John Trapp on Ezra 9:1

CHAP. IX. Verſe 1. Now when theſe things were done.]

HEre are poſt maxima gaudia luctus, Heavens joyes are without meaſure or mixture: But this preſent life is overſpred with ſins and miſeries, as with a filthy morphew. Of good Ezra we may ſay as Pliny doth of Metellus; Metellus infelix dici non debet, felix non poteſt, Lib. 7. c. 47. Unhappy we may not call him, happy we cannot: witneſſe the dolefull diſcourſe of this Chapter.

The Princes came unto me] The better ſort of them that were ſenſible of the abuſes crept in, and deſired a Reformation. For ſome of the Princes alſo and Rulers had their hands elbow-deep, in the wickedneſſe complained of Verſe 2.

The people of Iſrael] The Many, [non-Latin text not transcribed] the common ſort, that ſhallow-braind, but many-headed Beaſt, that loves to follow the herd and do as the moſt do, though thereby they be utterly undone for ever.

And the Prieſts, and the Levites] This was much: for theſe knew the Law, and made their boaſt of it, Rom. 2.18.23. They could not be ignorant of the unlawfulneſſe of this mixing themſelves in marriage with Heathens not proſelyted. Now ſins againſt knowledge and conſcience are of a double dye, of a crymſon colour: and make a great breach, a deep gaſh in a mans ſpirit. Eſay 59.11, 12. What was it that brought ſuch roarings and troubles on them, and that, when ſalvation was looked for? Our iniquities teſtify to our faces, and we know them.

Have not ſeparated themſelves] The ſeparation of the Saints from the wicked is a wonderful ſeparation, Exod. 33.16. ſuch as was that of light from darkneſſe in the creation. God hath brought them out of darkneſſe into his marvellous light. Why then ſhould they be unequally yoked together with unbeleevers? what communion hath light with darkneſſe, &c? 2 Cor. 6.14.1 Pet. 2.

Doing according to their abominations] How ſhould they chuſe but do ſo, when ſo matched and married? what's the reaſon the Pope will not diſpenſe in Spain or Italy, if a Papiſt marry a Proteſtant? yet here they will, but in hope thereby to draw more to them. The brown bread in the Oven will be ſure to fleece from the white; not that from it. So in married couples: ſeldome is the worſe bettered by the good, but the contrary. See Nehem. 13.26.