Of the Head Cornerstone, Chapter 20 (2 of 4)
8 Those others whence he had encouragement and helpe besides, were partly other peoples there: and partly his owne Countrey-men too. Those other peoples there, were such as were of the Kings Dominions; who for manie of them Ezr. 7: 16, 8▪25were Contributors, and gaue their Offering to the House of the Lord: Namely, the Kings seauen Counsellors, certaine of his Princes, and of the people. What any of them in particular gaue, we hauehave it not noted; and no maruell, when wee hauehave not any note of that which the King himselfe did giuegive, as wee sawe before: but by the totall following it will appeare, that they bestowed verie well, either all of them generally, or certayne of them more specially. Of his owne Countrey-men in those partes diuers there were, that were Contributarie too, bringing in Ezr. 7: 16. 8: 25theyr Offering also: but many of these gaue him greater encouragement than so, for that they ioyned them-selues vntounto him in that his good purpose, in some good measure, addressing them-selues to depart from thence, and to go home to theyr Countrey with him. Wherein the most commendable part of that actions of theirs, was not, that they did accompany him home: but in that, he going about so good businesse, they were as it seemeth in that respect willing, in their measure to be partakers with him. For, by likely-hood, but few or none of all this companie, were borne in Iury, but onelyonly in Babylon, and in the Prouinces adioyning, where their parents and they were a long time in Captiuity, though by this time it is not vnlikely, but that they had gotten better hold among them. What time it was that Ezra came downe, it is not indeed by the learned agreed: but there is none, that probably doth reckon so short a time, but that these which now go down with Ezra, must needs be altogether another generation (some few particulars it may bee, onelyonly excepted) than those that came into Captiuity. Which being so, then it is not so likely, that these were so ready to go into Iury, as to their natiue country (in which respect they might rather hauehave had a desire to hauehave stayed where they were already:) but that, being of that people, to whom not only that land was gyuen, but also this prerogatiue withall, that they were the onelyonly peculiar people of God, in duty it seemeth, and in godly zeale, they resolued them-selues now to goe with him; so to helpe forward the worship and seruice of God (or as we do often tearm it, the cause of Religion) together with the good of their Bretheren there, the best that they could. A thing that must needes be maruellous comfortable vntounto Ezra, to hauehave so many, so farre to ioyne with him, in so good a purpose as it: plyable hearts in the people, with whome in such case wee are to deale, and readynesse in them to take part with vsus in any good labour, beeing a greater comfort indeede, than outwarde helpes were at any time lightly able to reach vntounto. But in thys wee finde, that hee had not this helpe of them all, of theyr owne accord: but that he was faine to hauehave some farther busines for certain of them. For when as he tooke the view of those that were assembled vntounto him (hauing first a little entered into his iourny) he found that they were about 1486. persons: but none of the Leuits among Ezr 8: 1-20 1 Esd. 8: 29-48 Conr. Pellic.them all (besides such as were of the Priests;) nor it seemeth any of the others that were to do inferior seruices about the House of God. But then specially sending for some of both sorts of them, he got two hundered and eight and fifty of them: and so had in all one thousand, seauen hundred forty and foure. But that these especially were no more forward … themselues, but that Ezra was faine so to send for them, it seemeth necessarily to argue one of these two: eyther that they were exceeding slacke in that point of duty; or else, that some way or other they vnderstood, or at least themselues conceiued, that the estate of their bretheren that were already returned, was yet so hard, that they durst not aduenture yet to goe thither. Sure it is, that oft-times wee hauehave experience of both: namely, that such as by their function or charge ought to be of the formost, are oft-times of the slackest; and that the maintainance of the Ministery is so kept from them, that they are faine to leaue of their calling therein, and otherwise to shift for themselues so well as they can. How it pleased God to prosper him in his way homeward we soone may finde, first in the beginning of that his iourney; then, throughout the whole course of it besides. In the beginning of that his iourney, we finde it in two principall matters: one, about his whole iourney; the other, about one speciall charge he had with him. That which was about his whole iourney, was for the safety of their passage or getting home, in Ezra. 8: 21-23 1 Esd. 8: 49-52respect of such as might hauehave assaulted them by the way, as the iourney was long, and the world loose then: and this so much the rather, because they had omitted one helpe before; and so was God very good vntounto them, to put into their minds to take hold on another now. That which they had omitted before, was to hauehave desired forces of the King to hauehave conducted them home against their enemies: and this doth Ezra acknowledge that he was ashamed to doe, for that he had before borne himselfe so much on the assistance of God, on behalfe of those that were his, against all their enemies. The other, that God did put in their mind, now to take hold of to make supply, was, that they held a Fast to the Lord, and ioyned prayer withall, that it would please him to defend them, and to bring them safe home: the better way of the two, and more seemely for those that professe God; and yet the other in no wise to bee refused neyther, when the case doth so require, or it pleaseth him to offer it to any. A good patterne also, how the children of God in their distresse do seeke vntounto him: whereas the manner of others is, euer to secure themselues by earthly helps, and neuer lightly to hauehave any mind of the other. That speciall charge of theirs wherein they tooke some order also, was about certaine treasure that they had with them, Ezr. 8: 24-30 1 Esd. 8: 53-59and were to carry vntounto Ierusalem, being dedicated thereunto already; now making choyce of certaine speciall men of the Priestes to whose trust to commit the carriage of it: which when they did, then did they see, how notably God prospered them therin. For so they found, that they had a notably rich offering giuen to the Temple: namely, one hundred and fifty Talents of Siluer, and in Siluer Plate one hundred Talents more; in Gold both one hundred Talents, and twenty fa…re Basins besides, and two other parcels, but whether of Amber, or of some other rare mettall, very faire also, and as precious as Gold it selfe. A notable and a rare contribution or free-will offering, of those Heathen people towardes the House of God in Ierusalem; being, no doubt, mindfull enough (at least, as many be probably conceiued) that it was richly furnished already by that faire and beautifull Plate, which we may conceiue, came as neere as well they could, to that which Salomon in the midst of his glory made for Ezr. 1: 11 1 Esd. 2: 10-15it before, no lesse than fiue thousand and foure hundred parcels of it, that Cyrus had sent home already, all of them being eyther of Gold or Siluer: but a great condemnation withall, to those that spoyle the Churches of God of thinges most needfull; or but as vnrighteously with-hold them now, as they were taken away before. In which place, that one there is, of speciall account for his knowledge in the tongue, who contrary Ari. Montan.to all others whom yet I hauehave seene, interpreteth those twenty Basins of Gold to be but ten, I thinke it is very hard to conceiue whereupon he hath done it: especially, whereas himselfe, doth elsewhere Interpret the selfe same word to bee twenty, as others do; and addeth nothing in the margent, as otherwise his manner is, to cleere Gen. 18: 31. 23: 1.his interpretation therein. The roote, indeede, it seemeth, is onelyonly of ten: but where that is noted, there also we finde that the word which we speake of, is vsed for twenty; Sa…. Pagni.and so I thought it a point not vnworthy to be commended to the consideration of others. Throughout the whole course of his iourney he found the blessing of God likewise, for that he came home, he and his company, and all that they Ezr. 7▪ 1. 9. 8: … 20, 31, 32. 1 Esdr. 8: 6, 7. 60 I… …ab. Asia 4. …. In …ab. Asia, … regni. T…r….had, so safe as they did. That they were foure moneths in their iourney, the distance of the places, or length of the way, may iustly require it. For though Ptolomy make it (the streight line I mean; but none lightly can go any set iourny, though much shorter than it, but much farther about than so) but about eleauen degrees: yet Ortelius, findeth it to bee about foureteene or better; which easily will make a iourney long enough for such a company as those, with theyr Goods, Wiues, and Children, to dispatch in foure monthes space, though they might goe all theyr way as straite as might bee. But as in those dayes it was not vnlikely but to bee very daungerous for naked people together with theyr Familyes to make iournyes, and to take theyr way by so many peoples as lay betwixt (which themselues also doubted, as we saw before) they also (beeing separate from others in Rites of Religion) beeing therefore more abhorred than others: so the Text it selfe dooth seeme to giuegive vsus to vnderstand, that some there were Ezr. 8: 31 1 Esdr. 8: 60that did lye in waite for them by the way; and therefore no maruaile if they were fayne to make theyr way some-what longer, so to auoyde the daunger of them.
9 What Ezra did there, when thus hee was come, beeing now to bee seene, we are to know, that we hauehave but part of it in the Story that now wee are in, which we hauehave in the Booke of Ezra: but then hauehave we more in the Booke ensuing, which is intituled to Nehemiah. So are we now but onelyonly to consider of that, which we hauehave in this Booke intituled to him: and to take the other where we hauehave it deliuered vntounto vsus, in the Story of Nehemiah. That which we hauehave heere deliuered vntounto vsus, doth some part of it seeme to appertaine to the time of their first comming thither: and some part againe, to the time some-what after. Of that which seemeth to appertaine to the time of their first comming thither, most of it is altogether among themselues: but some part of it, betwixt them and others neere adioyning. That which was among themselues, rested in two principall points: one, the discharging of a point of trust to them committed; the other, a farther duty by them performed. The trust that was to them committed, was, that when they should come to Ierusalem, then should they make true deliuery of those thinges that were committed vntounto them to the vse of the Temple, and of the seruice of God among them: which Ezr. 8: 32-34 1 Esd. 8: 61-63they truely did, the fourth day after they were returned; taking the meane time belike, some-thing to refresh themselues after that long iourney of theirs, and to get those things in some better readinesse against the time that they should be deliuered. A notable patterne for Princes, and all other Patrons of the Church-liuinges: who hauehave indeede nothing else before God, but onelyonly a trust to them committed to praeserue and keepe them to the vse where-unto they were appointed; and then without impairing (of that which is due and needfull maintenance) delay, or corruption, to bestow them againe. This had beene a faire booty for Ezra, and the chiefe of that company, to hauehave concealed and shared among them: especially, the Temple being so richly furnished, as by the other it was already. But they hauehave giuen a better example than so. They did not embolden themselues to be doing with it, because the Temple had enough already: but belike they considered, that what God had thought good to moue the harts of the King, Princes, and people to bestow vponupon it, that were not they to turn aside to other vses, much lesse to pelfer it vntounto themselues; nor so much as to enuy or thinke much, that the Temple should hauehave it. We also our selues (so many as are of any moderation at all) doo not thinke much one with another, if it please God to giuegive vntounto any, of earthly blessings, a much greater measure than he giueth to vsus: though Noble-men hauehave many Lordships & honors; and though Princes heue many rich and mightie kingdomes. Those that are but in weake measure endued with godly wisedome, neuerthelesse do not allowe, that any of the greater sort whatsoeuer, should (after the vsuall worldly manner) be: at any time striuing to make them-selues greater, by laying Lord-shippe to Lordeship, or kingdome, to kingdome: but what it pleaseth GOD by discent, or any orderly meanes whatsoeuer, to bestowe vppon any (as on Nabuch…dnezar the kingdomes Ier. 27-3.of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyrus, Sidon and Iudah; besides Babylon and many others that came in with it) that do they, be it neuer so much, with al their harts, and in all dutiful reuerence leaue vntounto thē; wish them good of it, & long to enioy it. And such moderation ought to be in vsus al, one towards another for al such matters: much more in those things that it pleaseth God more plentifully to bestow, towards the aduancement of his glory, and the eternall good of his chosen people. Yet in these things we not onelyonly vse our freedome to censure them as we think good, to apportion them also, and to mince them at our owne pleasure: but also wee thinke, that therein we may lawfully do it; and that some there are that in duty ought so to do. Not in such sort working on those things that were vniustly, or, any way ill bestowed on the Church (for that is not the case; and there is no question, but that such things may, and ought to be amended) but thus grating at those thinges that came as orderly to the Church, as wee hauehave any other right in the world: such as good Kings, Nobles, and others, yea, euen whole Synods and Parlaments too, mooued by the good spirit of God, and laying before their eies the example and worde of God himselfe, in good zeale and vprightnesse of heart, to Gods glory, and Soules health of others, did willingly offer vntounto the Lord to bee his for euer. So did not these: and beware that they be not condemnation to others. That farther dutie that they performed, is of that nature, that in it also we might doe our selues some wrong, if wee should not but superficially or sleightly consider of it: and yet I trust wee neede no farther than this, first to consider of it as it standeth by it selfe; then, as it is ioyned vntounto another. As it standeth by it selfe, it is, that when they were come home, they religiously woorshipped God, both for themselues, and on the …r. 7: 35 1 Esd. 8: 64, 65behalfe of all their bretheren. For they were burnt-offerings that now they offered, altogether abandoned from their owne priuate vse: thereby condemning themselues, and all the whole race or stocke of them to hauehave beene most worthy of the iust wrath that was vponupon them; and now making actual confession of such great guiltinesse in them. That other whereunto it was ioyned, was, that their faithfull deliuery of those holy thinges, that were to their trust before committed: of which when in good sort they had discharged themselues, then might religious worshipping kindly and orderly follow thereuppon; and when they did not reserue those thinges to their priuate vse, out of which the blessing of GOD was to be deriued to their bretheren also, on that so good a care of their bretheren, they might well woorship for them likewise. But wee, still failing the trust committed vntounto vsus, and turning to our owne worldly luker, that which by right should bee the maintenance of others nowe, and those no meaner nor lesse needfull, but that by their Ministery much people should bee instructed nowe in the knowledge of God, and afterward led to eternal glory, can neuer truely either giuegive thanks or pray for them: and, where equity and vp-right dealing goeth not before, there will neuer any sound deuotion followe after. Wee may so gloriously prosesse, and beare such a shew of godlinesse and zeale, as that indeede wee may thereby deceiue others, and our selues too: but so long as we doe so strongly with-hold, but in earthly respect, that which others by right should hauehave to much better vse, it will bee hard to finde any one ounce of sound deuotion, in great heapes of such profession. In that which was betwixt them, and others adioyning, wee are to note the good successe that now they had. For they did no sooner acquaint the Gouernors and Officers of Ezr. 7: 36 1 Esdr. 8: 66those parts with that their commission, but that therupon promoted or had in honor not onelyonly the people themselues: but also, which was much harder to them, euen that house of God likewise. We on the other side, hauehave wrestled long, and stil do, with those that with vsus hauehave beene enemies to our selues and our buildings, euer since wee hauehave had in hand the building of the house of GOD among vsus: and yet neuer obtaine that curtesie of them; nor so much neither, that they would bee but quiet and let vsus alone, without their trouble and molestation. But belike they espie, that wee go not so kindly about the worke that we pretend, as did those that now we speak of: belike they note, that we strongly with-hold those holy vessels, (to vsus committed) to profane vse still, and daily are embeseling out of the Temple such as were brought home before; and so conclude, that whatsoeuer wee praetend, we hauehave no regard indeede, to builde vp that house of God among vsus. So is there, on eyther side, a kind of conclusion implied: on the one side, that wee may still keepe those to our priuate vse, and yet hauehave it our meaning, well to build vp the house of God too; on the other, they still with-hold thinges that were to them committed, and daily seeke to get into their handes such as were brought home before, and therfore cannot hauehave it their meaning well to build vp the house that they speake of. Now betwixt these it may well be doubted, that if the latter of these be Logicall indeede; then is the other but Sophisticall onelyonly: a matter for the Reader in that faculty, to thinke vponupon, and to determine.
10 That part of the doings of Esra; which seemeth to appertaine to the time some-what after ensuing, was about those vnlawfull marriages which many of the people had made since they returned from the Captiuity, before that Esra now came vntounto them. Concerning which, part of the Story we hauehave deliuered vntounto vsus as set downe by Ezra himselfe: the residue of it, as set downe by some other. In that which is set downe by himselfe, first he sheweth vsus, how he came to the knowledge of it: then how sorrowfully he tooke it when first he heard of it. Hee came to the knowledge of it by certaine of the chiefe and principall men among them: giuing him to vnderstand, that whereas many of the people, yea and of the Priests and Leuites themselues, had before married contrary to the Ezr 1 9: 1. 2. 1 Esd. 8: …7▪69Law of God (matching themselues with such of the auncient Inhabitants of the Land as yet remayned, and others such like, forbidden by GOD as much as the others) they hadde not yet reformed themselues therein, but euen to that day aboade in that theyr iniquity: and not onelyonly the meaner people among them; but euen the greater sort of them too, and those with the formost. When wee are to see how ill hee tooke it, we are not onelyonly to marke how hee behaued himselfe thereon: but withall, what may seeme to bee his reason that so hee did. Hee, no doubt, so behaued himselfe thereon, as dooth sufficiently witnesse, that it was exceeding greeuous vntounto him: first, but sorrowing by himselfe; but then soone after praying to GOD. While hee did but sorrowe with himselfe, we are again there to marke, what his sorrow may seeme to be then: and how farre it wrought with others. His sorrow then dooth very plainely seeme to be great: he so fared with his garments and with his haire; and was so greatly Ezr 9: 3, 4. 1. Esdr 8: 70, 71.amazed at it. It wrought so with others, that such as feared God among them, did thereuppon repaire vntounto him: themselues (belike) being sorrowfull also, that so reuerend a man as he, should be so farre disquieted by any of them. When he set himselfe to pray vntounto God, it was at the time of the Euening-Sacrifice of that day when he heard it; not hearing of it, belike, till after the time of the Morning-Sacrifice before: and then going to the Court of the Lordes house, there falling downe on his knees, and stretching forth his handes to the Heauens, hee so made his Prayer to God. Wherein it shall be good that we consider, not onelyonly of the effect of his prayer: but withall, of some circumstances thereunto appertaining. As touching the effect of his prayer, it seemeth, that then hee did not vtter all that be meant: but that some of the company, pittying and sorry to see such a man so vexed by them, and thereby the better perceiuing the foulenesse of their offense therein, made so bold with him, as, after a sort, to intterupt him; professing readinesse, therein to be said and ruled by him. For in all, that at this time he said, he desireth nothing of GOD: but onelyonly acknowledgeth how greeuously they Ezr 9: 6-15. 1. Esdr. …: 72-8…. Ezra. 9: 5. 1 10: 1, 6. 1 Esdr. 8: 71hauehave offended therein; exaggerating the same diuers wayes also. The circumstances are two: one, of the time; another, of the place. The time was, the Euening-Sacrifice-time; the place, the house of the Lord: both of them seeming to insinuate, that he had a meaning, in godly wisedome, besides the confessing of the sinne vntounto God, in such sort to do it, as most effectually might touch the harts of the people, especially of those that were the offenders. And to that ende it seemeth likewise, that he rather twineth his speach so as he doth, from the Lorde himselfe to the people then praesent, speaking then of the Lord but in the third …r. 9▪ 8, 9. 1. Esdr. 8: 79, 80person onelyonly: so appealing (as it were) by the way, vntounto their owne consciences therein, whether it were not so as he then had confessed, and would yet proceede some-what farther in it. The reason why it may seeme, that he did take it so ill, was not onelyonly (as I conceiue) the greatnesse of that fault, with all the euils and inconueniences thereto appertaining; but withall, that he was so crossed; as thereby he might soone see himselfe to bee, in that good course wherein hee was: and that, both in respect of that▪ which hee had already done; and in respect of that which now he came among them to do. For probably we may conceiue, by that great liberality of the King, his Nobles and people, and both those other sauours besides that the King vouchsafed to Ezra (of which we hauehave already heard) that he had already brought the King in great good opinion of that people, for holinesse, and all good carriage besides, in all their other waies whatsoeuer. Great honour also had he procured to the House of the Lord; and many faire and rich Ornaments to it besides: matters of too great a price, for such degenerate, and mungreell worshippers, as now they were. He meant now to hauehave deliuered vntounto them, some exact knowledge of the Lawe of the Lord: and so to hauehave raised such a people to God, as should be an ornament of that age, and a patterne to the ages ensuing. But now there is no matter to worke-on: they are so farre degenerate already, that it is impossible to make any such workmanship of them. He meant likewise, what by his industry in teaching them all the Lawe of God, and by the ciuill power that now hee had gotten, to hauehave brought all the people confining on them, yea and all their Gouournours & great men among them, in some good measure to hauehave ioyned themselues vntounto thē, euen in the profession of their Religion. But now had they (and he wist not of it) so abased and corrupted themselues, that in no wise they were any meete people, to hauehave any such addition vntounto them: much lesse, so honourable an augmentation. These or such like, so mainly crossing that speciall good course that he was in, might very well bee a great part of the cause, that hee was so exceedingly grieued at those ill tidings, and strucken with such astonishment with them. A matter that speaketh plaine English to vsus, and that goeth not behind the doore to tell vsus, that Popish matchings, by such as neuerthelesse professe the Gospell, doe euer lightly bewray all such to be, and for their Issue much more doe bring in, but a mungrell people: neuer but cyphars in the Church of God, and vnworthy the least of those fauours that not onelyonly God, but good Princes also doe sometimes giuegive forth to the vse of his people; a matter too vntoward, of whom to make any good workmanship, and none of those men to whom others may be ioyned to any edifying of theirs towards God.
11 That part of this Story which we hauehave set downe vntounto vsus as by some other, is all that followeth: and it may wee account to bee set downe vntounto vsus, not as by Ezra himselfe, but as by some other, because in this, Ezra doth not speake vntounto vsus as in his owne person, as he did before; but, as it were some other besides, relating vntounto vsus more matter of him. The effect whereof is, to shew vntounto vsus, how effectually it wrought with others, that he tooke this so ill as he did, in that he prayed so earnestly against it: and first, what effect it tooke at that praesent; then, vponupon some farther deliberation. At that present it tooke such effect in that company then gathered together, that Ezra himselfe might take great comfort in it, and plainely see that God had much blessed his trauell therein: first in respect of that which then was done; then, in respect of the parties that did it. That which then was done, was first no more in effect, but onelyonly (and yet that was much, and a speciall great blessing of God, that it came so readily as it did) that they yeelded conformity vntounto him: but then soone after there followed a confirmation or assurance of it by their corporall Oaths. When it was no more but onelyonly a conformity yeelded vntounto him, yet then also came it in very good manner: shewing their readinesse Ezr. 10: 1-4. 1 Es. 8: 90-94vntounto it, and encouraging him to set in hand with it. When they yeelded assurance Ezr. 10: 5 1 Esdr 8▪95 Ezr. 10: 1. 1 Esdr 8: 90 Ezr 10 … 26 1 Esdr. 8. 91. 9: 27.thereof by their oathes, we finde that Ezra now tooke heart to require it of them, and thought it wisedome so to doe: then that the others did as readily yeelde it. As touching those that were parties in these two actions, in the former of them it is noted of all the people generally, that they wept and made great lamentation: otherwise it was in a manner but one man onelyonly, nor hee any of the Priestes and Leuites, but one of the people whose Father also was one of the offenders in the matter now called in quaestion, Shecaniah, the Sonne of Ithiel, one of the Sonnes of Elam; but one whom it pleased God so to blesse in this his good and readie zeale, that it seemeth by that which followed, that they all accorded vntounto him, and sure it is, that no body (so farre as we read) stept vp against him. A good comfort, in such case, for all to bee doing; and not still to tarry on those that should rather doe it: God sometimes not opening the mouths of such at all; but stirring vp more vnlikely persons, yet giuing a speciall blessing vntounto them. In the latter of them, it was an Ezra that did mooue them vntounto it (and such had they neede to bee among vsus, men of speciall good reckoning themselues:) and then, euen the chiefe of the Priestes, and of the Leuites, and of the whole people besides, both gentle and simple, did readily yeelde it. A speciall good example to teach vsus, how good successe may be expected of an earnest and faithfull prayer: and a wonderfull thing to see, how it pleased God thereupon to bend, euen the harts of them all vntounto him. But it cannot lightly be, and in peculier and speciall cases, but onelyonly in some certaine of them, wherein there may be prayer conceiued in such sort as it ought to be: the case requiring some speciall necessity, that it may bee earnestly craued; and that it bee very agreeable to the will of God (a matter that is not in such particulars so easily found, but when God is disposed by such meanes to effect it: but then dooth he specially raise vp the Spirit of him by whom hee will doe it, to a speciall good hope to obtain it) that so the Praier may be faithfull also. A matter to be the rather marked, that as on the one side we neuer slip the benefit of prayer when occasion is offered: so, on the other, wee doe not lightly attempt it, at the pleasure of others, whereby men hauehave beene (in their facility and good inclination) some-time abused. In the effect that it tooke vponupon some farther deliberation, we are to consider, what course it was that then was holden: then how it pleased God to blesse it. The course that then was holden, was partly in Ezra: and partly in the Princes and chiefe of the people. In Ezra we finde, that when he and the Ezr. 10: 6.rest had done (for that time) with that Seruice of God in the Temple, and had now with-drawne them-selues to some conuenient place, there to take their meate (as it seemeth) and other-wise to refresh themselues, hee neuerthelesse did neyther eate nor drinke with them: but still mourned, for that the people had so grieuously sinned. They had giuen good tokens before, that they meant now to amend it: but belike hee could not yet satifie himselfe therein, for that hee knew their brittlenesse also. It may likewise, that he doubted some speciall wrath of God to be towardes them which he would not reuoke (for so had he dealt with the whole people before) for that which they had already done: notwithstanding Num 14: 39-45.these tokens of amendment that yet they had giuen. In the Princes and Elders of the people we finde, that they, mooued belike by that sorrowing of Ezra, yet continuing, presently made proclamation, both in Ierusalem it selfe, and in all the Ezr. 10: 7, 8.Country besides, that all those that were of the Captiuity, or of their own people among them, should within three dayes repaire to Hierusalem to the Princes and Elders there; or other-wise to forfeit all theyr goods; and themselues to bee seperated from their wonted society with all the rest. And truely, euen Princes, and the chiefest Elders of all the people ought to hauehave speciall good regard to the sorrowing and vexation in spirit of the better sort among them. Ezra, I grant, was a rare man, and a great personage too; and therefore the more to be regarded: but more likely it is, that it was not so much for his great authority wherewith he came furnished vntounto them, as for that godly disposition that they saw to be in him, that they had so good regard to that his sorrowing. Hee had indeede good cause to sorrow: but it may probably seeme, that the godlier sort among vsus hauehave more. His sorrow was, that so many of the people, had so dangeously matched themselues in marriage, with the women of those sinfull nations that dwelt among them: and especially, in respect of that mungrell race, that was in such towardlinesse to bee raised vp therein. Ours may bee, first in the same kinde: then, in another much like vntounto it. In the same kinde it is, that so many of our people, Gentle and simple, hauehave so mingled and matched with the Popish race: and hauehave thereby (in profession of the Faith) such a mungrell seede. The other that is much like vntounto it, is, that we see so many of our women, Mothers, Wiues, and Daughters, to be now also matched as badly as they be; and this distastfull and pitifull disparagement, still to grow vponupon vsus more and more, euen in these daies of the Gospell: the alienation I meane of our Church-liuings, such as were the due and needfull maintainance of the Ministery; occasioned by the example of that allowance that God himselfe did set downe to his people of old, and accordingly laid-foorth by our better Elders, than those that since hauehave so cleane withdrawne them from all Ecclesiasticall vse so much as they hauehave. For so many of them, as by the helpe whereof wee our selues or any of vsus hauehave beene won to the knowledge of God, wee may well, at least not absurdly, account our Mothers: as by their helpe, borne and brought foorth children to God. Wiues they were also, in respect of their former marriage to holy vses: and Daughters likewise, in respect of those from whom they descended. There is likewise another grieuous disparagement among vsus, of the wonted maintainance and liuings of those, that time out of minde hauehave beene well imployed in good and needfull labours; which others of the greater sort since hauehave beene suffered to incorporate vntounto themselues, eyther to more homely or at least to lesse vse a great deale, than before: to the vtter dispeopling of many Granges and Villages, and of diuers whole Townes besides. Now there is no quaestion, but that the better sort among vsus, in all estates whatsoeuer, doe sorrow at these: as also that our Princes and Elders cannot be ignorant of the sorrow that is heereupon conceiued; at least, that such sorrow there is, though, it may bee, they conceiue not the greatnesse or the bitternesse of it. But whether any due regard hath beene had vntounto it, or not, if we refer the deciding thereof, to that which yet hath beene done for the mittigation of it: I nothing doubt, but that this patterne of the Princes and Elders of Iudah doth giuegive vntounto vsus a farther light than yet we vsed. How it pleased God to blesse this good course of Ezra, the Story ensuing doth sufficiently witnes: first, in that which was done at Ierusalem at this repaire of the people thither; then, in that which was done there and elsewhere as that their businesse lay, in the three moneths next ensuing. At this repaire of thirs vntounto Ierusalem, first it is noted, that they orderly came, according to the commandement giuen them: then, that when Ezr. 10: 9.Ezra did reproue them for those bad matches of theirs, and required amendment thereof, they readily yeelded thereunto; onelyonly requiring, that whereas it was a Ezr. 10: 10-14matter that would aske some reasonable time to doe it, and the weather was vnseasonable then, they would take some farther time vntounto it, and that it might be inquired vponupon in their Citties at home, their meaning belike beeing therein, not onelyonly that themselues were not troubled more than neede should be, but also for the better dispatch of the businesse it selfe. That which was done in those three moneths next after ensuing, was the dispatch of the businesse it selfe: wherein also we hauehave a particular note of many that were offenders therein. The businesse it selfe was, that Ezra and certaine of the principall Fathers, together with those that were appointed, Ezr. 10: 15-17in those three months and one day more, going vntounto the Citties themselues and sitting there, did make a seperation of all those women and of their children, whom they had so married against the Lawe of God, and was now the matter in quaestion. Such Commissioners, as that, the mo at any time we hauehave in our needfull causes, that are like vntounto them, the more are wee beholding to God for them: the fewer we hauehave of that kinde, the more may we finde, that certainely God is offended with vsus, and doth not meane vsus that good as yet; but will rather suffer vsus to runne-on still, vntill wee hauehave filled our measure so full, as more fitly requireth the stroke of his iustice. As for those vnkindly and hard matches of ours, that before we spoke of, though there be such order taken for those that are of the same kinde as wee may hope will in time doe much good in that matter: yet neyther doe those our Church-liuings (euen where the greatest multitudes are) nor those so many habitations of the meaner and common people, wherein, time out of mind, their praedecessors and elders did comfortably passe their daies before, finde themselues so blest, as yet to hauehave any such Commissioners to them allotted. The offenders that then were Ezr. 10: 38-44found in that case among the Iewes, were not ful-out (as their note is left vsus) six score in all: and yet would not Ezra (not the rest of the Fathers, when they saw how grieuous a thing it was vntounto them) suffer those to enioy that place among them. Yet were the Iewes that first returned, better than two and forty thousand in all, besides Ezr. 2: 1-42all such as (by likelihoode) would afterwards be dropping in vntounto them. Our Parish-Churches are not found to bee ten thousand in all; but to want some few hundreds Chr. Saxton.thereof: yet were it good newes (as I doe take it) whosoeuer could assure vsus, that the number of those that smart by our vnkindly hard matches, were not much greater. The like also, it is not vnlikely, may be conceiued by the other. Those Iewes were but seuerall persons: those others of ours, are, one sort of them, of the most populous Parishes of all; and the others, oft-times great companies also. Could we bee in heart indeede inclined to that we professe, it were no matter of any great difficulty, to do exceeding much good therein: and such seruice in these, would neuer be thought, any way inferior vntounto the other.
12 Not long after Ezra, came Nehemiah; and we hauehave Story of him, that he Nehemiahcame thither twice, and both times after this comming of Ezra: but wee hauehave no Story at all of him before, when the first company of the Iewes returned vnderunder Zorobabell. So that although he be there also named, as one of the chiefe of those that Ezr. 2: 2.then returned (as we saw before:) yet doth no part of the Story that now we hauehave of him, appertaine to that time, but onelyonly to the time that now we speake of. The former of those two times that he came to Ierusalem, was, about thirteene yeares after the comming of Ezra (Ezra comming thither in the seauenth, and Nehemiah in the twentieth yeare of the same King) and vntounto this his former comming thither, dooth Ezr. 7: 8. Neh. 1: 1.appertaine the most of his Story: first shewing vsus, in what sort he now came thither; then, how he was occupied when he was there. That now he came thither, it was vponupon a speciall occasion giuen him: and so are wee to consider, first of the occasion that so was giuen him; then, how himselfe followed vponupon it. The occasion that was Neh. 1: 1. 2: 1giuen him, was, that certaine of his bretheren that came from Ierusalem, vponupon his requiring of the estate of the people there, gaue him to vnderstand, that the estate of Neh. 1: 2, 3the people there was yet very hard: and withall gaue him in some such particulars, as out of which himselfe might be able plainely to see it. The he inquired of the estate of his bretheren, hee hath giuen a good example to vsus to doe the like. Hee was an Officer in Court, and in speciall fauour with the King: and so though our selues bee well, yet should we remember those that are not. That Ierusalem also was in so hard case as yet, hauing such fauours as already it had, may bee a sufficient notice and warning to all, especially to such as are in Authority, how hardly the Church of God (being once brought downe) getteth vp againe, vnlesse it be specially holpen, with rare and extraordinary fauour. The particulars were, that the people were in reproach: and that Ierusalem it selfe lay open to the enemy, without eyther Gates, or Walles. The reproach that they were in seemeth to be, that the peoples and Nations among whom they dwelt, did vpbraid them with their misery and weaknesse, as seruing such a God, as eyther was not able to doe them good, or did make no reckoning of them. So when Princes and the great men of the world, do not yeeld conuenient and needfull helpe, to raise vp the Church againe being once decayed, they leaue the faithfull to the open reproach of all about them: whether knowne enemies, or no more but false bretheren onelyonly. But the matter is strange, that Ezra comming downe with so great Authority so few yeares before, the people and the Citty were yet in so pitifull case as they were. We hauehave not the Story whereupon we may account should arise so great a change in the daies of one and the selfe-same Prince: so well minded when he sent downe Ezra in the seauenth yeare of his raigne; and so well minded againe when he sent downe Nehemiah thirteene yeares after. And needs it must be, that there was some speciall bad accident in it: but such is oft-times the estate of the people of God; one deepe calling another. But though wee hauehave no Story of it; yet hauehave we Story of that which may probably seeme to hauehave giuen a good part of the occasion of it: namely, that by the meanes of Ezra, they did so abandon from them, both the women of those peoples whom before they had married, and the children they had borne vntounto them. For this, if we marke it, was such a matter, as might very sore nettle all the people among whom they were placed; and, with most men, much sinke the credit of Ezra besides: and then lesse maruell, if thereupon they all sent vp to the King against him; and that the King and his Counsell, not thinking so well of him now as they did before, reuoked the Authority which before they had giuen him, and thought the worse of all the Iewes too. For it might seeme to all that people, that this was for that praesent a very hard and vnneighbourly part: and that for the time to come, they might neuer looke for any good neighbour-hood or friendship of them. There might be also of the people of God themselues that might hardly censure him therein, and that whole action: first, as being done cleane out of season; then, as being more too, than absolutely was at any time needfull. It might seeme to be done cleane out of season, for that he had such Authority to teach them all, and to punnish those that should disobey: teaching first, being (in all wisedome) to go before all such actions, as by the ignorance of any might be offensiue. Himselfe also might see, that he could not so deale in that matter, but to the offense of all those peoples: and that those, of whom hee had all those great fauours so lately before, were not themselues so well acquainted with the necessity of any such dealing, but that if those peoples should thereupon desire them to bethinke themselues, whether he were such a man as they tooke him to be, it might very well hazzard all those sauours that now he had gotten. And then; how much better had it beene for him first to hauehave dispatched all such thinges as were of speciall importance among them, while he had beene teaching them withall the necessity of that other: and, when hee had both dispatched those, and shewed the needfulnesse of the other too, then to hauehave set in hand with that matter? It might seeme likewise that it was more than at any time was absolutely needfull, first by some practice they had among them: then, by the nature of the inhibition it selfe whith for that matter was giuen them. Their practice was, first of sparing the Gibeonites, who by the vertue of that inhibition Iosh. 9: 18, 19should not hauehave beene suffered to liue among them: then, of Salmon that married Rahab a Canaanite, and of Booz that married Ruth of the Moabites; yet did not after put them and their children away, but, in processe of time, had Christ by them. The nature of the inhibition it selfe seemeth not to bee such, as might in no wise hauehave Mat. 1: 5.beene broken: but onelyonly made for their good, and to hauehave giuen them both aduise what was best for them to doe; and thereby to allow them so to hauehave done. Otherwise wee see not how the people might hauehave kept their league with the Gibeonites: neyther could wee finde the sinne of Saule (in destroying certaine of them 2 Sam. 21: 1after) to bee so great, as the punnishment of the whole Land three yeares together for it, did shew it to bee. That Ezra had a very good purpose, and meaning with him, when hee came among them, there is no quaestion; nor that now this doing of his proceeded of a godly zeale: but it may bee, that as Christ commended the ill Steward, that hee made shift in time, but not the manner of it; so in the doings of Ezra now, the prosecuting of that his good meaning and zeale, in that particular that now, wee speake of, it may well bee, was not so answerable to that his good meaning and zeale as was to bee wished. Howsoeuer it was, wee see that the case was with the Iewes altered now: the estate of them beeing so very pitifull, and yet both the selfe same good King that gaue Ezra so great Authority both liuing and raigning aswell as before; and Ezra himselfe liuing yet, and as it seemeth (for there wee finde him shortly after) beeing at Ierusalem also. That Neh. 8: 1.these strangers doe farther tell Nehemiah, that the Wall of Ierusalem was broken downe, and the Gates burnt with fire, and this seemed so strange to Nehemiah, and that now he was so affected with it: it seemeth thereby, that they doe not speake of them as they were left hy Nebucadnezzer before; but rather, that they had some-thing repaired them since they returned, but that theyr Enemies would not suffer the same to stand. There is a plaine Testimony (though not so vndoubted authority) that the same Darius who was of the Medes, and came in with 1 Esdr. 4: 43, 47, 48.Cyrus to the Conquest of Babylon, first himselfe vowed to builde Hierusalem; and soone after gaue speciall charge, that it should bee done: and else-where it appeareth, by vndoubted authority, that the same Darius did make great reckoning of Daniell; and was well perswaded of the true God too, whom Daniell worshipped, Dan. 6: 1-3, 14, 16, 25-27and whose Citty peculiarly Hierusalem was. But by reason it selfe we may conceiue, that comming home there to dwell, there would they likewise builde or repaire not onelyonly some houses to dwell in, but their Wals and Gates likewise after a sort, such as vrgent necessity did most require: and seeing they were by authority allowed, there againe to inhabit, it is a necessary appendant thereunto, that that there also they were allowed to hauehave reasonable defensiue helpes, though not of power to make any speciall resistance (which would be suspicious) yet such as was needefull for conuenient habitation; and seeing wee finde not that inhibited vntounto them, wee neede not to doubt, but that so farre some-times they were doing though the Enemies also would bee as ready to ruinate all againe, so oft as they might. So it seemeth, that it was of such breaking downe of the Wall, and burning of the Gates of the Citty, that those did now speak of; rather then of that which was doone so many yeares before, as of which no body could bee so ignorant, nor hauehave the force of their affections so durable, as to thinke so strange, and to take it so heauily, as Nehemiah nowe is noted to hauehave doone: as if theyr meaning were to let him vnderstand, that theyr Bretheren were yet so trodden downe of the people about them, that neyther Wall nor Gate could yet stand for them, but that still they brake downe the one, and burnt the others. But I am not ignorant, that others there are of speciall account, that doe other-wise take it. This occasion beeing giuen him, and wee beeing now to see, how hee followed Lyr. Conr, Pel. Tremel. Iun.thereuppon, first wee finde, that hee was occupyed about that hard estate of theirs that now they were in: then, about some remedy for it. That which hee did about that praesent estate of theyrs was, that hee sorrowed for it, and did much lament Neh. 1: 4.the same: a good example to vsus, that so farre as our case is like vntounto theyrs, we also should doe the like. For our Hierusalem also is not yet so fortifyed, by strength of Lawes, and by concurrence of authority with them, but that in some thinges of speciall moment, wee may finde good cause to bee heartily sorry. To obtaine a remedy for it, wee are to consider, what course hee taketh: and how hee speedeth. The course that hee taketh, was first with God; then, with the King: and this hee dooth twice. In the former, vntounto GOD, first hee acknowledgeth his Justice therein: but then withall desireth his helpe; and euen to Ibid. 4-11.obtaine the fauour of him, whose fauour his place it selfe might witnesse, that he had in good measure already. So should we first seeke vntounto God: and not onelyonly when other-wise wee hauehave no hope; but euen in the best hopes that wee otherwise hauehave. When hee was to deale with the King, first himselfe gaue some occasion vntounto the purpose hee had in hand; and, as it seemeth, not of set purpose neither, but that hee could not other-wise doe. For it was by the sadnesse of his Neh. 2: 1:countenance, which it seemeth hee could not dissemble, no not in the Kinges presence, though faine hee would for feare of displeasure. But fewe there are of vsus, that so take to heart the hard estate of the Church, but that wee can easily put on a good and cheerefull countenance whensoeuer wee will: and yet, of one and the selfe-same body, when one member is payned indeede, all the other members, lesse or more, doe suffer with it. A matter so much the sooner espyed in him, for that it was not his manner before to be sadde in his praesence: a very good token, of a good member of the Church, that would so easily digest the discontentments of Court; and yet on the behalfe of Hierusalem, could in no wise put it of, but must needes be so heauy. Then, when by occasion heereof the King asked him of the cause of it, he plainely tould him, that it was because the chiefe Citty of his Natiue Ibid. 2, 3.Countrey, in which likewise the Sepulchres of his Fathers were, could as yet hauehave no wals but they must be ruinated, nor any gates but they must be burned. In the latter, when the King thereupon did aske him what was the thing that he desired, Ibid. 4.hee first againe prayed to God, before he laid forth his suite to the King. He sped so well, that whereas he besought the King, if so it might stand with his pleasure, Ibid. 5-8. 5: 14to graunt him, by the helpe of his Officers and Captaines in those parts, both safe conduct for his owne passage thyther, and to be furnished with thinges needefull when he came there: the King did readily grant him all his owne desire therein; and withall both made him Gouernour of Iudea, and sent certaine Captaines and Horse-men with him for his better safety in the way, and belike to doe him that honour in the sight of others. All which Nehemiah, looking vppe, higher than so (as in such case wee all should doe) attributeth to the good hand of God vppon him. In the way as hee went, hee acquainted the Gouernours of those partes with the graunt of the King, that so farre as to any of them should appertaine Neh. 2: 9, 10.to be assistant vntounto the businesse hee had in hand, they might so perceiue, what was the Kinges pleasure for them to doe: and two of them hee found to bee much grieued, that there was a man come, which sought the health of the Children of Israell; Samballat the one, and Tobiah the other, the former of them beeing the Gouernor of the Moabites, the latter of the Ammonites, and both those peoples being neere on the East to the Land of Iury.
13. Beeing so come to Hierusalem, and wee beeing now to see what he did there, soone may we see, that first he imployed himselfe to hold out the enemy: and then to get the people in good order at home. The better to holde out the Enemy, hee now at this praesent thought good to get the Citty fensed: and afterward was carefull, to hauehave it better peopled also. That it might bee fensed, first hee endeuoured to get the Walles repayred, and the Gates to bee like-wise renewed: then, to be well and orderly kept. To get the Walles repayred, and the Gates to bee againe renewed, that so Hierusalem might bee fortifyed, it is not vnlikely, but that himselfe did see, that it was a woorke of that Nature, as that the Enemies would bee much greeued at it, and therefore hinder it so much as they could. That the people had theyr beeing there, and there did exercise their Religion, it was not so greeuous a thing vntounto them, so long as they lay so open withall, that when they would, they might hauehave beene on them: but now so to bee fortified, that afterward they could not hope, to hauehave so open a way to wreake theyr wrath vppon them so oft as they would, that goeth sore against the Wooll with them. So may wee see it, with vsus too: that Religion may be professed, and the due maintenance of the Ministery for the time, in some measure yeelded, when Superiors will needes so hauehave it; but, by strength of Law to bee so fortified, that when they would they might not impeach it, that can many in no wise like of. This that hee might the better doe, for a while at the first wee finde, Ibid. 11-12that hee kepr himselfe close: but afterward hee shewed himselfe plainely enough. In that he kept himselfe close, comming vntounto them, it may seem, but onelyonly as a priuate man, and for a time not imparting vntounto them what he meant to doe, wee may reasonable plainely see, that hee did not altogether after the manner of the great men of the World, comming to Hierusalem in so priuate manner as it seemeth hee did. Others lightly are close enough all, if they hauehave any secret purpose with them: but few there be, who at their first comming would not hauehave the honor done vntounto them which in such case they might, & account to be due to the person they bear. Yet is it for the most part seene, that such as least seeke to be honoured of the people, doe neuerthelesse most good vntounto them; and so deserue most honor of them: Christ himselfe afterward cōming thither also, in much more priuate estate than, he and a great deale more meanely; but blessing them with euerlasting peace, and deseruing much more honour of them, than they could yeelde him. But while hee kept him-selfe so close, hee by night, and hauing but few with him, secretly Ibid. 12-16.viewed the ruines of the Citty and Breaches of the Wals: doing it secretly, and hauing so few with him therein, it might very well bee, eyther of wisedome; or of modesty, or of both. In wisedome hee might doubt, that Enemies had theyr Spyes among them: in modesty, it is very likely, hee could not make shew of doing any thing, till he did it indeede. And wee see by experience, as reason also plainely teacheth, that such hauehave readyest dispatch of theyr businesse, that can best keepe it from theyr Enemies knowledge: and that such as talke most of what they will doe, least of all doe it; the greatest part belike of their purpose beeing spent in a few wordes, and so hauing little remaining to bee spent in deedes. He shewed himselfe plainely enough when hee had in seceet viewed in what case those thinges were, that were of them to be repayred. Which when he did, then are wee to see, not onelyonly how him-selfe dealt with them about this matter: but what it was also, that on all handes was thereupon doone. His dealing with them was, that first hee did put them in minde of theyr praesent miserable Neh. 2: 17, 18and reproachfull estate in that they saw that Citty of theyrs, the Head-Citty of all the Land, euen the Citty of GOD himselfe, to lye so wast, and so open to the spoyle of all; and then, both acquainted them with that speciall opportunity of helping themselues therein that GOD now had giuen them; and mooued them to buckle themselues vntounto it. That which was on all hands thereupon done, was for a time without interruption or trouble: but then soone after they hadde some businesse withall. Without interruption or trouble it was, that praesentlie vppon that good newes and motion of his, they set in hand with it: and diuiding Ibid. 18. and 3▪ …-32.themselues into seuerall companyes, as to such purpose was meetest, they were building round about the Citty all at once. How long they were so occupyed, and how farre they raysed theyr building before they were interrupted or troubled therein, we cannot tell: but it is most likely, that such as were so grieued, that any man should bee carefull for the good estate of the people, would also hauehave such an eye vntounto them, as that they could not bee long about so needefull businesse as it, but that they would quickly be with them. And wee hauehave it plainely set downe; that at certaine times they did trouble them indeede: but themselues began to be afraid of them. They troubled them first, while the wals were yet but in building: then againe, when they were builded. While the wall was yet but in building, we finde that they troubled them before it came to halfe the heigth of them: and then againe before the residue of them was finished. Before the wals came to halfe theyr height, we find that they troubled them twice. For first Samballat, Tobiah, & Geshem Neh. 2: 19, 20the Kings Deputies ouer the Moabites, Amonites, & the Arabians, first, as it seemeth by the aunswere that Nehemiah gaue them, made shew, as if they also would hauehave holpen them: but when that would not bee accepted, then both they would hauehave made them belieue, that without their help they could neuer do it, and both mocked them as not building to any purpose, and yet in their owne weake conceites as if by the strength thereof they might be able to stand, euen against the King himselfe. But Nehemiah making no reckoning of those their scornings, and directing his answer but to such points as were materiall, doth plainely tell them, that in trust that God wil prosper them, they wilbe doing: but as for them they had nothing to do in that busines, neither did they belong vntounto it. Then againe we find, that when Samballat Neh. 4: 1-5.and Tobiah were on a time together, and, as it seemeth, but at Samariah, much neerer to the Iewes than theyr owne Countryes were, and there hauing an Army too (but to what purpose wee doe not finde) they, both of them scorned at the Iewes building, as neuer able to bee of any force, not so much as to beare the force or weight of a Foxe, if he should happen to leape vp thereon. At which time we finde that Nehemiah turned him-selfe to prayer: yet not as it seemeth in feare of that Army, but against those bitter scornes of theirs. As wee also diuers times see that the forces of the Enemies of the Gospell are nothing so fearfull, as their scornings, being against the truth, are bitter to those that themselues doe louelove it. Immediately after both which Stories it followeth, that by this time the Ibid. 6.Walles were ioyned and reared vp to halfe the heigth of them. Before the rest of the Walles were f…nished, we find not onelyonly that their enemies were brogging at them: but also that there was such an hinderance among themselues, as in reason might well hauehave impeached the finishing of them. The enemies wee speake of, were first those two Captaines againe last remembred: then also certaine peoples Ibid. 7-23.ioyning with them, the Arabians and Ammonites, and part of the Philistims (such as were of the Citty of Ashbod.) All which were determined secretly on the suddaine to rush in vponupon the builders and to slay them, and so to make the work to cease: the fortifying of Ierusalem being such a thing as the enemies can neuer brooke. But the Iewes getting vnderstanding of their intent, first sought vntounto God, and then so prouided for them, that the others thought it would be to hot a peece of seruice for them to attempt: and so gaue it ouer, thinking it better sport of the two, to sleepe in an whole skin, if so they might. At which time it is good to marke, that the Iewes were faine to stand to their defense when they were fortifying Ierusalem, the one halfe of them to be armed, ready to receiue the enemie, the others also that in the mean while builded, yet to build but with the one hand onelyonly, and to hauehave their weapon in the other: but that so taking courage vntounto them, and buckling themselues, in that quarrell to cope with their enemies if needes they would, their enemies then were quiet enough, and would not meddle. Both which in these daies experience hath often renewed vntounto vsus: namely, that such Kingdomes or other States as take with the Gospell, must also prouide against the enemie; but that so doing, their enemies then grow wily enough to looke ere they leap.
14 That hinderance that was among themselues, that in reason might wel hauehave impeached the finishing of this work among them, was certaine hard dealing of the greater sort with the meaner: many of the people beeing by it discouraged, till it was by Nehemiah amended. In the hard dealing that heere is noted, it shall bee good to consider, not onelyonly what is reported of it: but also to what ende there is such remmbrance of it heere. That which is reported of it, resteth in two principall pointes: one, that the people complained, that it lay very sore vponupon them; the other, to note whence it came vntounto them. In that they did so much complaine that it lay very hard vponupon them, and yet the burthen (it seemeth) was no greater but onelyonly the hundreth part of the loane for one month, which commeth no higher but onelyonly to twelue or thirteene in the hundred (but others there are, that do otherwise take it) such as are in Authority are to take good heede, that so neere as may bee, there be no such oppression among their people. And seeing this was so grieuous vntounto them, and did so sore ouerlay them, when it came vntounto them but onelyonly from the richer sort among them, and not from him which was then in chiefe Authority vnderunder the King, which at that time was Nehemiah himselfe: then, any people must of necessity be much more grieued, or borne downe with such burthens, when besides the toleration of those, euen their Deputies themselues, lie heauy vponupon them. For so is it their manner sometimes to do, and to account it a needfull point of wisedome too, that thereby making them vnable to stir, they may afterward impose vponupon them whatsoeuer hard measure they shall thinke good, & hauehave the others quietly to take it: in which case the people, howsoeuer they might hauehave preuented the other before, or at that praesent might turne a-side from it; yet this kind of burthen can they in no wise auoid, but needs must beare it how vnable soeuer they are to do it. That there is such remenbrance of this hard dealing heere, it may likewise giuegive vsus to vnderstand, that such thinges tolerated in the richer sort of the people, and immoderate impositions from higher Authority also, may, wheresoeuer they come together, much more hinder the fortifying of Ierusalem, in any of our Christiā kingdomes likewise, and therefore no maruell, if the course of the Gospell doe not in such places so effectually proceede as were to bee wished; especially there, where impositions (though smart enough in them-selues) were notwithstanding but an easier burthen, so that the things, themselues remaine, out of which they were to be raised. In that Nehemiah did goe so readily about to amend it, first it argueth, that he did thinke it a mattet needfull to bee amended▪ then, because wee see that he did it, it shall bee good to marke what course hee obserued therein. That he did thinke it needfull to be amended, is not (I graunt) of force to inferre, that we should be of that opinion also: but yet it is a faire warning to vsus to take heede, that his dutifull regard in that matter, be no iust condemnation to any carelesnes of ours therein. The course that he obserued therein, is, that first hee was much grieued at it: and then did labour to hauehave it reformed. In that he was much grieued Neh. 5: 6.at it, both it was a good token that hee was a good Magistrate: and yeelded withall good hope of amendment. And yet it may not be denyed, but that he might seeme vntounto some, to bee ouer-populer therein: yet not iustly but onelyonly to such, as would rather allow much more than needeth vntounto the greater, than very needefull vntounto the meaner. When he laboured ro hauehave it performed, first hee dealeth with the partyes whom it concerned: then hee entereth into some speciall consideration of his owne wayes in such matters, belike to cleere himselfe in his owne conscience, that in this matter hee did not lay a greater burthen on others than himselfe did beare as well as they. Dealing with the parties whom it concerned, first he endeuoureth to obtaine their good will therein: then, after that once he had obtained, he laboureth to confirme them in it. When he laboreth to obtaine their good will in it, it is not in vaine, for that they very well did yeeld vntounto him. So first how he did deale with thē in it: then how far they yeelded vntounto him. His dealing with them was at two seuerall times, in eyther of them praeuayling some-what with them: first striking them mute, so that they held their peace; then obtaining what he desired. When he did but so charge them, that they had Neh 5: 7, 8.nothing to answere, he both reprooued, euen the chiefest and greatest of them for that they had done: and, the more to conuince them, he both set before them, as it seemeth, a great number of those with whom they had dealt so hardly; & his own better example. An happy man, in the meane season, that could so do. When it so Ibid. 9-11.fell out in the end, that he obtained what he desired, againe first he reproueth them, and commendeth an example of his vntounto them: and then requireth, but by entreaty, what he desired. At which time they yeelded fully vntounto him: a rare example Ibid 12.if we marke it, and seldome to be matched among vsus all; our priuate lucre, howsoeuer we get it▪ euer hath that interest in vsus. When now they hauehave thus far yeelded, Ibid. 12, 13.then to confirme them in it, both hee tooke oath of them, or at least of certaine of them: and withall pronounced a solemne cursse to so many of them as should refuse to doe as themselues had promised now; with a great and generall applause of all the company. Entering into the consideration of his owne wayes during the time hee was Gouernour there, and to this ende, as it seemeth, that hee might better cleere his conscience towardes God, in that which now hee required of the chiefe men among them, first he meditateth of those his waies by himselfe: and then directeth his speach vntounto God. In that his Meditation by himselfe, Ibid. 14, 15.first he considereth as it were but simply, that he had not beene so chargeable vntounto them, as by the example of other Gouernours hee might hauehave beene: then by comparison, that though his charges were greater than theyrs, yet had Ibid. 16-18.had hee not taken the benefite of that aduantage. When hee dooth it but simply in it selfe, his reason is, for that he feared GOD. When hee dooth it by way of comparison, because of the greater charges that hee was at, more than they, both in fortifying some part of the Wall himselfe, and in more chargeable House-keeping besides, his reason then is in commiseration of the people, as beeing brought ouer-low already. A notable patterne for all Gouernours of Prouinces whatsoeuer: both in his whole course generally; and in certaine particulars besides. In his whole course generally wee finde, that hee was very carefull for the good of the people: and that he would not bee chargeable vntounto them. Whereas for the most part the good of the people is not by such much regarded: and yet themselues are very chargeable to them notwithstanding; as obtaining a people on whom they may prey at their own pleasure. Those particulars are, some of them such as do concerne but eyther himselfe, or else his company: and one that doth concerne them both. That which concerneth himselfe, is, that albeit the other Gouernours before him had giuen him example, or made him a ready way to large allowance: yet hee, fearing GOD, could not follow theyr steppes therein. Many of ours thinke, that they can feare God well enough for theyr purpose: and yet be so farre from remitting any thing that was wont to bee had; that they thinke they bestirre themselues but ill, if they doe not yet raise it higher. That which concerneth his company, is, that whereas the Seruaunts of other Gouernours did rule ouer the people, hee suffered not his so to doe: but brought them all to the woorke that then they had in hand. Notwithstanding which good example of his, it is a wonder to see, how imperious ouer the people, and how deepely exacting of them, not onelyonly the Bretheren, Kinsfolke, and Friendes, but euen the basest of the Seruants also, of many of our Gouernours and diuers other Officers can bee: especially so oft as theyr Lordes and Maysters hauehave not a good eye vntounto them for all such matters; or (which too too often is theyr case indeede) that those Maysters of theirs doe not themselues maintaine them in that seruice of theyrs, but let them hauehave their countenance onelyonly to prey vponupon others, and some-times sell them those roomes besides, yea euen at an excessiue and mercilesse rate. That one that did concerne both him and his company, was, that none of them were any Purchasers, or bought any Land: a point that seemeth to be cleane abandoned by most of ours (whether they bee Gouernours or Officers themselues, or but their attendants) and to be left as a point of notable folly; all of them in a manner, chusing rather therein to be like to Gehazie, euen to the obtaining 2 King. 5: 20of his Leprosie too, than to be so grosly ouer-seene, as in their iudgement Nehemiah heere was. Yet is it no rare thing, neuerthelesse right worthy the marking, to see, howe, if the Gouernour, or Officer himselfe, be a man of that bent, and in such sort leadeth before, then, all his retinue doth follow after: eueryevery follower hartily shaming in that course not to hang on; if nor to the formost of all, yet at the least vntounto his immediate leader. Directing his speech vntounto God, hee, Neh, 5: 19desireth him to remember him in goodnesse, according as hee had beene sincerely carefull on behalfe of his people: both a good token, that he had done his part sincerely indeede, when as hee so pleaded to God him-selfe; and a comfortable example to shew, howe readily wee may hauehave recourse vntounto God, so many as hauehave had any speciall care of his people heere, and hauehave dealt truely therein.
15 When the wals were now builded, and the Gates not yet set vp, the trouble that then was, was chiefely to Nehemiah himselfe: partly by his enemies; and partly by diuers of his owne people. In the trouble that hee had by his Enemies, hee first relateth the same vntounto vsus: then he turneth his speech vntounto God. As he relateth the same vntounto vsus, we finde the trouble that was intended against him, was first, by moe of his Enemies together: then, by one of them onelyonly. When it was by moe of them together, as by those three Captaines before mentioned, and others with them, theyr deuise was then, to intice him foorth among Neh. 6: 1-4them, and then, hauing him there, to doe him some mischiefe: but Nehemiah did refuse to come at them, in respect of his businesse he had at home (as also it is both best and safest for vsus too, euer to sticke fast to our businesse;) and so persisted vnmooueable, though foure seuerall times they sent about it, very desirous to hauehave had that Collop, if by any meanes they could hauehave it. When it was but by one, which was Saballat, the ceefe man among them, hee also sought to get him foorth, and belike to the same ende that before, but nowe shewing Ibid. 5-9.some cause why: but Nehemiah made no reckoning thereof, but counted them as vaine & false allegations, and so refused to come vntounto him; and giueth his iudgement of these their dooings, that they were done to fray him and the rest, that so they might be discouraged to proceede in their building. When hee turneth hys speech vntounto God, it is, that God would strengthen him against all such discouragements Ibid. 9.whatsoeuer: the way that all the people of God hauehave in all their necessities, and much more ready and sure, than any of the children of the world hauehave of those that they best like of, and where-unto in their distresse they flie. Of his own people we read of diuers that were badde members to such a purpose, and no doubt wrought no little trouble vntounto him in this his businesse: but yet hauehave we this difference betwixt them, that of some of them we hauehave relation what hurt they dyd; of the residue no more, but that they were such as might wel be accounted dangerous members. Those of whom we hauehave relation what hurt they did, were certayne that were endued with the spirit of prophesie, or at least so professed: and of these we hauehave some Story, before we hauehave relation made howe the worke was finished. So first of their Story: then of the finishing of that his busines. The effect of their Story is, that he was so troubled by one of them, that he prayeth against those that did set him on worke: and against the others much like vntounto him. That one by whom he was so troubled, was Shemaiah a Prophet, who woulde hauehave put him in Neh. 6: 10-13feare: but Nehemiah would not; and then perceiued that Shemaiah was hyered by Samballat and Tobie, so to worke on him, thereby to bring some reproch vntounto him. Praying against those two Captaines that woulde hauehave brought that shame vppon Ibid. 14.him, he then also together with them putteth Noadiah by name, a Prophetesse also, and other Prophets too, all endeuouring to hauehave put him in feare. As touching Ibid 15, 16.the finishing of that his businesse, he recordeth vntounto vsus, that notwithstanding those impediments it was in good time dispatched: and that all their enemies about them were now affraid, because they sawe that it was of God, that the Iewes had so good successe in it. Those others of whom wee hauehave no other storie, but onelyonly such as well may conuince them to hauehave beene dangerous members, were as it seemeth for the most part of them that were of any note, but onelyonly of the Princes: but it is noted, that there were many of them; and then we may be sure, that there were some store of the others too, though we hauehave none others named. But in the story of these also, we hauehave one such matter noted withall, as might well be some trouble to Nehemiah, and may seeme, though it be not certaine, that it came by their meanes also. Of those Princes, and such others as were of that sorte (if there were any moe, as it is most likely there were) it is noted, that they had much enter course with Tobiah aforesaide, or on his behalfe, both by letters, and by word of mouth too. When it is noted, that it was by Letters, there are two Reasons Neh. 6: 17, 18thereof giuen: one, that many were sworne vntounto him; the other, that he was of affinity with certaine of them. When it was but by worde of mouth, there it is noted, Ibid. 19.that euen in the presence of Nehemiah, they spake good of him: and reported to him againe whatsoeuer Nehemiah by such occasion did at any time deliuer of him. That other matter which we hauehave noted withall, which might be some troble to Nehemiah, and may seeme to come by their meanes too, was that Tobiah Ibid. 19.likewise did seeke to put him in feare, by certaine Letters that hee sent vntounto him. Out of which we also may learne (as in this land we hauehave had experience, in these dayes of ours, in plentifull measure) that when Christian Princes endeuour to fortifie their Ierusalem, there will be euen Prophets, or such as are of some specyall account of wisedome, or of prudent fore-sight of dangers ensuing, that will cast perrils, and put in feare; such also as are sworne to the enemy, hauehave intelligence wyth him, and speake good of him till he may come and spread his net ouer vsus: and that of all others, such as hauehave affinitie with the enemy (as many of ours hauehave for euer and a day wedded to that vsurper of Rome) are in such case, and for such practises, most to be doubted.