The Garden of Zion, Part 9

The Garden of Zion · Part 9

p. 384THE GARDEN OF ZION. The Booke of Nehemiah.

A Prayer.

THy workes are wondrous, as all men m… ſee,

Thy Phoebus bright careering on the sky

Comes foorth pompous, like a Bridgroom… light,

Thy ſtarres like nailes of gold decore the nigh…

Thou ſends thy winds juſting among the clouds,

They roare they ſtirre the bubbling wa… floods:

p. 385What god, O GOD, can be compar'd to thee'

…ho art great Ruler both of land and ſea?

…rant unto me that in my ſacred layes,

… may expreſſe the glory of thy wayes.

By Zerubabel thou thy Temple faire

…ebuilt; by Ezra thou didſt well repaire

…hat was amiſſe in manners; laſt of all,

…y Nehemiah thou made up the wall

…f fair Salem; O make us all to feel

…ithin our hearts ſuch burning holy zeal.

NEHEMIAH. The conſolation of the Lord.

Chap. 1.

AS I was in Shuſhan there came to me

One of my brethren, called Hanani,

With certaine men of Judah, of whom I

…hat was the ſtate of the poor Jewes did try,

…hat had eſcapt from among dangers great,

…nd which of the captivity were left.

And they againe together ſaid to me,

…he remnant left of the captivitie

…e in reproach, and great affliction,

p. 386And Salems wall is alſo broken downe.

Our foes moſt fierce (who 'gainſt us did co… ſpire)

The gates thereof have all now burnt with fir…

It came to paſſe, when I theſe words did he…

From great mourning I could no more forbea…

While that my heart greev'd to and fro w… driven,

I did both faſt and pray, the GOD, of Heav'n:

I ſaid, O LORD of Heav'n I beſeech thee

Great and terrible that keepeth merciemercy,

And Covenant for them that do him love.

And keep the precepts of the Lord above,

Unto thy ſervant give attentive eare,

That thou thy ſervants prayer well may heare,

Which before thee I pray both day and night,

Iſraels ſins confeſſing in thy ſight.

Not onelyonly ſo, but oh, alas, both I

And als my fathers houſe have ſinn'd greatly:

Againſt thee wee have moſt corruptly dealt,

For which great grief and ſorrows we have fe…

Thy ſtatuts and thy moſt righteous judgement…

We have not keept, which thou by thy ſervant

Moſes did give, Remember I pray thee,

What thou in juſtice and als in merciemercy

Spake by Moſes, ſaying, If yee tranſgreſſe,

I will you ſcatter, but if yee confeſſe

p. 387Humblie your ſinne, and returne timeouſly

…o me, I will you gather moſt quickly,

… our enemies alſo I will defame,

…nd will you bring where I will ſet my name.

Now theſe are thy moſt faithfull ſervants, and

…eople, whom thou by thy Almighty hand

…edeemed haſt, O LORD my GOD, now grant,

…n eare attentive unto thy ſervant,

…nd to thy ſervants prayer now give eare,

…ho thy great name alwayes deſire to feare:

…hat I intend now proſper, I thee pray,

…hat I may find thine aſſiſtance this day;

… the ſight of this man me mercy grant,

…or I cupbearer was the Kings ſervant.

Chap. 2.

THe twenty year of Artaxerxes King,

I his cupbearer, wine to him did bring;

… his preſence I had not beene before,

…s I was then in great ſadneſſe; wherefore

…he King himſelf thus looking on me, ſaid,

…hat aileth thee, and why art thou ſo ſad,

…eeing with ſickneſſe thou not troubled art?

This nothing elſe is but ſorrow of heart.

p. 388When by the King theſe wordes were to … ſaid,

Then I anone was very ſore afraid:

When at this time fear made my lips to quiver,

Unto the King I ſaid, King live for ever,

Why ſhould I not be ſad and all agaſt,

When the city of Salem lieth wast,

The place of my fathers ſepulchres deare,

Its gates are burnt, from greefe who can forbeare?

Then ſaid the King to me, See what is beſt,

For what doſt thou now greeved make requeſt?

Then lifting up my heart I did ſoone pray

Unto the Lord, and to the King did ſay,

If it the King pleaſe, and if thy ſervant

Have in thy ſight found favour, to me grant,

That I be ſent unto Judahs citie,

That it anone may builded be by me.

Then ſaid the King, the Queene als ſitting b…

For how long ſhall be this thy great journey?

And when wilt thou againe to us returne?

Now ſet a time, it keep, and not adjourne;

When I this heard, I ſet to him a time,

To let me go the King did well incline.

Moreover I ſaid to the King humblie,

If it the King ſhall pleaſe, let ſoone to me

Letters be given for them that do govern

Beyond the river, that they well may learn,

p. 389That thy will is for th'honour of JOVAH,

…hat they convey me over to Judah:

…lſo a letter to get I thought beſt

…o Aſaph, the keeper of the forreſt,

…hat he timber ſhould give for beams quickly,

…o make the gates of palace, houſe, city.

…hat I did ſeek that did the king command,

…ccording as on me was GODS good hand:

…hen I beyond the river came quickly,

…ving Captaines which the king ſent with me.

When Sanbalat the wicked Horonite,

…d Tobiah the ſervant Ammonite

…eard of it, it them greev'd exceedingly,

…hat any ſought the good of GODS City.

So GOD (who me did ſave in all my wayes)

…ought me to Salem, where I was three dayes,

… the night tyme, when ſleep ſad on men falls,

… went, and viewd the ruine of the wals.

Thereafter I the Jews did all invite

… build the wals, and that even in deſpite

… all their foes: Ye know, ſaid I, what's paſt,

…ruſalem GODS City lyeth waſte:

…a, what our greateſt foes did moſt require,

…e wals are down, the gates are burnt with fire.

…en I to them declared moſt clearly,

…w that the good hand of GOD was on me;

…d how the king (before I did depart)

p. 390Spake to me words which did comfort my hea…

Let us riſe up, and build couragiouſly,

So GOD their hearts made ſtout, and hands read…

But when that Sanballat the Horonite,

And Tobiah the ſervant Ammonite,

And Geſhen the Arabian did hear,

They at our work began to laugh and gyre,

And us deſpiſe; what is this great doing

Said they, Will ye rebell againſt the king?

Then unto them I moſt boldly did ſay,

The God of Heaven will proſper us this day:

Therefore we now his ſervants will ariſe,

And build; but you who Gods ſervants deſpiſe,

In Gods Salem have no memoriall,

You have no portion, yea no right at all.

Chap. 3.

IN this Chapter we have the names of all

Theſe who did build fair Salems broken wall.

Chap. 4.

BUT after when that wicked Sanballat

Heard that we did ſo build the wall, and th…

We courage had, he (wroth with indignation)

Did ſcoffe and mock the whole Jewiſh nation:

p. 391Before his brethren, and of Samaria,

…e armie, he ſaid, laughing with Ha, ha,

…heſe feeble Jewes, what? Will they fortifie

…emſelves? Or what? Will they most fooliſhly

… ſacrifice? Will they even in a day

…d all this work? Will they revive, I ſay,

…e stones out of their bruiſed rubbiſh heape,

…hich are all burnt? Now was the Ammonite

…obiah by him, who ſaid ſcornfully,

…l that they build will fall down by and by:

… that a Foxe but leap upon their wall,

…e ſhall it break down, and make all to fall.

Heare, LORD, how wee deſpiſed are indeed,

…nd their reproach turn upon their own head;

…nd make them all at laſt a prey to be,

…en in the land of their captivity;

…nd cover not their great ſins leſſe or more,

…r thee to anger the builders before

…ey have provocked, ſo we did anone

…ild all the wall, till all was fully done.

But when Sanballat and Tobiah vain,

…ith Ammonits, Arabians profane,

…nd Aſhdodites that Salems wall did hear

…as builded, they had both great wrath and fear,

…herefore together they did all conſpire,

… go and fight againſt Salem in ire,

p. 392And ſo to ſtop the work; Nevertheleſſe

We unto God did pray in our diſtreſſe:

Likewiſe (becauſe of their malice and might)

We ſet a watch againſt them day and night.

And Judah ſaid, The ſtrength of bearers all

Is much decay'd, and for to build the wall

We are not able for ſuch quantity

Of rubbiſh, as ye all may clearly ſee.

Then ſaid our foes, Before they be aware

We ſhall them ſlay, and ſo their work ſhall mat…

From all places the Jews came, and us told,

Even unto ten-tymes, that our foes moſt bold

With great forces provided would not fail

To come, and us with fury to aſſail.

Therefore to ſave the people from theſe fears,

I armed men ſet with bows, ſwords and ſpears:

Then to the Nobles and Rulers I ſaid,

Of theſe vain men ſee yee be not afraid;

Remember God, and armed in his ſight

For your brethren, and ſonnes, and daughte… fight.

From that time was their counſell brought t… nought,

Half of my ſervants in the work well wrought;

The other half againſt dangers and fears

Held bows and ſhields, and habergeons & ſpears

p. 393And other weapons which they beſt could finde,

… Judahs houſe the Rulers ſtood behinde:

… with one hand the builders in that fear

…d work, and with the other held the ſpear;

… each builder had his ſword by his ſide,

…e Trumpeter hard by me did abide.

Then to the Nobles and the People all

…aid, The work is great, and on the wall

…e far aſunder building do remain.

…erefore in time let us wiſely ordain,

…at in what place yee ſhall the trumpet hear,

…e then to us with all haste ſhall draw near:

…e fear not mens malice, or yet their might,

…r God the Lord himſelf for us ſhall fight.

Thus we labour'd and half did hold the ſpear,

…om morning light till the ſtars did appear:

…kewiſe I told that I it beſt did judge,

…at every one with his ſervant ſhould lodge

…ithin Salem, that they the day-time might

…bour, and be to us a guard by night:

… none of us all put off our cloathing

… night or day, but only for waſhing.

Chap. 5.

AMong the People then was a great cry,

Becauſe they were oppreſt by uſury,

p. 394Which made them lands and houſes all morgag…

Then Nehemiah in fury and rage

Reprov'd the Nobles for ſuch uſury,

He againſt them ſet a great aſſembly:

He ſaid, We have redeemed our brethren

The Jewes, which were ſold unto the Heathen;

And will you even ſell your brethren? Or ſhall

They unto us be ſold, and made ſlaves all?

When they heard this, they all did hold their peace,

They found nothing to anſwer in that place.

Unto them all I boldly ſaid alſo,

It is not good truely what ye now do;

Yee ſhould fear God, and ſhun iniquities,

For the reproach of Heathen enemies;

I likewiſe might exact of them money,

Let us now all leave off this uſury:

To them their lands, vineyards, houſes this day,

And olive-yards, wine, corn, reſtore, I pray.

Then ſaid they all even without any more,

Unto our brethren we will all reſtore.

Then did I call the Prieſts, and made them ſwe…

That they ſhould do as they had promiſde heer.

Moreover I thus ſhook my lap, and ſpake,

So from his houſe GOD every man ſhall ſhake,

And from his labour, that doth not truely

Perform this point, GOD ſhall him make empty.

p. 395…en all ſaid AMEN, and did praiſe the Lord,

…e people did according to their word.

Moreover I theſe twelve years governour

Judah have not for my hard labour

…en the bread due to theſe of my place,

…t that I ſhould GODS work marre or diſgrace,

…t theſe who had governed before me,

… the people were chargable truely,

…ey taken had both Silver, Wine, and bread,

…a their ſervants bare rule ov'r them indeed,

… did not I, ſuch things I would not hear,

…cauſe that I the Lord reſolv'd to feare;

… alſo I for all that did befall,

…ntinu'd in the work of Salems wall:

… my Table a hundred and fiftie

… of Iſra'l with heathen ate daily:

…ly an oxe, with ſix ſheep for my fare,

…th dainty foules my ſervants did prepare:

…ce in ten dayes all ſorts of wine with ſpeed

…ey brought to me, yet I did not the bread

… the governour eat, for in that age

…on the people was heavy bondage:

…cording as I have done uprightly

… this people, now my God think on mee,

p. 396Chap. 6.

THen Sanballat, Geſhem and Tobiah,

With all our foes who were againſt Jovah,

Perceiving that GODS favour ſo did reach,

That we the wall had reared, and no breach

Was left therein, they quickly ſent to me,

That in the pla…ne of Ono ſpeedilie

I ſhould them meet, in ſome village thereby,

But they miſcheefe intended by and by.

Then I to them did quickly ſend ſaying,

A great work now I am ſurely doing,

So that to come to you I have no leaſure,

For why ſhould GODS work ceaſe while I g… thither?

After this ſort, four times they ſent to me,

And as before I anſwer'd them quickly.

Then Sanballat his ſervant did command,

The fifth time with a letter in his hand

To come to me, it open bare this thing;

That I intended alwayes to be King,

And that I did Prophets to preach appoint,

That all Judah ſhould me for King annoint.

Then unto him I ſent with this ſaying,

Thou ſpeakeſt falſe, ſure there is no ſuch thing

Theſe things thou haſt ſure from no other pa…

But from thy ſelf feigned by thine own heart,

p. 397…uch falſe purpoſe theſe men did undertake,

…hat at the worke they might our hands make weake:

…ow therefore Lord we intreat thee at length,

…o fortifie our hands now by thy ſtrength▪

I afterward came unto Shemajah,

…ho ſeemed to direct me from Jovah;

…et us, ſaid he, In the Temple this day

…s hide, for they will come us for to ſlay

…ven in our houſe; therefore for this purpoſe

…ithin GODS houſe we will our ſelves incloſe

…nd ſhut the doores of GODS houſe, for they will

… the night ſeaſon come thee for to kill.

While he theſe ſpeaches crafty did conceive,

…at the laſt began for to perceive

…hat GOD had not him ſent, but that indeed

…his Propheſie was bred in his owne head:

…r Tobiah and Sanballat in ire,

…r this ill purpoſe d…d him baſely hire

…e to affright, that I ſhould ſo begin

… do, and by this meanes to fall in ſinne,

…d that they might raiſe up an ill report

…d me reproach, with all theſe of my ſort.

… God think on Tobiah, Sanballat

…hoſe workes are evil, and who do lewdly prat;

… Noadia falſe the Propheteſſe,

…th other Prophets who in great diſtreſſe

p. 398Would have me put, now alſo think upon;

For their deceit let them all ſmart anone.

In twenty fifth day of the mon'th Elul,

In fifty two dayes finiſh'd was the wall:

When this was heard and ſeene by our en'mies,

They were all much caſt downe in their own… eyes,

For they at laſt perceived well and thought,

That this whole work of our great GOD wa… wrought.

Moreover then the Nobles of Judah

Sent many letters unto Tobiah

And he to them, for in Judah, forlorne

And wicked men had then unto him ſworne

And he to them, for he was ſon in law

To Shechaniah the ſon of Arah,

Alſo his ſon then called Johanan,

Had mar'd the daughter of Meſhullam,

Alſo they did his good deeds before me,

Report that I to wrath might kindled be,

What wordes I ſpake they made him them … heare,

And Tobiah wrot for to cauſe me feare.

Chap. 7.

IT came to paſſe, that when fair Salems wall

Was builded, and the doores were ſet up all,

p. 399When the porters and all the ſingers ſweet,

With Levits were appointed as was meet,

… to my brother called Hanani

Over Salem, then gave the charge quicklie,

As alſo to the good Hananiah,

Who was faithfull and did feare great Jovah,

… ſaid unto them, See they not forgot

That Salems gates untill the Sun was hote

Should not be op'ned, and that carefully

Both day and night they ſhould watch the c…ty.

Now the city indeed was large and great,

But the people were very few in it;

The houſes als were not in every part

Well builded; then my GOD put in mine heart,

To gather all the Nobles for to ſee,

To reckon evry mans genealogie;

So we found out the Regiſter anone

Of them which firſt came out of Bayylon,

Habajahs ſons were put from the Prieſt-hood,

Becauſe that they by Regiſter make good

Could not to ſhew their right genealogie,

So they no more as Prieſts might reckned be.

The governour then ſaid as was moſt meet,

That holy things theſe men no more ſhould eate,

Till their ſtood up at laſt a faithfull Prieſt,

With Ʋrim and with Tummim on his breaſt.

At this time the people were leſſe and more,

p. 400Fourty two thouſand three hundred threeſcore,

Beſides theſe were ſervants numbred rightly

Seven thouſand three hundred ſeven and thirty,

They had of men two hundred fourtie five,

And women who to ſing ſweetly did ſtrive:

The Tirſhatha at theſe occaſions,

With others gave right large oblations.

So God forgetting their iniquities,

Made Iſrael to dwell in their cities.

Chap. 8.

THen the people gathred from every tribe,

Came all unto Ezra the Prieſt and ſcribe,

Deſireing h m that he would take in hand,

To read and make them for to underſtand

The law of God, So Ezra ſtood to read

And to expound, the people all gave head;

And that he might be better underſtood,

He ſtood upon a Pulpit made of wood.

Ezra there ſtanding did bleſſe the Lord then,

The people all anſw'red, Amen, Amen;

With lifted hands, their heads they bowed dow…

And d…d worſhip, with faces to the ground.

Then Jeſhuah, Hodijah, and Bani,

With others read Gods law book diſtinctly,

And gave the ſence in each difficle thing,

p. 401And cauſd them to underſtand the reading.

Then Nehemiah the Tirſhatha great

With Ezra, Levites who the people taught,

Said to the people, Now with one accord

Rejoice, this day is holy to the Lord;

See that to mourne or weep yee ſtand in aw,

For all did weep when they did heare the Law.

Then ſaid he to them as he thought moſt meet,

Goe eat the fat and alſo drinke the ſweet:

Send portions, let nothing now be ſpared,

To help theſe for whom nothing is prepared:

Be not now ſory, but rejoice at length,

For that the joy of the LORD is your ſtrength.

Thus the Levits with their moſt holy skill,

So taught the people that they all were ſtill,

Now hold your peace to them there they did ſay,

Neither be greev'd, for holy is this day.

Then all the people, as they thought moſt meet,

Did go away both for to drink and eat,

And to ſend portions, and to make great mirth,

Becauſe they had heard GODS word of great worth.

Then gathred were upon the ſecond day,

Numbers to hear what Ezra ſcribe would ſay,

Both Prieſts, Levits, and people in a band,

Came unto Ezra for to underſtand

p. 402The law of GOD; then found they that Iſra'l

In booths of branches once a year ſhould dwell▪

And that they ſhould with diligence the ſame

In all the cities of the land proclame.

So all the people for to ſhun reproof,

As Ezra bade, made booths upon the roof

Of their houſes, and ſome made in the ſtreet,

Some in GODS court, as they thought fit a… meet.

Since Joſhuas dayes Iſra'l had not done ſo

Then all rejoic'd, as was enjoin'd to do

The people then forgetting their diſtreſſe,

Were filled all with joy and great gladneſſe.

Then Ezra wiſe, a worthy man indeed,

In the book of Gods law did dayly read;

Seven dayes the feaſt they keeped; the eight da…

Was moſt ſolemne, that done, they went away.

Chap. 9.

NOw of this mon'th in the twentie fou… day,

The children of Iſra'l without delay

Aſſembled were with ſackcloth and faſting,

And earth upon them a ſigne of mourning;

Then from all ſtrangers Iſraels holy ſeed

Did ſeparate themſelves, and did indeed

Confeſſe their ſins before the Lord right ſoone,

p. 403And als the ſins which their fathers had done,

…hen as they were directed by GODS grace,

…ith reverence they ſtood up in their place:

…ne fourth part of the day they read Gods law,

…nother fourth part they confeſſd with awe

…heir greevous ſins, and that with one accord,

…hat done, in feare they worſhipped the Lord.

Then on the ſtaires the Levites by and by,

…o ſtanding up unto the Lord did cry:

…hen other Levits ſaid with one accord,

…tand up, and bleſſe for ever yee the Lord,

…hy glorious name for ever bleſſed be,

…hich is extoll'd above bleſſings moſt hie;

…hou, even thou art the mighty Lord alone,

…y thee the Heav'ns, the Heav'n of Heav'ns were done

…ith all their hoste, the Earth and all that be

…herein, with what doth ſwimme in the deep ſea,

…hou by thy power doſt preſerve them all,

…hey at thy feet to worſhip thee downe fall.

Thou art the LORD who diddeſt chooſe Abram

…rom Ʋr of Calde, whom thou Abraham

Didſt call after, and foundest most ſurely,

p. 404His heart to be moſt faithfull before thee;

With him in mercy (thou being conten…)

Made a moſt ſure and ſolemne Covenant,

To give the land of wicked Cananits,

Of Hittits, and the profane Perizzits,

And Ammorits, and Girgaſhites by grace,

To theſe who ſhould be of Abrahams race;

What Thou haſt ſaid Thou hast performed now,

For in all things moſt righteous art thou.

The troubles of our Fathers thou didſt ſee,

And heardst their cry, even hard by the … ſea,

And ſhewedst ſignes and wonders to Pharo,

And on his ſervants, and people alſo;

For Thou didſt knowe how that they de… proudly

Againſt them, ſo a Name Thou didſt g… Thee,

As clearely it appeares to us this day,

Yea, before Thee we muſt confeſſe, a… ſay,

Thou before them the red ſea didſt divide,

So that the waves were walls on every ſide,

p. 405…hey ſtood up ſtraight as thou diddeſt command,

…hat thy people might walke one the dry land.

…s for our foes, thou didſt them all anone

…nto the deepes throw downe as a great stone.

Moreover thou them leddeſt in the day,

…ven by a cloudy pillar; thou the way

…hem ſhew by night, by a pillar of fire

…hou didst them guide as their hearts could d…ſire.

Thou cameſt dawne with great pompe and with might

Ʋpon mount Sinai and from heav'ns most bright

…hou ſpak'st with them and gav'ſt them right judgements

…rue Lawes, good ſtatutes and commandements,

And madeſt them thy ſabbaths underſtand,

And ſtatutes Laws ordain'st by Moſes hand;

And from the heav'n gav'ſt bread to them hungry

And from the rock gav'st drink to them thirſty,

And promiſedſt that they ſhould ſure poſſeſſe

The land, which thou had by thy Holineſſe

Sworne them to give; but they dealt moſt proudly

As our fathers, and hardned moſt ſtifly

p. 406Their necks, ſo they wicked stood not in a…

They hearkned not unto thy bleſſed Law;

They ſtubburnly refuſed to obey,

The great wonders which they ſaw every d…

They did forget; their necks as in a rage

They hardned, and to turne to their b… dage

They made a Captaine in rebellion,

But thou art a God ready to pardon,

Moſt gracious, and unto anger ſlow,

Of kindneſſe great, which rich doth overfl…

Yea more, when they a molten Calfe … made,

And in great rage moſt wickedly had ſaid,

This is thy GOD which from Egypt broug… thee,

By this they did the Lord provoke highly:

Yet thou in mercy them in their distreſſe

Forſookeſt not, even in the wilderneſſe,

The cloudy pillar with darkneſse by day

Them from their foes did hide, while i… the way

Of the red ſea they march'd; in the da… night

p. 407… fiery pillar went before with light.

…hy good Sprit alſo unto them thou gave,

…u… didſt provide that they might Manna have

… meat; in thirſt (when they thee did provoke)

…ou gaveſt water from the flinty rock:

… fourty years thou in the wilderneſſe

ſtained, ſo that in greateſt distreſſe

…ey lacked nothing, they fear'd not the cold,

… all that time their cloathes did not waxe old;

… more, in this GODS mercies did excell,

… their marching their feete did never ſwell:

…ou gav'st them Kingdomes, and they did poſſeſse

…th Sihons land, and Ogs in wilderneſſe,

…ou did them bleſſe and multiplie their ſeed,

…s Starres in Heaven that were above their head:

…fter they had paſt through the wilderneſſe,

…e promiſde land thou made them to poſſeſſe;

…ou in their hands gave theſe Kingdomes and Kings,

p. 408And made them Maſters for to rule all things

Within theſe bounds and alſo to command

Their ſtrongeſt cities, and their fatteſt land:

They did poſſeſſe houſes full of all goods,

Vineyards, and wells digged and Oliveyards,

And pleaſant fruit trees in great abundance,

Which God apponited for their maintenance;

So they did eat, they filled with fatneſse,

They luſty did delight in thy goodneſſe.

Nevertheleſſe they (diſobedient)

Rebell'd proudly 'gainſt thy commandemen…

Behind their backs they did reject thy Law,

To ſlay thy Prophets they ſtood not in aw;

Becauſe againſt them they did teſtifie,

That from their ill wayes they might turne … thee,

But they wicked by their tranſgreſſions,

Againſt God wrought great provocations.

Therefore (for their greevous iniquities)

Thou them delivere'dſt to their enemies,

Who them did vex with much trouble and feare,

Yet when they cri'd, thou from heav'n didſt the… heare

p. 409According to thy manifold mercies,

…ou gav'ſt them ſaviours from their enemies

…em for to ſave; but when proſperitie,

…nd reſt they got they rebell'd againſt thee;

…herefore in wrath thou left them in the hand

…f cruel foes, whom they could not gainſtand,

…et when returning they cri'd unto thee,

…hou hard'ſt from Heav'n their grones of miſerie,

By frequent rods thou mad'ſt them ſtand in awe,

…hem for to bring againe unto thy Law,

…et they dealt proudly, and refuſ'd to heare

…hey ſinned ſtill 'gainſt thy judgements ſevere,

…ith hardned neck the ſhoulder they withdrewe

…nd would not hear, nor yet their life renew:

…et many yeers thou didſt them ſtill forbeare,

…ea and reprov'd, yet would they not give eare;

…herefore in wrath thou gav'ſt them in the hands

…f the moſt cruell people of the lands:

…evertheleſſe for thy great mercies ſake,

…hou utterly them wouldeſt not forſake,

p. 410Now therefore, LORD, who art great a… mighty,

Who Cov'nant keepest in thy great mercy,

Let not this greef ſeeme little thee before,

That on our kings, princes, and prieſts lyes ſor…

Als on our prophets, fathers, people all,

Not ſparing any either great or ſmall,

Since the tyme of the ſtrong Aſſyrian kings,

VntoUnto this day ſuch is the caſe of things.

Howbeit in all that is upon us brought

Thou art most juſt, and truely haſt done nought

But what is right, and full of equity,

But we, alas, all have done wickedly;

Neither our kings, our princes, or our prieſts

Did keep thy law, or yet care for thy heſts,

Or hearken unto thy Teſtimonie,

Wherewith thou didſt againſt them teſtifie,

For in their kingdome they would not thee ſerve,

But ſtill profanely from thy law did ſwerve.

Behold we are ſervants, alas, this day,

And for the land that thou didſt give for ay

To our fathers, the fruit thereof to eat,

Behold in it, as drudges we muſt ſweat;

It yeeldeth much increaſe unto the kings,

p. 411Whom over us thou haſt ſet for our ſins,

Ov'r our bodies they domination have,

And cattell, they us at their pleaſure ſlave:

Thus we afflicted are in great diſtreſſe,

Becauſe of this we all both more and leſſe

A Cov'nant ſure both make and write it well,

And to it ſet our Prieſts and Princes ſeal.

Chap. 10.

NOw theſe that ſealed were Nehemiah

The Tirſhatha, ſon of Hachaliah

…nd Zidkijah, with Prieſts Levits Porters,

…nd ſingers, als Nethinims with others,

Who having knowledge to their brethren clave,

…nd made an oath that they ſhould ſo behave

…hemſelves wiſely, to walk in the Lords Law,

…nd that to ſinne they all ſhould ſtand in aw.

We alſo vow'd by counſell grave and ſage,

…either to take nor give in mariage,

…ut to abhor the people of the land,

…o do the ſame we made a ſolemne band:

…ſo we did ordaine without delay,

…ot to permit markets on ſabbath day;

…nd that alſo we would leave the ſeventh yeere,

…nd from exacting of debts would forbeare,

p. 412Alſo we did ordaine to charge yearly,

Our ſelves with the third part of good money

Of a ſhekel, this was for the ſervice,

Of GODS owne houſe made for his ſacrifice.

Then we caſt lots Levites and Prieſts among,

For the wood offrings, which then did belong

Unto GODS houſe, on his Altars to burne,

According as GODS law ordain'd by turne:

Likewiſe to GODS houſe we ordain'd to bring,

The firſt fru…ts of all trees and every thing,

The firſt borne of our children and cattell,

We year by year brought unto th'Eternel,

With firſt of all things that Levits could crave,

The tithes in all wherein we tillage have.

Chap. 11.

THen they ordain'd the tenth man of Iſra'l,

To come and in Jeruſalem to dwell,

Of the people nine parts they did ordaine,

In other Cities to dwell and remaine:

The people bleſſd all theſe who willingly

Offred to dwell in Salems fair city.

Chap. 12.

HEre are the Prieſts, Levits of Iſrael,

Which came up with worthy Zerubabel:

p. 413Heere is als the hie Prieſts ſucceſſion

Recorded, with the dedication

Of Salems walls, the office of the Prieſts,

Appointed for to keep the Solemne feaſts.

Chap. 13.

WHen we unto GODS Law gave audience,

We found it written that for no pretence

The Ammonite or Moabite ſhould come

For ever in Gods congregation,

Becauſe they met not Iſrael with bread,

But hired Bala'm againſt them indeed,

That he them ſhould blaſt with bitter curſing,

Which God by grace turn'd into a bleſſing.

It came to paſſe now when they underſtood

The law, they did the mixed multitude

From Iſrael ſo ſever and diſperſe,

That they with them ſhould have no more commerce.

Then Nehemiah cauſed ſpeedilie

Cleanſe all the chambers, which were ſet to be

Prepared for Tobiah by th' hie Prieſt

Eliaſhib, who at his earneſt requeſt

Being alli'd to him, then did prepare

A great chamber, a great ſhame, even there where

p. 414The Levits laid, incenſe and tithes of corne,

And wine, and oyle, which thitherto we borne:

For this greeved was good Nehemiah,

Who caſt foorth all the ſtuffe of Tobiah.

Moreover he perceiving the Levits,

Whoſe charge was for the ceremonious rites

Defrauded of their wonted portion,

Had with the Rulers great contention.

Hee ſaid to them, Fy on you, how can yee

Make GODS houſe thus through extreame poverti…

To be forſaken by the Levits, who

By your vile greed are wronged ſo and ſo?

After that done, he a man full of grace,

Made the Levits to returne to their place.

Then all Judah ſoon brought the tith of con…

And the new wine, and oyle were alſo borne,

With diligence unto the treaſuries,

Which brought to Levits great commodities;

Treaſurers likewiſe Nehemiah try'd,

Shelemiah Prieſt and als Zadok the ſcrib,

And of Levits Pedajah, and Hanan

The Son of Zaccur, of theſe every man

Was counted faithfull; theſe did diſtribute

What cheerefully others did contribute.

Then Nehemiah ſaid, Remember me,

Concerning this O my GOD graciouſly,

p. 415And wipe not out my good deeds, I thee pray,

Which I have done for my GODS houſe the day.

In theſe dayes ſaid the good Nehemiah,

… ſaw others in the land of Judah

Who on the Sabbath, wine preſſes did tread,

Who brought in ſheaves and their Aſſes did load;

Others wine grapes, and burdens great did lay,

Upon beaſts backs, and on the Sabbath day

Them brought to Salem, and cornes openly

Did ſell, but I gainſt them did teſtifie.

There men alſo dwelt who brought fiſh from Tyre,

With divers wares which were coſtly and deare,

And on the ſabbath theſe men moſt profaine,

Made their markets in GODS Jeruſalem.

Then with the Nobles great men of Judah

… did contend for the great Jehovah;

What evill is this yee doe then did I ſay

That yee profaine thus the LORDS ſabbath day?

Againſt the LORD did not your fathers thus,

And did not our GOD bring all this on us,

And on this cit…e? yet ye bring more wrath

On Iſra'l by profaining the Sabbath.

It came to paſſe t…at when I did remarke

That Salems gates began for to be darke

Before the ſabbath, then I did command

That all the gates ſhould by my ſervants hand

p. 416Be ſurely ſhut, I ſtraitly charg'd that they

Should not be opned till the ſabbath day

Was fully paſt, and ſo for this effect

I at the gates ſome of my ſervants ſet,

And them directed moſt ſtraitly, that they

Should not permit upon the ſâbbath day

Men to bring burdens, ſo my ſervants wiſe

Made the merchands for to lodge once or twiſe

Without the wals, then did I teſtifie

Againſt theſe men and ſaid for certaintie,

Why lodge yee thus about the wall, profain?

Aſſure your ſelf if yee do ſo againe,

On you moſt vile I will lay hands therefore,

From that tyme on ſabbaths they came no more.

The Levites I ordain'd without delay,

To keep the gates, even for the ſabbah day.

Concerning this, my GOD, remember me,

And ſpare in the greatneſſe of thy merciemercy.

I ſaw then Jewes who marri'd of Aſhdod

Wives, and of Ammon, and els of Moab;

Their children ſpake half in the Aſhdods ſpeach,

But of Hebrew they could not ſpeake a which,

Then with them I ſeverely did contend,

And did them curſe, and of them in the end

I alſo ſmot ſome whom I did not ſpare,

In wrath alſo I plucked off their haire,

And by the Lord I made them for to ſweare

p. 417Saying, yee ſhall not give your daughters dear

Ʋnto their ſons, nor yet their daughters take,

Nor with them ſhall yee any mariage make,

Did not Solomon one of Iſra'ls Kings,

Againſt the LORD ſinne greatlie by theſe things?

Among many none was like unto him,

Outlandiſh women yet him cauſde to ſin:

Will yee then with this ill defile your lives,

Even to tranſgreſſe by marying ſtrange wives?

And then one of the ſons of Joiada,

Son of Eliaſhib hie Prieſt of Jovah,

Sanballats daughter mari'd wickedly,

Therefore in haſte I chaſed him from me:

Remember them, my GOD, becauſe that they

Thy holy Prieſt-hood have defil'd this day.

Thus I them cleanſed from the wickedneſſe

Of ſtrangers, and then in their buſineſſe

The prieſts and Levites I did well appoint

Preciſe to keep their wards in every point,

Both for the firſt fruites, and offring of wood,

Remember me, O my GOD, now for good.

p. 418THE USE.

By Zerubabel, GOD in his mercy,

Did build the Temple and Salems city

By Ezra ſcribe even to his lawes conforme,

The peoples manners he did well reforme,

And which indeed was not a comfort ſmall

By Nehemiah he built Salems wall.

See how the Lord his mercies doth inlarg…

By impoſing to every man his charge;

That ſo his Church may on this earth endur…

Divers he ordaines its well to procure:

Some to do this, and ſome that, at his wi…

Which his favour demonſtrates and his skill

As he makes birds by pleaſant quaverings,

Like nimble Thumbs, which ſtrike on dive… strings,

Renew their note and in diverſitie

Rejoice mans heart with a ſweet melodie,

Even ſo the Lord, with divers gifts doth dec…

That he thereby his people may protect

And beautifie, and ſo them may advance,

From under the Buſhell of ignorance:

See how God doth his divers comforts ſeal

Both for the church, and als the commonwell.