A Pisgah-Sight of Palestine, Book 4 · Body of book · Chapter 5
THE DESCRIPTION OF EGYPT. CHAP. V.
§ 1.EGYPT was by the Hebrews called Mizraim (and by the Arabians, The names and bounds of Egypt.Mesre, at this day) fromaGen. 10. 6. Mizraim the second son of Cham, first inhabitant thereof. It was anciently called foreign, by the most skilfull of the Egyptian Priests, as Plutarch bLib. de I…ide & Osyride.observes, no doubt from Cham the second son of Noah: as also it was termed Hammois (a name also generall to Libya, yea to all Africk) being in the same sound and sense styled the LandcPsal. 105. 23. of Ham by the Psalmist. It had the Mediterranean sea on the north, Cyrene on the west, Ethiopia (the countrey of Queen dAct. 8. 27.Candace) on the south, the Red-sea on the east, with a smal Isthmus of land (not past seventy miles over) betwixt it and the Mediterranean. Many Princes with as great expence as small success, have oft attempted with their Pioneers to pierce through this slender neck of ground, so to join the two seas together, for the greater conveniency of traffick. It seems heaven blasted their designes, as an incroachment on the divine Prerogative, it being onelyonly placed in Gods power to give the Word of Command to the Ocean, Hither shalt thoueIob 38. 11. come, but no farther. And if it be dishonesty to fPro. 22. 28.remove Land-markes of mens fixing, how high presumption is it to alter so ancient and solemn water-bounds of Gods own appointing?
§ 2. The Egyptians are low in stature,The complexions and conditions of the Egyptians. of firme and well compacted bodies, swarthy and tawny complexions. Hereupon Abraham coming into Egypt said to Sarah his wife, Behold NOW, I know that thou artgGen. 12. 11. a fair woman to look upon. Not that being so many years married, he had hitherto lived in ignorance of her beauty, and now took first notice thereof, but (as Stars shine brightest in the night) so her fairness was now more conspicuous amongst the black faces of the Egyptians. Their wits anciently were very subtile and searching, esteemed the first inventers of Arithmetick, Musick, and by reason of the perpetuall serenity of the aire, they found out the course of the Sun and Stars, first dividing Time into Moneths, and Years. The wisdome of theh1 King. 4. 20. & Act. 7. 22. Egyptians, is eminent in Scripture, much given to Magick, and Divination, yeai2 Tim. 3. 8. Iannes and Iambres the Inchanters have even to this day some in Egypt, heires to their mysterious impieties. As for the wandering Gypsies, which now a days pretend to the telling of Fortunes, their best cunning generally is the credulity of others, oft-times not seeing how near their own feet are to the stocks, and backs to the whipping-post. Yea commonly they are counterfeites, coming no more from Egypt, then the dissembling Gibeonites did from a farkIosh. 9. 6. Countrey, and perchance are next neighbours unto us.
§ 3. A most pleasant Countrey Egypt was,The pleasure and profit of Egypt. and is. For when the holy Spirit intended to commend the sweet situation of the plain of Iordan (before it was turned for the sins of the people into a stinking lake) he describeth it to be well watered every where, even as the Garden of the Lord, like thelGen. 13. 10. land of Egypt. Nor was the profit less then the pleasure thereof, affording plenty of the best Wheat, Barly, Rice, and all other grain; insomuch that this Land was generally horreum Romani imperii, the Barn or Granary of the Roman Empire. Indeed I finde the same title given also to the Island of Sicily. And no wonder; for the Roman Empire being so vast and expensive an housekeeper, might wel make use of two Barnes for her provision. However I dare boldly say, that though Sicily was the nearer, Egypt was the bigger and better Barn, and yeelded greatest store of corn in time of scarcity.
§ 4. Flax also was a stable commodity of Egypt, Egyptian Flaxe.much whereof at this day is imported and used in England. Of this the finest linen in the world was woven. The Harlot could tell the silly young man, she sought to inveigle, I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, and finemProv. 7. 10. linen of Egypt, as commonly the worst of women, get the best of wares, to please their luxury. As for the making of this linen cloth, it will hardly be beleeved, what Pomponius Mela hath reported, that the ancient Egyptians used to have their men keep home and spin, while their women managed their greater businesses abroad. But surely where the man puts his hand to the spindle, and the woman to the plough, there the whole family will be ill clad, and worse fed.
§ 5. Horses of the best kind were very plentifull in Egypt. Egyptian horses excellent.Those were a prohibited commodity, forbidden by Gods law to be brought by great numbers into Israel, whose King was charged,nDeut. 17. 16. Not to multiply horses to himself, nor to cause the people to return into Egypt; partly, lest whilest they went thither to course horses, they should change religions, and fall into love with Egyptian Idolatry; partly, lest they should place too much confidence in the legs of horses; or arme of flesh, whom God would have immediately to depend on his own protection.
§ 6. Paper most usefull for intercourse, anciently grew in Egypt alone,Paper first grew in Egypt. being a sedgy weed on the rivers side, which they divided into thin flakes, whereinto it naturally parteth, then laying them on a table and moistening them with the glutinous water of the River, they pressed them together, and so dried them in the Sun. God foretelling his punishments onoIsa. 197. Egypt, threatneth that The paper reeds of the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no more.
§ 7. Mummy must not be forgotten,Mummy how made. being mans flesh, at the first embalmed for*Gen. 50. 3. forty days together, and afterward for many years buried, in that hot and sandy Countrey. Yet all art cannot finally avoid the curse pronounced on mankind,pGen. 3. 19. Dust thou art, and to dust thou must return, so that if left alone, these corpses of themselves moulder to ashes. O…herwise such cost and curiosity used for their longer preservation, accidentally occasioneth their speedier destruction; such bodies being taken up out of their graves, bought and brought into forein Countreys for medicinall uses. What, is there such a dearth of drugs? such a famine of Physick in nature, that (as in theq2 King▪ 6. 28. siege of Samaria) one man must feed on another? However, whilest some squeamish stomacks make faces to feed on the dead, perhaps their hard hearts at the same time,rPsal. 14. 4. Eate up the living as if they were dead, either by fraudulent contracts or forcible oppressions.
§ 8. But these grand commodities of Egypt, The inconveniences of Egypt.were also allaied with some great inconveniencies, many noxious and venimous creatures swarming therein. The ProphetsIsa. …0. 6. called it, the land from whence come the young and old Lion, the Viper and the Viper and the fiery-flying Serpent. This, though mystically meant of the Kings of Egypt, their Lion-like antipathy and cruelty to Israel (styled also Serpents for their craft; flying, for the swift marching of their Armies, winged on horse-backs; fiery, for the fierceness and heat of their fury) yet was it also literally true, of plenty of such beasts in Egypt, where that moist and hot Countrey was both the pregnant mother to breed, and tender nurse to feed them in great abundance. Especially in the western deserts, towards Cyrene, an hideous, and dismall place: and therefore thetTobit. 8. 3. Author of the book of Tobit, fitted it with a meet inhabitant, banishing thither, and binding there, Asmodeus the evill spirit, in the utmost parts of Egypt.
§ 9. Rain is very rare in this landRain rare in Egypt. (and that onelyonly in winter) the windows of heaven here having no casements, and the Egyptians supplying the want of rain, by making gutters out of the river of Nilus into all their grounds and gardens. God therefore in this respect preferreth the land of Canaan before this Countrey,uDeut. 11. 10. For the land (saith he) whither thou goest to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came, where thou sowedst thy seed, and watered it with thy feet; as a garden of Herbs. But the land whither thou goest to possess it, is a land of mountains and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven. Surely as it is more honour to receive a boon immediately from the hand of a Prince, then in an indirect line, from him, by his servants; so more peculiar was the favour of God to the Iews, and the familiarity of the Iews with God, having their land watered from heaven, whilest the Egyptians looked not upward as men, but downwards as beasts, on that moisture which constantly procured the fruitfulness of their Countrey. But this pleased them best: as carnall souls had rather be at a certainty of plenty from Nature, then at an uncertainty thereof, even from the God of Nature himself. However they are much mistaken, who have confidently reported that it never raineth in Egypt; seeing I have been informed the contrary, by a right worshipfull *Sir william Paston of Oxbint in N…rfolk.Person, and well accomplished traveller, a great Patron and bountifull promoter of my present studies; an eye-witness of much and violent rain at Grand-Cairo in Egypt, but such as presaged a great mortality, which ensued not long after.
§ 10. The River of Nile is the happy Genius of the Egyptian soil, called in Scripture Nachal Mitzraim, or the river of Egypt, as a most learned Authour hathwV…ssius de Idololatria. lib 2. cap. 74. observed. Yea from this Nachal he clearly derived the name of Nilus with excellent proportion. For
| as | from | Bahal | Bââl | Beel | Bel | foreign | is deduced. |
| so | Nachal | Nââl | Neel | Neil | foreign |
And to make the matter more plain, Pomponius xLib. 5. c. 10.Mela reporteth, that the fountain of Nilus is called Nachul by the Ethiopians. A river wherein nature hath observed an even tenour of admirableness, so that the birth, the life, and the death thereof, I mean the fountain, flowing, and fall of the river, are equally composed of a concatenation of wonders.
1 Fountain. The particular place thereof being never as yet known certainly. So that (as theyMat. 13. 26. Tares in the Gospell, were beheld, not when sown, but when grown) Nilus appears even at the first in a full stream and fair chanell.
2 Flowing: which constantly beginneth with the rising Sun on the seventeenth of Iune, swelling by degrees untill it mount sometimes twenty four Cubits, and that the uttermost (for anciently sixteen was the highest it attained unto:) and answerable to the increase of this river is the plenty of scarcity of the following year. Nor doth this overflowing of Nile, give onelyonly wealth, but also health to Egypt. For if five hundred chance to dye in a day in Cairo of the plague (azG. Sandys Trav. p. 97. mortality not rare in so populous a place, where the sound keep company with the sick, holding death fatall, and to avoid it irreligion) not one doth die the day following.
3 Fall. For at the influx thereof into the sea, the fresh water keeps together, and contrary to other rivers, changeth the colour of the salt▪ faraIdem. p. 94. farther into the sea then the shore from thence can be discerned.
Nor less wonderfull are the creatures in and about this river, the bird Trochilus, the Ichneumon, or Rat of Nilus; the Crocodiles and River-horses, (though as big as a cow, and proportioned as abIdem. pa. 99. swine) for all which we send the Reader for his better information to that modern learned Philosopher,cWindeline de ad…ira. Nili. who hath made a just tract thereof. OnelyOnly we will adde, that not moe cures are prescribed for the tooth-ach, then causes by severall Authors assigned for the flowing of Nilus, nor are the one farther from giving the body ease, then the other the minde satisfaction.
§ 11. With the flowing of the River,The Egyptians proud of Nilus rose also the Pride of the Egyptians, exceeding all bounds and banks of modesty and moderation, defying Nature it self, because (as Isocrates saith) they had both drought and moisture in their own dispositions. And such their land is described by thedLu…an. l. 8. Poet:
Terra suis contenta bonis; non indiga mercis,
Aut Iovis, in solo tanta est fiducia Nilo.
A land content with home-bred ware,
For forein wealth she doth not care,
Or whether heavens do frown or smile,
Her confidence is all in Nile.
Yea so impudent is the Egyptian arrogance herein, that whereas Nilus makes Egypt and God made both, they falsly boastcEzek. 29. 3. once andfEzek. 29. 9. again in the Prophet, My river is mine own, and I have made it for my self; whereupon God to clear his own property and right to the creature, threatneth to shew his judgements on that river,gEzek. 29. 10. from the tower of Syen even unto the border of Ethiopia.
§ 12. Nilus venteth it self into the Mediterranean sea, with seven mouths, nothing being more famous in humane poetry and prose then this septemfluous river. The holy spirit takes notice of the same number, threatning utterly to destroy the tongue of the Ethiopian Sea, when with his mighty wind he shall shake his hands over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dry-shod: hIsa. 11. …5.which words admit of severall interpretations.
1 The strength of Egypt is hereby mystically meant, whose kingdome was afterwards destroyed, and the Countrey thereof conquered and subdued to the Persian Monarchy.
2 It probably was literally performed, when Nilus by ominous accident failed to overflow (as in the tenth and eleventh year of Cleopatra) and his streams became low, and shallow thereupon.
3. The ancient and originall chanels thereof are now in time obstructed, new conveyances succeeding in their place.
An alteration elsewhere obvious. In the Isle of Elie (Englands Egypt for the flatness, moistness, and fruitfulness thereof) how are the old, and once plentifull streams ofiVide Camdens Brit. in Cambr. sh…re. Nyne and Welland impoverished, by artificiall derivations thereof, into the Leam, the old and new Podick, and other byditches; made, to drive mills, to drain meadows; fence fields, bear boats, and other private conveniences? Rivers having as little certainty to possess their proper chanels, as men their houses, ancient families being daily outed by other of later extraction.
§ 13. However,Various numbring of the streams of Nilus. though the seven streams of Nilus pass current in most mouths, yet they are reckoned up, both over and under that number, by authours of excellent credit.
Ortelius and Maginus, in their Maps of Egypt, make them eleven.
Hondius in his Map of Europe (where Nilus is brought in by the by) ten.
Ptolemy this Countreyman, in his description thereof, nine.
The foresaid Hondius, in his Map of Africa, eight.
Herodotus kIn Euterpe.(with whom thelIsa. 1…. 15. Scripture agreeth) seven.
Gulielmus Tyrius, and Bellonius, four.
Mr.mTrav. pa. 94. Sandys, but two navigable branches extant in our age.
This various reckoning, exceeding seven, ariseth, because anciently, some onelyonly counted the grand and solemn ostiaries of Nilus (and these, which they be at this day, let such enquire which are of the Commission of Sewers amongst the Egyptians) whiles others cast all his chanelets (rather cuts then courses) into the number. Since, they fall short, either choaked up, or commixed, yet still maintain in mens talk the reputation of seven. For, when a naturall, or noted number is once up in the market, small occasionall variations thereof, more or less, can never beat it down in common discourse. Thus, Thomas is termed one of thenIohn 20. 24▪ twelve, when there were but eleven, after the self-execution of Iudas, and before the election of Matthias. In a word, the chanels of Nilus, daily decreased in number, because (as pinked or slashed clothes have the fewer holes the longer they are worn) so his streams fret one into another; especially, the ground being so soft and tender which lyeth betwixt them.
§ 14. To come now to the particular description of Egypt; The Isle of Dogs.Nilus flowing out of Ethiopia, compassed an Island called the Isle of*See Ortelius and Mercators old Maps. Dogs; but, why so named, I know as little, as why those rich meadows lying betwixt London and Black-wall, are called after the same name, though better deserving to be termed the Isle of Oxen, from the fat cattell feeding therein. But, seeing no mention of this, or the next Island (which Nilus makes) in Scripture, we pass them by, confining our ensuing discourse to Gods Word alone; save onelyonly, that we will take leave to survey the Pyramides, becauseoAnti. Iud. li. 2 K…. …. Iosephus (though erroneously) conceiveth them built by the Israelites, when here living in bondage.
§ 15. They stand not far from the western bank of the river,Vanity in building the Pyramids. and are the younger brethren of the Tower of Babel, built (but with better success, because finished) on the same consideration, by the Egyptian Kings, topGen. 11. 4. make them a name. Yet, who erected them, Greeks agree ill with themselves, and worse with the Arabian authours, so that Pliny qNat. hist. li. 36. cap. 12.gravely observes it a just punishment on the vanity of these …ounders, that they are forgotten. Indeed, in the Criticisme of credit, the Artisans cunning might cry halfes in honour, with the Kings cost in this structure; but, both the one and the other, are equally buried in silence, so that the most skilfull Egyptian Antiquary cannot out of these Hieroglyphicks of pompe and pride, read the name of either. Whilest the poor midwives, who contrary to Pharaohs command preserved the Hebrews children, are to this day remembred by their names, Shiphrah yExod. 1. 15.and Puah. Thus memories founded on the rock of vertue, stand firme, and fast; when they quickly fall, built on the foundered bottome of affected magnificence. Indeed, these Pyramides are of stupendious vastness, and may be termed Arts mountains, though mole-hills, yea, but warts, if compared to those which Nature hath produced. So ridiculous is the unequall contest in point of bulk, betwixt their severall workmanships, that Natures pismires may be said to exceed Arts elephants.
§ 16. Some to excuse the pride of these builders,Intended for Sepulchers. resolve their design on a point of policy, onelyonly to busie their people, to prevent in them laziness and luxury, (the mother of mutinies) knowing, so rich a soile would invite them to riot, if out of employment. But (whatever was their principall project) their secundary end intended such structures for sepulchers, where the builders bodies lay, not interred, but immured, with all imaginable cost bestowed upon them. For, the Egyptians fondly conceived (Reader, pity them, and praise God that thou are better informed) that the soul even after death, like a gratefull guest, dwelt in the body so long, as the same was kept swept and garnished, but finally forsook it, and sought out a new body, if once the corpse were either carelesly neglected, or dispightfully abused; and therefore to wooe the soul to constant residence in their bodies (at least wise to give it no wilfull distaste, or cause of alienation) they were so prodigiously expensive, both in imbalming their dead, and erecting stately places for their monuments.
§ 17. The long lasting of these Pyramids,Their long lasting. is not the least of admiration belonging unto them. They were born the first, and doe live the last, of all the seven wonders in the world. Strange, that in three thousand years and upwards, no avaritious Prince was found to destroy them, to make profit of their Marble, and rich materials; no humorous, or spightfull Prince offered to overthrow them, meerly to get a greater name for his peevishness in confounding, then their pride in first founding them; No Zelote-reformer (whilest Egypt was Christian) demolished them under the notion of Pagan monuments. But, surviving such casualties, strange, that after so long continuance, they have not fallen like Copy-holds, into the hand of the Grand Signeur (as Lord of the Manor) for want of repairing. Yea, at the present, they are rather ancient, then ruinous; and, though weather-beaten in their tops, have lively looks under a gray head, likely to abide these many years in the same condition, as being too great for any throat to swallow whole, and too hard for any teeth to bite asunder.
§ 18. We have been the longer hereon, because Iosephus, Not built by the Israelites.as is aforesaid, makes the Israelites, when enslaved in Egypt, against their wills, the builders of their Pyramids; others conceive them Pharaohs magazines; so called, not, foreign from fire, ascending in a narrowing shape, but foreign from wheat, as used for granaries, or store-houses, where corn was deposited: both alike improbable, for
1 They afford no concavity of considerable receit for such purpose.
2 Their form (of all least capable) is useless for such intents, all the spire being to loss.
3 The Israelites built withsExod. 5. 8. b…icks, whereas these are made of Marble.
But for farther satisfaction of the Reader herein, I refer him to that learnedtM. Iohn Greaves in his Pyramidographia. Traveller, who hath made an excellent tract of his own observations herein.
§ 19. However,The miserable slavery of the Hebrews in Egypt. here we may take occasion, to mention the miserable condition of the Israelites in Egypt, during which time, woefull their slavery, if we consider, the
1 Long continuance thereof, twouFour hundred and thirty years if accou…ted from Isaac's birth Exod. 12. 41. hundred and odde years in the latitude, and fourscore (from the birth of Moses) in the Paroxysme of their bondage.
2 Deep misery, insomuch that their liveswExod. 1. 14. were made bitter unto them.
3 Broad extent, none exempted, no, not Moses and Aaron; Get you unto yourxExod. 5. 4. burthens. Say not, that the officers of Israel, who onelyonly oversaw the rest, had an easie place of it; for, theyyExod. 5. 14. were beaten, because others under them did not their impossible taske: as if what was wanting in the tale of the peoples bricks, must be made up in blows on their backs, who were set to oversee them.
OnelyOnly, to give the Egyptians their due, they gave the Israelites their belly full, (as of work, so) ofzExod. 16. 3. food: which proceeded, not so much from their pity, as their policy; (Cariers are so mercifull to their horses, meat them well, to prevent their trying) and the plenty of the land, affording at cheap prices abundance of provisions.
§ 20. Somewhat north of the aforesaid Pyramids,Memphis the ancient Metropolis of Egypt. on the same side of Nilus, stood the great City of Memphis, anciently the Metropolis of Egypt, where their Kings kept their Courts, and therefore it is probable here Ioseph was bought, and beloved by Potiphar, here afterwards accused and imprisoned unjustly, favoured by the jailer, advanced by Pharaoh, whose dreams he expounded: in a word, likely it is, that all those eminent passages, betwixt him, and his brethren, were transacted in this City. Some hundred years after, the frequent addresses of Moses and Aaron to another Pharaoh, in the behalf of the Israelites, were performed in the same place; and here, or hereabouts the ten Egyptian plagues were first inflicted, in manner and order ensuing.
1 All the water (formerly the merciless executioner of the Jewish infants) was for seven days turned into bloud,The ten plagues of Egypt. whereby the fish dyed, and the river stank, so that theaExod. 7. 21. Egyptians could not drink of the water thereof. Water, which otherwise in it self, was most sweet and delicious, witness the answer of Pescentius Niger unto his murmuring souldiers, What? crave you wine, and have Nilus to drink of? The transubstantiation of this element into bloud, extended over all the streams, rivers, ponds, and pooles in Egypt, and the sea onelyonly was excepted, from whence (or from pits newlybExod. 7. 2… ▪ digged in the ground) the Magicians might fetch their water, which in imitatition of Moses, quoad similitudinem, if not veritatem, they also turned into bloud.
2 Frogs, so plentifull that they covered the land, and so presumptuous they came into PharaohscExod. 8. 3. Bed-chamber, (though never sworn his Grooms in ordinary attendance) yea, they crept into the very ovens (as if Salamanders rather then frogs) and no private place was priviledged from their unwelcome company. But the Magicians made the like in show, if not in substance, the Devill much delighting in their monstrous shape, for we finde indRevel. 16. 13. Scripture, Three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the Dragon.
3 Lice, Insects, with so many lineaments in a little compass, that the eyes of the Magicians could not see, much less imitate them, so that they were forced to confess iteExod. 8. 19. the finger of God. But, whether thus beaten out of distance, they here left off their race of emulation with Moses, or still continued it, it is hard to determine.
4 Flies,fExod. 8. 21. properly waspes, or hornets, armed with stings, wherewith they tormented the people. Surely, they were more then ordinary flies, because they brought Pharaoh to proffer to Moses, a partiall and conditionall departure of the people.
5 A generall Murrain, insomuch thatgExod. 9. 6. all the cattell of Egypt dyed. Some will object, If this was a totall destruction of all the beasts in the land, how came it to pass, that some afterward were killed byhExod. 9. 25. the hail, and after that, in the tenth plague, the first-borniExod. 13. 15. of beasts were destroyed by the Angell? But it is answered, All, here is taken communiter, non universaliter, for the greater, and most considerable number. Or else, the Egyptians in the interim (some distance of time being betwixt the severall plagues, and a year from the first to the last) furnished themselves afresh with new supply of cattell from forein Countreys, which second stock was also afterwards destroyed. So vain is it, for men to outvie Gods routings, with their recruitings; his desolations, with their replantations; and no new store, without a new heart, can hold out against his punishments.
6 Boils, and Blains, so generall that they were on thekExod. 9. 11. Magicians themselves (Hell hath no guard against Heavens blows) who therefore could not stand before Moses. Let them now not try to make, but unmake such boils, if they can. But here it is remarkable, that as the wifelGen. 39. 14. of Potiphar, when she had tempted Ioseph to uncleanness, cunningly changed her note, and complained on him for offering violence unto her: so in after-ages, the Egyptian Authors slanderously retorted these loathsome diseases on the Israelites. From whose false reports, humane writers both Greek and Latine (asmSee the books of Iosephus against him. Appion, Diodorus Siculus, TrogusnInstin. Hist. lib. Pompeius and Tacitus) have fetcht their relations, how the Iews being shamefully afflicted with scabs and ulcers, were therefore driven out of Egypt (for fear of infecting others) by the inhabitants thereof.
7 Thunder, fire and hail, consuming all men and beasts abiding in the field, together with the flax which was bolled, and barly then in pExod. 9. 32.…are, whilest the wheat was yet under ground: a thing preposterous in our English, but methodicall in the Egyptian harvest.
8 Grashoppers, or locusts, which devoured the reversion of grass and green herbes, till the verdant earth was sabled, and the surface of the land wasqExod. 10. 15. darkened with their multitudes.
9 Positive and palpable darkness for three days, not so much from the suspension of the sun-beams, or detention of the Egyptians eyes, as condensation of the aire with thick clouds, probably also extinguishing all fire, and artificiall lights, as candles goe out in a damp. The Authour of the bookrWisd. 17. 4. of Wisdome addeth, that the Egyptians during that time, were frighted with terrible sounds, with sad shapes and apparitions, which is more then the Scripture affirmeth, though we deny not, but that darkness is the pliable wax, whereof a guilty fancy may mould to it self any frightfull impressions. Thus all the land of Egypt was before-hand hung with mourning, against the death of her people, and all the Egyptians were for three days imprisoned in their places, not moving thence, so great was the darkness. Whilest the Israelites, though in the same Climate with them, were in effect their Antipodes, it being day and summer with the one, when night and winter with the other.
10 The first-bornsExod. 12. 29. of man and beast were slain by the destroying Angell all over Egypt. Here if any object, that the plague could not be generall, because probably in so large a Countrey some childless family could not afford a first-born: Saint Augustine answers, that God in his providence so ordered, that every house yeelded a fit object for his justice. And seeing Pharaoh their Soveraign was raised on set purpose for God to ruine, no absurdity to conceive, that his subjects were made fruitfull on design, that they might be deprived of their first-born. However, grant it onelyonly in most families, never were more heires killed and made in one night. Yet the younger brethren could not brag of the lands they got by this accident, fearing for the present, lest their own turn was next, and many of them (no doubt) found their deaths few days after in the Red-sea.
Observe in all these the variety of Gods judgements, no one twice used, always inflicting fresh punishments. God is said to be cloathedtPsal. 93 …. with strength, and here like a Prince of such power, he appeared ten severall times in new suits, so plentifull is his wardrobe, and such the diversity of his judgements. Indeed, he could have made any one of these miracles, effectual for his peoples deliverance, but was pleased to make use of them all, so to prove his peoples patience, manifest his own power, render Pharaoh the more inexcusable.
§ 21. A gradation also appears in his proceedings,The gradation in Go…s judgements. so that his heaviest judgements were reserved to the last, shewing first harmeless miracles (onelyonly to raise wonder and seal his servants Commission) when Moses his rod was turned into a Serpent, and vice versa; and afterwards sending Punishments,
Noisome,
Frogs about
Lice upon
men.
Painfull,
Flies
Bo…ls
within their
skins
flesh.
Deadly, Murrain, Hail, Grashoppers &c. to
Plants, destroying mans
Meat, in grain.
Drink, inuPsal. 78. 47. Vines.
Clothing, in flax and …emp.
Beasts, for
Burden, Camels, Asses.
Food, Oxen, Sheep.
Men
SomewExod. 9. 19. & 25. refractary folk in the field.
All the …-born.
In the eight first plagues, God by the mouth of Moses, gave solemn notice to Pharaoh, how, and when he would send them, but in the last two surprised him on a sudden. After warning often given, and neglected, expect no farther caution, but present confusion.
§ 22. To return to the City of Memphis, Memphis, or Noph threatened in Scripture▪by which name it is but once called in Scripture, namely Hosea 9. 6. being otherwise usually termed Noph in Holy writ. Divers Prophets have reproofs of, and comminations against this proud and profane City.
Isaiah 19. 13. The Princes of Noph are deceived.
Ieremy 46. 19. Noph shall be wast, and desolate without an inhabitant.
Ezekiel 30. 13. Noph shall have distresses daily.
Can the walls of that City stand long safe, against which so great bullets are discharged? These threatnings took slow but sure effect, and at this day it is justly become a desolation. For, seeing all Egypt bare an implacable antipathy to the people of Israel, it may well be presumed, that Memphis the metropolis of the kingdome, as in wealth, so in wickedness exceeded other Cities.
§ 23. Somewhat north of Memphis Nilus divideth it self into two main streams (besides some smaller betwixt them) thereby shaping a triangular Countrey,No, or Alexandria. not unlike a Δ Delta in the forme thereof. Of these the more western falleth into the Mediterranean, at the ancient city of No, afterwards called Alexandria. A place, which principally prided it self in its populousness (the xIer. 46. 29. & Ezek. 30. 15.multitude of No, often mentioned in Scripture) and in the advantageous situation thereof, both to get, and keep wealth, being invironed with water. But the greatness of this City onelyonly made it the fairer mark for divine justice, which (notwithstanding the watery station thereof) needed neither bridge, ford, nor …erry, at pleasure to waft it self over into it. How afterwards this City was humbled, take it from the pen of the ProphetyNahum 3. 8., who speaking to Niniveh (though an exceeding great CityzIonah 3. 3. of three days journey) seems to equalize, if not prefer No for bigness above it; Art thou better then populous No, that was situate among the rivers, that had the waters round about it, whose rampart was the sea, and her wall was from the sea, Ethiopia and Egypt was her strength, and it was Infinite, Put and Lubim were thy helpers. Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity, her young men also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets: and they cast lots for honorable men, and all her great men were bound in chains. It will hardly appear elsewhere in Scripture, that Infiniteness is attributed to any created greatness, and here we see what became of it, so that the ruines of No may have this Epitaph written upon them, Hîc jacet finis infiniti.
§ 24.Beth-shem…sh where Christ is said to have lived. The estern stream of Nilus from the east receiveth the river Trajanus, on the south side whereof stood the City On (Onii in Ptolemaeus) whereof Potipherah was Prince or Priest, whose daughter Asenath aGen. 41. 50.Ioseph took to wife. Aven is hard by, a City, against whichbEzek. 30. 17. Ezekiel prophesied, and by some is made the same with Heliopolis. This Heliopolis, or Bethshemesh, is generally conceived the place (though not named in Scripture) where our Saviour (before he could go, forced to flycMat. 2. 13. from the fury of Herod) being a babe abode with his parents. What he did here (besides sucking of his mothers breast) is not recorded in the Gospell; though dAthanasius lib. de Incarn. Verbi.one presumes to tell us, how the Egyptian Idols, at his entring into the land, felt a shaking ague, and fell down in homage to him, as once Dagon to the Ark. eSozom. Historia. lib. 5. ca. 21.Another relates, how this infant sate under a great tree, which out of dutifulness bowed down to him, because his short armes could not reach the branches thereof.fBurchar. in descrip. Ter. s…nc. par. 2. cap. 4. A third reports of a fountain betwixt Heliopolis and Babylon, purified to a medicinall virtue, from the foulness of the Babes clothes washed by his mother therein. All which Non credimus, quia non legimus. Thus Authors conceiving it not to stand with the state of Christ to live obscurely in Egypt, furnish him with faigned miracles to make him more illustrious, and therein mark not the main intent of Divine Providence. For, in this clandestine flight of his Son, God intended not to present him in a glorious appearance, but to lessen, humble, & empty him, so that his poverty in it self considered was a rich miracle, especially seeing we are stayed by his flight, and brought home by his banishment. Besides, thegIoh. 2. 11. Scripture expresly termeth his turning of water into wine at Cana in Galilee, the beginning of his miracles.
§ 25. The precise time of Christs residence in Egypt is not set down, The time of Christs abode in Egypt.but surely his stay here was not so long, as to tanne the Virgin Mary, and dye her complexion into a Black-more, as she is presented in her Chapell of Lauretta. I deny not, but the purest beauties are soonest subject to sunburning, but such a face better became Christs Spouse, then his mother, hC…nt. 1. 5.I am black, but comely, ô yee daughters of Ierusalem. Nor should I much wonder at the colour in her face, if onelyonly the fancy of a libertine Painter, had not so many learned men made her picture the object of their adoration. Yet the darkness of her face here, is as avouchable, as the brightness of her clothes elsewhere, glistering with gold, and rich stuffe (some pretended reliques whereof at Paris, the finer they are, the falser they are) better beseeming her ancient royall extraction, then her husbands present poor and painfull condition. Yet such gorgeous apparell was not so much above her means, as such garish attire (wherewith some Painters doe dress her) was against the modesty of that ever blessed Virgin. But, pardon our digression, and we return to o…r matter.
§ 26. Just at the confluence of Trajanus and Nilus, Babylon a City in Egypt.stood the once famous City of Babylon, though in antiquity, greatness, and strength, far inferiour to a City of the same name in Chaldea. It is not yet decided, which of these two Saint Peter intended; when writing, The i1 Pet. 5. 13.Church which is at Babylon elected together with you saluteth you, and so doth Marcus my Son. Protestant Divines generally interpret this of the great Chaldean Babylon, where moe Iews dwelt, then in any one place which was without the land of Palestine, and therefore probable that Saint Peter, being the Apostle kGal. 2. 7.of the Circumcision, might sometimes reside there, yet seeing Marcus is mentioned in the same verse, who is notoriously known to have lived in this land (and once to have been Patriarch of Alexandria) why might not this our Egyptian Babylon, be here meant by the Apostle? But Popish writers are so fond to have Saint Peter at Rome, that here they will have Rome mystically to be termed Babylon. Good luck have she with her honour; always provided, that if Rome will be Babylon in this Epistle, to gain Peters presence; she shall be Babylon in the Revelation, on whom those plagues and punishments are denounced. But, such as plead her heir-apparent to the former, endevour to cut off the entail, that the latter may not descend upon her.
§ 27. To return to the eastern stream of Nilus, Ieremy forced into Egypt.which runneth through the land of Pathros. Into which the remnant of the Isra…lites, left by the King of Babylon, returned under the conduct of Iohanan the son of Kareah, contrary to Gods flat1Jer. 42. 14. command by the mouth of Ieremiah. They took also him, andmJer. 43. 6. Baruch the scribe (pity to part them, but that the mouth and …and should go together) no doubt against their consents, and brought them down hither into the land of Egypt, partly out of policy (though they would cast away their counsell) to weare their [forced] company to countenance their design; and part out of despight, that if (according to their prediction) any evill betided them, they also might be joint-sufferers therein. Both of them, (nothing appearing to the contrary) dyed here, not finding their corpes, likenExod. 13. 19. Iosephs, carried back in a Coffin into their own countrey. It matters not though our bodies be bestowed in the earthly Egypt, so our souls be translated to the heavenly Canaan.
§ 28. Many were the prophecies of Ieremy during his abode in this land.Prophecyeth Pharaohs d… struction. Amongst others, that, when he solemnly denounced the ruine of Egypt. For he was commandedoJer. 43. 9. to take stones, and hide them in the clay in the brick-kill, which is at the entry of Pharaohs …ouse in Tahpanhes, (understand it some competent distance thence, otherwise such a shop of smoak was but a bad Preface to a Kings Palace) and did foretell that Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon, should in process of time, set his throne, and spread his royall pavillion on those very stones when he should conquer Egypt, which no doubt came to pass accordingly. A little more northernly this western stream of Nile parts it self into two chanels. One falling into the Mediterranean at Zoan, a City built*Num. 13. 32. seven years after Hebron in the land of Canaan. Anciently a chief City in Egypt, the whole land, by Synecdoche, being termed†Psal. 78. 12. The field of Zoan, where many of Moses his miracles were wrought. The Princes of Zoan, though pretending to much wisedome, are*Isa. 19. 11. & 13 twice pronounced fools by the Prophet. The other stream of Nile falleth into the sea at†Ezek. 30. 15, 16. Sin, (where hard-by anciently lived the*Gen. 10. 17. Bochart. in Geogr. Sac. Sinites, one of the eleven nations of the Canaanites) called also Raamses, being one of theExod. 1. 11. cities which the Israelites built for Pharaoh, (as Pithom was another) afterwards called Pelusium from the muddy situation thereof, and Damiata at this day.
§ 29. But we hasten to the land of Goshen, The land of Goshen.as the best ground in all Egypt, lying in the east part thereof. The bounty of an ancient Pharaoh gave this Countrey to the Israelites for the goodness thereof, and the policy of succeeding Pharaohs continued it unto them for the situation thereof being surrounded with Egypt on all sides save the sea on the east, so that the Israelites were wedged in fast, not to depart without leave. Herein they multiplyed miraculously, though the Egyptians endevoured their destruction.
§ 30. Shiphrah and Puah are tampered with,The midwives honesty. of Midwives to become Murderers, that all the male children of Israel might be still-born. The privacy of their place might have performed this with the less suspicion, by but lending a Pinch to such tender plants, and then putting it on the account of casualty, or some sinister accident. But they the Ministers of life, refused to be the Messengers, yea the Procurers of death: and God, in reward of their kindness to his people,pExod. 1. 21. made them houses. Not materiall houses (as little comfortable in a land where they, and theirs were not long to live) but understand it, God made their posterity (the Midwives) themselves being presumed ancient before entring on that profession) to multiply and increase. Some will say, such houses could not stand firme, being built on the foundered foundation of theirqExod. 1. 19. lying. For this act of these Midwives was with child with twins,rSt. August. Fides mentis, and Fallacia mentientis, the faith of their love, and falseness of their lying, and the former onelyonly was rewarded by God, without any approbation of the other.
§ 31. This taking no effect,Moses born. came out that cruel edict, that all the males should be drowned, whilest the females were kept alive to be drudges. In which time sAct. 7. 20.Moses was born; one of the best of men, in the worst of ages. He was a beautifull childe,tExod. 2. 2. not onelyonly in the eyes of his partiall parents (every bird counting its own young-ones the fairest) but really the marks of extraordinary comliness appeared in his face. Yea, such was his persevering beauty, (fair in the Cradle and Saddle too) that it lasted unto his old-age; His vigorous and sparkling eyes not beinguDeut. 34. 7. dimmed after an hundred any twenty years. His parents hid him three moneths, and then not daring longer to keep him, for fear of the Kings searchers for forbidden goods [male-children] expose him in awExod. 2. 3. bulrush Ark unto the water.
§ 32.Taken up by Pharaohs daughter. Pharao…s daughter with her feminine train-guard comes down to wash her self, spies the Ark, and commands one of her maidens to fetch it. At the opening thereof, to see with what wares it was fraught, they finde a child therein, andxExod. 2. 6. behold the babe wept. It is common for children to cry (few born without it) whilest this infant did not cry out of curstness, nor sob out of sullenness, but wept out of sorrow, as silently sensible of more sadness then he durst express, lest he should give his enemies warning thereby to destroy him. How early did Moses begin his meekness, and learned the lesson of patience betime? The Lady beholding him, had compassion on him, accounted it pity to drown him, who had almost drowned himself with his tears. She saves him alive, sends him to his mother-nurse, pays her wages for suckling him, takes him home when weaned, counts him heryExod. 2. 10. son, and gives him breeding accordingly, they being but half-parents that bestow Nutrition, not education, on their children.
§ 33. Moses well becomes his breeding,Refuseth royall relation. and iszAct. 7. 22. learned in all the wisdome of the Egyptians. Yet we finde not that the Court made that impression on him as on Ioseph, never swearing by the aGen 42. 16.life of Pharaoh. However, when he was come to years, he bHeb. 11. 24.refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter. Probably in his minority he owned that royall relation.c1 Cor. 13. 11 When he was a child he did as a child. Now come to the full use of his reason, he renounced all such false extraction. He was so far from writing or styling himself so, that he would not be called the son of Pharaohs daughter. It is not enough for us not to tell lies, but we must not suffer them to be told, if it lie in our power to forbid it. Moses is not ashamed of*Exod. 6. 20. Amram and Iochebed his poor but pious parents, and will not exchange them, to be supposed the son to Pharaohs daughter: Though that was not a bare title, but had both thedHeb. 11. 25. pleasures andeHeb. 11. 26. treasures of Egypt attending it. An Israelite in the kilne is better then an Egyptian in the Court.
§ 34. He chose rather the afflictions of his brethren,Killeth an Egyptian. and goes out to see how it fared with them. Finding an Egyptian wronging an Israelite he kils him: shewing therein some signes of that Saviour-ship, which God intended him for, and he hoped his Countreymen would havefAct. 7. 25. understood. But alass, they were capable onelyonly of burning brick, whose eyes had pored so long on the earth, at last they had almost lost looking up to heaven with any hope of deliverance. The Egyptians bodygExod. 2. 12. is hid in the sand, but his killing was publick in the mouths and discourse of all the Israelites.
§ 35. This his first essay succeeding so well,Is upbraided with k. Moses would adventure on a second design, to at one two Israelites at variance. But he found it more facile to subdue a foe, then reconcile friends fallen out, and easier to be a Conquerour, then Peace-maker. He that did the wrong demands of him, who made him a Judge, and whether hehExod. 2. 14. intended to kill him, as he did the Egyptian. I see it is no sufficient proof, because the party is Plaintiffe that his cause is the best, seeing sometimes they that are most injurious, are the most querulous. Herein God gave Moses an handsell, or taste, of the froward nature of the Iews, (offended with such, as advised them for the best) that he might know the better, how hereafter to demean himself towards such waiward dispositions. Hereupon Moses, by seasonable flight, provides for his own safety.
§ 36. Shall such a man as Moses fly? Flyeth into the land of Madian.Had he not better have stood to it, and avouched his act? Sure the Princess royall, his Lady-mother could bear him out for innocent; at the worst, by her Court-interest could procure his pardon. But he knew it was ill trusting of doubtfull friends in dangerous cases; especially that Ladies affection no doubt abating unto him, since his refusall of her son-ship. Into the land of Madian he flies, continueth there forty years; that term expired, returns into Egypt, and wrought those great wonders in the Court of Pharaoh, whereof largely before.
§ 37. But of all the Physick he gave Pharaoh, Returns and brings out the Israelites.none wrought so effectually upon him for the mollifying of his heart, as that last Purge, when the eldest son was slain in all families; whereupon the Israelites are urged to depart: first borrowing all theiExod. 12. 35. wealth from their neighbours, who would make their flying enemies a bridge of gold. Nothing bounded the Egyptians giving, but the Israelites asking: had more been demanded, more had been delivered unto them. Skin for skin, yea all that a man hath, kIob 2▪ 4.will he give for his life. Yet I cannot properly call these, Gifts; but rather Legacies of the Egyptians, because bequeathed by them, when all conceived themselves in a dying condition.
§ 38. Out marched six hundred thousand Israelites, The march forward and backward in Egypt.besides a mixt multitude; full of wealth, wanting nothing, butlExod. 12. 39. leaven in their bread, for lack of time; from Rameses in the land of Goshen where they dwelled, tomExod. 12. 27. Succoth: thence forward tonExod. 13. 20. Ethaim in the edge of the wilderness; and then faces-about, by Gods command they were to turn and encamp before Pihahiroth between Migdoll and the sea, over againstoExod. 14. 2. Baalzephon, where we leave them in a sad condition, Pharaoh behind them, the sea before them, having their choice to be drowned or slain; till God sent them a miraculous deliverance.
Here followes the Map of Jewish habits.