The excellency of holy courage in evil times by Jeremiah Burroughs ; published by Thomas Goodwin ... [et al.]

CHAP. 25. (Book 25)

Containing a Second consideration of the Text, to wit, an Allegoricall interpretation of Moses for∣saking Egypt by Faith. Warrant for Allegori∣call interpretations. Forsaking this world, re∣nouncing our natural estate, a difficult work. Fourteen reasons of it.

NOw having finished the point in the Literal sense, the going through that hard work which Moses was set upon by God, Let us speak a little concerning the Allegorical Sense: Though that be not the thing which is especially intended, yet we know many times the Holy Ghost makes use of Scripture in an Allegorical way: And before I enter upon it, I will name two or three scriptures to shew a warrant for what I do in hand∣ling this scripture in a way of Allegory.

The Holy Ghost doth make use of Scripture not on∣ly according to the primary sense, but according to the Metaphorical and Allegorical sense, as in Psal. 19.34. There is no Speech nor Language where their voice is not heard, their line is gone through all the Earth, and their word is to the end of the world. This is ap∣parently spoken of the Sun and the going forth of the Sun in the Heavens: The Heavens, and the motions in the Heavens, and the great testification of Gods power therein, are compared to a Language and a voice: And the instruments that are to be drawn from them, are gone through the whol Earth. But marke how the A∣postle makes use of this in a far different sense, Rom. 10.18. But I say, have they not heard? yes verily their

sound went into all the Earth, and their words into the end of the world. Having reference to this place he doth not go according to the direct primary sense, but he applies it to the preaching of the Gospel, And the going forth of the Apostles.

And again in Math. 2.15. When Christ was carried into Egypt that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my Son. It hath reference to that Prophesie in Hos. 11.1. Which is meant of the calling his people out of Egypt And there it is applyed to Christ, and in that the Ho∣ly Ghost doth not only apply Scripture according to the primary sense, but Allegorically, and Tipically we have liberty also to do so.

And now we shal speak of this Text in an Allegori∣cal sense two waies: And that.

1. In regard of the bondage we are in by nature un∣der sin, and Sathan as the Israelites were in Egypt under Pharoah, And as Moses by faith forsook Egypt, so we must be delivered out of this spiritual Egypt, from this spiritual bondage, that we are in by nature, under sin, and Satan, by Faith.

2. The Scripture compares the power of Antichrist, & the bondage that men are in under Antichrist to Egypt Rom. 11.8. There it is called spiritual Sodom: and spiritual Egypt: And as the Israelites by Faith, were delivered from the Bondage they were in, in Egypt: So faith does deliver people from the bondage of Antichrist.

I. Then for the forsaking of Egypt, we are al by nature bondslaves to Sin and Satan as the Israelites were to the Egyptians. And Canaan was a Tipe of Heaven, and the promise of God unto them to bring them unto Ca∣naan, was to set out the condition of Gods people how they should be brought to heaven: All Gods waies to∣wards the Israelites in this work, were Tipical to set out further things that were to be afterward. Therefore by faith this Egypt is forsaken, and the souls of Gods peo∣ple

are carried on to Canaan, through the Wilderness of this world to heaven by faith, as they were through that Wilderness to Canaan: It must be Faith that must carry through this difficult work.

This is the difficult work of all works; the Bondage is the greatest bondage, And therefore the work is the most difficult work that may be. If we consider,

1. The carnal reasonings that are in mens hearts a∣gainst the work of God in bringing them out of their na∣tural estate.

2. If we consider the self confidences that are in men being confident of their estate, and no way sensible of their Bondage.

3. If we consider the vaine hopes that are in the hearts of people concerning Gods mercy.

4. If we consider the dangerous mistakes that are in people, mistaking the way of God, and the way of life, thinking they are in the way of life, when they are in the way of Death.

5. If we consider the cursed prejudice that men have against the way of God naturally.

6. If we consider the strong ingagements that men have to keep them from returning.

7. If we consider the many lusts that are in the heart, that can never be overpowered, but by an Almighty power.

8. If we consider the strong accusations and Terrors that are in the consciences of men and Women, when they come to be awakned.

9. If we consider the woful Temptations of Satan following and daunting the Soul, when it would go from this Egypt, as Pharoah followed the Israelites.

10. If we consider the wonderful discouragements that people have in their own thoughts, when they look into themselves, and see their Disability to do any thing that is good, any Unability to resist any thing that's Evil.

11. If we consider, the perswasions of the world from without, when they begin to forsake this spiritual Egypt.

12. If we consider, how often times God himself seems to walk contrary to them, when they are for∣saking Egypt.

13. If we consider the difficulty of the waies of Reli∣gion, at this first entrance, and the long time that the Soul must have to go in through this wilderness before they come to Canaan.

14. If we consider the great venture that the Soul must make to venture its eternal estate and all its good upon the way of God that is revealed to it.

These things and Many others might be named, and inlarged, that make this a difficult Work.