John Trapp on Nehemiah 3:2

Verſe 2. And next unto him builded the men of Jericho] And are thereby here eternallized for their forwardneſſe.

Claros inter, habent nomina clara, viros.

Though they dwelt fartheſt off, yet they were of the firſt that came to work. Jericho was the firſt City that Joſhuah overthrew for their wickedneſſe, and curſed him that ſhould rebuild it. Now it is the firſt that cometh to help forward this City of God. So great is the change, when God turneth peoples hearts. Our Fathers were as barbarous and brutiſh as the very Scythians: their Religion was a mere irreligion and worſe, till Chriſt came amongſt us,Ennead. 7, l. 5. and gave us the preheminence: For beſides that England was the firſt of all the Provinces that publikely received the Goſpel (as ſaith Sabellicus,) our Conſtantine hath been reckoned the firſt Chriſtian Emperour, our Lucius the firſt Chriſtened King, and our Henry the eighth the firſt that brake the neck of the Popes uſurped authority. As we were the firſt that ſubmitted to that man of ſin, ſo were we of the firſt that caſt him off again; & although we are penitùs toto diviſi orbe Britanni, Lucan. yet we have been hitherto famous all the World over for our faith and forwardneſſe in Gods ſervice; though of late we have run retrograde, to the reproach of our Nation. Diogenes in a great aſſembly going backward on purpoſe, and ſeeing every one laughing him to ſcorn, asked them aloud, if they were not aſhamed ſo to do? ſith he went backwards but once, when they did ſo continually. Oh let it not be ſaid of us, as once of Jeruſalem, that we are ſlidden back by a perpetual back-ſliding, that we hold faſt deceit, and refuſe to return, Jer. 8.5. This is to be worſe, then wicked Jericho, &c.

Builded Zaccur] whoſe memory therefore is bleſſed, when the name of the wicked ſhall rot, Prov. 10.7.