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evil into men, only he withdraws the influence of his graces, and then the heart hardens of itself, even as light being withdrawn, darknes…

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.

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…

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…

'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…

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…