only observe, that the hope and view of his glorious self-denial seemed now totally vanished. In appearance, the length of his solitary exile left him nothing to expect in this world. You must think that before the expiration of forty years, he must have given over all his schemes of deliverance, and concluded himself relinquished by his God, had not he intensely looked forward to things eternal, a true image of the great Shepherd who appeared in after times. Pilgrim. I admire the good man's firmness under such discouraging circumstances. But what happened afterwards?

Cleophas. On the demise of Orus, the crown devolved to Acengeres, who, after a reign of twelve years, left it to Achorus, who enjoyed it twelve years. About this time Egypt produced a very wise man, named Hermes Trismegistus, from whom the city of Hermopolis, in that country, derives its name. Among other sciences in which he was eminent, he predicted, with great depth and perspicuity, that the Word of God should appear in a human form; and, in the sequel of our discourse, we shall see that it came to pass. Oh! the unsearchable riches of the wisdom and goodness of God! I could tell you of Belgius, the king of the Celts, of the building of Athens, that famous Grecian seminary of literature, and many other things and persons; but we will rather confine ourselves to such as are more immediately connected with our subject, and of more interesting instruction.

Pilgrim. Very right, father; and I shall be all attention.

Cleophas. The above-mentioned Achorus was succeeded by Pharaoh Chencres, king of Egypt, in whose time a very singular inundation happened at Thessaly, in Greece, Deucalion being then king of that country. But in the fifteenth year of the reign of Chencres, as he continued to oppress the Israelites, and the time which God had foretold to Abraham, namely, four hundred and thirty years, being

elapsed, as Moses was tending his sheep, God appeared to him in a flame out of a bush, ordering him to go and represent to Pharaoh Chencres, that he should ease the Israelites of their unjust burdens, and set them at liberty, that they might go and serve their God in the wilderness; but that Chencres would not hear of: and Moses proving, by many miracles, the truth of his mission, the king convened all his wise men and magicians. These also performed many signs and wonders, and opposed Moses and his brother Aaron, that the king sent them away with contempt, and oppressed the Israelites more than before; for now, instead of being supplied with straw, they were obliged to go into the fields themselves, and gather in the night, to have it ready for next day's work. This pressure set them a murmuring against Moses, and they threatened him as the author of all their sufferings.

Pilgrim. This was a hard trial.

Cleophas. At length God smote Egypt with ten plagues successively, that the land was destroyed, their cattle perished, their water corrupted: the tables, ovens, and pantries swarmed with slimy frogs; their seats, parks and gardens, in which they took so much pleasure, were involved in impenetrable darin ness, that there they sat, or were obliged to feel fing; way. But, what was still worse, there was emise house without a corpse or two in it. These kings rang with the lamentations of people cryinśrael, my son, my only son, died last night! My exple prois dead. Last night I lost the only hei. family." And in the king's palace there was es hapdismal scene; for the hereditary prince lay arable last gasp, and all the lords and gentlemen of tu; court were mourning their expiring sons in thei apartments. This occasioned a general supplication, with the most affecting outcries, that the king would let Israel depart, or they should all perish by one plague or another. Then the Israelites assembled together from their towns and villages, to the number of six hundred thousand men, exclusive of women

and children, besides a multitude of the commonalty, who were inclined to share their fate. On the eve of their departure, they, for the first time, by divine direction, celebrated the eating of the Paschal Lamb, in commemoration not only of their deliverance, but of that Lamb without blemish, that Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world, and killed within my time.

Pilgrim. What a treasure of knowledge you have stored up in your memory!

Cleophas. They departed with gladness of heart, some carrying utensils and furniture, some driving their cattle, some leading camels and asses laden with necessaries for their camp; others carrying things of considerable value, gold, silver, and rich apparel, which God had directed them to borrow of their ungrateful oppressors. The women carried the dough which remained of the Paschal supper; the suddenness of their departure not allowing them time to bake it. They had marched some days, and drew near to the Red Sea, when they saw a vast host of armed men, with horses and chariots, that they covered all the hills, eagerly pursuing them; and at the head of them was the king himself. At this the Israelites, all terrified, cried out, "Oh, that we had id in Egypt!" The women wrung their hands, ore their hair, and the men exclaimed against but he serenely comforted them with the ce of God's help, who was already come a columnar cloud, to protect his people from hlts of Pharaoh. As the host was now at s of the Israelites, and all they saw before was a wide deep sea, they gave themselves er for lost; when God said to Moses, "Stretch hy rod over the sea, and it shall divide." Accordingly the waters opened a passage, and stood on a heap on each side. Then Moses leading the way, all the people followed him, and safely reached the opposite shore.

Pilgrim. Such another passage, I believe, was never heard of. But how did Chencres proceed?