A Pisgah-Sight of Palestine, Book 4 · Body of book · Chapter 3
THE WILDERNESS OF PARAN. CHAP. 3.
§ 1. THe wilderness ofaGen. 21. 21. Paran (wherein a principal place called Phara in the days ofbGeog. l. 5. c. 17. Ptolemy) is part ofcGal. 4. 25. Arabia the stony, The bounds and barrennesse of this wildern…sse.hath Iudea and the Mediterranean-sea, on the north; Egypt, on the west; the Red-sea, on the south-west and full south; Arabia the desert, and therein the kingdome of Edom, on the east. An ocean as (I may say) of sand, whereof it hath inconstant tides, removed in drifts, by the violence of the winds, to the great danger of travellers; without water, or wood, save a few Anchoritepalme-trees scattered here and there, whereof a whole convent seventy in number, was found at Elim, therefore signally noted indEzod. 15. 27. Scripture, as a remarkable rarity; other wood hath it none, saith theeStrabo. lib. 16. Geographer, save Thorn and Tamerisk, and of the former sort (I conceive) thatfExod. 3. 2. bush was, nigh Horeb, which burnt, and never consumed.
§ 2. Here was foreign gStrabo lib. 17.foreign,Flying Serpents. plenty of Serpents hidden in the sands, whereof the Israelites had sad experience, whenhNumb. 21. 6. stung of them in their passage. Solinus calls them pennatos Serpentes, winged Serpents, affirming their poison so active, ut morsum antè mors quàm dolor insequatur, that death ensues their biting, before any pain felt thereby. Say not, that a flying-serpent is a contradiction, scarce reconcileable with Gods curse on that creature,iGen. 3. 14. upon the belly shalt thou goe, seeing in the Leviticall law we finde the Iews forbidden to eatekLevit. 11. 23. all flying-creeping things. And though such Serpents might for a spurt, in a frisk or frolick, make use of their wings, yet creeping was their certain aud constant travelling, which they trusted unto.
§ 3. One may admire, to what purpose,Natures intent in this desert. nature making nothing in vaine, intended this wild desert, the ground whereof for the generality, is like salt when it hath lost its savour,lMatth. 5. 13. which thenceforth is good for nothing. Except any will say, it was meerly made to be a foile to the transcendent fruitfulness of Iudea, and Egypt on both sides thereof. But, we must know, that though barren for the main, and distempered with sterility, yet it had some fertile intervalls, especially in the skirts, and purlews thereof, as about Mount Horeb, where some tolerable herbage, whereon mExod. 3. 1.Moses pastured his flock. Yea, some nations, Amalekites, Midianites, Gessurites (whose hardy bodies, and fierce souls were fitted for so hungry and course a countrey) had their habitation in the confines of this wilderness. But, the main end for which this desert may seem ordained, was, that therein God and the Israelites might for forty years mutually prove one another. And upon triall, they appeared a peevish, froward, stubborn people; He, for a long time, patient, long-suffering, slow to wrath; but at last, sure, and severe in punishing such, as had provoked his patience, into unquenchable anger.
§ 4. Here some will demand,Object. How could they wander forty years in Paran. How was it possible, that the Israelites should busie themselves fourty years in passing this wilderness? Had the Patriarchs, when twice sent to fetch food out of Egypt into Canaan, staid a quarter so long, in crossing this desert, certainly (without other help) their Father Iacob, and his family had been famished. An English Gentleman, some forty years since, departed from Cairo in the heart of Egypt nS…nds Trav. pag. 136.March the fourth, mounted on a Camell in the company of the Carvan, refreshed himself withoPag. 138. two days rest in his journey, and came safely to Gaza on the entrance of the land of Canaan, bypPag. 140. seven a clock on the seventeenth day of the same monethmonth.
§ 5. It is answered;Answ. Severall reasons thereof. first, the Israelites went not theqExod. 13. 17. nearest way through the land of the Philistines, over the narrow neck of the desert, but more southward, over the belly or gulfe thereof, where it was of greatest extent. Secondly, their removealls and stations were not arbitrary, at their own disposall, when, how far, and whither they pleased; but were ordered by Gods appointment, and the pillar ushering them; probably, staying many moneths (not to say years) in the same place. Thirdly, they removed not foreright, but with many flexures and indentings, that their tedious travell, in the indirect motions thereof, might minde them of their sins, which caused their sufferings.
§ 6. They were a crooked rDeut. 32. 5.generation, lost in the laborious labyrinths of their own fancies, who made not their paths straight in Gods service, but bent to sHos. 11. 7.backsliding they didtPs…l. … 5. 10. erre in their hearts, contrary to God, allu1 Thes. 2. 15. men, and themselves. They would, and would not, and would again; now sick to stay, now wild to goe on, now mad to return. God therefore fitted their perverse wills with winding ways, so that no Hare, when hardly put to it by the hounds, and running foile, makes moe doublings and redoublings, then they fetcht compass, circuits, turns, and returns in this their intricate peregrination.
§ 7. The Turkes (who themselves use to sit still on the ground) wondred at our English men,Chiefly to spend out that generation. to see them walk up and down, some few turns in a Cloister. If your way (said they)wBiddulphs Trav. pag. 98. lieth to the upper end, why come yee downwards? if at the nether end, why goe yee back again? But with how, much admiration would they have beheld the Israelites, passing from Egypt to Canaan? now going full forward, then moving retrograde; now advancing in a streight line, then retraiting in the same. Yea surely, any man would have concluded them not well in their wits, untill satisfied in the true cause thereof; namely, that God in this their fourty years wandring, meant to weare out the whole stock of that faithless generation, Caleb and Ioshua onelyonly excepted.
§ 8. See what fourty years can doe,No old men came into Canaan. lay six hundredxExod. 12. 37. thousand men in their graves, and substitute a new generation in their room. It is observed of Lightning, that sometimes it melteth the sword, and yet bruiseth not the scabbard: and the reason commonly rendered, is, because the steel maketh opposition against it. Thus God miraculously preserved their clothes, and consumed their flesh; their shooesyDeut. 29. 5. waxed not old, but their feet did; their cases were spared, and persons spilled, because God therein met with so much resistance against his commands. Thus the stock of that generation being wholly wasted, no decrepit, or decaied; no impotent, or infirme person entered the promised land, but all able and active, in the prime of their strength, fit to fight, to the greater terrour of their enemies. And in a mysticall sense this was to shew, that not the old man born in the house of bondage, but onelyonly the new regenerate creature shall enter the heavenly Canaan.
§ 9. Come we now to describe the Israelites through this wilderness;The Israelites extremity at the Red-s…a. and first of their passage over the Red-sea, when pursued by the Egyptians. Then were they reduced to great extremity. Fight they durst not, being a multitude of undisciplin'd people, of all ages and sexes, against a regulated army of their enemies; fly they could not, having the sea before, the Egyptians behinde, steepzforeign. and unpassable hills on either side of them. It was well there was nothing above, betwixt them and heaven, to hinder the access of Moses his prayers to God in their behalf. However, for the present, God so ordered it, that the Egyptians overtook not the camp of Israel, being parted with the pillar of the cloud, the first and perfect pattern of a dark-lantern; dark aExod. 14. 20.indeed to the Egyptians, but a lantern to the Israelites. Then Moses, by order from heaven, gave the signall with his rod, a strongbExod. 14. 21. east-winde blew, and the sea miraculously retraited, standing on heaps on each side of the Israelites, whilest they passed through it. Thus, out of danger came safety, the sea flanking the Israelites on both sides, whose rere was secured by the pillar, and front advanced far off out of danger.
§ 10. Here the importunate cavill of Borphyrius presseth for admission,Porphyrius his cavill. alledging, that Moses taking advantage of a low water, unknown to the Egyptians, passed the people over thereat. Utterly unlikely, that he, being a stranger, should be better acquainted with the secret ebbings of the Red-sea, then the Egyptian-natives, whose countrey bordered on the shores thereof, beside many othercSee Sir Walter Raleigh part 1. lib. 2. c. 3. sect. 9. improbabilities. But, malice must carp at the clearest truth, and had rather lose her small credit in saying non-sense, then great revenge in bringing nothing against it.
§ 11. True it is,Passed over at the nartowest place. they went over at the wrist of the sleeve of the sea, and crossed it in the shortest place, God making use, not out of any need, but his own meer pleasure, of the narrowest cut of the sea, for their more compendious passage. Thus Christ went into heaven from dActs 1. 12.Mount Olivet, taking the advantage of the rising ground for his ascent, not out of necessity, but state, the Lord of nature therein graciously accepting of that service, which she dutifully tendred unto him. And though small and short the Red-sea in this place, it was big and broad enough to doe the deed, and drown the Egyptians. Oh! if the least joint of the little finger of the sea, be so heavy, how weighty are the loines of the Ocean if let loose! Able in an instant to press all mankind to the pit of destruction.
§ 12. The Egyptians follow the chace of the Israelites. Strange,The Egyptians drowned. that they left not off their pursuit, at so miraculous an accident! Such a road in the sea, out of the road of nature, seemed not to be gone in, but gazed at with amazement. But they thought; good for one, good for another; and all objections to the contrary, are answered in three words, eExod. 14. 4. 8. 17.God hardened them. Yea, such, whom he designeth for destruction, shall mistake their funeralls for their nuptialls, and dance as merrily to their graves as if they went to their wedding. God first sent distraction amongst them, their cripple chariots turned into carts (when their forewheels were taken away) halt on very heavily. In vain did the wiser Egyptians perswade a retrait, whilest the returning waters swallow all up in a moment. Mean time the Israelites march fair on, and recover the other side, and then in a double Quire of menfExod. 15. 1. and women, sing praises unto God for their miraculous deliverance.
§ 13. But this musick was too good to hold long.Their murmu… ing at Marah. We meet with a new ditty, and worse notes soon after. Three days they wander without water; probably sustained for food, with that unleavened bread, and other provision they brought with them out of Egypt. See here sudden vicissitudes:
1 Water they want. Oh great grief!
2 Water appears plenty at Marah. Oh great joy!
3 This water proves no water, so bitter it could not be drunk. Grief again, and murmuring.
3 The water is cured. Great joy again.
This cure Moses effected, casting, by Gods direction, agExod. 15. 25. tree into it. Thus the infusion of the least piece of Christs cross (I mean a true interest in his passion) will turn our bitterest afflictions in this world, to become sweet, and pleasant unto us. From this Marah, they remove to their next station at Elim, famous forhExod. 15. 27. twelve wells of water, and seventy Palme-trees: as if nature had purposely produced, a Well for every Tribe to drink of, a Palme-tree for every eminent Elder in Israel to lodge under.
§ 14. From Elim they removed,Their return to the Red-sea. and incamped by theiNum. 4. 10. Red-sea. What meant their going back again? Was it because in theirkAct. 7. 39. hearts they turned back again into Egypt. And therefore God in his justice, would vex their wearied bodies, to fetch a flexure thitherwards? Or rather, was it because God would have them take a second view of that sea, that so their deliverance thereat, might take the firmer, and deeper impression in their memories? Thus scholars who have once con'd their lesson by heart, are set again at the weeks end to get it for their part. Whatsoever was the cause, sure I am, they were now no nearer to the end of their race, then at the first starting, and these their last three removealls were but ciphers towards the account of their journey. Wonder I no longer at Saint Paul, and his companions in their sea-voyage, when they had sailed lAct. 27. 7.slowly many days, the winde not suffering them, finding these Israelites in their land-travell after so long time, moved, not promoted, yea, going backward; and the slowest snaile makes more speed forth-right, then the swiftest retrograde Cancer.
§ 15. From the Red-sea they advanced to the wildernessmExod. 16. 1. of Sin. For although the wilderness of Paran passeth for the genericall name of this whole desert,They come into the wilderness of Sin. yet it was subdivided into many petite wildernesses, namely those of Shur, Eham, Sin, Kadesh, &c.
§ 16. In the wilderness of Sin, Quailes, and Manna.the Israelites fell a murmuring for food. Here over night God gave themnExod. 16. 13. Quailes, (light supper-meat, and easie of digestion) being onelyonly exceedings, or a feast for a meale; and next morning, their ordinary, or constant fare was delivered out unto them, Manna rained from heaven. Some conceive it so called from foreign in Chaldee What? (or rather,oVide M. Mede Diatri. 3. part pag. 557. who?) from the question made by them at the first sight thereof. But, how came the Israelites, newly come out of Egypt, to speake the Chaldee language? Egypt and Babylon (the one the house of bondage, the other the land of captivity) though meeting in mischief against the children of God, being in time and place far asunder? Rather in Hebrew it signifieth a portion, being their daily allowance, or elsepId…m ibidem. food made ready, prepared for them without their labour or industry. It was no fragments of frankincense, called Manna by Dioscorides and Galen, no foreign, or honey-dew, nor any such mimicall drug (being not food, but physick) called Manna at this day by the Apothecaries; but a substance so solid, that it would endure grinding, and pounding, in Mill and Mortar; yet so friable, that it melted at the rising of the Sun. It fell six days, and not on theqExod. 16. 23. seventh; observed, and inforced by some, for the antiquity, and morality of the Sabbath, this happening before the giving of the fourth Commandement on mount Sinai.
§ 17. Dim are their eyes who see not Christ typified therein.Christ typified in Manna. Given freely of Gods goodness, without any work or merit of man; in a miraculous manner, at first unknown what it was, orrExod. 16. 15. whence it came, for, whosIsa. 53. 8. shall declare his generation? Equally belonging to all, rich and poor, sufficient for all:tExod. 18. 31. white in colour, so clear his innocence: pleasant like honey, so sweet are his benefits,uPsal. 34. 8. O taste and see that the Lord is good: beaten, and broken, before eaten; [Christ on the Cross:] given onelyonly in the wilderness, ceasing as soon as they came into the land of promise; as Sacraments shall expire when we enjoy the substance in heaven.
§ 18. Hence they removed to*As for Dophkah and Al…sh two Intermediate stations, (mentioned Numb. 33. 13.) they are omitted in Exod. because nothing memorable was performed in them. Rephidim, and there fall a murmuring for water. Moses at Gods commandement smites the rock, and water wExod. 17. 6.gushed forth. Saint Paul addeth, and the x1 Cor. 10. 4.Rock followed them; that is, by a Metonymie, the water issuing thence trailed after them, in all their removealls. In what state did the Israelites march, having a pillar of fire before to usher, and a stream of water their train-bearer, behind them? Both bad masters, but then their good servants. This latter (though little observed) was one cause of the long lingering of the Israelites in the wilderness: the pillar conducting them such by-ways, in levels or declivity of vales in that mountainous countrey, where the water had a conveniency to be derived after them. How many miles doth the artificiall new river make, betwixt Ware and London, finding out flats to expedite the passage thereof? Indeed, God could as easily have made this rockwater climbe, and clamber mountains, as lacquey at the heels of the Israelites; (though the one was but beside, the other quite against nature) but he would not causelesly multiply miracle on miracle. How the water of this rock was afterwards suspended, and another at Cadesh made successour in the room thereof, shall in due time, God willing, be observed. Rephidim by this ill accident of the peoples murmuring, got (no good, but) two new names, Massah and Meribah, temptation and chiding.
§ 19. Here the children of Israel were in war incountred by the Amalekites, Amali…k opposeth Israel.whose countrey lay hereabouts. A base barren land, yet too good for the owners thereof, living not so much on their own, as on incursions into their neighbouring countries. Descended fromyGen. 36. 12. Timnah, concubine to Eliphaz, Esau's eldest son: the dregs of whose malice against Iacob, and his posterity, were setled in this nation. Whilest Ioshua in the valley undertook them in a pitched field, Moses in the mount of Horeb assaulted, and battered the gates of heaven with his importunate prayers. With the rising or falling of whose hands, rose or fell the courage, and success of thezExod. 17. 11. Israelites; till at last supported by Aaron and Hur they procure a finall conquest. This Amalek aNum. 24. 20.was the first of the nations that opposed Israel, and therefore just it was, that on him (first opening the matrix of malice) as on the eldest son of Satan, a curse should be entailed, and his heires for ever; God enjoining his people a truceless war, to the utterbExod. 17. 14. & 16. extirpation of the Amalekites.
§ 20. Hence forward we never meet an Amalekite in Scripture,Amal…kites mischievous in conjunction with others. but ever doing mischief. Either stealing; (as when they plunderedc1 Sam. 30. 1. Ziglag, carrying away the women and children thereof captive) or lying, as the d2 Sam. 1. 8. 10.messenger that told the tidings of the manner of Saul's death; or craftily plotting murder, aseEsther 3. 1. Haman designing the destruction of the Jewish nation; or cruelly performing it, asf1 Sam. 15. 33. Agag, the barbarous, and bloudy King of the Amalekites. Now these Amalekites, after this their first defeat by Ioshua, were never after able alone to wage war with Israel, but listed themselves as Auxiliaries, with others. Thus under KinggIudg. 3. 13. Eglon, they joined with Moab, and Ammon; united themselves tohIudg. 5. 14. Sisera against Barak; confederated withiIudg. 6. 3. Midian, against Gideon; and after the death of Tola, combined with the Sidonians against Israel: These Adjectives onelyonly appearing in conjunction, and composition with the enemies of Gods people. Yea, it is observable, that the Israelites never ingaged against Amalek in set-fight, but constantly came off conquerours, as if the vigour and virtue of Moses his upheld hands, and the rod therein, had continued to all posterity. Thus, besides the victories gotten by Ehud, Barak, and Gideon; Saul smote Amalek, (when contrary to Gods command, hek1 Sam. 15. 9. spared the King, and choicest spoile thereof;) David l1 Sam. 30. 18.surprised them and regained his captives; and the Tribe of Simeon m1 Chr. 4. 13.made a succesfull expedition against them, to mount Seir, in the days of Hezekiah.
§ 21. We must not forget …hat mount Horeb, Mount Horeb Go…mountainwhereon Moses did pray, was the place, nigh which formerly, he fed the flocks of Iethro his father-in-law. It is called in Scripture, the nExod. 3. 1. & 1 King. 19. 8.mountain of God, either because exceeding high, and by an Hebraisme, all things eminent in their kind, are given to God, (as the Cedars of God, that is, very tall and lofty Cedars) or, because God there miraculously manifested himself in the oExod. 3. 2.bush that burned, and consumed not. Some hundred years after, Elijah living in a cave of this mountain, heard the Lord passing by, neither in fire, earth-quake, or wind, but in ap1 King. 19. 12. still small voice.
§ 22. Whilest the Israelites abode about Rephidim, Iethro Moses his father-in-law,Iethro gives Moses a visit. Prince of Midian, a countrey lying south-ward from hence towards the Red-sea, repaired hither to give his son a visit, and congratulate his good success. During his abode there, he observed how Moses wearied himself with working, and the people with waiting, whilest all causes arising betwixtqExod. 12. 37. six hundred thousand men, besides women, (too frequently fruitfull in contentions) were brought before him to be decided. He that measureth these peoples litigiousness amongst themselves, by their frowardness to God, will less admire, that Samsons back was, then that Moses his brains were not broken, with so great a burden. Surely his prudence was not so much tryed with the difficulty, as his patience with the easiness of many triviall matters brought before him. Iethro fairly chideth him for over-burdening himself. Send us such cordiall woundings of a faithfull friend, and keep us from the wounding cordials of flattering foes.
§ 23. His chiding is seconded with counselling him.Chides and counsells him. Thunder doth more harm then good, if not bringing some soft rain along with it. He adviseth Moses to substitute under-governers (reserving an appeale in grand causes to himself) charactered with these cardinall vertues, rExod. 18. 21.Men of courage, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousnesse. Moses followed his advice, new modelling the people, appointing officers over thousands, and hundreds, and fifties, and tens. Parallel to the last was the originall institution of our EnglishsSee Lambert of Constables. Tything-men (a word still in use in the west-countrey) being a superiour appointed to oversee ten men, with their families belonging unto them.
§ 24. From Rephidim (alias Massah, Terrible apparitions at the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai.or Meribah) Israel advanced to mount Sinai; where, after much preparatory state (on purpose to make terrible impressions on the people) of thunder, smoke, and lightning, the law at last was delivered. Small hope, that this Law would give life, which at the giving thereof, almost proved mortall to the beholders. If the Judge be thus terrible, when he but beginneth his charge, what will he be, when proceeding to pronounce the sentence of condemnation on malefactors? The mountain was railed about with a Noli me tangere, the people being commanded to observe a reverentiall distance.
§ 25. Hard it is to understand, who of the people, when, and how far, were permitted, or prohibited their approach to this mountain. I conceive the following modell clearest in it self,The equipage of the people on Mount Sinai and most consonant to the text;
1 Moses, by divine command,tExod. 19. 12. set bounds round about the borders of Mount Sinai; either drawing a line, or casting up a bank of sand, or cancelling, and railing it with posts: though the last least probable, trees being so scarce, nothing but hunger and horrour growing hereabouts.
2 When God came down on mount Sinai, it was death for man or beast to approach those bounds (as made on the skirt of the Mount, which they might not touch) untill solemn leave was given unto them.
3 When the uIbid. v. 13.Trumpet sounded long (as a signall, or watch-word for that purpose) the people might come up to the mount (namely up the skirts, and lowest verge thereof, so far as the foresaid bounds gave them leave) andwIbid. v. 17. hither they advanced under the conduct of Moses.
4 Here the people kept their station, during the promulgation of the law: attentive eares being permitted, but prying eyes forbidden them. Yea, on pain of death they were to proceedxIbid. v. 21. no farther.
5 Aaron by a Call of grace (as high Priest in reversion) came up higher haply to the midst of the mountain.
6 Whilest thus the people stood at the bottome of the mount, in the Chamber of presence; Aaron in the midst thereof, as in the Privy Chamber; Moses on the mount-top (as in the Bed Chamber, wherein Gods glory rested) conversed with the Divine Majesty.
Forget we not, how Ioshua was disposed, in some unknown distance in this Mount, where he remained with Moses yExod. 32. 17.fourty days. As formerly Barons eldest sons were admitted into the House of Lords, not to vote, but view the passages therein: so Ioshua Moses his heire apparant, and successour designed in Divine intention, had a peculiar favour, more neerly to behold the transactions on Mount Sinai.
§ 26. No doubt the Israelites, The Iews Idolatty.at the giving of the Law, made large promises to observe it, but very ill performed by them. For, during Moses his absence fourty days in the Mount, they solicited Aaron to make them Gods. He to decline the imployment, requires thezExod. 32. 2. ear-rings (not out of the cabinets, but) from the eares of their wives, sons, and daughters. Hoping, this his motion would make such a generall mutiny in all their families, it would finally dash the designe. Especially, seeing golden ornaments were accounted essentiall in those Eastern parts, and their heads, and hands being without ear-rings, and bracelets, were esteemed more naked, then ours without hats, and gloves. But Aaron herein missed his marke, finding the Iews superstition above their pride, or covetousness, who violently brake aIbid. v. 3.off their ear-rings, even such as were riveted in their skin with long wearing, so that rather they would fetch away some flesh, then leave any gold behinde them. Of these Jewells delivered unto him, Aaron made a moltenbIbid. v. 4. calfe for them to worship.
§ 27. And why a Calfe?Why a Calf. could they finde no fitter resemblance of God, amongst all the creatures? Why not rather the Lordly Lion, to shew the soveraignty; vast Elephant; the immensity; subtile Serpent, the wisdome; long-lived Hart, the eternity; swift Eagle, the ubiquity of God, rather then the silly senseless calfe, that eateth Hay? But, the shape mattered not much, for if God be made like any thing he may be made like any thing. It being as unlawfull to fashion him an Angel, as a worm, seeing the CommandementcExod. 20. 4. forbids as well the likeness of things in heaven above, as in earth beneath. But, probably a Calfe was preferred before other formes, because they had learned it from the Egyptians worshipping their oxe Apis. Thus the Israelites *Exod 12. 35.borrowed, not all gold, and silver, but some dross from the Egyptians, whence they fetcht the idolatrous formes of their worship.
§ 28. Moses descends in haste from the mount,The abolishing thereof. and beholding their impiety, in holy zeale brake the two Tables, wherein the Commandements were written. Then, boldly he seiseth on their Idol, being but one against many thousands. Oh! what an army, innocence and authority carrieth, in a sole person! None durst rescue their calfe, and it could not rescue it self; yea, could not so much as low, being now led to be slaughtered. He stamps it to powder, and being now pulverized, and strawed on the water, he dExod. 32. 20.made the Israelites to drink thereof. Say not, this was uncivill, to force men to drink against their will, and the Persians in their feasts had more goodness, whereeEsther 1. 8. none did compell. For, as a Physitian, he made the people his Patients, take this potion for their own good. Aurum potabile (they say) is cordiall, and this draught would be soveraign for the Israelites, to teach them, how hereafter they worshipped that, which went into the draught. For, now, their Gods made to goe before, are gone behinde them; and, if so minded, they might meet them next morning in their excrements.
§ 29. The Idol thus abolished,…xecution made by the Levites. the idolatry was not thereby instantly expiated. The Levites, at Gods summons, and command, with drawnfExod. 31. 27. swords, went in and out from gate to gate, through the camp, and unpartially slay every one they meet. Wherein observe, they had no commission to kill
1 Children, whose judgment was not out of nonage to discern Idolatry. Besides, God was very tender in preserving the next generation.
2 Nor women: seeing men alone are mentioned to be slain. And although Levi is commended for saying to his mother,gDeut. 33. 9. I have not seen her; this relates not to their killing of women, but that they were inexorable, to spare any at their intreaties.
3 Nor men in their tents; How good is it (especially in sad times) to keep home, and not to be gadding abroad, without great occasion!
4 But onelyonly such, as they met stragling, and strutting in the streets, whilest the rest within doors, may charitably be conceived, sorrowing for the sin they had committed.
Say not with David,h2 Sam. 11. 25. the sword-devoureth one as well as another. For, surely Divine providence brought herein the most active offenders to execution. And God was so well pleased with this sacrifice of Levi's offering, that hereafter none other Tribe should offer sacrifice unto him.
§ 30. The number of the slain were aboutiExods. 32. 28. three thousand men. Mercy in Gods justice.A great sum in it self, yet divided amongst six hundredkExod. 12. 37. thousand, it amounteth but just to the twentieth part of decimation, taking but one out of two hundred, and five out of a thousand. And this was the first mortall judgement inflicted on the Israelites, since their coming out of Egypt; for, although formerly they had many times muttered, yet God onelyonly chid, not kil'd any of them. But, ever after this time, they never murmured, but it cost some their lives for the same. Thus Divine Justice is long plucking his arme out of his bosome; but, having once found the use thereof, never striketh in vain. Yea, ever after God improved himself to greater numbers, observing generally a gradation in his judgments, and the price of the Market rose higher to the latter end thereof. But three thousand slain at this time; afterwards fourteen lNum. 16. 19.thousand and seven hundred upon the rebellion of Korah; andmNum. 25. 9. twenty four thousand destroyed by the plague, about the business of Baal-Peor.
§ 31. The modern Iews are of opinion,The error of the modern Iews. that all the afflictions which ever since have, do, or shal befal their nation, are still the just punishments on them, for this their first act of Idolatry. And the Rabbins havenMoses Ger… densis. a saying, that God never inflicts any judgment upon them, but therein is an ounce of his anger on them for their ancestors making the golden oVide P. Fagium in Caldaic. Exod. Paraphras.Calfe. A reverend friend of mine, conversing at Amsterdam with a Iewish youth (very capable and ingenious for one of that nation) endevoured to make him sensible of Gods anger upon them, for rejecting and crucifying of Christ; for which foul fact, he shewed, how the Iews have lived many hundred years in miserable banishment. But, the youth would in no wise acknowledge their sufferings, any effect, or punishment of their murdering of Christ, but taking his Bible, turned to Gods threatning immediately after their making of the Calfe, Exod. 32. 34. Nevertheless in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them; so interpreting, and applying all the numerous calamities, which since have befallen them, to relate to no other cause, then that their first idolatry. Whereas indeed, the arrears of their idolatry long agoe were satisfied, and this is a new debt of later date, contracted on themselves by their infidelity.
§ 32. Many moe matters of moment happened during the Israelites abode at mount Sinai; Many remarkable at Mount Sinai.as instructions delivered to Moses, for the building of the Ark, by him performed accordingly, (wherof in the next chapter) the first numbring of the people since their coming out of Egypt, with the giving of the Ceremoniall, and Judiciall law. From mount Sinai they marched bypNum. 11. 3. Taberah, that is, a burning, (because there, the fire of God, till quenched by Moses his prayer, consumed the hindmost in the camp, for their murmuring) on to Kibroth-Hattaavah.
§ 33. Here the people fell a longingfor meat,Mama loathed by the Israelites. and loathingqNum. 11. 4. of Manna, though man could eat no cheaper, Angels no better food. But, oh! thought they, no Manna to variety. Always the same in substance, though disguised in dressing, proved offensive unto them. This makes me suspect the truth, of what Saint Augustine out of the Rabbins reports, that Manna relished in every mans mouth, as their fancy affected, so that all flesh, fish, and fowle were virtually epitomized therein. If so, the Iews had no*Vide Augustinum. tom. 2. pag. 558. & Retract. lib. 2. cap. 20. pretence to distaste, what tasted as themselves did desire. Except any will say, they desired to feast their eye, as well as their palat, and severall meats, not diversified in sight, were nauseous unto them. Had not the fever of their lust put their mouths quite out of taste, to prefer an EgyptianrNum. …1. 5. Cucumber before such heavenly repast?
§ 34. Here God gave them flesh with a vengeance,Quailes sent them the second time. sending Quailes now the second time unto them, after a different manner, then what formerly he had given them at the wilderness of Sin.
Then,
1 TheysExod. 16. 3. murmured out of hunger and necessity, having nothing to eat.
2 Those Quales lasted but onetExod. 16. 13. meal.
3. They were safely eaten, and well digested.
Now,
1 They murmured out of humour, and curiosity, because they had nothing but Manna.
2 These Quailes continued a whole uNum. 11. 20.monethmonth.
3 Many Israelites were slain, whilest the meat was in their mouths.
The Psalmist addeth, that God slew the wPsal. 78. 31.wealthiest, or fattest of them: the judgement fell heaviest on men of the primest quality. Which mindeth me (though barring all uncharitable application) of a strange mortality in England Anno 1558. at the death of Queen Mary, when a dainty mouthed disease did rage, which (passing by poor people) fed generally onxCommunis quaedam lues exardore febrium per universes Angliae ordines permeabat, & in ill is maximè divites & honoratas personas depopulabatur. Haddon cont. Os…rium. fo. 25. principall persons, of greatest wealth, and estate. The place where this execution was done, was called Kibroth-Hat-taavah, or, the grave of lusters.
§ 35.*Miriam and Aaron brawle with Moses. Hence they removed toyNum. 11. 35. Hazeroth, where happned the contest ofzNum. 12. 1. Miriam and Aaron against Moses, because of the Ethiopian [or Cushite woman] whom he had married. Understand we Zipporah hereby (Moses having wife enough of her alone, as appears by her shrewish aExod. 4. 25.returns) being an Ethiopian at large, Midian being part of the Asi…tick Cush, as learned men have cleared beyond opposition. Wherefore we look on the Lady Tarbith, as no Bride of Moses, but Brat of Iosephus, begotten of his luxurious fancy. True it is, many years since Moses was married to Zipporah, and yet no wonder, that now they made it new matter for fresh falling out. For, Anger can keep an accusation long dormant in the deck, and awaken it at last, when conceiving it most for its advantage.
§ 36. That Miriam was most active in this brawle,Miriam most active. is not onelyonly probable from the female subject thereof, but may certainly be collected from the first naming of her, [bNum. 12. 1. And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses] and the punishment lighting heaviest upon her. For, God making himself umpire, ended the brawle, cleared Moses, checked Aaron, and punished Miriam with seven days leprosie. During which time the Congregation of Israel cNum. 12. 15.not removing out of regard to her (leprous Miriam is Miriam still, a good woman for the main; and such, when smarting for their faults, are not to be cast away, but comforted) respectfully attended her recovery.
§ 37. Hence they removed to the Wilderness of Paran, Murmurings occasioned by the false report of Spies.whence spies were sent to search the land, and whither after forty days they returned, with medly tydings in their mouths, feeding such as sent them with a bit and a knock; greatdNum. 13. 23. grapes, figs, and pomegranates, but withall telling them, that the rest (whereof these were a sample) must cost bloudy blows, before they could quietly be gathered. Here we will not defend their falshoods by a figure pleading a Miosis, when they in respect of the Anakims,eNum 13. 33. were in their own sight as Grashoppers, whilest the Cities of the Cana…nites (liers relations like the sea, what they lose in one place, gain in another) were (by an Hyperbole bringing both stone and mortar)fDeut. 1 2…. walled up to heaven; seeing, in down right terms, they with their carnall fear, flatly belyed both the place, and people therein. Yea, what if their wals had reached up to heaven? Did not Israels help come down from thence? so that the bottome of their comfort, was higher then the battlements of their enemies buildings. Hereat the people fall a muttering and whilest Caleb and Ioshua, the onelyonly two Tell-troths, endevoured to undeceive, and incourage the people, instead of stilling them, they had been stoned themselves, if the glorious appearance of God out of the Tabernacle had not seasonablygNum. 1. 10. interposed betwixt their innocence, and the fury of the multitude.
§ 38. God (as justly he might) took this their affront in high indignity,This the tenth temp…a…ion. especially seeing since their coming out of Egypt, they had tempted him now these hNum. 14 22.ten times, and this decumana tentatio as yet the last and greatest. Ten Commandements he gave them to observe, and ten temptations they already returned him in lieu thereof. Surely God is a just Accountant, not charging moe faults on their score, then they were guilty of, but let us reckon up as many murmurings of them as appear in Scripture. Not to speake of the personall faults of Nadab and Abihu offering withiLevit. 10 1. strange fire, (conceived drunk at the same time, because immediately after, wine and strong drink are forbidden the Priests when they officiate) one thatkLevit. 34. 11. blasphemed, another gathering lNum. 15. 32.sticks on the Sabbath; we insist on more generall and solemn Rebellions, out of the stock of the publick infidelity.
1 Before their coming over the Red-sea. Exod. 14. 11.
2 At Marah for want of water. Exod. 15. 24.
3 In Sin Wilderness for lack of food. Exod. 16. 2.
4 At the same place, some keeping Manna till it st…nk. ver. 20. contrary to Gods comand.
5 Others going out to gather it on the Sabbath. ver. 27. contrary to Gods comand.
6 At Rephidim, for want of water. Exod. 17. 2.
7 For the absence of Moses, when they made the calfe Exod. 32. 1.
8 At Taberah, when fire consumed them. Numb. 11. 1.
9 At Kibroth-Hattaavah longing for food. Numb. 11. 4.
10 At this time after the return of the Spies.
Yet not to stand strictly on ten, perchance, a certain is put for an uncertain number (Thou hast changed my wages mGen. 31. 41.ten times, that is, very often.) Not that the Iews tempted God under, but rather over that number, their severall impieties not being all expressed, as appears by the charge of the Prophet Amos, In the nAmos 5. 26.wilderness forty years, ô house of Israel, you have born the Tabernacle of Moloch, and Chiun your images &c. being guilty of more Idolatry, then is particularly mentioned by Moses.
§ 39. The place whence the Spies were sent,Three names to one place. and whither they returned is called in Scripture by three severall names;
1oNum. 33. 18. Rithmah, as may be collected from the order of their severall stations. This we conceive the center of the camp, and punctuall place (otherwise but obscure in it self) where the Tabernacle was pitched.
2pDeut. 1. 19. Kadesh-barnea, whither the out skirts of that numerous Camp, distant some space, might extend.
3 The Wilderness of qNum. 12. 16. & 13. 3.Paran, which though the genericall name to the whole Desert, is here appropriated to a particular part therof.
Thus in Asia a fourth part of the world, there is the lesser Asia (now Natolia) a large Countrey, and thereinr1 Pet. 1. 1. proper Asia a little Province (which I may call the Asia of ASIA in ASIA) as here, this proper Paran in the midst of the great Wilderness of the same name.
§ 40. God on their disobedience condemned this whole generation (Caleb and Ioshua excepted) to death in the Wilderness, forbidding them farther approach to the land of Canaan, and enjoining their tedious return toward the Red-sea. Notwithstanding whose prohibition, some outlaw'd of his protection, armed onelyonly with their own stubborness (as if with their gold and silver, they had borrowed also part of Pharaohs hardened heart) without Pillar to guide, or Arke to accompany them, advanced forward, and became asNum. 14. 45. prey to the Canaanites, and Amalekites. And no wonder, if such who in their march set their faces against Gods command, be found in their retrait (or flight rather) turning their backs towards their enemies. The rest were remanded by Gods order towards the south, who from Rithmah their fifteenth, to Kadesh their thirty third station, spent well-nigh thirty eight years, and were spent by the same, wherein all that generation was consumed.
§ 41. Which term of time we may fitly call the Gulfe of silence, The gulfe of silence.nothing remarkable being stored thereof in Scripture, save onelyonly the rebellion of tNum. 16. 1.Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and that also without any notation of the particular place whereon it was acted. YetuAinsworth on Numb. 33. learned men with some probability conceive, thatwNum. 33. 25. Makheloth the two and twentieth stage of the Israelites, was the Theater of so sad a Tragedy, because interpreted Assemblies in the Hebrew tongue, the same word which in the Originall is used, when those mutineers are said toxNum. 16. 3. gather themselves together against Moses.
§ 42. Come we now to Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin their thirty third resting place,They come to Kad…sh. where one may rationally hope to finde much reformation amongst the people, if all things be seriously considered. For, such as survived of the old generation, seeing their equalls in age extinguished before their eyes, and this the last year (in their lease of forty) begun, should probably prove older and wiser, learning wit from others woe not to provoke God. And the succeeding generation were concerned to carry themselves accordingly, being Probationers upon their good behaviour, to be admitted into Canaan, coming now to the confines thereof. …
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§ 45. It is observable,Moses punished for the people. that since the Israelites making of the Calfe, all their mutterings were mortall, and cost many their lives: yet onelyonly here at Kadesh none were slain for their disobedience, save Moses and Aaron (eminently worth thousands of others) who here had the sentence of death pronounced against them (though reprieved for a time) and rendered uncapable of their entering into Canaan, as if the rest had fared the better for their punishment, God not willing that the chief Magistrate, chief Minister and all the people should smart at the same time, for the same offence.
§ 46. Here we take our farewell of the Israelites, A farewell to the Israelites.much admiring at their constant disobedience, notwithstanding their manifold deliverances, so that miracles grown customary with them, were (like Manna) contemned for their commonness, and the Pillar of fNum. 14. 14.fire going before them (What is ever seen, is never seen) made no more impression on theirs, then the rising and setting of the glorious Sun, doth on our thankfulness. Yea, still they persisted to rebell against God, and (which is remarkable) lust was their last tempting of him, committing carnall and spirituallgNum. 25. … whoredome with the daughters of Moa…, whereof formerly in the Des…iption hPag. 63. §. 19.of Reuben. Now the old generation began to run drogs, (very few of them being left alive, and therefore strange it is, that any of them should be wanton in their old age (How ill doth green thoughts sui… with gray heads?) though probably some of them having one foot in the grave, had an Arme in those amorous embraces.
§ 47. But whilest we condemn the Iews, Admonition to the English.we see not the stubbornness in our own hearts. A brain-sick opinion hath possessed many English now adays, that they are descended from Iewish extraction, and some pretend to derive their pedegree (but out of what Heral…s office I know not) from Iewish parentage. Here a mysticall truth may be wrapped up in a literall lye: (Old-Iury is a street of large extent) and too much of Iewish bloud, spirits, marrow; fill, move, fraught; our veins, nerves, bones;iAmos 2. 13. pressing God under the weight of our sins, who daily kPsal. 68. 19.loadeth us with his benefits; who, besides other favours, in the day-time of posperity is a pillar of a cloud to cool, check, and counsell; in the night of adversity a pillar of fire to cheer, comfort, and conduct us, and yet neither effectually works our serious amendment. Thus leaving the tedious travels of the Iews, we come to the ready road betwixt Egypt and Can…an, which may be gone over in far fewer days, then they spent years in their passage.
§ 48. Some will say,Ioseph defended for want of affection. if so short a cut betwixt Egypt and Canaan, how can Ioseph be excused for lack of filiall affection, in not sending so long time to his Father, to rectifie his mistake, and to untorture him from the apprehension of his sons supposed death? Especially, seeing his Fathers numerous family on small enquiry might easily be found out, even by the signe of his different religion from the rest of the Countrey. All that can be answered is, Ioseph had some immediate security, and assurance from God, that his dreams in due time should take full effect, and therefore attended whilst providence seasonably ripened the same by his own means: his obedience to God (whose ways he waited on) stopping his expression of his love to his parent, which flowed forth at last the more plentifully, for being so long dammed up before.
§ 49. This compendious passage betwixt Egypt and Canaan, Sy…on lake and Casian Mountain.leaveth the Mediterranean sea on the left hand, as also the Syrbon-lake, formerly much larger, now daily decreasing, since the inlet thereof into the sea, hath been choaked up with the sand. More eastward it passeth by the Mount Casius, famous for the buriall of the unfortunate Pompey the great therein, by a poor souldier, untill Adrian the Emperour afterwards bestowed a fair Monument upon him. But neither this Mountain, nor any other place on this road is mentioned in Scripture, save two Innes thereon of eminent note.
§ 50. Of these that the ancientest wherein the ten sons of their Father Iacob lodged in their going down to Egypt. The most anc… ent Inne.I say the ten sons of one Father. And therefore the same is pertinently alledged by them in their purgation that they were no spies, lGen. 42. 11.because all one mans children, (which some resemblance in their countenances [probably] might partly evidence) it being utterly unlikely, that persons sent on so dangerous discoveries should all be taken out of one family, (to the finall extirpation thereof, if miscarrying in the designe) whereas generally Spies, (like a Party commanded out of severall troops, when sent on desperate service) are chosen out of divers housholds, (with those which Moses sent to search the land, one out ofmNum. 13. 2. every Tribe) that if cut off in the Action, the loss may be the lighter when divided amongst many families. Here those brethren were, in their return, troubled with too much money, (wealth hath her distractions as well as want) the silver in their nGen. 52. 28.Sacks, which they beheld as a bait laid there to ens…are them, though all came off joyfully at the last.
§ 51. The other Inne (on or near this road) was that wherein Moses (coming out of Midian and compassing the Red-sea) lodged with his wife and children.Moses his Inne. An Inne which was likely to have proved hisoEccles. 12. 5. long-home, and Moses his Embassie to Pharaoh, was almost turned there into an errand unto his own grave, yea the messenger welnigh dispatched before the message, God seeking to pExod. 4. 24.kill him, for neglecting the circumcising of his sons. Whether because his forty years living in Midian, had made him more remiss in his Religion, or out of a peaceable compliance to purchase the quiet of his wise, whose aversness herein appears by her words and gesture, at the same time here casting her sons foreskin at his feet, yet hitting him in the teeth qExod. 4. 25.there with, Surely a bloudy husband art thou to me.
§ 52. Now to take our farewell of this Wilderness, People living in this Wilderness.as barren as it was, some people, (besides the Amalekites formerly spoken of) made a shift to live therein. (No place so dry with sand, or hard with rockes, but, if well cooked with industry, it will make mans-meat, especially for hungry-stomachs.) As the Madianites, where Iethro was Prince in the South-west, on the Red-sea, ther1 Sam. 24. 8. Geshurites, and Gezrites in the North-east, betwixt Egypt and Shur, and above all, the Kenites, who at first lived mixed with the Amalekites.
§ 53. By Kenites we understand not that antiquated nation,The Kenites. whose lands God promised tosGen. 15. 19. See our fir…t book pag. 19. Abraham, but a people descended from Hobab tJudg 4 11.or Iethro the father-in-law to Moses, some whereof removed out of this Wilderness, and planted themselves near the TribeuIbidem. of Napthali, others continued here, and both Colonies of them alwaies kept good corresponcie with the Israelites. Saul, when sent against the Amalekites, was very civill to these southern Kenites, both warning and wishing them seasonably to w1 Sam. 15. 6.depart at which time I conceive they hitched their Habitations; a little more Northward, and nearer to Iuduh. These Kenites, (though Gentiles and strangers) were kinder to David, then the Keilites, (Iews, of his own Tribe) who though engaged to David for delivering them from their enemies, yet ungratefullyx1 Sam. 2…. 12. intended to betray him to Saul. Whereas the Kenites, though bound to Saul for a late favour received from him, yet protected Davids innocence from Sauls persecution, their Cities being one of Davids Topicks, y1 Sam. 30. 29.or place where he haunted, and whither he sent part of the spoile he had taken from the Amalekites.
§ 54. Here let Balaams prophecy be well heeded, Balaam his proph…cy of the Kenites.when looking on the Kenites, Strong (saith he) is thy dwelling place, zNum. 24. 21.and thou puttest thy nest in A ROCK, nevertheless the Kenites shall be wasted, untill [or ratheraSee Ainsworth in locum. whilst] Ashur shall carry thee away captive. By Rock, (besides the locall position of their dwelling) we understand, their confederacy and association with the Iews in the true Religion, (being accounted Proselytes) and sharing with them in the same success, as carried away by the Assyrian to Babylon, and returning again when the rest of the Iews were restored, seeing we finde some Kenites b1 Chr. 12. 55.mentioned after the captivity, and are (as the text intimates) conceived to be the same with abstemious Familie of the Rechabites.
Here the draught of the Tabernacle is to be inserted.