no longer hide him] By reason of the severe charge, given by Pharaoh, Chap. 1. vers. 22. and the strict search for the male children, which (no doubt) was severely enjoyned (as a meanes conducible to his end) though by Moses it be not mentioned. an Arke of bulrushes] Made like an Arke, or chest, and capable of the child: of such materials some were of greater capacitie, and were used in stead of boats, or ships: for in such vessels the Ambassadours of Ethiopia crossed the Sea, Esa. 18. 2. that is, the Red Sea, which divided betwixt the Easterne Ethiopia, (which was part of Arabia) and the Westerne: and in Egypt the manner (of old) was, to use boats or vessels of rushes or reeds, Plin. nat. hist. lib. 7. 100: 56. put the child therein] Here is no mention of pitching of the Arke, but it is like it was pitched, (as Noahs Arke was) within and without, Genesis 6:14. Thus (by humane prudence) they served the divine providence, and shewed faith and affection without presumption. flagges] Which are a water reed, long, broad and sharppointed like a sword; among these he was charily laid; both because they were neare the brinke of the river, (where the child might easily be seen) and where being staid by the flagges, it could not easily be carried away, by the streame.