Exodus 8

Objection. But is it not said, that God hardened Pharaoh's heart, here's more than God's bare permitting of sin? Answer. God does not infuse evil into men, only he withdraws the influence of his graces, and then the heart hardens of itself, even as light being withdrawn, darknes…

Q. What else may be a further proof that there is a God? A. That there is a God is manifestly declared by the strange and wonderful plagues and judgments, that sometimes are inflicted upon notorious sinners upon earth (Exodus 8:19 & 9:16; Psalm 9:16 & 58:10-11 & 79:10). Q. What…

Fourthly, false experiments hinder us much; some experiments of the works of God, that should draw us nearer to him, if we make false use of them, make us farther from him; as if God afflict and restore again, or keep us from affliction, our hearts are hardened. Exodus 8:15, whe…

Pharaoh was willing to consent to that; but would have it done without his parting with the people: Go sacrifice to your God in the Land, says he, Exodus 8:25. So many sinners are for contriving to serve God, and enjoy their lusts too.

Lions destroy the strange nations in Samaria (2 Kings 17:25). Frogs, lice, boils, hail, rain, thunder, lightning, destroy the land of Egypt (Exodus 8, 9, 10). Locusts are his mighty army to punish Israel (Joel 2:25).

So that if any especial sort of men are intended in this expression, it is not Israel, but other men. And indeed this word is commonly used to denote mankind in general; as Genesis 6:3, chapter 9:6, Exodus 8:18, chapter 9:10, chapter 13:2, and universally, where ever it is used,…

In this we have, 1. The mean applied and made use of. 2. The manner of application. (For that the worker is the Beloved himself, is clear) The mean in his hand, which in Scripture signifies three things, when attributed to God, 1. His Omnipotence, whereby he does what he pleases…

- 1. Hardness and blindness. - 2. Unbelief. - 3. Deadness. - 4. Security. - 5. Irreligious profaneness and Atheism. - 6. Inconstancy. - 7. Deceitfulness. - 8. Pride. - 9. Worldly-mindedness. - 10. Fiery zeal. - 11. Uncleanness. - 12. Malice and hatred. - 13. Worldly sorrow. - 14…

God so withdraws his influence that in the same act, the man is unexcusably willing to want it. He is deservedly cold, who joyfully and willingly yields to the pulling away of his coat; here that is true, an injury is not done to a man who receives it as a favor: Volenti non fit…

The Devil is very jealous of the first beam of light which breaks into the heart, and of every ordinance which conveys it; therefore sets corruptions at work, that it may appear to be a vain hope of ever escaping his clutches: So men are tired, and give over, and think it is to…

1. Rational, Hosts of men: these are under Gods command and conduct, they stir not without his Warrant: the Lord has the managing of all Martial affairs: not a stroke is struck, but God orders it: not a Bullet flies but God directs it. 2. Irrational, God can raise an Army of Fli…

And we serve God when we render to Him his appointed worship. This was intended in (Exodus 8:1): Let my people go, that they may serve me. We serve Him when we observe the ordinances of God, when we adore him according to the rules of His Word in His House, and wait upon him in…

There has ever been as great a contestation among people about religion, as about any thing. Exodus 8:25, 26. Pharaoh bade Moses sacrifice in the land: but Moses said it is not meet so to do, for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians: lo, shall we sacrifice the abo…

'Tis with long accustomed sinners, as with those who have sate long under a Government, they rather like to be as they are, (though but ill on it) then think of a change, or like those who in a journey have gone out of their way all the day, will rather take any new way, overhed…

(6) And vain stoutness to dare God in his own quarters and fight him (Exodus 14:8, 23; Exodus 23:8, 13; Isaiah 36:10-11, 36-37), if it were in his own seas as Pharaoh and the Egyptians would do. 13. There is a wicked hardening of the heart, when men make the Lord his word and mi…

Natural causes work more strongly under opposition, the fire burns most vehemently in winter frost, and the internal heat of the body is most mighty for concoction, when the coldness of the air is most piercing without, faith sees God most piercingly at midnight in Job, when rot…

The Magicians of Egypt did some wonders in show like to the miracles wrought by Moses and Aaron, and that for a time, by changing a rod into a serpent, and water into blood, and by bringing frogs through the sleight and power of the devil. But when it pleased God, to terminate t…

For they could not by all their power and skill, preserve themselves from the plagues of Egypt, as the botch and other judgments (Exodus 9:11), which was a more easy thing, than to make or change a creature. In fact, they were not able to bring forth lice by their enchantment, w…

Now mark the issue of all: when Pharaoh saw that he had rest given him, he hardened his heart and listened not to them, as the Lord had said. This is the ordinary and common repentance that most men practice in the world (Exodus 8:8; Exodus 9:27; Exodus 10:16; Exodus 8:15). Desp…

Thirdly, sometimes God so far leaves men to themselves, as only to propound to them good objects, yet such as he knows they will make an ill use of, sometimes his patience and long suffering (Romans 2:4, 5; Ecclesiastes 8:11). Pharaoh, when he saw that he had rest, he hardened h…

And for those who mock and scoff at it in others, what do they but strike the Prophets and Apostles through their loins, whom they scoff at. The time may come when they would be glad of their prayers, whom in their prosperity they mocked, even as Pharaoh was glad of the prayers…

Even the hairs of our head are numbered, he clothes the lilies and grass of the field which is to be cast into the oven (Luke 12:27, 28). Behold his knowledge, and care of them, again he used frogs, and lice, for the punishment of the Egyptians (Exodus 8), with a gourd, and a wo…

For in the Apostle's times, and long after, magistrates were persecutors of the Church of God, and hindered the members of Christ to live in peace and godliness (1 Timothy 2:1-2). (9) Because, Moses cried to the Lord in behalf of Pharaoh (Exodus 8:12), Abraham prayed to God for…