The Complete Works of Thomas Manton, D.D. (Volume 15); With a Memoir of the Author

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1873. Excerpt: ... SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XL SERMON LXIII. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land; which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.--Heb. xi. 29. This chapter is a chronicle and history of the mighty acts done by faith. The instance which I shall now produce is that of the believing Israelites, who all together, with Moses, their leader, passed through the divided waters of the Eed Sea; but the Egyptians, pursuing and trying to follow them, were overwhelmed and destroyed. In the text you have two things--the preservation and safety of Israel, and the destruction of the Egyptians. The one illustrates the other; the one was the fruit of faith, and the other of presumption and unbelief. In the first, take notice of the act. (1.) They passed through the Red Sea; (2.) The success, --As by dry land. And suitably in the other part there is--(1.) Theattempt, --Which the Egyptians assaying to do; and (2.) The issue, --They were drowned. To understand which passages, we must remember the story recorded by Moses, Exod. xiv. The sum is this: When Pharaoh at last had consented to let the Israelites go, he soon repented of his grant; and understanding by spies how they were entangled in the jaws and straits of Pihahiroth, this occasion invited him to make pursuit after them. What should the poor Israelites do? Fight they durst not, being a multitude of undisciplined people of all ages and sexes, and pursued by a regular and potent army of enemies. Fly they could not, having the sea before them, the Egyptians behind them, the steep and unpassable hills on either side of them. This was the case, and in human reason nothing but destruction could be expected. But Moses, by special order from God, commandeth Israel to march forward, and expect the salvation promised. And when Moses gave the s.