"Yet Moses was INDEED a Prince,
AND a Judge, and KNEW it
and thought the Hebrews
would have understood it;
but they stood in their own light,
and thrust him away.
See what base constructions malice puts
upon the best words and actions.
Moses, for reproving him,
is presently charged
with a design to kill him."
-- John Wesley
2:11 When Moses was grown he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens - He looked on their burdens as one that not only pitied them, but was resolved to venture with them, and for them.
2:12 He slew the Egyptian - Probably it was one of the Egyptian task - masters, whom he found abusing his Hebrew slave. By special warrant from heaven (which makes not a precedent in ordinary cases) Moses slew the Egyptian, and rescued his oppressed brother.
The Jew's tradition is, that he did not slay him with any weapon, but as Peter slew Ananias and Sapphira, with the word of his mouth.
2:14 He said, Who made thee a prince? - He challengeth his authority; Who made thee a prince? - A Man needs no great Authority for giving a friendly reproof; it is an Act of Kindness; yet this man needs will interpret it an Act of Dominion, and represents his reprover as imperious and assuming.
Thus, when people are sick of good discourse, or a seasonable admonition, they will call it preaching, as if a man could not speak a word for God, and against sin, but he took too much upon him. Yet Moses was indeed a prince, and a judge, and knew it, and thought the Hebrews would have understood it; but they stood in their own light, and thrust him away.
#Acts 7:25|,27. Intendest thou to kill me? - See what base constructions malice puts upon the best words and actions.
Moses, for reproving him, is presently charged with a design to kill him.
2:15 Moses fled from Pharaoh - God ordered this for wise ends.
Things were not yet ripe for Israel's deliverance.
The measure of Egypt's iniquity was not yet full; the Hebrews were not sufficiently humbled, nor were they yet increased to such a multitude as God designed : Moses is to be farther fitted for the service, and therefore is directed to withdraw for the present, till the time to favour Israel, even the set time, come.
God guided Moses to Midian, because the Midianites were of the seed of Abraham, and retained the worship of The True God; so that he might have not only a safe, but a comfortable settlement among them; and through this country he was afterwards to lead Israel, which, that he might do the better, he now had opportunity of acquainting himself with it.
Hither he came, and sat down by a well; tired and thoughtful, waiting to see which way Providence would direct him.
It was a great change with him, since he was but the other day at ease in Pharaoh's court.
(The Doctor has completed assembly of K9 Mark II, his personal mobile gun platform and computer. He blows a dog whistle and it lifts its head.)
K9:
Master?
Tom :
It works, K9, It works.
Listen, I've got a little surprise for you.
K9:
Master?
Tom :
You and I are going away
on holiday.
K9:
Affirmative.
Tom :
A nice, long holiday.
K9:
Affirmative.
Tom :
Would you like that, K9?
K9:
Affirmative!
affirmative!
affirmative!
Tom :
Shush! Halergan Three's lovely, K9.
You'll really like it.
Beaches, palm trees, sunshine all day.
Hot and —
(The Tardis goes completely dark. Then the main doors start to open and golden light floods in to organ accompaniment.)
GUARDIAN [OC]:
Doctor.
Tom :
Yes?
GUARDIAN [OC]:
Your presence is required.
Tom :
Look, listen, I, I,
I don't wish to appear rude,
but who are you?
GUARDIAN [OC]:
Do you really need to ask, Doctor?
Tom :
Well, only A Guardian could —
(A rumble of thunder echoes.)
Tom :
Oh, I see.
Well, in that case, sir…
GUARDIAN [OC]:
You will come to no harm.
Tom :
Just as you say.
[Guardian's abode]
(Wind chimes sound in the flat area with a white rocks as a backdrop and a few small plants around. A wicker peacock chair stands under a sunshade next to a small table carrying a decanter and glasses. A man in a white suit with a red carnation in the lapel fades into view, seated on the chair.)
The White Guardian :
Doctor, you have been chosen
for a vitally important task.
Tom :
That's very flattering, sir.
The White Guardian :
It concerns The Key to Time.
You know of The Key to Time?
Tom :
Well, I've heard a few stories.
Old legends, myths, that sort of thing.
The White Guardian :
It is no myth.
Tom :
Sorry, sir.
The White Guardian :
The Key to Time
is a perfect cube,
which maintains
the equilibrium
of time itself.
(A holographic image of a spinning cube appears for illustration, then fades away.)
The White Guardian :
It consists of six segments,
and these segments are scattered
and hidden throughout the cosmos.
When they are assembled into the cube, they create a power which is too dangerous for any being to possess.
Tom :
Well hidden then, I hope, sir.
The White Guardian :
There are times, Doctor, when the forces within the universe
upset the balance to such an extent
that it becomes necessary
to stop everything.
Tom :
Stop everything?
The White Guardian :
For a brief moment only.
Tom :
Ah.
The White Guardian :
Until The Balance is restored --
Such a moment is rapidly approaching.
These segments must be traced and returned to me
before it is too late, before The Universe is plunged
into Eternal Chaos.
Tom :
Eternal Chaos?
The White Guardian :
Eternal as you understand the term.
Tom :
Look, I'm sure there must be plenty of
other Time Lords who'd be delighted to --
The White Guardian :
I have Chosen You.
Tom :
Yes, I was afraid you'd say something like that...
Ah! You want me to volunteer, isn't that it?
The White Guardian :
Precisely.
Tom :
And if I don't?
The White Guardian :
Nothing.
Tom :
Nothing? You mean nothing will happen to me?
The White Guardian :
Nothing at all. Ever.
Tom : Ah. What do they look like, these segments? How will I know them?
The White Guardian : They're all disguised.
Tom : Yes, I thought they might be.
The White Guardian :
They contain the elemental force
of the universe.
They can be in any shape, form or size.
Tom :
Then how will I recognise them?
The White Guardian :
You will be given a locator.
Tom :
Thank you.
The White Guardian :
And an assistant.
Tom :
An assistant….?
Please, sir, on an assignment like this,
I'd much rather work alone.
In my experience, assistants mean trouble.
I have to protect them
and show them and teach them
and couldn't I just —
couldn't I just manage with K9?
The White Guardian :
K9 is a mere machine.
Tom :
He is a very sensitive machine…! Sorry, sir.
The White Guardian : You will find your assistant waiting for you in the Tardis.
Tom :
Very well, sir. If you insist.
The White Guardian : One final thing, Doctor.
Tom : Yes?
The White Guardian :
I am the White Guardian.
In order to maintain the universal balance, there is also a Black Guardian,
and he also requires the Key to Time,
but for a different purpose.
An evil purpose.
He must not get it.
Doctor, at all costs,
you must prevent that.
Tom :
How am I to prevent that?
The White Guardian : Beware the Black Guardian.
Tom : Beware The Black Guardian.
The White Guardian :
Beware. Beware.
(The Guardian picks up his glass of green wine and fades away.)
[Tardis]
Tom :
I'm so sorry, K-9,
The Holiday's off.
ROMANA [OC]:
Doctor?
Tom :
(sotto)
That's the new assistant.
(Tall, brunette, statuesque, aloof, wearing a floorlength white dress fastened only at the waist, and her hair held up by a tiara. Everyone welcome Mary Tamm)
ROMANA:
My Name is Romanadvoratnelundar.
Tom :
I'm so sorry about that. Is there anything we can do?
ROMANA: The President of the Supreme Council sent me.
(That should be the Doctor, but he's forgotten all about the last story.)
ROMANA:
I was told to give you this --
(Romana hands over a rod.)
Tom :
What's this?
ROMANA: According to my instructions,
it's the core to The Key of Time.
Tom :
Ah.
ROMANA:
Very exciting, isn't it?
Tom :
Yes, I suppose it must be for someone as young and inexperienced as you are.
ROMANA: I may be inexperienced, but I did graduate from the Academy with a triple first.
Tom : I suppose you think we should be impressed by that, too?
ROMANA:
Well, it's better than scraping through with fifty one percent at the second attempt.
Tom : That information is confidential! That President. I should have thrown him to the Sontarans when I had the chance.
