John Trapp on Nehemiah 10:1-27

CHAP. X. Verſe 1. Now thoſe that ſealed, were Nehemiah the Tirſhata.]

HE is firſt mentioned, not as a Prieſt, but as Provoſt; and one that held it an honour to be firſt in ſo good a matter As Caeſar never ſaid to his ſouldiers, Ite, but Venite, Go ye, but Come along, I will lead you: And as Abimelech ſaid, What ye have ſeene me do, made haſte and do accordingly. So ſhould all Superiours ſay to their inferiours.Plin. Vita Principis cenſura eſt, imò cynoſura, the life of the Prince is the load-ſtar of the people, upon which moſt men fix their eyes, and ſhape their courſes. Magnates ſunt Magnetes, Great men draw many by their examples, they are as looking-glaſſes by which others dreſſe themſelves. And hence Nehemiah's forwardneſſe here to ſeale firſt. There follow in their order Prieſts, Levites, Princes and people ſolemnly ſealing a ſure Covenant. God had cauſed them to paſſe under the rod, and now he is bringing them into the bond of the Covenant, that he may purge out the rebels from amongſt them, Ezek. 20.37, 38.