[Vers. 14] §. 1. VERS. 14. When hee arose, he tooke the [Sect. 1] young child and his Mother by night, and departed into Aegypt.
Ille excitatus, when hee arose, that is, by and by, as soone as ever hee was awaked out of sleepe:
[Observ.] Wee may observe hence, how readily and constantly Ioseph obeyes every charge and seve∣rall injunction given unto him by God, not∣withstanding the many great impediments and lets which he had to the contrary: for he might have thought or argued thus with himselfe: First, the child is none of mine. Secondly, why should I then offend my King for his safegard. Thirdly, by betraying the child, and delivering of him into Herods hands, I shall gaine honour and riches. Fourthly, my journey will bee full of perill. Fiftly, the Mother of the child, is very tender, and scarcely able to undergoe such a journey. Sixtly, I shall loose all the substance, I enjoy by this my flight. Seventhly, I know not but Aegypt may bee as dangerous unto mee as Israel is: These things Ioseph might have ob∣jected unto him selfe, but hee doth not: but is still readie prest to performe the will of God: to goe when God bids him, to come back againe when God calls him, and to obey God when and how he pleaseth: Teaching us, that that o∣bedience of God, which is truely pleasing unto him, ought to bee performed with readinesse, willingnesse, and chearefulnesse of heart.
[Sect. 2] §. 2. He tooke them by night.
Why doth Ioseph flee in the night?
I answer, because it was most safe: hee doth not say, God hath commanded me to goe to Ae∣gypt, [Quest. 1] and therefore he will protect me: I neede [Answ. 1] neither care when, nor how I goe, nor bee so ha∣sty to goe: but he is providently carefull, and therefore he flyes as secretly, and speedily, as possibly he can, having now a charge from God to remove.
Secondly, Ioseph departed towards Aegypt in [Answ. 2] the night for feare.
Hence it may bee doubted, whether in gene∣rall [Quest. 2] it is a good thing to feare danger? or in par∣ticular, whether Ioseph did well, and warranta∣bly in thus flying by night for feare of danger?
I answer, First yes, because hee had no calling [Answ. 1] nor warrant to abide there, yea hee was forbid∣den by God to stay: and therefore he did well to feare: we can have no confidence in God be∣yond our calling, all our hope being grounded upon his promises: but hee hath not promised to protect us any longer then wee walke in our callings, and that according to his willa 1.1. And therefore Ioseph did well in fearing to stay there, seeing God had called him away.
Secondly, God doth not kill and wholy de∣stroy [Answ. 2] our affections, but converts and changes them, and then useth them: and therefore Io∣seph did not amisse in fearing to abide in Beth∣lehem.
It may heere bee demanded, whether doe our [Quest. 3] affections helpe us or hinder us in the service of God?
I answer, [Answ.] a right use of the affections doth helpe us in Gods service: Shame makes us blush for sinne: feare makes us warie: anger makes us zealous of the credit and good name of our neighbour, and of the glory of God: Loftinesse of minde, makes us constant and resolute in our callings and duties, both divine and humane: Praise makes us more prompt and ready to o∣bey vertue, it being cos virtutis vertues whet∣stone.
§. 3. And departed into Aegypt:] Aegypt was [Sect. 3] a place of ill report in many things. First, [Observ.] a place of noe faith nor truth, but perfidious and trea∣cherous: Pompeius was slaine there: Iulius Caesar was in danger of treacherie when he was there; and it was a fatall place to Antonius.
Secondly, they were persecuters of the Isra∣elites, and God makes that great deliverance of his people, from them, the Preface of the lawb 1.2. And hence it is that God forbids them to returne any more into Aegypt, but rather to goe to Ba∣bylon, and submit themselves to the Chaldean captivity, as Ieremiah the Prophet often per∣swades.
Thirdly, the Aegyptians were most bitter and cruell enemies of religion, abounding in all manner of superstition; and this is that which most grieves the children of God, to bee among those that are lovers of superstition, and haters of religionc 1.3. And yet notwithstanding all this, Ioseph being commanded by the Lord to goe thither, doth neither refuse it (as the Iewes did when they were bidden by the Prophet to goe to