1IN regard the Jews saw no way open to return home, and that there lay between many great and vast wildernesses, the Prophet allegeth Gods power, from whence he propounds some examples, that so the Jews might be disposest of all fear & doubtings. He would have them then to consider, whether God was not sufficiently able to deliver their fathers out of Egypts bondage, and to bring them through horrible deserts: in which notwithstanding he furnished them with viands, water, and all other necessaries, Exod. 16. and 17. If he were able to do the one, why should they misdoubt his ability concerning the other? The Jews here according to their manner coin fond fables,2 and invent ridiculous miracles which were never done nor heard of. And this they do, not so much of ignorance, as of impudency, whereby they give themselves liberty to publish any thing that may carry a fair show, though it be utterly senseless. But our Prophets meaning was to put them in mind of that first passage out of Egypt, and of the miracles which the Lord then did. For when the Prophets mean to extol Gods works, it is their custom (as we have often showed) to mention this first deliverance. And thus David setting forth the victories he obtained, saith, that the mountains trembled and shook, the air cleft in twain, and the Lord appeared from heaven, which he never saw notwithstanding, Psa. 18. but he therein follows the description of the deliverance out of Egypt, to show, that God was the author of it, and that he also fortified and guided him to overcome his enemies, and that his power was no less manifest in this victory, then in those wonderful signs and miracles.
1IN regard the Iewes saw no way open to returne home, and that there lay betweene many great and vast wildernesses, the Prophet alledgeth Gods power, from whence he propounds some examples, that so the Iewes might be dispossest of all feare & doubtings. He would haue them then to consider, whether God was not sufficientlie able to deliuer their fathers out of Egypts bondage, and to bring them through horrible deserts: in which notwithstanding he furnished them with viands, water, and all other necessaries, Exod. 16. and 17. If he were able to do the one, why should they misdoubt his abilitie concerning the other? The Iewes here according to their maner coine fond fables,2 and inuent ridiculous miracles which were neuer done nor heard of. And this they doe, not so much of ignorance, as of impudencie, whereby they giue themselues libertie to publish any thing that may carrie a faire shew, though it be vtterlie senselesse. But our Prophets meaning was to put them in mind of that first passage out of Egypt, and of the miracles which the Lord then did. For whē the Prophets meane to extoll Gods works, it is their custome (as we haue often shewed) to mention this first deliuerance. And thus Dauid setting forth the victories he obteined, saith, that the mountaines trembled and shooke, the ayre cleft in twaine, and the Lord appeared from heauen, which he neuer saw notwithstanding, Psa. 18. but he therein followes the description of the deliuerance out of Egypt, to shew, that God was the author of it, and that he also fortified and guided him to ouercome his enemies, and that his power was no lesse manifest in this victorie, then in those wonderfull signes and miracles.
- 1Isaiah puts thē in mind of their first passage out of Egypt, to correct their infidelity.Isaiah puts thē in minde of their first passage out of Egypt, to correct their infidelitie.
- 2Fables invented by the Jews.Fables inuē ted by the Iewes.
