Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

The other cause was special and peculiar §2to this people only:¹ for the Lord having delivered them out of Egypt, meant that they ⟨p. 296⟩should ever retain the remembrance of so great a benefit, and for that end gave them in charge to have no familiarity with the Egyptians, fearing lest if they should fall into league with them, the memory of so famous a deliverance might easily slip from them: by means whereof also,² they might be in danger to lose that freedom, in continuing to be thankful for the same, which thankfulness was enjoined them by God. Was it not an unworthy thing then to entertain friendship with so profane a nation, and that to the dishonour of the Almighty? But especially seeing it was his will that his people should acknowledge him alone sufficient to preserve them in safety, they should have relied upon this his promise, & freely have disclaimed all other helps. You see then that it was a very horrible sin thus to defraud God of the honour which to him belonged, and to labour after acquaintance from all parts with all profane nations; for had they satisfied themselves with Gods only protection,³ they needed not to have bin so ready to run down into Egypt.

The other cause was speciall and peculiar §2to this people onlie:¹ for the Lord hauing deliuered them out of Egypt, meant that they ⟨p. 296⟩should euer retaine the remembrance of so great a benefit, and for that end gaue them in charge to haue no familiaritie with the Egyptians, fearing lest if they should fall into league with them, the memorie of so famous a deliuerance might easilie slip from them: by meanes whereof also,²