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And the Lorde spake vnto Moyses,* 1.1 say∣ing, &c. For Pharao will say, &c.
IN this Chapter is described the great daunger, that the Israelites were in after their departure out of Egipt, at the redde sea, and their mer∣ueylous deliuerance from the same. Whereby we see, that, although Moses and the chil∣dren of Israel did folowe the calling of God, & were
guyded by his angels at their departure, yet were they not quite out of perill and daunger: Yea ra∣ther, because Pharao had deliuered them against his will by Gods mighty hande, he pursueth them nowe more eagerly, and doth his best to worke them greater perill. Euen so those which Christ hath deliuered out of the bondage of Satan, by the might of his power, haue not yet their Full tran∣quillitie and quietnesse, but rather, because he was forced to deliuer them, he stryueth by all his mini∣sters to worke them greater trouble. Therefore, we must not imagine, that assoone as we followe Gods calling in this lyfe in the professing of Christ and his Gospell, that we are by and by in the lande of promise flowing with Milke and Honie.* 1.2 But yet still remayneth to vs, whyle we are here the dangers of enimies, of the Sea, of the wilder∣nesse, of hunger, of thirst, of colde, of heare, &c. as we see happened to the Israelites for our instructi∣on. Againe as we see this daunger happened to the Israelites not without the knowledge of God (for he telleth Moyses of it before hande): Euen so we must vnderstande, that those troubles, that happen to vs, Come not wythout the certayne knowledge and prouidence of God. Therefore we may not * murmure,* 1.3 as the Israelites did, and mis∣trust God, or impute the same to euill fortune, to the Deuill, or to euill men, but paciently looke for Gods purpose therein, with sure trust of his helpe, if the same be eyther for his glorie or for our com∣moditie. Lastly, God doth not sende such troubles
and daungers to his people, for that he meaneth to forsake them, & leaue them succourlesse to their enimies, but rather that he may glorifie his name and set forth his exceeding mercies & sauing helth towarde them, that followe the calling of his ho∣lye worde.
And it was tolde the king of Egipt,* 1.4 that the people fledde, and the hart, &c.
Here may we learne the Disposition of the wyc∣ked, which after the example of Pharao and the Egiptians, being somtime broken with the plagues and punishmentes of God, with hipocrisie, for the time, seeme to repent them, and to leaue their euil. But so soone as Gods heauie hande is taken from them, and any occasion giuen of mischiefe, as saint Peter sayth,* 1.5 They fall as Dogges to their vomet, and Hogges to their vvalovving in the myre. For such it were better neuer to haue knowne the way of Iu∣stice, then after knowledge to forsake it. Moreo∣uer, the wicked haue great hope in their Deuillish attempts: but God turneth it to their owne confu∣sion as we see here by Pharao and the Egiptians.
And when Pharao drewe nighe,* 1.6 the children of Israel lift vp, &c.
The nature of affliction is, as fyre, to Trie the good and sounde hartes from hypocrites and dissi∣mulers, which folowe the profession of God for the worldes sake. Some of the children of Israel call vpon God, as knowing in him to be their onely
ayde: Othersome, and the more part, forgetting Gods mightie workes so lately done for them, re∣pent them of their following of God, and Raile at their guyde and leader Moyses with spiteful repro∣ches. But he, as a good and mercifull Gouernour doth not storme with them, nor requite them with that which in Iustice they might seeme to deserue, but Comforteth them with the repeating of the promises of God and the assurance of his mightie helpe: thereby teaching vs, that in time of aduer∣sitie their is no surer comfort then to call to our Remembrance the sweete promises of God made vnto his people, and the example of such things, as he hath done for them.
And the Lorde saide vnto Moyses wher∣fore criest thou vnto me,* 1.7 &c.
The text saith not that Moyses Cried in his prai∣er, nor that any voyce was heard come from him, But he cryeth in the eares of the Lord that Pray∣eth in fayth with a feruent and earnest minde, though no voyce be harde to other in his prayer. And such earnest * calling vpon God with hart and minde doth alwaye preuayle and taketh effect before God,* 1.8 as we see here that Moyses prayer doth.
Speake vnto the children of Israel,* 1.9 that they go forwarde, &c.
Here now God▪ sheweth his mightie arme stret∣ched out to the deliuerance of his people, and wor∣keth
3. great and wonderfull Miracles. The first, that the Angell of God, which directed the pyller of fyre,* 1.10 and the clowde before the people of Israel, doth nowe sodainely withdrawe himselfe backe, and is placed betweene the Egiptians and the campe of Israel, so that on the part of Israel in the night time there was a light and brightnesse that they might see to doe any thing, that they thought good: and on the part of the Egiptians was so great darknes, that they did scant see one the other, much lesse were hable to doe any thing against the Israe∣lites. The second Miracle was that by the stretch∣ing out of Moyses rodde,* 1.11 there came such a strong winde, as staied the waters of the Sea, that the children of Israel might passe through vpon the dry lande.* 1.12 The thirde is, that when the Egiptians des∣perately, as men blinded with the furie of their owne wickednesse, did follow the Israelites to the Sea, the Angell of God so abashed them, that they were readie to flie from the face of Israel, and then, Moses at the appointment of God stretching out his rodde, the waters returned vpon them in such sort that the Egiptians with all their power were drowned in the sea. By these Miracles the name of God was glorified throughout the whole worlde, and he knowne to be both a mightie and mercifull God in the defence of his people, and al∣so a seuere Lord in punishing such as did resist his holy will. The tone of which two things ought to strengthen our faith in time of aduersitie, and to make vs to put our assured trust in God, as one
that by his mightie power Can, and of his mercy∣full goodnesse Will deliuer vs. The tother shoulde stirre vp in vs the feare of God, and cause vs in time to repent, and to embrace his worde and cal∣ling, least, for our vnrepentant hartes, he deale with vs, as he did with Pharao and the Egiptians.
Vers. 1. &c.
Gen. 12. b. 10. Gen. 42. a. 2 1. Sa. 21. a. 3. 2. Reg. 15. c. 14
1. Cor. 10. b. 10 Exod. 16. b. 7. Num. 11. a. 1.
Vers. 5. &c.
2. pet. 2. d. 22.
Vers. 10. &c.
Vers. 15.
Act. 10. a. 4. Iacob. 5. d. 16.
Vers. 15. &c.
Psa. 104. d. 38
Vers. 21.
Vers. 23. 24.