on.

APRIES (Pharaoh-Hophra) now leaving the place where he had concealed
himself, advanced towards the sea-coast, (probably on the side of Libya;)
and hiring an army of Carians, Ionians, and other foreigners, he marched
against Amasis, to whom he gave battle near Memphis; but being overcome,
Apries was taken prisoner, carried to the city of Sais, and there
strangled in his own palace.(489)

The Almighty had given, by the mouth of his prophets, an astonishing
relation of the several circumstances of this mighty event. It was He who
had broken the power of Apries, which was once so formidable; and put the
sword into the hand of Nabuchodonosor, in order that he might chastise and
humble that haughty prince. "I am," said he, "against Pharaoh king of
Egypt, and will break his arms, which were strong, but now are broken; and
I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand."(490)--"But I will
strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword into his
hand."(491)--"And they shall know that I am the Lord."(492)

He enumerates the towns which were to fall a prey to the victors; Pathros,
Zoan, No, (called in the Vulgate Alexandria,) Sin, Aven, Phibeseth,
&c.(493)(494)

He takes notice particularly of the unhappy end of the king, who was to be
delivered up to his enemies. Thus saith the Lord; "Behold, I will give
Pharaoh-Hophra, the king of Egypt, into the hand of his enemies, and into
the hand of them that seek his life."(495)

Lastly, he declares, that during forty years the Egyptians shall be
oppressed with every species of calamity, and be reduced to so deplorable
a state, "That there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt."(496)
The event verified this prophecy, which was gradually accomplished. Soon
after the expiration of these forty years, Egypt was made a province of
the Persian empire, to which its kings, though natives of the country,
were tributary, and thus the accomplishment of the prediction began. It
was completely fulfilled on the death of Nectanebus, the last king of
Egyptian extraction, A.M. 3654.

Since that time, Egypt has constantly been governed by foreigners. For
since the ruin of the Persian monarchy, it has been subject, successively,
to the Macedonians, the Romans, the Saracens, the Mamalukes, and lastly,
to the Turks, who possess it to this day.

God was not less punctual in the accomplishment of his prophecies, with
regard to such of his own people as had retired, contrary to h