feare not] Though Jacob had good cause to hope well both of his warrant for this journey into Egypt, of his welcome thither, and welfare there; yet his thoughts by the way might suggest unto him causes of feare of many kinds: First, concerning himselfe, he might feare, whether he might lawfully goe downe into Egypt, though for reliefe against the famine, because Isaac his father was forbidden to goe thither upon the like occasion, Gen. 26. 2 He might feare that being old and feeble, he might dye by the way: 2.ly, concerning his posteritie: he might apprehend perill both to their soules, and to their bodies; to their soules by idolatry, because the Egyptians were much addicted to it, (and indeed afterwards it appeared the sraelites were infected with it, who learned to worship a Calfe of them who worshipped a Cow) and by dissolutenesse, because it was a pleasant, and plentifull Countrey, and the people were given to ease, and delicacie; which corrupt the manners, and incline the mind to sensuall pleasures: and for their bodies, knowing the prediction of their servitude in that Countrey, Chap. 15. 13. he might feare that now to come downe into Eygpt, was to make haste to that miserable condition, which but too soone would come upon them: And thirdly, concerning both; he might haply feare, that going thither his eies might see that which would not so afflict him if he kept him thence; and that he and his posteritie going thither, might seeme to forsake the Land of Promise, the pledge of the heavenly Canaan. there make of thee a great nation] God promiseth there a great multiplication of his off-spring, where he most feared their suppression; and he made good his word to the full, for they went into Egypt but seventy soules, Exodus 1:5. and there came out of Egypt of those that came out of Jacobs loines (notwithstanding the Egyptians did what they could to diminish their number) about sixe hundred thousand men, besides children, Exod. 12 37 which was a miraculous increase; especially if we consider that it was brought forth in the space of two hundred and fifteene yeares: whereas in two hundred and fifteene years (next before Jacobs descending into Egypt,) the posteritie of Abraham by Isaac and Jacob, was increased but to seventie persons: See Deuteronomy 10:22.