John Trapp on Nehemiah 6:16

Verſe 16. But what meant Joſephus to ſay, that the wall was in building two yeares and three moneths? It appeareth hereby, and by many other paſſages in his Jewiſh antiquities, that he had not much read, or at leaſt minded the holy Scriptures. Of this ſhort time ſpent in building the Wall, Daniel ſeemeth to prophecie, ſaith an Interpreter, when he ſaith,Dan. 9.25. that it ſhould be built again in anguſtiis temporum in the ſtraits of time: neither held we ſo much ſtrange at it, ſith the hands at it were many, and thoſe were motitantes, nimble and chearful; and the Princes were preſent to prick them on, and they repaired onely and built upon the old foundation: And laſtly the very Enemies were convinced, that the work was wrought of God, ver. 16. what marvel therefore that it went ſo on end?

Verſe 16. When all our Enemies heard thereof] So famous a matter could not be concealed from them who liſtened with the leſt care, and readily received theſe [non-Latin text not transcribed], as the Greeks call, galling reports.

Saw theſe things] For they ran to the ſight of it, as to a miracle; they looked alſo upon it with an evil and envious eye: like as the Papiſts do upon the Reformation.

They were much caſt down in their own eyes] They were creſt-faln, and dejected from the high-tops of their proud hopes, and deſignes. See what biles and ulcers the Antichriſtian rout are vexed with, and how they are ſcorched with the Sun-ſhine of the Goſpel, Rev. 16.2, 11. What mone Babels Merchants make to ſee her ruine and the riſe of the new Jeruſalem, chap. 18. ver. 11. Envy is vitium Diabolicum, the Devils diſeaſe, ſaith Auſtin: and thoſe that are troubled with it,In Pſal. 139. can never want wo.

For they perceived that this work was wrought of God] with ſuch incredible ſwiftneſſe was it carried on and accompliſhed, that they could not but ſay among the Heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them; God is with them of a truth.