John Trapp on Nehemiah 9:17

Verſe 17. And refuſed to obey] Heb, To hearken. They not onely not hearkened, but refuſed to hear reaſons why they ſhould; as having made their concluſion, and being as good as ever they meant to be. This is to adde rebellion to ſinne: this is that ſtubbornneſſe that Ahaz is taxed of and branded for, 2 Chron. 28.25.

Neither were mindful of the wonders] Theſe ſoone grew ſtale to them, as the Pſalmiſt proves by their wicked practiſes, Pſal. 106.13. And truly who that looketh upon our lives, would ever think that God had done any wonders for us of this Nation, either by ſea or land, either againſt fire-works or water-works formerly; or againſt a viperous brood amongſt our ſelves, here alate?Num. 14.4.

And in their rebellion appointed a Captaine] They once talked (in their mad mood) of doing ſuch a thing, and therefore they are here ſaid to have done it: Like as Joſh. 24.9. it is ſaid that Balac aroſe and fought with Iſrael; and yet the ſtory ſaith no ſuch matter. But if he did not, yet becauſe he thought and talked of ſuch a matter; it was a done thing before the Lord!

But thou art a God ready to pardon] Heb. A God of pardons. One that haſt ſet up a pardon-office; where pardons for penitents lie ready ſealed, that the ſinner may not be to ſeek, that he may not periſh in his ſinnes while the plaiſter is in providing. It is our comfort that we have to do with a forgiving, ſinne-pardoning God, that doth it naturally, Exod. 34.6. plentifully, Iſ. 55.7. conſtantly, Pſ. 130.4. This ſhould be as a perpetual picture in our hearts.

Gracious] Doing all for us gratis, & ex mero motu; out of his free and unexcited love.

And merciful] All-bowels; whereby he is inclined to ſuccour them that are in miſery, notwithſtanding their ſinnes. See his Non-obſtante, Pſal. 106.8.

Long-ſuffering] Heb. Long of anger, that is, Long ere he will be angry; not haſty of ſpirit, as Prov. 14.17, 29. but wondrous patient, amidſt a world of provocations.

And of great kindneſſe] Exceeding propenſe to communicate good. The Hebrew word ſignifies a large quantity either continued (that is, magnitude or greatneſſe) Pſal. 48.2. Or diſcrete (that is, multitude) Pſal. 3.1, 2.

And forſookeſt them not] That is, not utterly, as David prayeth, Pſal. 119.8. and after him Solomon, 1 Kings 8.57. When God forſaketh a people or perſon, woe be to them, Hoſ. 9.12. What a terrible text is that, Ezek. 22.20. I will gather you in mine anger, and my fury, and I will leave you there? and that other, Jer. 16.13. I will caſt you out of this land into a land that ye know not — where I will not ſhew you favour? This laſt was worſe then all the reſt. This the Prophet well knew; and therefore cryed out, Lord leave us not, Jer. 17.17.

Extingui lucem ne patiare tuam.

Or if thou deſert us for a time, yet do not diſinherit us for ever. If thy dereliction of us be penal, M[illegible: 1 letter]ſ. Gerundin yet let it not be Perpetual.