while the rod of Jehovah had caused millions upon millions to swarm throughout the land, ought to have convinced Pharaoh and his people, by this new miracle, that the message which came to him, was from the only true God. It ought to have made them tremble before this great Being, and dread the further more terrible expressions of his displeasure.

It seems, in some degree, to have had this effect. For the first time, Pharaoh yielded to his fears; and, urged perhaps by his suffering people to do something for their relief, he called for Moses and Aaron. "Entreat Jehovah," said he, "that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto Jehovah." The long-wishedfor promise is, at length, extorted from the tyrant. We shall soon see how sacred he considered it.

In complying with the request of Pharaoh, Moses was willing to yield to his wishes with regard to the time, and, in this way, to show him a mark of deference and respect. Glory over me," said he; that is, have the honor, (which I might, indeed, claim to myself,) of saying when the power that is given to me in the matter, shall be exercised in behalf of thyself and thy people "to destroy the frogs from thee, and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only.”

९९

To-morrow," was the reply of the king. 'Be

it according to thy word," said Moses, "that thou mayest know that there is none like unto Jehovah, our God."

Retiring from the presence of Pharaoh, with his brother Aaron, Moses engaged in earnest supplications that God would destroy the frogs which were infesting the houses and the fields of the Egyptians. His prayer was answered. These loathsome animals died instantly, and in all places excepting the river Nile. In this way the people were delivered from their principal calamity; but they still had a most offensive evil to endure, to show them that the displeasure of the Lord was great against them, and to keep Pharaoh in mind of the promise which he had made. They were obliged to gather together the dead frogs in heaps ; and the number and size of such masses of putrefying matter were so great as to fill the whole air with an odor that was intolerable.

The partial respite, however, revived the obstinacy of Pharaoh; and, as God had told Moses would be the case, the heart of this tyrannical oppressor became still more hardened in sin. He entirely disregarded the solemn promise which he had made, and would not consent to let the Israelites obey the divine command.

Without any previous expostulation with the king, or warning of what was to happen, the Lord commanded Moses to direct Aaron once more to

stretch out the rod, and smite the dust of the land. He did so, and, wonderful to behold, "it became lice in man and in beast. All the dust of the land became lice, throughout all the land of Egypt."

These small and disgusting vermin swarmed every where, covering the bodies of the inhabitants, and crawling in myriads, in their dwellings, and on all the furniture which they contained. It was in vain to endeavor to get rid of them. If one set were dislodged from the person, or swept away from the room, a fresh and countless supply renewed the attack, and rendered resistance impracticable. It was a judgment of the most offensive and humiliating kind. It showed the mighty resources of that Omnipotent Being against whom they were contending, who could thus make use of such apparently feeble and insignificant instruments, to inflict his vengeance upon those that persisted in not yielding to his commands.

The magicians were again brought forward. They practised their idle enchantments and ceremonies, but in vain. They utterly failed in their attempt to imitate this new and surprising miracle, and exclaimed, addressing the king, "This is the finger of God." Here must be an interposition of divine power. Nothing else can produce such effects. We yield to these wonderful men. The task is a hopeless one, of endeavoring to cope with them any further.

We should have thought that this confession of the magicians, and the striking displeasure of the Almighty, manifested in the new calamity which was inflicted upon Pharaoh and his people, would have made the haughty monarch at least begin to waver in his resolution. But no; we still read the affecting record of his perverseness and guilt. "Pharaoh's heart was hardened and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said."

How often do sinners, when suffering under some chastisement of God, cry unto him themselves, or beseech others, (as Pharaoh did Moses and Aaron,) to entreat him, in their behalf, that the calamity may be removed. And how often, under such circumstances, do they solemnly promise that, if relief can be obtained, they will forsake their sins, and immediately set about the performance of duty. Such relief is afforded, either partial or entire. God is merciful, and tries them once more, if they will listen to his warnings. But alas! as soon as they find themselves regaining their usual health, or comfort, or prosperity, all their good resolutions and promises are forgotten, and they go on sinning against God as wickedly and fearlessly as ever! How guilty and alarming is such a state!

to see

Has this ever, my young friend, been your state? Have you kept the resolutions, and fulfilled the promises, which, in some season of difficulty or of danger, you have solemnly made to God, if he

would send you deliverance? Or, alas! have you broken them all, and rushed on, in hardness of heart, as Pharaoh did, despising the forbearance, and resisting the authority of God!

Think of these broken resolutions and promises. Recall the affecting circumstances under which they were made, and the divine goodness and longsuffering towards you. Repent of your deep ingratitude, and confess it to your Heavenly Father. Seek his forgiveness through Christ, and escape from the greatest of all evils, the being left of God to wilful and obstinute perseverance in sin.

CHAPTER XVI.

The plague of flies, of murrain, and of boils and blains.

As Pharaoh went down, early in the morning, to the Nile, to bathe in its waters, or, it may have been, to offer his customary devotions to the god of the river, he was met by Moses. 'Let my people go, that they may serve me," was the message from Jehovah which, once more, sounded in his ears. It was a fearful demand. It had already