had considered his Request he aduised him-selfe well and was both lothe to deny him his sute and also to forgoe so faithfull a seruante asked him how long he would be absent and when he would returne So did the Queene to which sat by the King they both loued him so well and would not haue him long from them A speciall gift of God to see a stranger borne of that Religion and people which were hated of all the world to be in such fauour with the king and Queene and to finde such fauour and grace in their sight that he gaue licence and all other necessary things to build that Citie which had bene noysome to so many Kings about them But such is the mercifull goodnes of our God towards his Church and people that he will make straungers and their enemies to defende and help them as Pharaoh and Assuerus did by the good meanes of Ioseph and Ester c. And because the Queene sat by it is like that there was some solemne feaste that day for the Queenes of Persia vsed not to come into the Kings presence but when they were called for by name as it is written in the booke of Ester and Strabo writeth that the Persians vsed to debate of weightie matters when they were refreshed with wine This might be a great cause of the great feare that Nehemiah was in as he said before to see the Queene present and manie other great men beside no doubte as is commonlie vsed at such solempnities It will make anie good nature afraid to speake to a King but much more in the presence of so manie estates who might be hinderers of his sute and counsel the King to the contrary But when God will pitie his people and haue things forward he will so mooue Kings harts that nothing shall hinder that he will haue done and so the King did graunt him his request gaue him leaueto goe build that Citie and sent him away honorablie and rewarded him liberallie as followeth Nehemiah appointed the King a time of his returne to him againe but when it is not here mentioned yet such a time as the King was content withal In the last chapter of this booke it appeareth that in the twelft yeare following Nehemiah returned vnto the King yet gat licence againe to goe to Ierusalem But whither this was the time that he appointed to returne it is not written and therefore vncertaine and being vnwritten and vncertaine it is not so necessarie to be knowne nor curiouslie to be searched but we maie content our-selues to be ignoraunt of it as of all vncertaine vnwritten and vnnecessarie trueths 7. And I said vnto the King if it be thought good to the King let them giue me letters to the captaines beyond the riuer which maie conuey me vntil I come into Iehuda 8. And letters also to Asaph keeper of the Kings woods that he maie giue me tymber to make beames for the gates of the Pallace which is neere the Temple and for the walls of the Citie and for the house which I shall enter to and the King gaue me according to the hand of my God which was good toward me 9. And I came to the captaines beyond the riuer and gaue them the Kings letters and the King sent with me captaines of the armie and horssemen 10. And Sanballat the Horonite and Tobias that seruant and Ammonite heard of it they were greeued with great sorow that a man was come to seeke any good for the children of Israell NEhemiah was a glad man that the King had graunted his request sleepeth not his purpose nor letteth the time slip but with al diligence prepareth things necessarie for his iourney And first because the iorney was long and daungerous for enemies that hated him and all the Iewes lest he should haue some displeasure done him by the way he desyreth the King that his Counsell and Secretaries might giue him a passeporte and graunt him men to conduct him safely into Iewry A bolde request for so meane a subiect being but the Kings cupbearer a straunger and borne of that people and countrie which all the world hated What could haue bene done more for the noblest man in the countrie or for the best seruitour the King had I cannot tell whither it is to be more marueiled at that either he durst aske it or that the King would graunt it But Nehemiah perceiued Gods good will and the Kings fauour toward him was bolde to aske God prospered his sute that the king graunted his request And as afore so here marke also that he doeth not boldly and rashly appoint the King what he should doe but with all modesty referreth his request vnto the Kings wisdome and discretion to graunt or deny and sayth if it be thought good to the King Againe he doeth not with bribes or flattery procure the Kings letters to be signed priuily as many doe that make vnhonest sutes and would not haue their matter debated by the wiser sorte lest so it might be denied but he requireth that they which are appointed for that purpose and doe such things by good aduise as Chancellours and Secretaryes might giue him letters to the Captaynes beyond the Riuer Euphrates for that is ment by the riuer because it was more notable then any other Riuer in the countrie and did deuide the Kingdome of Persia from other countries about it ouer which into Iewry he might passe It might be thought straunge to some that Nehemiah here asketh not onely of the King his letters of passeporte but also a number of souldyers to conduct him safely into Iewry For Ezra when he had licence of the King to take the same iourney and buyld the temple neither asked nor had any to conduct him safely on his way though the daunger was as great then and he was afraid as well as Nehemiah was now why should Nehemiah aske now seeing he serued and trusted in that same God that Ezra did and was as earnest and zealous in Religion as he was why should this be lawfull or commendable in the one and not in the other Causes may be rendered diuers There was difference in the persons and times Ezra was a Priest cunning in the lawe and had oft taught boldely afore the King and his nobles how sure and safe they were from all daungers that put their trust in God alone and if he should haue afterwards bene afraid he should haue seemed to haue spoken vntruly afore and his God should not haue bene thought able or willing to defend his people that trusted in him Nehemiah was a courtier and in great fauor with the King had not so openly and boldly spoken of Gods prouidence and care towards his people as Ezra had though he beleeued it as faithfully as the other did and therefore might more boldly without reproche of his God or his doctrine and saings aske it Yet this proueth not that Preachers
A GODLIE EXPOSITION UPON CERTEINE CHAPters of Nehemiah written by that worthie Byshop and faithfull Pastor of the Church of Durham Master IAMES PILKINGTON AND NOW NEWLIE PVBLISHED In the latter end because the Author could not finish that treatise of Oppression which he had begonne there is added that for a supplie which of late was published by ROBERT SOME D. in Diuinitie Psal. 127. 1. Except the Lord build the house they labour in vaine that build it except the Lord keepe the citie the keeper watcheth in vaine Psal. 122. 6. Praie for the peace of Ierusalem let them prosper that loue thee Psal. 80. 14. 15. Returne we beseech thee O God of hostes looke downe from heauen and behold and visit this vine and the vineyard that thy right hand hath planted and the young vine which thou madest strong for thy selfe Imprinted by THOMAS THOMAS printer to the Uniuersitie of Cambridge 1585 A PREFACE OF M. IOHN FOX To the Christian Reader AS it is greatlie to be reioyced and the Lord highlie to be praised for the happy enterprise of the Godlie worke of Nehemiah begonne by the reucrent and vigilant Pastour of Christ his Church of famous memorie M. Iames Pilkinton Bishop of Duresme So againe it were to be wished that if the lord had thought it so good his dayes might haue continued to the full perfiting of the same which now is left vnperfect onelie containing fine Chapters by him expounded ' For the setting out where of being requested hereunto I thought to adde these few lines in recommending the same to the godlie reader trusting no lesse then that whosoever will take paines in reading thereof the same shall finde his labour therein not altogether lost And that for diuers causes First for the better explaining of the Chapters whereof he intreateth Secondlie for the opening of auncient hystories intermixed withall much needfull to be knowen Thirdlie for the opportunitie of the tyme well serving for the purpose present For as Nehemiah then by gods prouidence was set up for the reedifying of the materiall Tomple of Hierusalem destroyed by the Babylontans so in like sort the spirituall Church of Christ in this spirituall Babylonicall captiuitie being a long time in ruine and decay standeth in great need of Godlie helpers and good workemen as blessed be the Lord some we haue seene and doe see right zealouslie occupied to the shedding of their blood in repayring Christ his temple Yet notwithstanding the matter being of so great importance and the time so daungerous it shall not be amisse in these our dayes to be taught by the time before vs. First that the outward temple in Hierusalem destroyed by the Babylonians did lie wast for manie yeares it cannot be denied Which being graunted it must needs follow that eyther the sayd materiall temple doth beare no representation of the spirituall Church of Christ which cannot be denied or else that the same Church of Christ must necessarilie suffer some captiuitie Apostasie for a time by certaine spirituall Babilonians inlatter times which being so then must it likewise follow consequently that as that former temple of God in Hierusalem after long captiuitie at length was restored againe by the mighty hand of God so the like is to be accomplished in Christ his Church after long wracke and decay to be repayred againe as we see now come to passe For what oppression what tyrany what darkenes hath ouerwhelmed the poore Church of Christ these manie yeares by the Romish Assyrians who is so blind that seeth not wherfore much deceiued be these our Pope holiepretensed Catholikes who dreaming in their fantasies no other true Church to be in earth but onlie their holy church of Rome falslie so perswade them-selues because the outward state of their Romish church so gloriouslie and richlie shineth in the world and therfore the true Church of Christ is at no time to be blemished with ignoraunce and darkenesse but continuallie florisb without spot or wrincle in the eyes of men neuer to suffer any wrack or decay but perpetually to be preserued from all ruine or distresse By which ruine if they meane the perpetual or finall desolation of the true Church of Christ true it is that the same shall neuer sinallie be for saken nor ouerthrowne but for a time the same to suffer vioience and oppression by enemies it cannot be denied For Antichrist by the secret permission of God must haue his owne course and raigne here in the church for a time in which time by the assured Testimonie of S. Paules Epistle there must come a defection and Apostasie wherby is signified no doubt a spirituall as it were a generall departing from the right faith of the gospell for a time and space till it shall please the Lord againe to giue his booke to the mouth of his Prophets and to send downe by his Angell his measuring reede to measure the wasted temple of the Lord ' for the reedifying againe as we read 〈◊〉 10. 11. Howsoeuer Antichrist in the meant space doth florish in this world sitting in the Temple of God boasting him-selfe as God and drawing the faith of the people from God to him-selse Certainlie with the true Church of Christ it standeth much otherwise which must be brought down by Antichrist not to final destruction but for a time to be oppressed till it shall please God againe to repaire it as we by experience haue good proofe to declare Wherefore let no man meruaile at the decaied state of Christ his Church which hath bene solong time continued nor thinks the worse of the Gospell non preached as though it were a new faith or a new Religion lately erected If this gispell now preached were not taught by Christ him-selfe by Paule and other Apostles let it 〈◊〉 for new If the Popes doctrine be not agreeing to the same then let euery man iudge which is new and which is old Brieflie let vs take example of the auncient tabernacle or house of God first set vp by Moses afterward more magnifically 〈◊〉 to the like proportion in timber stone by Salomon which house or tabernacle the Lord promised to stand for euer yet notwithstanding the same temple of God exemplifying no dout the spirituall Church of Christ here in earth was vtterly ouerthrowne by the Babilonians for a certaine space and afterward repayred againe by Gods people with much difficulty and hardnes of times and after that the same againe miserablie dispoyled and destroyed by wicked Antiochus In like manner the spirituall Church of Christ although it haue the true promise of Christ to endure for euer as it doth and euer shall doe yet lacketh not her Babilonians her Anticchus her ouerthrowers temporall oppressours yet not so oppressed but at length by labourers and artificers of God is to be repayred againe albeit sent in great sharpnes of time we see it now come to passe Which being so let vs therefore comparing time with time looke well to
Argument was finished and no more thereof found AN EXPOSITION VPPON PART OF THE BOOKE OF NEHEMIAH BY MASTER Iames Pilkinton late Byshoppe of Durrham CHAP. 1. The word of Nehemiah the sonne of Hachalia ALthough there be diuers opinions whether Ezra or Nehemiah wrote this booke yet for my parte I rather beleeue all reasons considered that Nehemiah wrote it as Wolphius well prooueth it But whether so-euer the one or the other wrote it if the authoritie of the writer may giue any strength to the writing or mans worthines adde anything to the credit of Gods holie Scripture it skilleth not much for they were both the true learned and faithful seruants of God Yet surelie this worthie man Nehemiah which in English is to saie a comforte sent from God to comfort his people in those troublesome times should not be robbed of his well deserued thankes but first God should be chieslie praised that raised vp so worthie a man whose pedegree is vnknowne his fathers to in so ill a time to do not onely so great things both in the commonwealth Religion in peace and warre and then shold Nehemiah also be worthelie next commended that so faithfullie obeied the Lord his God so painfullie traueiled for the wealth of his countrie also attained such learning that he could and was so diligent in studie among all his great affaires that he would to the greate glorie of God comforte of all his Church vnto the worlds end put these his owne doings in writing A worthie example for all that loue religion be seruitours in the courte attend on the Prince beare office in the common-wealth or captaines in the warres to followe For in all these things was Nehemiah famous in religion earnest in great fauour with his Prince with all vprightnesse of life towards all in warre skilful curragious painful and with his penne so learned that he could so clerkelie put it in writing Gentelmen therefore and men of the world are not borne to liue in pastime and pleasure as they list and manie doc no more then poore men but first to serue the Lord promote his word and religion earnestlie minister iustice seuerelie mainteine peace quietlie defend the common-wealth stoutlie releeue the oppressed mightilie followe learning and studie diligentlie that so they maieincrease in vertue and honestie as Nehemiah did and after all these great trauailes refresh themselues with honest pastimes measurablie Among the heathen Princes such a one was Iulius Cesar in the warres cunning and happie in gouernment of the common-wealth commendable and in learning so excellent that no man hath written more eloquentlie Such like were Alexander Seuerus and Marcus Aurelius Emperours But I will not perswade much in Gods cause with prophane examples And to returne to our purpose I would not haue men thinke that the scripture taketh his authoritie credit of the man that writeth it but the writer is to be credited for the holie Ghosts sake who inspired him with such heauenlie knowledg and whose instrument he is for God to speake by Scripture commeth not first from man but from God and therefore God is to be taken for the author of it not man The Gospel saith It is not you that speake but the Spirit of your father that speaketh in you And. S. Petersaith Prophesie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moued by the holie Ghoste Augustine saith well The Scripture is a letter sent from God the creator vnto man his creature Therefore when thou readest this booke or other parts of the Scripture doe it as gladlie and reuerentlie yea and much more to then thou wouldst vse and read the Princes or thy friends letters seeing it is a letter sent to the from thy God for thy saluation God then is the cheifest author of this booke as he is of the rest of the Scripture Nehemiah the penne or writer of all these misteries Dauid said of himselfe my tongue is the pen of a writer that writeth swiftly meaning the holy Ghost to be the writer his tongue the penne So Nehemiah was the author of this booke as Dauid of the Psalmes And because they should know which Nehemiah he was he saith he was the sonne of Hachalia For there were diuers others of that name but not his sonnes V. 1. It came to passe in the moneth of Nouember and in the 20. yeare that I was in the castle of Susan 2. And there came Chanani one of my breethren he men of Iuda and I asked them for the Iewes which scaped and remained of the captiuitie and for Ierusalem 3. And they said to me the remnante which remained of the captiuitie there in the countrie be in greate miserie and reproche and the wall of Ierusalem is broken downe and the gates of it are burned with fire 4. And it came to passe when I heard these wordes I sate downe and wept and being sad certeine daies I fasted and praied before the Lord of heauen THe Scriptures vse not to reckon their monethes after the order of our calenders but by the exchange of the moone for our callenders are not of that auncientie that the Scriptures be by many yeares The first moneth in the yeare with them began at the next change of the moone whensoeuer it fell after the 22. daie of March when the daies and nights be both of one length And then was March called the first moone of the yeare whereas we make Ianuarie our first moone So this moone here which is called Casleu was the 9. moneth from it and fell in the latter end of Nouember what daie soeuer the moone then chaunged The 20. yeare that he speaketh of here was of the reigne of King Artaxerxes as appeereth in the beginning of the 2. Chapter of whom ye shall heare more there Susan was the cheif Citie of all the kingdom of Persia where the king had both his pallace aud a strong castle also of the same name where his treasure was kept this Citie as Strabo writeth was long and in compasse 15. myles about Who this Chanani was it appeereth not but beelike some honest man of good credit and more earnest in religion and loue to his countrie then others because his name is put downe in writing the others are not And where Nehemiah calleth him brother it is not necessarie to thinke that he was of the same father and mothere that Nehemiah was but either further of in kinred or els of the same countrie and religion For this word brother in the Scripture signifieth all those sorts of brotherhod that be any waies kinsmen or els of anie countrie and religion S. Paul saieth I wish to be accursed from Christ for my breethren kinsmen after the flesh which be the Israelites Where he calleth al the children of Israel his breethrē because they came all of one father Iacob long agoe and now were of
his God as if he loued or cared more for him then for the rest of the world This is the common vse of the Scripture to call him the God of Abraham Isaac Iacoh Dauid and Daniel because he did both deliuer them out of such troubles as none else could or would or anie hath bene so oft and wonderfullie deliuered as they were and also did so blesse and prosper them and their doings as the common sorte of men were not wont to be So they that see their owne miserie and how litle goodnes but rather punishment they deserue at Gods hand when they see the Lord pitie them remember them help them and blesse them they conceaue by and by such a loue toward God that it would please him to looke vpon them that for ioy they burst out into teares they call him their God because they feele his good will and fauour so much toward them and more then to other yea much more then they could deserue or be bolde to looke for at his hands And as one man vseth to help another by putting forth his hand to raise him that is fallen to giue him such things as he wanteth and to put awaie and defend him from such things as may hurt him so it is called the good hand ofGod when he either bestoweth his blessing and good things vpon vs or when he putteth away such daungers and euils from vs as might hurt vs as it were with his mightie and mercifull hand 9. And I came to the Captaines Nehemiah hath now taken his leaue at the Court and looseth no time but when he had prouided all things necessarie for his iourney he speedeth him selfe for ward and thinketh all time lost that is not bestowed in releeuing his countrie being in such miserie A straunge example to see a courtier leaue that wealth ease and authoritie that he was in go dwel so farr from the court where commonly it falleth out that he which is out of sight is out of minde and sone forgotten in an olde torne and decaied citie a rude people and poore countrie where he should not liue quietly for his enemies but take paines to build him selfe a house and the Citie where he would dwell to toyle and drudge like a poore labouring man that should worke for his liuing yea and many times to be sore assaulted of his enemies both openlie and priuilie to the great daun ger of his life as the rest of the booke following will declare But this is the case of earnest zealous men in religion that they can say with Dauid I haue chosen rather to bee a dore-keeper in the house of God then to dwell in the pallaces of sinners and it is better to bee one day there then a thousand els where God for his mercie sake raise vp some such few courtiers as Nehemiah was which can be content to forsake their owne ease wealth and authoritie and giue them-selues painfullie to traueill for the wealth oftheir countrie And because that is to be wished rather then hoped for good Lord giue vs such as wil be no hinderers and wil be content to liue in compasse quietlie and not seeke to trouble others that would serue the Lord willinglie Amen The king did not onelie deale thus liberallie with Nehemiah at his departure but also honorably sent him away with captaines horsemen safelie to conduct him on his iourney that none should hurt him by the way And where the king vsed him so courteouslie no doubt the rest of the court shewed him much curtesy for courtyers must needes like and mislike whatsoeuer the King seemeth to like or mislike to set vp or pull downe Courtyers commonly when the King speaketh haue lost both sense and witte for if the King seemeth to fauour any thing they all as men without vnderstanding saie it must needes be so If the King will not giue eare to heare a matter they are all deafe and cannot abide to heare speake of it If the King will not see it they all crie out awaie with it So that it is hard to tell whither is in more miserable case the king or such dissemblers for if the King haue no iudgement of him selfe he shall haue no help of such and they like witlesse men dare not speake a trueth Happie is that Prince therefore that hath wise counsellours about him which will duetifullie enforme him of matters vprightlie wiselie debate the matter with him without all double dealing as the other sorts doe When King Assuerus would aduaunce Haman euery man had him in reuerence but when Mardocheus was sett vp then was there crying Crucifige on Hamon But thus mercisullie doeth our Lord God deale with his Church and people that in euerie age he hath some about the Prince that both can and will speake and be heard though not for all generallie in their rage and persecution yet for many as occasion serueth which shalbe deliuered from such tyranny to glorifie their God for his mercy though many willingly spend their liues patiently to the praise of the same God eternallie But no rage shalbe so greate to roote out Gods chosen but the Lord will euer preserue a number euen by help of their enemies openly to worship and serue him in despite of all their foes Plinius the Ruler of a Prouince vnder Traiane the Emperour and appointed to punish the Christians sundrie waies seeing the great nomber of them doubted what he should doe and wrote to the Emperour that he found no wickednesse in them but that they would not worshipp Images and that they would sing psalmes before day-light vnto Christ as a God and did forbid all sinnes to be vsed among them The Emperour hearing this became a great deale more gentle vnto them Salustius tormenting Theodorus a Christian sundrie waies and along time to make him for sake his faith but all in vaine went to Iulianus the Emperour and tould him what he had done from the day breake vntil 10. of the clock and counselled him that he should proue that way no more by crueltie for they gat glory in suffering patiently and he gat shame in punnishing so sharply because they would not yeald vnto him Many moe such examples the ecclesiastical histories are ful of where God deliuered his people by the forespeach of their enemies but these shall suffice at this present God had now raysed vp Nehemiah and had giuen him fauour grace in the Kings sight to aske and obteine comfort for the deliuerance of his Church and people the Iewes which had bene so long in great miserie and slauerie Nehemiah then passeth on his iourney toward I erusalem with great speede and honour passeth the riuer Euphrates and those theeuish and daungerous waies that he was afraid of safely commeth to the rulers of the countrie beyond Euphrates deliuereth them the Kings commission for tymber and a band of new souldiers for his safe conduct into Iewrie that these might
Moses and Aaron Gods true ministers Moses committing the reuenge of it to the Lord warned the people to depart from their companie lest they perished with them by that straunge death and streight waies the earth opened swallowed vp them their goods and tents where they 〈◊〉 quicke into hell Nay weomen were not spared for Marie Moses sister was smitten with a leprosie for railing on Moses her brother Gods liefetenant ouer them As the magistrate therefore both with word and sword must defend Gods cause his Religion temple people ministers and doctrine so must the preacher and those that be learned with their paine praier preaching and all other meanes that they can yea if our goods or liues were required for the defence of it no state of man ought to refuse it For this end are we borne and liue to glorifie our God and set forth his praise for this purpose are all things giuen vs and therefore must not be spared but spent and bestowed when his glorie requireth For this cause Esaias the Prophet gaue his bodie to be sawen in sunder with a sawe of yron For this cause Ieremio was cast into a dungeon of Mire and filth Daniel into the Lions denne Saint Paul pleadeth his cause oft in chaines at Ierusalem at Rome afore Festus Felix and Agrippa and our Lord and master Christ Iesus afore Annas Caiphas Pilate and Herod Iohn Baptist lost this head for this quarrel no good man wil thinke any thing to deere to spend in Christ his masters cause For this cause Tertullian Ireneus Iustinus Athanasius Chrisostons Nazianzenus haue written great bookes against the heathens which railed on our Religion What infinite number of Martirs haue stoode stoutly and giuen their liues in the same quarell he that hath seene anie learning can better tell where to begin then where to make an end of reckoning the number is so infinit and our late daies haue giuen sufficient proofe there of vnder that bloody butcher Bonner that the most ignoraunt yf he will open his eares and eies might heare and see great plentie But alas the fierie fagots of those daies were not so greeuous then as the slandrous tongues be now in our daies Nebuchadnezzer made a law that if anie did blaspheme the God of Sidrach Misach and Abednego he should be slaine and his house made a dunghill Moses made a lawe that euerie blasphemer should be stoned to death Seeing God and Princes haue made such straight lawes against such lewd railers good Rulers should see some correction done and not with silence to suffer ill men to talke their pleasure on Gods citie Religion ministerie While others possibly made courtesie to speake and aunswere these busie braggers and quarrelers Nehemiah steppeth forth boldely defendeth this cause stoutly answereth their false accusation truelie incourageth the people manfullie to goe forward with their worke despiseth their brags telleth them plainly that they haue no parte nor right nor are worthie to be remembred in Ierusalem The effect of Nehemiahs answere was that the God of heauen had giuen them good successe hitherto in mouing the harts of king Cirus Darius first to the building of the temple now of Artaxerxes to restore the citie they were his seruants worshiped him end he stirred them vp to this worke for of them selues they were not able to do such things They serued no Idoles nor false gods they needed not to be ashamed of their master the God of heauen was their Lord and they his people he was their master and they his seruants he their King and they his subiects they would goe forward with their worke they must haue a Citie to dwell in to serue their God who would defend them in this their well doing these men had no authoritie to stoppe or forbid them to worke they had nothing a do in Ierusalem nor any authoritie they would not obey them but with all diligence applie this worke vntill it be finished The Apostles when they were forbidden preached and would not obey but said they must obey God that bad them Thus must all they that take Gods worke in hand confesse it to come from God and that he blesseth their doings that all the praise may be his and that they of them-selues be weake vnable to doe such things without his special grace and assistance All good men in such enterprises will saie with Dauid Not vnto vs O Lord not vnto vs but vnto thy name giue all the glorie If these wicked men had had anie worldy shame or feare of God in them they would haue quaked trembled as the good men reioiced to haue God on their side to further them so they whē they heard the god of heauen named to be against them and that it was his doing they would haue forsaken their Idoles and haue furthered this building or at lest haue sitten still and not hindered it For who is able to withstand his will or hinder that he will haue forward The Deuils in hell quake and tremble at the naming and considering of Gods Maiestie but these wicked Imps not onelie now but sundrie times as appeereth hereafter in this booke most cruellie spitefullie and craftelie goe forward in their olde malice and by all meanes seeke the ouerthrow of this building So farre worse is a Deuil incarnate in an ill man then by him-selfe in his owne nature When the Deuill will worke anie great mischiefe he taketh commonlie one man or other Angel or creature to doe it by knowing that he shall doe it more easily that waie then if he should attempt it by himselfe Howe is euerie murther false witnesse whoredome robberic c committed but when the Deuill stirreth vp one man against another Let euerie good man therefore take heed vnto him-selfe how he yoaldeth vnto sinne For in that doing he maketh him-selfe a slaue to the Deuill and his instrument to worke by One Deuill will not offer that villany to another Diuell to make him his slaue but if he canne bring man vnto it there is his reioycing Take heede therefore O man In that they confesse them selues to be the seruants of the God of heauen it is as much to say as they wrought not for them-selues nor at their owne appointment nor for their owne profit they wrought for their masters cause and for his glorie Good seruants in al their doings will seeke their masters profit and praise not their owne they liue not for them-selues but al the profit of their doings returneth to their masters If they take any thing to them-selues more then their master giueth them they be theeues vnto him they doe him no true seruice Let all the builders of Gods house therefore whether they be rulers in the common wealth as Nehemiah was now or of the learned sort in the ministrie or els where not onely confesse in words that they be seruants to the God of heauen but most
man would studie for an exan ple of this I cannot tell where he might find a fitter These poore men of Thecoa worke willingly diligentlie but the Richer sorte were to stif-necked would not stoope nor obey the superiours of the worke for so the Hebrew word signifieth him that is appointed a ruler Master as wel as it doeth signifie the Lord God and diuers of the best learned doe so turne it into latin Euorie companie of workemen had their ouerseers appointed to direct keepe them in order that euery one should not doe what he list worke when and where he list nor loyter and be idle other companies did obey their Masters of the worke but these richmen were to proud This kinde of speach they put not their neck to the worke is taken of oxen which being made for the yoke to draw should teach al labourers in gods building as wel lay men as kircke men to be painfull as the Oxe not to stately to stoope vnder the yoke The scripture sundrie times commendeth this painful laboring by the example of the plough the Oxe As he that putteth his hand to the plowgh looketh c. thou shalt not mussle the mouth of the Oxe c for no kinde of people are exempt neither poore nor rich learned nor vnlearned man nor woman but they must bend bowe their neckes vnder the yoke be not ashamed nor to stately to worke at the building of Gods Citie The proud Pharisaicall Popish fryers Monks which haue so many priuileges from their father the Pope may not say Domine nos sumus exempti we may not worke the solemne Prelate the fine fingred dames nor the Surlie Lords of the land the daintle trim Courtier nor the loftic Lawier are exempt but euerie one must bowe his neck in his vocation painfully to worke at Gods building as in this Chap. ye shall haue examples of all these sorts that painfully wrought at this building But I feare me that if after the order of this dicipline which is so greedely sought many doe like of it because it is so gentle the Rich would not care for it but liue as they list If their consistorie of Seniors were sett in theyr seats with their Pastor in euerie Church with their full authoritie in all causes ecclesiast they should finde many proud Pecocks that would not bend their necks vnder the yoke of such simple sily woodcocks as euery parish presently is able to giue For as yet in few places shal able men be found that dare wil wrastle with the rich in correction A proud Thacker of Thecoa would laugh them to scorne and contemne their dispiling discipline For they that wil contemne correction the lawes and officers standing as they be it were also necessarie to haue the Princes powre dores of yron Bolts of brasse and locks of steele to bind thē fast Ad alligandos reges eorum in 〈◊〉 nobiles eoruminmanicis 〈◊〉 then with such kinde of dealing to be mocked They would stoutly saie Disrumpamus vincula eorum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iugū ipsorum We reede of Ambrose that excommunicated the Emperour Theodosius and how humblie he obeyed it but whether was more to be praysed he that durst doe it or the other that would obey it I cannot tell and I know not where in a good cause the like hath bene done since though the proud Pope for his wicked authoritie hath attempted and atchieued the like sundrie times against Emperours In deed excommunication rightly executed is a fearful bond to all good consciences for it locketh vp heauen gates throweth into the pit of Hell yet worldlie men that feare not God nor loue his people are more afraid of prison yron chaines and fettershere then of gods eternal wrath there Such therfore must haue a sharper consistorie then our Seniours be God for his mercies sake graunt vs a worthie discipline for such stif-necked Thekoits For the simple ones wil be more easilie ruled with a gentle discipline Such as haue the wealth and authoritie of the countrie giuen them ofGod to benefit and defend the countrie withal are not worthy to liue in the countrie if they withdraw their helping hand from their countrie as these Thekoits did now The Porters of euery Citie great mens houses are commonlie tall big bold men to keepe out vnruly people and reason is that it should be so for els al men would be bold to trouble the gates So must the ministers and rulers of Gods house whome the holy ghost calleth his Porters be more stout men strong then euerie realme is able to setvp in any parish Surely the hauing of these seniors might doe much good in many matters but in my opinion after another sort then as yet is put downe which I refer to the determination of the wisest how many Papists at this day do contemne the Church al the discipline in it because it is sosoft and if the feare of the magistrates sword did not more bridle thē then any honest feare they would daiely increase in boldnes contempt of al orders Ifye did but Excōmunicate thē they would hartely thank you laugh you to scorne for they willinglie excommunicate them-selues and will come at no congregation and vnder pretence of your excommunication they had iust pretence of absenting them-selues and neuer would seeke reconciliation God graunt all such obstinate contemners of his Church his word their iust deserued discipline This ouermuch softnes that is vsed an opinion of some that be zealous in religion whereby they thinke they may not punish an ill man for his conscience religion doth much harme imboldneth thē in their il doings surely in my opinion they that haue autority wil not correct such wilful dealings be partakers and mainteyners of others ill doing and fill both the Church and common-wealth with disobedient persons 6. The olde gate builded Ioiada c. they recoueredit and set on the dores Lockes and Barres BEcause this setting on oflockes dores Bars is sundrie times rehearsed here it shall suffise once to declare it and not to fill vp bookes with much writing trouble others with often reading of it Dores serue to let men in out to shut them in or keepe them out Locks serue against treasons or conspiraces within and Barres serue against open enemies and violence without So must Gods Church be fensed and strengthned with sundrie doctrine and discipline to instruct the ignorant comfort the weake raise vp them that be fallen encourage the forgetfull bridle the vnrulie and confute al errors This promise God made to his Church that hell gates should not preuaile against it It hath bene oft sore assaulted and yet neuer conquered and neuer worsse delt with then by her owne children and feyned friends rather then by open enemies as this day wel prooueth no force it hath a watch-man that
it were the priuate profit of the Captaine But sure it is not without great cause that the holie ghost declareth here the order that Nehemiah set them in by their kinreds togither teaching vs that nature will moue one kinsman to be truer in al daungers to an other of his kinred rather then to a stranger and that one kinsman will open his griefe to his freind and take comfort at his hand rather then to him whome he knoweth not He cannot be bold with a straunge Captaine nor a straunge souldier and that discourageth him and casteth downe his spirits but when neighbours freinds and Cosinnes are togither vnder a Captaine whom they loue and know it imboldneth them they cleaue togither like Burrs if one be in daunger the rest will not forsake him where as straungers euery man seeketh to saue him-selfe and careth not for his fellow but letteth him shift for him selfe as he may This godly Example of Nehemiah in placing friends togither is to be followed rather then the priuate profit of one Captaine How strangely straunge Captaines haue vsed their straunge souldiers it is straunge to remember and pitie it is to see the souldier how vnwilling he is to serue among straungers and manie times doeth serue but slowly I haue seene when a meane gentleman hath gone to the warrs his renants would striue who should goe with him first if he refused anie to goe he thought his master loued him not but now by this deuiding of neighbour frō neighbour friends friends from other neither the gentleman that cannot haue his trustie men about him nor the souldier hauing not such a Captaine and fellowes as he loueth trusteth knoweth both the master the man seeketh by al means to tarie at home so the worst men are thrust out to serue which is to be lamented God amend it It is possible some will think me to saucie to enter into matters wherein I am not skilled but that forceth not the trueth must be spoken though some doe grudge and this Example of Nehemiah shall defend me whatsoeuer is saied to the contrary The scripture teacheth generally euery man his duety what kinde of life soeuer he liue God wil require that euery man should frame him-selfe to that rule therefore the preacher may enter into consideration of euery mans duetie so farr as the scripture leadeth him euen to the controulling of the mint as master Latimer of worthie memorie being found fault withall for medling in such matters alledged the Prophet saying thy siluer is turned into drosse When Iohn Baptist beganne to baptize and all sorts of people resorted vnto him amongst whome came the souldiers too he taught both the souldiers and all the rest how to behaue them selues in their kinde of life if they would receiue the gospel Here may be noted also what simple kinde of weapons were then vsed in the warrs and how many cruel and subtill deuises we haue of late deuised one to kill another Here is none other mentioned but the sword if they ioyned handstroks the Speare to push them away if they scaled the walls and the bowe to shoote a far of to keep them from comming neere the walls What glorie this Realme hath gotten with these weapons and specially by the Bowe all Chronicles declare and all nations for that feared vs but how in shooting the old gloric of this land is decaied and gaming and alehouses haunted to the hurt of the youth wasting of their monie weakning of their strength and decaie of this worthie exercise good men lament and few goe about to amend Shooting is a speciall thing not giuen to al men and nations but chiesly to the Iewes first while their kingdome stoode then to the Persians who yet can doe somthing with it and then to the English men who haue wrought great feats by it Few histories make any mention of other Countries that could or did vse it much in the warres and if there were some few among them that could doe something in it it was to small purpose or none in the battail Looke at our neighbours rounde about vs euen to the Scottish man which goeth neerest vnto vs and comming both of one Auncetor and it will easilie appeare how true it is If any shoot ill fauouredly we saie he Shooteth like a Scott and yet some few of them shoote well too The scripture which is Auncienter then any kinde of learning by manie yeares maketh mention that I smaell Abrahams sonne was a cunning Arther King Asahad out of one little tribe of Beniamin two hundreth and fourscore Thousand Archers King Saull was chased with bowe men and slaine with the Philistians The sonnes of Ruben God and Manasses were good warriers Bowemen fourtie and fowre thowsand seauen hundred threescore Indas Machabeus set his Bowemen in the forefronte of the Battaile Plintlib 7. cap. 5. writeth that Perses the sonne of Persius of whome the Persians had their surname should be the first deuiser of shafts but how vntruely it is reported these scriptures afore rehearsed which were long afore this time will testifie By the which the Auncientie of the scripture appeereth afore all other learning and yet the Papist will stand on his Auncientie and saie they haue all olde learning on their side where their fathers the Popes were but yesterday in comparison of the scriptures which were elder then any of these by three thowsand yeares but such lewd Doctrine is meete to come from them that will not obey the trueth The Persians loued shooting so well that they set an Archer on their Coyne of Gold which was of great vallour as we doe the Angel and as we vse to saie when a man hath great sutes and cannot be so well heard as he would wish that he must make Angels to speake for him and they cannot be saied nay which thing by report is too common and true at this day so the King of Persia being offended at Agesilaus gaue the Athenians thirtie thousand peeces of this great Coyne of Gold of theirs which thing when Agesilaus vnderstoode he saied merilie but yet truely that he was driuen awaie with thirtie thowsand Bowmen meaning their coyne of Gold which had an Arhcer coyned on it and how should he a poore man be able to withstand so manie Archers No more truelie then our men can say Angels nay For the feats of warr done by our Elders in this land with Bowemen I referr it to be considered by our owne Chronicles But I will not enter into a full discourse of this matter it belongeth not so much to our purpose this short touching of it shall suffice now Who so listeth to see more of the commendation of it in time of peace may reade that learned Booke which Master Askame wrote of it As these Samaritans ceased not continually to hinder the building of this earthly Ierusalem so Sathan by his members Papists and Arrians c. ceaseth not in