] him, Exod. 4. 21.
Vers. 14. heavy] by reason of the hardnesse of it: and so unfit to bee lifted up unto the obedi∣ence [unspec 14] of my word. This heauinesse when it is spo∣ken of eies, eares, hands, heart, or the like; signifieth the dulnesse and unfitnesse to do that which men ought: Gen 48. 10. Zach. 7. 11. Exod. 17. 12. Luk. 21. 34. And this in Pharaoh is after said, both to bee done of himselfe, Exod. 8. 32. and of God, Exod. 10. 1.
Vers. 17. I smite:] Aaron it was that smote, vers. [unspec 17] 19. but God by Moses commanded it: therefore he principally smote, and the rod is said to bee in his hand. The Scripture somtime explaineth this; as, he called, Matt. 20. 32. that is, he commanded to be called, Mar. 10. 49. and he gave, Mar. 15. 45. that is, he commanded to be given, Matt. 27. 58. See also the notes on Gen. 39. 22. and 48. 22. And God fore-telleth the plague before hee brings it, to wame him in mercie: but useth the time present, I smite, (or, am smiting:) to signifie judgement to bee at hand. So Exod. 8. 2.
Ver. 18. be wearied:] both by digging round about the river for waters, as vers. 24. and being grieved and loathing the waters turned to blood, which they shall not be able to drinke; as in vers. 21. and so the Greek here translateth, they shall not bee able to drinke. And this plague being threatned to the Egyptians onely: it is to be thought, the Israelites in Gosen were free frō this, as from other plagues following, Exod. 8. 22. and 9. 26. and 10. 23. And so the Hebrew Doctors say, the plague of blood, was blood to the Egyptians, and water to the Israelites: R. Elias in Sepher reshith chocmah, treat. of Love, ch. 7. Here God proceedeth in his worke, from signes and wonders, to plagues and punishments: tenne whereof he bringeth upon Egypt before the Israe∣lites were let goe out of their bondage, (as there are seven plagues, wherewith the spirituall Egypt of Antichrists church is smitten, in Revelat. 16.) These ten plagues, the Hebrew Doctors summe up in tenne letters, the first of all their names, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 whereby they meane,
Blood: Frogs: and Lice: a Mixed swarme:
Murraine that beasts annoyd:
Boyles: Haile: and Locusts: Darknesse thicke:
and First-borne all destroy'd.
Vers. 19. gathering together] that is, place of ga∣thering, as the Chaldee expounds it: the word