over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back, by a strong east wind, all that night; and the waters were divided, and became to the Israelites a wall on the right hand, and a wall on the left." The foremost of the Israelites had probably entered the channel of the sea while yet it was day; and a very spacious opening being made for them, the others followed in a broad column, so that the whole multitude was marching in the bed of the channel of the sea at the beginning of the night; the Egyptians closely pursuing them. During the night, the whole companies, both of Israel and Egypt, had probably marched several miles between the waters, piled up as liquid walls on each side of them. When morn

ing dawned, the Lord looked through the pillar of cloud and fire, as evidently frowning upon the Egyptians. It is probable that there was a tremendous storm of thunder, lightning, and hail, with other dreadful appearances, which concurred with an inward influence on their minds to trouble and dismay them. By some extraordinary interposition, also, their chariot wheels were broken or taken off, so that they could not get forward; and they were made sensible, when too late, that Jehovah fought against them, for his people. "Come," said they, "the attempt is vain; let us flee from the face of Israel :" but flight was not allowed them. Moses and the Israelites had now reached, or nearly reached, the opposite shore, when Moses received the command to stretch his hand over the sea: then the waters VOL. I.

Q

closed in upon the Egyptians, and they were all drowned; there remained not so much as one of them, to carry back to his country the doleful news: but Israel, saved out of the hand of the Egyptians, saw them dead on the sea-shore; and they feared, and believed, and sang praises to Jehovah, who had triumphed so gloriously for them. But, alas! their gratitude and faith were but of short duration; the first trial that occurred, we find them again giving After three days' way to unbelieving murmurs. journey, such an immense multitude, with their numerous flocks and herds, without any water, except some small quantity which they could carry with them, would probably suffer great inconvenience for want of it. Their eager delight on finding water, would enhance their disappointment, when on trial it proved nauseous, and perhaps unwholesome. Yet, should Israel murmur? Israel, that had experienced such signal wonders, and that had still an all-sufficient God to go to, near at hand, and ready to hear and relieve them in all their distresses. Alas! that we should be so much like them, and when trials beset us, so much more ready to have recourse to peevish murmuring than to fervent prayer. Moses, however, sought the right refuge; he did what they had neglected to do, and, in answer to his prayers, a tree was pointed out, which being cast into the waters rendered them sweet and wholesome. Whether this tree possessed any peculiar properties, that would have a natural influence on the water, or whe

ther the efficacy depended solely on the command and blessing of God, we do not know. We are certain that, without His blessing, the best adapted means will be in vain, and that under that blessing the feeblest may become effectual. This transaction may recall to our remembrance the blessings of the gospel, which Christ obtained for us when he hung on the tree, and which sweeten the bitterest trials, by giving peace in the conscience, resignation, comfort, and the hope of glory.

The cross on which the Saviour died
And conquer'd for the saints,
This is the tree by faith applied
Which sweetens all complaints.

The virtues of this healing tree
Are known and priz'd by few:
Reveal the secret, Lord, to me,
That may prize it too.

§ 2. Manna given.-Exod. xvi.

B. C. 1491.

The

About a month after Israel had left Egypt, the provisions they had brought out with them were nearly exhausted, and they began to murmur. want of bread must be a very hard trial indeed, both to the faith and to the temper; a trial which those that have never experienced, can scarcely appreciate. Still, no case can justify a murmuring spirit: while we are living men, we have cause of gratitude,

and while we are sinful men, we have none for complaint; our mercies are always above our deserts, and our chastisements lighter than our sins. There is always, too, in every case of distress, both ground and encouragement for the exercise of faith and prayer, arising from the character of God, the general dispensations of his providence, and the general invitations of his word. But the murmurings of the Israelites under their peculiarly favoured circumstances, were inexcusable indeed. Surely they who were so eminently distinguished as the people of God; on whose behalf such signal interpositions had been manifested; who were now so manifestly under the divine protection and guidance, might justly have concluded, that their Father knew what things they had need of, and both could and would furnish means of supply, so that they should want no good thing. But, no; instead of by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, making known their requests to God, and patiently and believingly waiting a supply from His never failing stores; they perversely, ungratefully, and unbelievingly murmured.

They murmured against Moses and Aaron: such is the conduct of proud, rebellious, and discontented spirits in general; they dare not in so many words arraign the dispensations of Providence, but they will vent their discontent and murmurings against their fellow creatures; their parents; their masters; their neighbours; those in higher stations of life; or the government of their country: but let us ever

remember, that God takes notice of all such murmurings, and considers them as uttered against himself, (ver. 8.) and they are always, too, the language of a heart not at peace with itself.

They fervently wished themselves back in Egypt, and magnified its plenty; but said nothing of their hard labours and cruel bondage there, or that it was their own choice to come out of it, and that they did so in the hope of improving their condition. Now when we have done so, whatever trials or disappointments we may meet with, we certainly have no right to murmur, and it is our wisdom, as well as our duty, in comparing our present lot with that of any other person, or with our own at any other time, to make the best of such things as we have.

Base, however, as were the murmurings of Israel against God, we read with astonishment of the continued goodness of God toward them. Justly might such murmuring, ungrateful, unbelieving rebels, have been left to perish with hunger as they had said (ver. 3.) or consumed by some dreadful visitation ; but instead of these, God rained down bread from heaven to supply them. We, like favoured Israel, have to do with a God of long-suffering goodness and tender mercy, "who deals not with us after our sins, nor rewards us according to our iniquity." If we had no food, no raiment, no comforts, but what we deserve, how destitute would be our condition! If all the punishment were inflicted, that our sins have merited, how wretched, miserable, and hopeless,