John Trapp on Nehemiah 6:18

Verſe 18. For there were many in Judah ſworn unto him] Beſides that intercourſe of Letters afore-mentioned, Tobiah had his penſioners among the Jews, who were his ſworn ſervants, and had taken oath, or (as the Hebrew hath it) they were Lords of an oath to him. In the year 1583. Girald Earle of Deſmond's men had barbarouſly vowed to forſwear God, before they would forſake him.Camb. Eliſab. Fol. 258. I know not what theſe Jews had ſworn to Tobiah (to be true to him likely, and to proſecute his deſignes:) but thoſe of them at this day living are great Swearers (they were ſo in St. James his time, chap. 9.12.) but they keep no oath, unleſſe they ſwear upon their own Torah, or Book of the Law,Weemſe. brought out of their Synagogues.

Becauſe he was the ſon-in-law of Shechaniah] One of thoſe corrupt Nobles, ver. 17. and Meſhullam was another, who alſo helped to build the Wall, chap. 3.4. and ſeemed forward, but now ſhewes himſelf in his colours. Thou mayeſt be the Fore-horſe in the teem (ſaith One) a Ring-leader of good exerciſes as Joaſh, 2 Chron. 24.4, 5, 6. Thou mayeſt flock after zealous Preachers, as thoſe did after John Baptiſt, Matth. 3. Yea ſtand out in perſecution, and not ſhrink in the wetting, as the thorny ground did not; and yet be no better than a very painted hypocrite.