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 ...

Nehemiah CHAP. III.

THIS Chapter is a Description of the Parties, Manner and Order of Building the Walls of Jerusalem, and other Places, &c.

Remark the First: The First Part that was built was the Sheep-gate, ver. 1, 2. Elia∣shib (the Grand-Son of Jehoshua, Chap. 12.20. and the Third High-Priest (saith Sanctius, after their Return) began to build this Gate, and 'twas fit he should be first for Example to others: Ministers must be patterns of Piety: And the Priests (his Brethren) were his Assistants in that Work, who had been Timorous before, but now become Couragious, when the Stout Lion Nehemiah Headed those Heartless Harts. This Sheep-gate was first built; because (1.) it was nighest to the Temple, which in the first place was to be secured. 2. At this Gate the Sheep came in that were offer'd up in Sacrifice after they had been wash'd in the Pool of Bethesda, John 5.2. saith Sanctius. And 3. This Sheep gate must be built by the Priests, for they were the Shepherds to the People, saith Dr. Pilkington.

N. B. 1. This Gate was a Type of Christ, who sought the lost Sheep, and was Sacrific'd as a Lamb, and is the only Gate whereby we enter into the Temple of Heaven, Acts 4.12. John 10.7, &c.

N B. 2. Those Shepherds the Priests did not only Build and Beautifie this Sheep-gate, but did also Consecrate it by Prayer and Sacrifice; from whence probably (saith Junius) was it so highly honoured with that Miracle of an Angel's descending into the adjacent Pool of Bethesda at their Solemn Feasts to heal all Diseases, John 5.4.

N. B. 3. The Men of Jericho Assisted Eliashib, &c. Tho' they dwelt farthest off, yet they were of the first of Country-men that came to help the Citizens in the Work; and this beam of Piety they so Timely put forth (saith Wolphius) as a Specimen to testifie their gratitude to God, for that Miraculous Cure of their Waters, 2 Kings 2.19.20, 22.

Remark the Second; The Second Part that was built was the Fish-gate, v. 3, 4, 5. This was so call'd because it stood toward the Sea and let in the Fishermen from Tyrus, &c. Neh. 12.39. and 13.16, 19. 2 Chron. 33.14. Zeph. 1.10. The Builders whereof were Meshullam, that Man of Ʋnderstanding, Ezra 8.16. and the common sort of the Tekoites. But their Nobles withdrew their Necks; they being Haughty and High-minded (saith Sanctius) look'd upon it as too sordid a Business, and far below their Grandeur and Greatness. N. B. Much unlike those Antient Nobles who were so forward and active with their Staves of Honour, &c. Numb. 21.18. But these degenerate Plants of this Generation would not Stoop to the Service of [Adonehem, Hebr.] their Lord of Lords, whom they seem'd to serve in other respects, yet in this were too stiff-necked; there∣fore stand they branded upon Record (saith Menochius) for their Pride, Carelesness, or Compliance with the Jews Enemies; whereas the old Nobles be Famous, but they Infamous, Prov. 10.7.

Remark the Third; Then were the Old-gate, the Dung-gate, and the Vally-gate, &c. (All along with the Walls between all the Gates) Repaired, ver. 6, to ver. 16.

Mark 1. The Old-gate (so call'd, saith Menochius, from Melchisedech's first building it in Abraham's Day) was Repaired by such good Men here named, whom the Lord stirr'd up, and some Women also, ver. 12. which Daughters either finished what their Father, (now dead) had begun, or parted with their Portions towards the Repair of the Wall adjoining to the Common Hall, where the People resorted for Judgment) ver. 7. saith Wolphius; and probably those Rich Widows (saith Osiander) laid their hands to the Lord's Work.

Mark 2. The Valley-gate (which led into the Valley of Jehosaphat, Joel 3.2, 12.) was Repaired, not only by the Citizens, but by great Men in the Country, yea and by the Country People too, ver. 13. every one must be active in his own Sphere at God's Building.

Mark 3. The Dung port (which was as a Voyder to the City, through which all the Filth of the place was carry'd to the Town-Ditch, the Brook Kidron) was Repaired by Malchiah, ver. 14. a Son of that Noble Family of the Rechabites; and tho' he was a Ruler, yet refuseth not (as sordid and below him) to Repair the Dung-gate: All God's Work he judged Honourable.

Mark 4. The Fountain-gate, ver. 15. was Repaired by Shallum, a Ruler likewise, yet disdaineth not to be a Repairer: This was call'd the Well-gate (saith Junius) because through it Men went to the Pool of Siloam and to the Well En-Rogel, and Shallum

built to the Stairs by which David descended from Mount Sion into the lower City, N. B. A Type of Christ, who came down from Heaven to fetch us thither, and is as Jacob's Ladder, by whom alone we have Access to Heaven, &c.

Remark the Fourth; Beside those Common-places, there were other Special Parts Re∣paired, pertaining both to the Royal Palace and to the Levites Seat, which are distinguish'd 1. By their Places Repaired, as the Outward Wall in Mount Sion, ver. 16. the Inward, ver. 19, to 25. and that part of the Wall that jutted out as Ophel or the Tower did, ver. 25, 28, to 32. Or 2. By their Persons Repairing them, which were either Levites, ver. 17, 18. or Nethinims, ver. 26, 27.

Mark 1. Baruch was an Earnest Builder, ver. 20. He was in a Fume (as Hachesik, Hebr. signifies) being angry at himself and others that no more was done, (saith Wol∣phius) he did two parts while others did one.

Mark 2. The Tekoites having dispatch'd their first share sooner than others, ver. 5. freely help them that were slower, ver. 27. This their double Diligence did shame their Nobles, who still stood out stout and stiff neck'd.

Mark 3. Goldsmiths and Merchants carry'd on the Work so, that the Wall went round, and ended at the Sheep-gate where they first begun, ver. 1, 31, 32. N. B. Such as build the Spiritual Jerusalem shall be Crown'd and Chronicl'd, &c.