Moses and Aaron, whom they accused in the bitterest terms, as the authors of these new calamities, which could terminate in nothing but despair and death.

Moses, knowing it would be in vain to attempt his own justification, or to offer consolation to the sufferers, in the present posture of affairs, applied to the Almighty, and expostulated, with him, in the most humble terms, upon the ill success of his first message. The divine Being vouchsafed to repeat his former assurances of love and compassion towards the descendants of Jacob; affirming that he would soon cause the Egyptians to acknowledge his incomparable power; and promising to deliver the groaning Hebrews with a high hand and an outstretched arm. Moses was, however, so disheartened at his ill success, that he expressed a strong re luctancy to return to court to renew his demand in the name of the Most High; till he found himself compelled to obey the heavenly command by such miraculous gifts, reiterated assurances, and unequivocal declarations, as might justly have tinged his cheek with the deep vermeil of shame for his ill-timed doubt and timidity.

He now ventured, the second time, into the royal presence, accompanied by Aaron, and con firmed the truth of his assertions respecting his mission, by throwing down his rod, which wa instantaneously changed into a serpent. Pharao regarded this miracle as the effect of magic, and accordingly sent for his most learned magicians who likewise turned their rods into serpents, s that all the superiority Moses exhibited at thi time was, that his rod swallowed up those of the Egyptians; a circumstance which Pharaoh might probably

probably, attribute to the skill or learning of their antagonist.

This miracle having made no impression on the Egyptian monarch, Moses stretched out his rod over the running and standing waters, which were immediately converted into blood. This metamorphosis was also imitated by the magicians, and Pharaoh's heart, continued hard, and insensible to the divine reproof.

In consequence of the king's obstinacy, a third miracle was wrought, that of bringing upon the land such a vast multitude of frogs, that even the ovens, beds, and tables, of the Egyp tans swarmed with these animals. The magicians found means to bring a fresh multitude of frogs into the country; but Pharaoh was sufficiently incommoded, to induce him to promise Moses, that the Israelites should receive their berty when this annoyance was removed. Actordingly the frogs were all destroyed by the next morning; but whilst the people were employed in gathering them up in heaps for removal, fest they should breed an infection, the dishonourable prince was contriving how to elude the fulfilment of his solemn promise.

Moses, on discovering Pharaoh's duplicity, Cached the ground with his miraculous rod, upon which the dust was transformed into innumerable Warms of lice. These odious vermin infested man and beast so severely, that the king sent ce more for his magicians, that the exertion of eir skill might remove his apprehensions. But eir art was now exercised in vain, and they ere compelled to acknowledge this miracle as wrought by the finger of God.

This calamity proving ineffectual, the air was,

on the next day, literally filled with swarms of flies, whose bite was so venomous and painful, that the mischief they did to Egypt became intolerable, though none were found in the habitations of the Hebrews. Pharaoh was now alarmed for his personal safety, and sent for the two Hebrew chiefs, whom he first desired to sacrifice in the land; and then assured that Israel should depart, on certain conditions, to obey the command of their God. Moses immediately obtained a reprieve for the kingdom, but the incorrigible monarch still retained his obstinacy, and again refused to accede to the promised liberation.

The sixth judgment was a grievous murrain, by which the greater part of the cattle, be longing to the Egyptians, died; whilst those of the Hebrews remained unhurt. But this not touching the king's person, another followed, which was more affecting, viz. a violent and painful boil, breaking out upon man and beast, The magicians were, according to custom, com manded to display the power of their enchantments; but they were themselves involved in the general calamity, and, therefore, durst not appear in the presence of Moses.

The king remaining inflexible, was now told that the voice of Israel's God should be heard in thunder, and his anger felt in such tremendous storms, as had not been known since the foundation of Egypt, unless he consented, before the next morning, to the departure of the chosen people. Moses accordingly lifted up his rod towards Heaven at the appointed time, and the awful prediction was immediately accomplished. The most terrific peals of thunder began to roll

along

along the sky; the vivid lightning flashed incessantly from the clouds; and a miraculous shower of hail, mingled with fire, descended with such amazing force, that men and beasts were struck lifeless to the ground, shrubs and trees were torn from the roots, the flax and barley were utterly destroyed, and nothing escaped the common ruin, but the wheat and rye, which were not sufficiently grown.

This extraordinary visitation alarmed the proud monarch, who sent hastily for Moses and Aaron, and addressed them in such language as seemed to flow from a truly penitent heart: he earnestly intreated those dreadful thunders might cease, and the destroying shower be restrained; and solemnly promised, that Israel should instantly depart in return for so great a favour. Moses Boon obtained a cessation of the plague, and many of the Egyptians, on examining the mischief occasioned by the hail, were inspired with senfiments of awe and veneration towards the God of the Hebrews. But Pharaoh persisted in his obstinacy and deceit, and consequently incurred other calamities.

A ninth curse was now predicted against the Egyptians, which should prove more fatal than the former; namely, such an infinite number of busts as should literally cover the face of the country, and devour every vegetable substance which had escaped from the hail. Upon this declaration, some of the courtiers took the liberty to represent to their sovereign the inconceivable damage his kingdom had already received; and Observed, it was indispensably necessary the Israelites should be sent away in obedience to *! tommand of their God. Pharaoh seemed to

knowled

knowledge the justice of their remarks, and sent for the Hebrew chiefs, to inquire who were to go, and who to stay; but when he found that the whole body of Israel was demanded, he upbraided them with their evil intentions; threatened them with the effects of his resentment, and caused them to be driven from his presence.

Moses had no sooner quitted the palace, than he waved his rod over the land; a motion which was immediately followed by a strong east wind that continued all the night, and brought such multitudes of locusts by the next morning, as are said to have darkened the whole face of the earth. The king was soon acquainted with the extent of this misfortune, as every blade of grass, and every herb that had escaped the storm, was now destroyed. He therefore confessed his fault, and solicited a reprieve, but his prayer was no sooner granted, by the locusts being blown into the sea, than he returned to his former pride and impenitence.

Shortly after the cessation of this plague, Egypt was smitten with such horrid darkness, that Moses has forcibly expressed it by "a darkness that might be felt." This affliction continued three days, during which the Egyptians were unable to discern each other, or to stir out of their houses, whilst that division of the land which was occupied by the Hebrews, enjoyed the usual influences of the sun. This mournful obscurity, which could not be removed by artificial lights, caused the most dreadful apprehensions in Pharaoh and his idolatrous subjects, and was so augmented by the piercing shrieks of the women and children, that the general consternation was inexpressible.

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