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that tended to the land of the Philistines； but he was desirous
that they should go through the desert； that so after a long
journey； and after many afflictions； they might enter upon the
land of Canaan。 Another reason of this was； that God commanded
him to bring the people to Mount Sinai； that there they might
offer him sacrifices。 Now when the Egyptians had overtaken the
Hebrews； they prepared to fight them； and by their multitude they
drove them into a narrow place； for the number that pursued after
them was six hundred chariots； with fifty thousand horsemen； and
two hundred thousand foot…men； all armed。 They also seized on the
passages by which they imagined the Hebrews might fly； shutting
them up （29） between inaccessible precipices and the sea； for
there was ＇on each side＇ a ＇ridge of＇ mountains that terminated
at the sea； which were impassable by reason of their roughness；
and obstructed their flight； wherefore they there pressed upon
the Hebrews with their army； where ＇the ridges of＇ the mountains
were closed with the sea； which army they placed at the chops of
the mountains； that so they might deprive them of any passage
into the plain。
4。 When the Hebrews； therefore； were neither able to bear up；
being thus； as it were； besieged； because they wanted provisions；
nor saw any possible way of escaping； and if they should have
thought of fighting； they had no weapons； they expected a
universal destruction； unless they delivered themselves up to the
Egyptians。 So they laid the blame on Moses； and forgot all the
signs that had been wrought by God for the recovery of their
freedom； and this so far； that their incredulity prompted them to
throw stones at the prophet； while he encouraged them and
promised them deliverance； and they resolved that they would
deliver themselves up to the Egyptians。 So there was sorrow and
lamentation among the women and children； who had nothing but
destruction before their eyes； while they were encompassed with
mountains； the sea； and their enemies； and discerned no way of
flying from them。
5。 But Moses； though the multitude looked fiercely at him； did
not； however； give over the care of them； but despised all
dangers； out of his trust in God； who； as he had afforded them
the several steps already taken for the recovery of their
liberty； which he had foretold them； would not now suffer them to
be subdued by their enemies； to be either made slaves or be slain
by them； and； standing in midst of them； he said； 〃It is not just
of us to distrust even men； when they have hitherto well managed
our affairs； as if they would not be the same hereafter； but it
is no better than madness； at this time to despair of the
providence of God； by whose power all those things have been
performed he promised； when you expected no such things： I mean
all that I have been concerned in for deliverance and escape from
slavery。 Nay； when we are in the utmost distress； as you see we
ought rather to hope that God will succor us； by whose operation
it is that we are now this narrow place； that he may out of such
difficulties as are otherwise insurmountable and out of which
neither you nor your enemies expect you can be delivered； and may
at once demonstrate his own power and his providence over us。 Nor
does God use to give his help in small difficulties to those whom
he favors； but in such cases where no one can see how any hope in
man can better their condition。 Depend； therefore； upon such a
Protector as is able to make small things great； and to show that
this mighty force against you is nothing but weakness； and be not
affrighted at the Egyptian army； nor do you despair of being
preserved； because the sea before； and the mountains behind；
afford you no opportunity for flying； for even these mountains；
if God so please； may be made plain ground for you； and the sea
become dry land。〃
CHAPTER 16。
How The Sea Was Divided Asunder For The Hebrews； When They Were
Pursued By The Egyptians； And So Gave Them An Opportunity Of
Escaping From Them。
1。 When Moses had said this； he led them to the sea； while the
Egyptians looked on； for they were within sight。 Now these were
so distressed by the toil of their pursuit； that they thought
proper to put off fighting till the next day。 But when Moses was
come to the sea…shore； he took his rod； and made supplication to
God； and called upon him to be their helper and assistant； and
said 〃Thou art not ignorant； O Lord； that it is beyond human
strength and human contrivance to avoid the difficulties we are
now under； but it must be thy work altogether to procure
deliverance to this army； which has left Egypt at thy
appointment。 We despair of any other assistance or contrivance；
and have recourse only to that hope we have in thee； and if there
be any method that can promise us an escape by thy providence； we
look up to thee for it。 And let it come quickly； and manifest thy
power to us； and do thou raise up this people unto good courage
and hope of deliverance； who are deeply sunk into a disconsolate
state of mind。 We are in a helpless place； but still it is a
place that thou possessest； still the sea is thine； the mountains
also that enclose us are thine； so that these mountains will open
themselves if thou commandest them； and the sea also； if thou
commandest it； will become dry land。 Nay； we might escape by a
flight through the air； if thou shouldst determine we should have
that way of salvation。〃
2。 When Moses had thus addressed himself to God； he smote the sea
with his rod； which parted asunder at the stroke； and receiving
those waters into itself； left the ground dry； as a road and a
place of flight for the Hebrews。 Now when Moses saw this
appearance of God； and that the sea went out of its own place；
and left dry land； he went first of all into it； and bid the
Hebrews to follow him along that divine road； and to rejoice at
the danger their enemies that followed them were in； and gave
thanks to God for this so surprising a deliverance which appeared
from him。
3。 Now； while these Hebrews made no stay； but went on earnestly；
as led by God's presence with them； the Egyptians supposed first
that they were distracted； and were going rashly upon manifest
destruction。 But when they saw that they were going a great way
without any harm； and that no obstacle or difficulty fell in
their journey； they made haste to pursue them； hoping that the
sea would be calm for them also。 They put their horse foremost；
and went down themselves into the sea。 Now the Hebrews； while
these were putting on their armor； and therein spending their
time； were beforehand with them； and escaped them； and got first
over to the land on the other side without any hurt。 Whence the
others were encouraged； and more courageously pursued them； as
hoping no harm would come to them neither： but the Egyptians were
not aware that they went into a road made for the Hebrews； and
not for others； that this road was made for the deliverance of
those in danger； but not for those that were earnest to make use
of it for the others' destruction。 As soon； therefore； as ever
the whole Egyptian army was within it； the sea