One of the cities which the children of Israel built for Pharaoh during their captivity in Egypt. Perhaps the name is derived from Pe, the mouth—and Sham, which signifies to finish;—but there is no authority for it. A much more important consideration is it to remark the diligence of Israel in their captivity, thus building houses for their masters. Though the Egyptians oppressed them, and made their lives bitter by reason of the task-masters set over them, ye we do not find that the poor captives gave over their duty because of their enemies' cruelty. The Holy Ghost compels the foes of the church thus to give testimony, however unwillingly, to the dutiful and honourable deportment of the people. "And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Ramases. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel." (Exodus 1:11-12) I beg the reader to observe how every thing turned out the reverse of their tyrants' intention. Egypt wished to lesson Israel by cruelty: Israel thrived and multiplied the more. Egypt intended to make their lives bitter to them; whereas the bitterness recoiled on themselves. Thus the Lord carries on the gracious purposes of his government in the minds of men in all ages! We have another striking testimony of a like kind to the good conduct of the Lord's people upon a similar occasion, when the people were again brought into bondage. I mean when Jobin, king of Canaan, ruled with an iron rod over Israel. (See Judges 4:1-24 and Judges 5:1-31) The mother of Sisera gave this unintentional testimony to the good housewifery of our mothers in Israel, when, looking out at a window to watch for the coming of her son in triumph, she cried out,"Have they not divided the preys to every man a damsel or two; to Sisera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of needlework on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take the spoil?" (Judges 5:30) Here we see that the daughters of Israel, as their fathers before them, ate not the bread of idleness, for their divers colours of needlework manifested their industry. But what an awful character must this mother of Sisera have been, to take pleasure in the lusts of her son! Forgetting the chastity of her sex, she seemed to rest in the very thought that the daughters of Israel would serve for the savage sports of her son and his army, and a damsel or two fall to the lot of every man. We see here, in striking features, a mind indeed ripe for hell. We behold sin become so exceedingly sinful, that the sinner enjoys in idea what in reality he doth not partake of. This is the state which the apostle Paul describes of sinners, "who knowing the judgment of God, that they who commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but take pleasure in them that do them." (Romans 1:32) The imagination can form no picture out of hell of equal malignity of mind. Such are full ripe for hell; the next step brings them into it. They are like a vessel brim full, one drop more, and they sink to the bottom.