"And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sat on his throne, unto the first-born of the captive that was in the dungeon." --- Exodus 12:29.
The death of every first-born of the Egyptians carried so lively a resemblance, and bore so natural a relation, to their sin in destroying every male of the Israelites, that they must needs perceive it was inflicted as a punishment for that very cruelty; and cosequently must conclude that the God of Israel took particular notice of human transactions, and sooner or later rewarded every man according to his works.
The gradual increase of judgment inflicted on Egypt is somewhat remarkable, and equally expressive of the mercy and justice of God. The first four plagues were loathsome rather than fatal to the Egyptians; but after that of the flies came the murrain, which chiefly spent its rage upon the cattle; the boils and blains reached both man and beast, though there was still a reserve for life; the hail and locusts extended, in a great measure, even to life itself; the first by an immediate stroke, and both, consequently, by destroying the fruits of the earth.
That of darkness added consternation to their minds, and lashes to their consciences: and when all this would not reclaim, at length came the decisive blow; first, the slaying of the firt-born, and then the drowning of the incorrigible tyrant and all his host. "Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints."
Let no proud sinner grow secure,
Who has through dangers pass'd;
If former judgments turn thee not,
Thy life shall go at last.