John Trapp on Nehemiah 8:4

Verſe 4. And Ezra the Scribe ſtood upon a Pulpit of wood] Heb. A Tower of wood, becauſe high and round, as ours are. The Cappuchines and other Popiſh preachers are ſaid to have long Pulpits, wherein they may walk and act, as upon ſtage, in Lent eſp[illegible: 1 letter] cially: at which time it is the cuſtome of Italy for the ſame man to preach ſix dayes in the week upon the Goſpel of the dayes, and on the Saturday in honour and praiſe of the Virgin Mary.

And beſide him ſtood Vattithiah, &c.] For greater authority ſake, as concurring with Ezra, and ready in their turn to perform the work. Praedicationis officium ſuſcipit quiſquis ad ſacerdotium accedit, ſaid Gregory long ſince. No preacher, is no Miniſter.