John Trapp on Nehemiah 4:19

Verſe 19. And I ſaid unto the Nobles, &c.] Nehemiah the more a man obſerveth him, the more he ſhall admire him. Surely he was (as Velleius ſaith of Cato Major) homo virtuti ſimillimus, a man as like vertue as might be: He was (as Pliny ſaith of the ſame Cato) optimus Orator, optimus Imperator, optimus Senator, omniumque bonarum artium Magiſter, an excellent Oratour, Vell. lib. 2. an excellent General, an excellent Stateſman, a Maſter of all good arts whatſoever. He had cropt off the very tops of all vertues, as Pindarus ſaith of Hiero, [non-Latin text not transcribed]. and as Melancthon ſaith of Frederick the Electour of Saxony. From the builders here be turneth him to the Nobles and Rulers &c. whom he would not have to be Carpet-knights, fitter for a canopy then a Camp, for language then a lance, &c. but active in their orbe, and ready preſt to ſerve in watching, warding, and preparing things neceſſary for the workmen.

The work is great and large] The compaſſe of the Walls at this time is thought by good writers to be certain miles about: and yet was enlarged as much afterwards by Herod.

And we are ſeparated upon the Wall] According to our diviſions, noted chap. 3.1. &c. and this is a weapon in the hand of our enemies: for dum pugnamus ſinguli, vincamur univerſi, being diſperſed, we are much diſadvantaged.