A compleat history and mystery of the Old and New Testament logically discust and theologically improved : in four volumes ... the like undertaking (in such a manner and method) being never by any author attempted before : yet this is now approved and commended by grave divines, &c. / by Christopher Ness ...

Ezra CHAP. VIII.

THIS Chapter relateth in particular, Ezra's Journey to Jerusalem, whereof we had only some hints in the General in the seventh Chapter, where was his appointment for it by a Royal Commission, but here is its Accomplishment.

Remark the First, No sooner had thankful Ezra praised his God for this Letter of License from the King, but he immediately Musters up all his Forces for a March away, and his Muster is made from ver. 1, to ver. 15. the whole Company consisting of one thousand four hundred ninety and six Males: This was a good Addition to those that went up before with Zerubbabel (with whom many more then returned, Ezra 2.64, 65.) yet nothing so many as might have returned now with Ezra, but that they wanted Hearts; for the History of Nehemiah doth farther declare, that there were many left in sundry Places among the Pagan Provinces, even after Ezra's return.

Remark the Second, Ezra, having his Rendezvouz at Ahava (a River that runs into Euphrates) and taking a view of his Muster-Rolls, findeth none of the Sons of Levi there, ver. 15. Wolphius wonders that Ezra should have some Priests with him, ver. 2. yet have no Levites that were only so and not Priests: 'Twas lamentable, that the Levites (whose Lips should have preserved Knowledge above, and for the People, as well as the Priests, Deut. 33.8, 9. Mal. 2.7.) should not be the Ring-leaders of the Voluntiers, but now become so backward to so sacred a business; here was nomen inane & crimen immane, the empty Title of Levites stands stigmatized with a most heinous Laziness

and Neglect: Therefore those Levites mentioned by Anticipation, Chap. 7.7. were not come to him here, until he sent for them afterwards, ver. 15, 16, &c.

Remark the Third. At this Rendezvouz at Ahava, Ezra sends his Messengers, Men of Ʋnderstanding, named ver. 16. who went at his Command to the College, where he knew a considerable Company of Levites were together, over whom Iddo sate Presi∣dent (saith Masius) and who was to command the Levites under him, to dispatch away to Ezra, ver. 17. which was accordingly done, ver. 18. and they brought him the Ne∣thinims also, who were now become Men of Mark in God's Service, ver. 19, 20. Ezra again praiseth the Lord for this good Success. N.B. 'Tis much, that this Man of Ʋn∣derstanding (whom Ezra's Messengers brought to him, and in whom Ezra blessed God for bringing him to his Company, ver. 18.) had no more Ʋnderstanding in the Times with the Men of Issachar, 1 Chron. 12.32. as not to know his own Duty, but must be haled out to it by Ezra's Messengers: Though he had heard the Prophet Zechary proclaim from the Lord [Ho, ho, come forth and flee from the Land of the North] Zech. 2.6, 7. yet he lay lurking still in the Land of his Captivity, chusing to continue there, notwithstanding both God's and the two Kings (Cyrus's before and now Darius's) Procla∣mations: This seems to say to us, that what ever Measure of Knowledge he had we know not, save by this High Character given him equal with those in ver. 16. but surely he had more Knowledge than Zeal for God and his House of solemn worship, which at that Time God had confined to Jerusalem, &c.

Remark the Fourth, Ezra's Prayer for a prosperous Passage for himself, and his Peo∣ple to Jerusalem, ver. 21, 22, 23.

Mark 1. Ezra as he now was become a Colonel, and Captain General (as Grotius calls him) of this new Colony by the King's Commission, proclaims a Fast, &c.

Mark 2. The Place where this Day of Prayer or more Days (as Menochius saith, it lasted for eight Days) was kept, was by a River's side, a place not unusual for such Work, both in Old and New Testament, Psalm 137. 1, 2. Acts 16.13. here as Travel∣lers, they had abode in Tents three Days, ver. 15.

Mark 3. Ezra to Edge their Prayers the better, and to give wings to them, en∣joins a restraint from Food, from fine Cloaths, and from other Delights of Life, for af∣flicting themselves; and though this weaken'd their Bodies, yet it strengthen'd their Souls, and made them more Vigorous and Victoriou••.

Mark 4. They therein sought a right way for their little ones (as well as for them∣selves) because they could not seek God themselves while little. N.B. And to shew it ought to be a great Part of good Parents Care to lay up Prayers with God for their little ones, that when they themselves are gone off the Stage of the World, their Children may stand up in their stead, and continue to do so in their Generation (even for their Chil∣dren also, Psalm 102.18. and thereby perpetual Worship must be performed by as Mortal Men to the Immortal God, from one Generation to another. Besides little ones are liable to a thousand Deaths and Dangers, and therefore they have the more need of their Parents Prayers.

Mark 5. 'Tis lawful to seek by Prayer God's Blessing upon our Temporal Estate, and to commend all our Stock, and our Store of Creature-Comforts (committed to our keep∣ing) unto the Providence and Protection of God, for so Ezra doth here [For all their Substance] ver. 21. which comprehended all their Goods, both Animate and Inani∣mate, all their Gold, Garments and Food, as well as all their Cattel, &c.

Mark 6. When we undertake any Voyage by Sea, or any Journey by Land, 'tis not on∣ly lawful, but also necessary to seek Divine Direction for a right way, wherein we may find both Safety and Success both for us and for all ours: If this be but solemnly done by Fasting and Prayer (which two Duties for the most part go coupled together, Luke 2.37. Matth. 17.21. 1 Cor. 7.5, &c.) we shall surely speed of God's Direction, and of his Protection too to make us prosper, as here.

Mark 7. Choice and excellent Spirits are ashamed, that God should be by any means dis∣honoured, and his Divine Attributes of Wisdom, Power, Truth and Goodness should be call'd into Question; as excellent Ezra here, ver. 22. He blush'd to crave a Convoy of the King (though it might have been of great use to them, because their Enemies did way-lay them, ver. 31.) lest the King, being but little acquainted with God (said Grotius) might misinterpret it, as Ezra's distrust in God's Providence (saith Menochius) which he had (with so much Freedom) Preached to him, and therefore zealous Ezra will ra∣ther perish himself (saith Wolphius) than damnifie God in his Glory. N.B. Ezra is here all for God whatever becomes of Himself, &c.

Remark the Fifth, God's Answer to Ezra's Prayer, ver. 23, 31. not unlike to that of

Jabez, 1 Chron. 4.10. God granted both their Requests; the Seed of Jacob seeks not the Lord in vain, but concerning the Work of God's Hand, they do command him, Isa. 45.11, 19. here 'tis said [God was entreated of them] ver. 23. God gave them some Assu∣rance, that their Requests should be graciously granted by him, and they found their Prayers effectual by sweet Experience, ver. 31. for so soon as Ezra had commended his hazardous Case to God by Fasting and Prayer, and had also committed all the sacred Vessels to the safe Custody of sacred Persons the Priests and Levites, ver. 24. to ver. 30. then he marcheth away from Ahavah to bring them all to Jerusalem, and though their Adversaries lay in Ambush in the way (if not to destroy their Persons, they de∣sign'd to despoil them of their Treasure) yet God disappointed them, by directing Ezra to fetch a compass out of the direct Road, and to March in an unexpected and un∣suspected way, ver. 31. as they had begg'd of God, ver. 21.

Remark the Sixth, Ezra through the good hand of God upon him (which he oft ac∣knowledgeth) escapes the High-way Men (who would at least have robb'd him) and comes safe to Jerusalem, He and all his Company with all their Treasure, ver. 32. and rested there three Days for necessary Refreshment after so long a Journey; but on the fourth Day of the fifth Month (after his short repose) he sets close to his Work, ver. 33. handing forth the six hundred and fifty Talents of Silver, and the hundred Ta∣lents of Gold wherewith the King and his Counsellours, &c. had furnish'd him as their Offering to the Lord, ver. 25, 26. and all the sacred Vessels (he brought along with him his long four Mouths Journey) these he delivered out by number and weight in the Temple, ver. 34. with a strict Inventory of all: Because 1. These were all moveable Goods, saith Grotius. 2. To demonstrate the Fidelity of those Priests, &c. who had been betrusted with them all the way. They faithfully refund all to the House of God, and embezel nothing for themselves, &c. saith Junius: The Tally of their taking in and delivering out did agree. N.B. Whenever there happeneth an happy Concurrence of the Saints Prayers both in City and Countrey at one Time: Oh how successfully do the concerns of God's Cause go end-ways as here, Ezra and his Company kept a solemn Fast upon the eleventh Day of the first Month in the Countrey, and marcheth then away upon the twelfth Day, ver. 15, 23, 31. and the good Souls in the City did solemn∣ly celebrate the Passover upon the fourteenth Day of the same Month, when Ezra had just begun his long four Months March, no doubt but he prospered by their Prayers also, which they had prayed both for themselves and for him, &c.

Remark the Seventh, Those new and now Comers to the House of God, though they had not many of them been born in the Land of Israel, but in the Place of their Capti∣vity, yet do offer Burnt-offerings to the Lord God of Israel, ver. 35. not only to testi∣fie their thankfulness to him, for his safely conducting them hither, notwithstanding their long Captivity, and the many Adversaries in their way, &c. but also do Promise, that the God of their Fathers should be their God.

Remark the Last, Ezra delivered Darius's Decree to his Lieutenants on that side Eu∣phrates, ver. 36. the sight whereof did so over awe those Deputies of the King, that they durst not hinder them (saith Vatablus) but did actually further them in furnishing and beautifying the House of God, by affording all such things as were requisite there∣unto. N.B. Thus God made Dogs to lick Lazarus's sores, Luke 16.21. These Deputy-Lieutenants lent God's People a lift, and an helping Hand in the House of God, not out of any Love to the Work, but for fear of the King's Cashiering them: Thus the Devil and his Imps are made to do God's Will, though with an ill Will, for all are God's Servants, Psalm 119.91.