A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 163. Of Israels coming out of Egypt.

THis phrase, came out of Egypt, is here added by way of description, or desig∣nation of that mixed multitude, whereof many provoked God, others pro∣voked him not.

The description is taken from a wonderfull deliverance which God gave the•…•…▪ For Egypt was, to the persons here meant, a place of bondage. So it is said to be in the Preface to the Decalogue, Exod. 20. 2.

Of the notation of this word Egypt, of the bondage of the Israelites therein, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their wonderfull deliverance thereout, I have distinctly treated in a Sermon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Isa. 13. 3. entituled, Mercies-Memoriall.

This deliverance was one of the most marvellous and memorable that ever God* 1.1 wrought for his people. Sundry circumstances do much amplifie the same; as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 place whence, and whither they came: and the manner of bringing them from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one place to the other.

• 1. The place whence they came was a place of a most miserable bondage, whe•…•… their lives were made bitter unto them, Exod. 1. 14. And where their cry came up 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God, Exod. 3. 9.
• 2. The place whither they were brought was a place of great freedom, and wh•…•… God extraordinarily provided for them. See v. 8. §. 92.
• 3. The manner of bringing them from one place to the other, was with migh•…•… power (Deut. 9. 29.) and with great tendernesse. See Chap. 8. v. 9 §. 55.

Besides, this word, a 1.2 came out, implieth a free and a full deliverance. For it is •…•… compound word.

The simple Verb Came, implieth a voluntary act. They were not haled, 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.3 drawn, but they came willingly, cheerfully, joyfully: for upon their coming 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the red sea, they sang praises to God, Psal. 106. 12. Exod. 15. 1, &c. It is indee•…•… said that the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Land in hast, Exod. 12. 33. But that was not by reason of any unwillingness 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the people to go as soon as they could: but rather by reason of that great fe•…•…

wherein the Egyptians were, lest they should be all consumed if the Israelites tar∣ried any longer.

The b 1.4 Preposition with which the Verb is compounded, translated, out, impli∣eth* 1.5 a full deliverance. They were brought clean out of that Land, and clean out of their bondage, and clean from their oppressors; even through the red sea into another Land.

The more to manifest this full deliverance, the Preposition c 1.6 out is twice used; both in composition, and also simply by it self. The later, which is the simple Pre∣position, is here translated of, they came out of Egypt.

All these circumstances, (as, 1. The place whence they came. 2. The place whither they were brought. 3. The means used to bring them out, Mighty won∣ders. 4. Their manner of coming out, Voluntarily. 5. Their full deliverance, They came out:) All these circumstances, as they do much amplifie the deliverance, so they do exceedingly aggravate the sinne of those that were delivered.

They do also confirm two points before observed, concerning Gods wonderfull and gracious deliverance of the Israelites out of Egypt.

One is, that Extraordinary works work nothing at all upon the incredulous. See v. 9. §. 99.

The other is, that No kindness works upon the obstinate. See v. 8. §. 92. See also Chap. 8. v. 9. §. 57.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Israels delive∣rance out of Egypt remar∣kable.
• a 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.3

  Israel came willingly out of Egypt.
• b 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.5

  Israel fully freed.
• c 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉