LIB. Jllf. j Contemplations. THE F 0 u R T H B 0 0 K E. TheafjliE!ion of lfracl. G Y P :r was long an harbour to the Ifraelites; now it proves a r;12~~~~il':\ Jayle:thePofteriry of14coh finds too late, wlllt it was for their forefathers to [ellloftph,a fiave into £gypt. Thofe whom the £gyptians honoured before as Lords, now they contemne as drudges: One Pharaoh advances,whom another labours to del:?~ prclfc : N 0t feldome the fame man changes copies : bur iffafJOF>""'lf">'..,:-'Q vours our-live on~ age,they prove decre~it and heartleffe: It is I a rare rhmg ro find paftenty he~res ofthctr f<1rhers love : How fl1ould mens favour be bot like rhemfch•es,variable and incon!lanr ~ there is no cerD tainry but in the favour ofGod, inwhom can be no change; whofe love isinrayled 1 upon a thoufand generations. Yet ifthe Ifraelitts had beene trecherous to Pharaoh, ifdifobedienr, this great change ofcountenance had beene juft; now the only offenceof lfrael, is, tlm he profpererh; that which flJOuld be the motive of.rheir grarularion, and friendfllip, is the caufe oftheir malice.Thtre isno more hatefull fight to awicked man, then the profperiryofthe confcionable;None bur the fpirir ofrbar true Harbin~er ofChrift, can te:tch us to fay wuh comemment,f/c nniflc,cnafe, hut I mufldureaft. And whariflfradbe mighty and rich~ U[there bewarre, they may joyne with our encmw and gctrhemout ofihe Land.) Behold they are afraid to parr with thofe whom they are grieved to emertaine: either fi:aying)or going is offence enough, to E thofc that feek <JUarrels;Thue were no warres, and yetthey fay, Ifthere be warres. The!fradircs had never given caufe offeareto revolt, and y<r they fay, Left they joynetoourencmics, to thofe enemies which we may have; .So they make their certainc: friends fb.ves, for feare of uncerraine enemies. Wickedneffe is ever cowardly,and full ofunjufllitfpicions; it makes a tnan feare,where no fcare is;tly<, when none purfues him.What differerencerhere isberwixrD.widand Pharaoh! The faith ofthe one fayes,I will not be afraidfor tm tiJOtif;md t/latfhould befit me; The feare ofthe orherfaies, Left ifthere b' warre, they joJne with •urcnemm; therefore lhould he have made much ofrhe lfraelires,thar rhey michr be his; his f.wour might havq made them firmc;Whymighrrhey nor as well d~aw their fwordsfor him ~ Weak andbafe minds ever incline ro the worfe; and feeke fafery,rather in an impollibiliry ofhurr,thenin rhe likelihood of jnft advanrage. Favours had bin mort binding
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