site: migne

title: Liber Nehemiae

author: Anselm of Laon and his school

languages: en la

source_edition: Migne, Patrologia Latina, vol. 113, coll. 713A–726B

source_text:
## CAPUT PRIMUM.

[0713A]

VERS. 1.-- *Verba Nehemiae filii. [n: (BED. in Esdram, tom. II.)]* Nehemias interpretatur *consolator Domini,* etc., *usque ad* quasi diruta ab hostibus Hierosolymorum moenia restaurant.

*Verba Nehemiae. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Hucusque verba Esdrae, etc., *usque ad* qui non blandimentis temporalibus enervari, sed adversitatibus exerceri, et ad requiem sempiternam gaudent praeparari.

*In mense Casleu. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Mensis Casleu ipse est quem nos Decembrem vocamus, apud Hebraeos nonus, apud nos ultimus. Cujus nomen quod spes ejus interpretatur, bene congruit votis ejus, qui ad ruinas sanctae civitatis intendebat erigendas. Primum enim bonae actionis fundamentum est, spem habere [0713B] de auxilio Domini ad perficiendum quod cupimus. In hoc mense natus est Dominus, cujus nomine longe ante figurabatur, quod in eo mense verus Nehemias diu desideratus ad aedificationem Ecclesiae esset venturus.

*Eram in Susis. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Susis metropolis est Persarum, sed tanta firmitate, ut castrum esse videatur, et interpretatur equitatio vel revertens, quae fidelibus convenienter aptatur, eis maxime, qui de captivitate Jerusalem curam gerunt, id est, de salute eorum, qui aliquando per insidias diaboli de Ecclesia rapti poenitentes denuo per gratiam Dei sunt redacti. Tales enim sunt in revertente castro, id est, in robore mentis revocatae ab infimis ad desiderium patriae coelestis, et in equitatu sanctorum [0713C] cordium, quae scilicet portant sessorem Deum.

*Qui remanserunt. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Patet litterae sensus, etc., *usque ad* indignos arcere debuerant, avaritiae, luxuriae caeterorumque vitiorum incendio perire.

VERS. 4.-- *Flevi et luxi.* Si vir sanctus audiens destructa lignorum et lapidum aedificia recte lugebat, jejunabat, et orabat, diu sedens in tristitia, quanto magis in destructione et ruina animarum continuis luctibus, et orationibus est insistendum, ut miserante Deo ad pristinam erigantur sospitatem, qui in opprobrio religionis triumphante inimico jacebant diutina vitiorum sorde squalentes.

## CAPUT II.

[0713D]VERS. 1.-- *Factum est autem.* [n: (BED. in Esdram. )] Qui scilicet est primus mensis anni, etc., *usque ad* suum intimare. Erat quidem princeps vinarius, regi poculum porrigebat, officium laetitiae foris agebat, sed interius lugebat: quia civitatem sanctam dirutam, etc. Unde: *Super flumina Babylonis illic sedimus,* etc. [n: (Psal. CXXVI.)]

VERS. 5.-- *Si videtur,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)] Sicut per [0714A] Cyrum primum Persarum regem Christus significatur, etc., *usque ad* de qua tota prophetae sententia plenissime, prout potui, in libro temporum edisserere curavi.

VERS. 10.-- *Et audierunt.* Contristantur haeretici, etc., *usque ad* et eos, qui peccando erraverunt, poenitendo redire cognoscunt.

VERS. 15.-- *Considerabam murum Jerusalem.* Diversa destructae urbis loca lustrando pervagatur; et singula quomodo debeant reparari, sollicite scrutatur. Doctorum quoque spiritualium est saepius noctu surgere, et solerti indagine statum Ecclesiae quiescentibus caeteris inspicere, ut vigilanter inquirant, quomodo ea quae vitiorum bellis sordidata vel dejecta sunt, corrigant et erigant. Murus autem [0714B] Jerusalem dissipatus jacet, et conversatio fidelium terrenis et infirmis sordet affectibus. Portae sunt igni consumptae, cum hi qui aliis introitum vitae pandere debuerant, relicto veritatis magistro communi, cum caeteris ignavia torpent, et temporalibus curis inserviunt.

VERS. 17.-- *Quia Jerusalem deserta est. [n: (BED., ibid.)]* Plana sunt haec et spirituali sensu congrua: quia doctores, imo omnes qui zelo Dei fervent, in afflictione maxima sunt, quandiu Jerusalem, id est visionem pacis, quam nobis Deus reliquit et commendavit, bellis dissensionum cernunt esse desertam: et portas virtutum, quas juxta Isaiam laudatio occupare debuerat, praevalentibus inferorum portis dejectas, et opprobrio habitas.

## CAPUT III.

[0714C]

VERS. 1.-- *Et surrexit Eliasib sacerdos. [n: (BEDA in Esdram, tom. II, lib. III.)]* Id est, pontifex temporis illius filius Joachim, qui post patrem suum Jesum filium Josedec, non parvo tempore pontificatum tenuit. Et recte restauratio civitatis a sacerdote magno et fratribus ejus coepit: ut qui gradu praecesserant ordinis, exemplum fierent aliis in bonis operibus. Et bene aedificantibus sacerdotibus adjungitur: *Et usque ad turrim centum cubitorum sanctificaverunt eam usque ad turrim Hananael.* Aedificant enim sacerdotes in centenario numero cubitorum, cum omnes quos erudiunt, amore et desiderio aeternorum incendunt. Nam centum, quae in computo digitorum [0714D] de laeva transeunt in dexteram, coelestia bona figurant, quae comparatio terrenorum quasi dextera ad sinistram sunt.

*Et aedificaverunt. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Vetus translatio habet, etc., *usque ad* et in illa laventur.

[n: (ID., ibid.)] Videtur juxta litteram; etc., *usque ad* sola internae retributionis intentione protendunt.

*Portam gregis.* Quae, scilicet, respicit Joppen et [0715A] Diospolim, id est, Lyddam, vicinior mari inter cunctas vias Jerusalem; quae nunc porta David fertur appellari, et esse prima portarum ad occidentem montis Sion. Huic opinioni consentire videntur Verba dierum, ubi scriptum est de Manasse rege Juda: *Post hoc aedificavit murum extra civitatem David,* etc. [n: (II Par. XII.)]

[n: (BED., ibid.)] Typice autem, sicut grex significat Domini fideles, etc., *usque ad* temporibus autem Ezechiae duplicatum fuisse murum civitatis Verba dierum sic ostendunt: *Aedificavit quoque agens industrie omnem murum,* etc. [n: (II Par. XXIII.)]

Typice autem iste Sophonias vocem clamoris a porta piscium et ululatum audivit a secunda: quia ab hostibus utramque dejiciendam praecognovit. Fidem [0715B] enim et opera doctorum per quae ab undis vitae corruptibilis caeteros erui, et in Ecclesiam oportebat induci, vidit diaboli insidiis terrae esse sternenda, id est, per appetitum terrenae voluptatis coelestibus gaudiis esse privandos. Bene autem ab utraque porta, prima, scilicet, et secunda, interiori et exteriori, vocem clamoris et ululatus audivit: quia exterius opera, et intus corda diabolo impugnante vidit subvertenda. Sed quia Dominus erigit elisos, Nehemias portam piscium post ruinam narrat instauratam: quia si aliqui praedicatorum peccando corruerint, non deerunt usque in finem saeculi, qui succedentes portas justitiae Domino adjuvante fidelibus bene vivendo et praedicando aperiant.

*Ipsi texerunt. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Hic versus etiam de caeteris [0715C] portis, etc., *usque ad* qui plus periculi nobis laudando afferant, quam salutaris adminiculi a nobis videndo referant.

VERS. 6.-- *Ad portam veterem.* De qua dicit Joannes: *Charissimi, non mandatum novum scribo vobis, sed vetus quod habuistis ab initio [n: (I Joan. II)]*. *Mandatum vetus est verbum quod audistis.* Porta vero vetus aedificatur in Jerusalem, cum verbum fidei et dilectionis quod ab initio Ecclesiae traditum est, vel recuperatur in errantibus, vel in nuper credentibus instituitur.

VERS. 8.-- *Ad murum.* Firmitatem scilicet et munimentum perfectae dilectionis in cordibus electorum, ad quam instructores ejus aedificando perveniunt, cum in operibus charitatis proficiendo dicunt: [0715D] *Viam mandatorum tuorum cucurri,* etc. [n: (Psal. CXVIII)], illa, scilicet dilatatione mentis illustratae, quae et amicum in Deo et inimicum diligunt propter Deum.

VERS. 13.-- *Et portam vallis.* [n: (BEDA, ubi supra. )] Vallis Josaphat, quae et Gehennon, etc., *usque ad* id est humiles dono supernae refectionis.

*Et portam vallis. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Bene post portam veterem et murum latioris plateae aedificatur porta vallis, quia post rudimenta catholicae fidei quae per dilectionem operatur, necesse est ut humilitas nobis quasi custos virtutum tenenda insinuetur, ut quanto magni sumus, humiliemur in omnibus.

*Et mille. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Ferunt quia situs urbis Jerusalem, [0716A] etc., *usque ad* ut omnia a se rudera actionis noxiae inutilis locutionis et etiam superfluae cogitationis ejiciant.

VERS. 15.-- *Et portam fontis aedificavit Sellum filius,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)] Narrant scriptores, etc., *usque ad* gradus ipsius Ecclesiae incrementis et profectibus bonorum operum, quae per humilitatem fiunt comparans.

*De civitate David,* etc. Civitas David juxta litteram mons Sion appellatur, qui a meridie positus pro arce urbi supereminet, et major pars civitatis infra montem jacet in planitie humilioris collis sita. Unde in libro Regum: *Cepit autem David arcem Sion, haec est civitas David [n: (II Reg. V)]*. Et paulo post: *Habitavit autem David in arce, et [0716B] vocavit eam civitatem David [n: (Ibid.)]*.

VERS. 16.-- *Aedificavit Nehemias filius Asboth,* etc. [n: (BEDA, ubi supra. )] Post portam fontis et muros piscinae Siloe, etc., *usque ad* et ad regnum coeleste ascensuros cognoscant.

*Contra sepulcrum David,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)] Nota David non in Bethlehem, ut quidam putant, sed in Jerusalem esse sepultum certa ratione mysterii. Sicut enim in Bethlehem natus et in regem unctus Christum ibidem nasciturum de suo semine, et a magis sub persona regis adorandum figuravit; ita in Jerusalem defunctus et sepultus ipsum in eadem civitate passurum ac sepeliendum.

*Ad piscinam, etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Piscinam, Scripturam scilicet divinam, etc., *usque ad* et si hostis antiquus [0716C] fontem nobis abstulerit verbi Dei, continuo in arcem mentis irrumpit.

VERS. 19.-- *Et aedificavit,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)] Hucusque primus civitatis murus exstruitur, etc., *usque ad* in quo interni arbitrii oculos offendamus.

*Contra ascensum,* etc. Hic est Christus qui in fide sua et dilectione Judaeorum populum adunavit et gentium: unde lapis angularis dicitur. Contra cujus ascensum mensura secunda aedificatur, cum per munditiam piae cogitationis ad visionem ejus tendimus, cum etiam in hac vita retenti crebro visionis ejus desiderio suspiramus. Sequuntur plurimi structorum ordines, qui mensuram secundam aedificasse narrantur: quia maxima Ecclesiae structura est in [0716D] munimine interioris virtutis, cum scilicet omni custodia munimus cor nostrum, quoniam ex ipso vita procedit. Singula vero ad intelligentiam spiritualem trahere nimis longum est.

VERS. 26.-- *Nathinaei.* Dicuntur Gabaonitae, qui in ministerium domus Domini juxta dispositionem Josue filii Nun fideli devotione serviebant.

*In Ophel. [n: (BEDA, ibid.)]* Turris erat non longe a templo altitudine enormi. Unde Ophel, id est, tenebrarum vel nubili nomen accepit, quia nubibus caput inseruit. Denique ubi in Michaea scriptum est: *Et tu turris gregis nebulosa [n: (Mich. IV)]*, benedicitur turris Ophel. Haec turris in qua parte sit civitatis, liber Paralipomenon ostendit, dicens quod *Manasses aedificavit murum extra civitatem David ad occidentem [0717A] Gihon in convalle, ab introitu portae piscium per circuitum usque ad Ophel [n: (II Par. XXXIII)]*. Conveniebat ergo juxta situm loci, ut ministri templi in vicina templo turre habitarent.

Mystice autem Nathinaei habitant in Ophel, id est, in turre nebulosa, cum hi qui professione perfectioris vitae dicati sunt Deo, et in munimento et altitudine virtutum actione semper et cogitatione morantur, et conversatio eorum in coelis est, quos admirans vulgus ait: *Qui sunt isti qui ut nubes volant [n: (Isa. LX)]*, etc. Item Thecueni habitant in Ophel, cum quique religionis habitu insignes abdita Scripturarum de quibus scriptum est: *Tenebrosa aqua in nubibus aeris [n: (Psal. XVII)]*, id est, mystica scientia in prophetis, illustrato corde penetrant, et assidue legunt, [0717B] et meditantur.

*Contra. [n: (BEDA, ibid.)]* Dominum scilicet, qui quotidie nos misericordiae suae gratia, ne in aerumnis vitae labamur praesentis et deficiamus, irrigat, etc., *usque ad* et quia post praesentia virtutum dona ad videndam claritatem Domini ascenditur, recte infertur: *Post eum aedificaverunt Thecueni,* etc.

VERS. 27.-- *A turre.* A turre magna et eminenti usque ad murum templi pervenit structura civitatis, cum justi ab altitudine contemplationis, quae mentem in hac vita despectis temporalibus ad coelestia desideria suspendunt, veraciter in illa vita ad claritatem Dominicae incarnationis intuendam, patefacta etiam divinae aeternitatis gloria ascendunt. Et quia Thecua buccina vel tuba, Thecueni buccinatores interpretantur, [0717C] apte dicitur quod Thecueni hoc aedificaverint. Doctorum enim est quorum sonus exit in omnem terram, praesentia Dei dona vel futura in civitate ejus, id est, fidelibus patefacere.

*Ad murum templi.* Corpus scilicet Christi: de quo dicitur Joan. II: *Solvite templum hoc, et in tribus diebus excitabo illud:* quod scilicet persecutores in morte solverant, sed excitatum et ad coelos exaltatum amatores videre non cessant in gloria.

VERS. 28.-- *Sursum autem,* etc. [n: (BEDA, ibid.)] Hanc portam significat Jeremias esse in orientali plaga civitatis, etc., *usque ad* equi cum in bono accipiuntur, sicut asini, cameli, et muli, conversos ad Dominum populos Gentilium, vel curas rerum temporalium, Domino scilicet animae subjugatas ostendunt.

[0717D] *Aedificaverunt sacerdotes,* etc. Sacerdotes vero civitatis Dei murum ad portam aquarum aedificant, cum doctores post vocationem Judaeorum ad inducendos in Ecclesiam Gentiles, verbum Dei seminando perveniunt.

[n: (BEDA, ibid.)] Longum est de singulis aedificiis vel aedificatoribus mystice disserere, etc., *usque ad* nomina conscribit in coelo.

## CAPUT IV.

VERS. 1.-- . . . *Sanaballat . . . motus nimis subsannavit Judaeos. [n: (BEDA in Esdram, lib. III, cap. 19, tom. II.)]* Plane ira haereticorum est. Haec sunt [0718A] verba eorum qui se Samaritanos cognominant, id est, custodes legis Dei, etc., *usque ad* et ornamenta virtutum moribus emendati consequantur.

VERS. 3.-- *Sed et Tobias,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)] Hujus Tobiae persona et verba haereticis conveniunt, etc., *usque ad* quibus fructiferas fidelium mentes corrumpere nituntur.

VERS. 9.-- *Et oravimus.* Hoc est unicum contra hostes Ecclesiae refugium, oratio scilicet ad Deum, et industria doctorum, qui die nocteque in lege ejus meditantes, corda fidelium contra insidias diaboli et militum ejus praedicando, consolando, et exhortando praemuniant.

VERS. 10.-- *Humus nimia est. [n: (BEDA, ibid.)]* Congesta, scilicet, in loco muri, etc., *usque ad* et pro [0718B] domo vel civitate procella tentationis ingruente, ruinam aedificasse probatur.

VERS. 11.-- *Dixerunt hostes,* etc. Haec in aedificio spirituali agi solent; manet enim indefessus hostis cum satellitibus suis, spiritibus scilicet immundis et hominibus malignis, qui opera virtutum et fidei nobis incautis impedire et expugnare contendunt, et mentem fidelium mucrone pravae suggestionis interficere. Sed contra haec nobis armatura Dei sumenda est, ut possimus resistere in die malo, et in omnibus perfecti stare.

VERS. 13.-- *Statui in loco,* etc. Ut agmine, scilicet armatorum circumdati operatores liberius et securius aedificarent. Dispertiti enim sunt gradus fidelium: alii bonis operibus intus ornantes Ecclesiam [0718C] aedificant: alii armis sacrae lectionis muniti contra impugnantes haereticos vigilant. Hi religiosa devotione proximos in fidei veritate confortant, illi adversus diaboli vel vitiorum tela necessarium certamen exercent, et ab ovili dominico insidiantes lupos pastorali sollicitudine arcent.

VERS. 16.-- *A die illa, media pars,* etc. [n: (BED., ibid., cap. 20.)] Notandum, quia non solum media pars juvenum faciebat opus, etc., *usque ad* minorisque laboris est incognitam cavere carnis voluptatem, quam rejicere cognitam.

VERS. 22.-- *Et sint vobis vices per noctem et diem. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Nota quantum studium in operando habuerint, etc., *usque ad* contradicentes arguendo ab Ecclesia [0718D] repellunt.

## CAPUT V.

VERS. 1.-- *Et factus est clamor,* etc. [n: (BEDA in Esdr., lib. III, cap. 21.)] Desiderabat populus murum construere, etc., *usque ad* et manus nostras a propriis voluptatibus avertens ad construendam Christi convertat civitatem.

[n: (ID., ibid.)] Tribus de causis augetur clamor populi. Quidam fame coacti filios suos ditioribus vendere volebant: alii liberis parcentes agros potius et domos. Nonnulli, prohibentes liberorum et agrorum venditionem, hoc tantum persuadebant, ut mutuo sumerent pecuniam in tributa regis, oppignoratis agris et vineis, donec redeunte fertilitate reddere [0719A] possent feneratoribus quod mutuo accepissent.

VERS. 7.-- *Et increpavi optimates,* etc. [n: (BED., ibid.)] Tanquam dux optimus militiae coelestis et sapiens architectus civitatis Dei, etc., *usque ad* ut dimittat nobis Pater debita nostra.

VERS. 13.-- *Insuper excussi sinum meum, et dixi: Sic excutiat Deus omnem,* etc. Huic sententiae terribilis clausula imponitur. Quicunque enim pauperibus misericordiam non impendit, vel ab eis qui non habent velut juste exigit, de domo sua excutitur, id est, de coetu Ecclesiae, in qua putabat se perpetuo manere, et de laboribus, scilicet, in fructibus bonorum operum, in quibus se laudabiliter laborasse putabat: nil prorsus laboris recipiet. Labores enim sine pietate non possunt apud Deum fructuosi esse.

[0719B] *Et dixit universa multitudo, Amen.* Quantum Nehemiae objurgatio vel imprecatio corda omnium moverit, ostenditur: audita enim contestatione respondentes, amen, et Deum collaudantes, fecerunt quae jusserat. In quo patet: quia non timore, sed amore dicta ejus susceperunt.

VERS. 14.-- *Per annos duodecim. [n: (BEDA, ubi supra.)]* Hoc exponit Apostolus, dicens: *Quia statuit Dominus eos qui Evangelium annuntiant, de Evangelio vivere: ego autem nullo horum usus sum [n: (I Cor. IX)]*. Duodecim autem annis Nehemias cum fratribus suis ita in ducatu vivebant, ut annonas quae ducibus debebantur, non comederent: insinuans evangelicum opus esse in regimine plebis, opus rectoris notabiliter circa Ecclesiam exercere, et a subditis commodum [0719C] terrenum non quaerere.

## CAPUT VI.

VERS. 2.-- *Veni, et percutiamus foedus,* etc. [n: (BEDA, in Esdr., lib. III, cap. 23, tom. II.)] Hostes sanctae civitatis persuadebant Nehemiae in campestria descendere, etc., *usque ad* quia versutus hostis semper manus nostras tentat impedire, curemus eas semper divino auxilio confortare.

VERS. 10.-- *Et ingressus.* Pulsatus insidiis hostium Nehemias domum Samariae quasi amici et fratris ingreditur, sed ipsum insidiatorem et hostem invenit, tanquam externorum donis et amicitia corruptum. Semper enim electi habent foris pugnas, intus timores, nec solum apostoli, sed et prophetae periculis [0719D] ex genere, periculis ex gentibus, periculis ex falsis fratribus suspectam vitam agebant.

VERS. 15.-- *Mensis Eliud. [n: (BEDA, ubi supra.)]* Qui secundum Hebraeos sextus est, etc., *usque ad* et deinceps se in Dei et proximi dilectione in bonis operibus adornent.

VERS. 16.-- *Universae gentes. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Qui autem structores sanctae civitatis terrere volebant, etc., *usque ad* et ab Ecclesia expulsi.

## CAPUT VII.

VERS. 1.-- *Postquam autem aedificatus est murus,* etc. [n: (BEDA, in Esdr., lib. III, cap. 24, tom. II.)] Mystice: ubi Ecclesiae murus collectis ad fidem novis populis [0720A] vel correctis his qui erraverant aedificatus fuerit, mox ponendae sunt valvae regularis disciplinae; ne diabolus, qui quasi leo rugiens circumit, in ovile Dei possit irrumpere.

*Recensui janitores. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Janitores qui, scilicet, claves regni coelorum perceperunt, ut dignos et humiles suscipiant; superbos vero et indignos ab ingressu supernae civitatis arceant, dicendo: *Non est tibi pars, neque sors in sermone hoc. Cor enim tuum non est rectum coram Deo [n: (Act. VIII)]*.

VERS. 3.-- *Non aperiantur portae . . . usque ad calorem solis,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)], id est, toto tempore noctis, etc., *usque ad* unde: *Et portae ejus non claudentur per diem, nox non erit illic [n: (Apoc. XXI)]*.

*Et posui custodes. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Custodes animarum [0720B] non sunt de neophytis vel de plebe constituendi, sed de illis qui a certamine vitiorum Dei gratia liberati, jam mentem in Jerusalem, id est in visione tranquillae pacis habent, quorum conversatio in coelis est. Aliis enim consummato cursu de hac luce subtractis, alii mox substituuntur, nec unquam desinit qui pacem Ecclesiae excubando ambiant propter timores nocturnos, secundum illud: *Pro patribus tuis nati sunt tibi filii [n: (Psal. XLIV)]*.

Haec illi tempori typice conveniunt, quo seminato per apostolos longe lateque Dei verbo, totus orbis novum fidei germen accepit, necdum Ecclesiae aedificatae, sed tantum auditu verbi et sacramentis populi adhuc rudes erant imbuti. Ideo congregatis non solum optimatibus, sed et vulgo diligenter eorum numerum [0720C] recensere curavit, ut perspecta omnium summa, discernere posset, qui in Jerusalem, qui in aliis civitatibus habitare deberent.

*Unumquemque contra domum.* Sic enim custodia sanctae Ecclesiae rite perficitur, si quisque ita sollicitudinem omnium fidelium gerat, ut specialiter eis quibus Deo auctore praelatus est, curam diligentioris studii impendat.

VERS. 66.-- *Omnis multitudo quasi vir unus.* [n: (JOSE.)] Populum etiam agros colentem decimas fructuum ad Hierosolymam jussit offerre, ut habentes sacerdotes et levitae alimenta, perpetua religionis jura non derelinquerent. Et hi quidem libenter sequebantur decreta Nehemiae. Civitatem vero exinde contigit hominum multitudine compleri. Multa etiam talia [0720D] bona et laudibus digna cum summa fecisset magnificentia Nehemias, ad senectutem perveniens defunctus est.

## CAPUT VIII.

VERS. 1.-- *Et venerat mensis septimus. [n: (BEDA, in Esdr., lib. III, cap. 26, tom. II.)]* Qui non longe aberat. Cum enim murus esset vicesima quinta die sexti mensis completus quinque tantum dies ad exordium septimi mensis supererant, qui a prima die usque ad vicesimam secundam totus legitimis caeremoniis consecratus est, quibus ita rite celebratis, deinde ad disponendos urbis mansores cum principibus et plebe reversus est.

*Congregatusque omnis populus quasi vir unus ad [0721A] plateam quae,* etc. [n: (BED., ibid.)] Notanda devotio populi et concordia, etc., *usque ad* quarum cantu populus inter orationes et hostias ardentius ad legis memoriam excitaretur.

Mystice quoque aedificata civitate oportet sequi lectionem divinam, et tubas sonare crebriores, ut populus, sacramentis coelestibus initiatus etiam sacris eloquiis ex tempore solertius qualiter vivere debeat, instruatur.

*Ante portam aquarum. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Portam aquarum reor dici in atrio sacerdotum, etc., *usque ad* bene ergo ante portam aquarum collectus est populus tanquam per antistitem suum fluentis Scripturarum spiritualiter potandus.

VERS. 4.-- *Stetit autem Esdras scriba super gradum.* [0721B] [n: (ID., ibid.)] Videtur meminisse, etc., *usque ad* ut timidus et erubescens quae ipse non fecit, aliis faciendo praedicit, etc.

Cum praesules quantum honore, tantum opere subditos antecellunt, ipsi eorum exemplis incitati vitae suae gradum exsequuntur devoti, et ab eis pie admoniti pro peccatis vel desiderio patriae coelestis lacrymas profundere delectantur. Unde bene subditur, flebat enim omnis populus, cum audiret verba legis, etc.

VERS. 10.-- *Ite et comedite,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)] Ut infirmiores conscientias proximorum exemplo piae actionis, et suavitate devotae admonitionis confortemus, praecipit, quatenus sicut adipe et pinguedine repleantur, aliisque exsultationis laudent nomen [0721C] Domini. Juxta litteram quoque cum in festis diebus post orationem lectionem et psalmorum studia completa carnem reficimus, pauperum et peregrinorum meminisse debemus.

*Nolite contristari.* Doctores qui mentes auditorum sacris lectionibus ad lacrymas excitant, et iidem consolantur, dum gaudia secutura promittunt.

VERS. 11.-- *Quia dies sanctus est.* Dum scilicet verbis Domini audiendis et implendis operam damus, in quo die quamvis exterius adversa patientes, nos in spe gaudere oportet. Unde: *Quasi tristes, semper autem gaudentes [n: (II Cor. VI)]*, etc.

VERS. 14.-- *Et invenerunt,* etc. [n: (BEDA, ubi supra.)] Haec in Levitico plenius scripta sunt, etc., *usque ad* meminisse nos oportet, quia *incolae sumus in terra, [0721D] et peregrini sicut patres nostri [n: (Psal. XXXVIII)]*.

VERS. 15.-- *Ligni pulcherrimi,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)] Quod scilicet Hebraei vocant cedrum. Frondes vero myrti et obumbraculum sibi affert qui dicere potest, *Christi bonus odor sumus Deo in omni loco [n: (II Cor. II)]*.

*Frondes ligni pulcherrimi et frondes myrti,* etc. Fructus charitatis quae inter omnes virtutes pulcherrima, per quam et Christus lignum crucis pro nostra salute ascendit, cujus passionem dum quantam possumus, imitamur, frondibus profecto ligni pulcherrimi et myrti in mortificationem vitiorum et libidinum protegimur. Magi enim Domino myrrham offerentes docuerunt, quia qui Christ sunt, carnem suam cum vitiis et concupiscentiis crucifigunt.

[0722A] *Ramos palmarum. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Ramos palmarum afferimus, quod est manus victricis ornatus, cum mentem vitiorum victricem gerimus, et invictam cunctis hostibus, ut stemus *ante thronum in conspectu Agni, amicti stolis albis, et palmae in manibus nostris [n: (Apoc. VII)]*.

VERS. 16.-- *Unusquisque in domate. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* In domate suo, etc., *usque ad* et in majoribus bonae actionis frugibus abundare mereamur.

VERS. 18.-- *Septem diebus. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Scenopegia septem diebus agebatur, etc., *usque ad* in conspectu Dei congregatus, et nunquam segregandus exsultaverit.

## CAPUT IX.

VERS. 1.-- *In die autem,* etc. *(BEDA, ubi supra, [0722B] cap. 28.)* Notanda correcti populi devotio, etc., *usque ad* cum a caeteris laboribus cessatur divinis lectionibus aures liberius commodantur.

*Et dixit Esdras.* Usque ad finem orationis vel confessionis ejus, quod supra dictum est, quia confitebantur peccata sua, et peccata patrum suorum, plenius Esdra deprecante qualiter factum sit, ostenditur.

VERS. 38.-- *Super omnibus ergo his. [n: (BEDA, in Esdr., lib. III, tom. II.)]* Ostendit quanta devotione omnes personae eorum novum post festa scenopegiae conventum fecerint, ut scilicet tota se intentione a scelerum contagiis expurgatos divino foederi conjungerent, et foederis sancti conditionem sermone firmarent et scripto; et sic ab impiorum consortio separati, securiores replerent opus, quod dudum [0722C] coeperant, id est, ut congruos urbis cives de numero impiorum instituerent.

## CAPUT X.

VERS. 1.-- *Signatores,* etc. Alia translatio: *Nehemias qui Athersata fertur,* erat enim dionymos unde singulariter subjungitur filius Achelai, quod superius apertius dicitur: *Dixit autem Nehemias, et ipse est Athersata [n: (II Esd. VII)]*.

[n: (ID., ibid.)] Nobis quoque sabbatum spirituale semper agendum est, etc., *usque ad* primo die a malis emundare necesse est, deinde bonis actibus adornari.

## CAPUT XI.

VERS. 1.-- *Habitaverunt autem. [n: (BEDA, in Esdr., lib. III, tom. II.)]* Nunc completa est dispositio, etc., [0722D] *usque ad* sed occulti judicis et largitoris munere percipiunt.

VERS. 3.-- *Et in Jerusalem. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* His verbis ostenditur, etc., *usque ad* nam sequitur: *De filiis Juda habitaverunt in Cariatharbe [n: (II Esd. XI)]*.

[n: (ID., ibid.)] Judas interpretatur *confitens* vel *confessio,* etc., *usque ad* cum eorum qui sunt in agro unus assumetur, et alter relinquetur.

## CAPUT XII.

VERS. 1.-- *Hi sunt autem,* etc. [n: (BEDA, ubi supra. )] Hic principes sacerdotum una cum fratribus suis, etc., *usque ad* ideoque illum superstite adhuc Nehemia nasci potuisse.

[0723A] [n: (BED., ibid.)] Descripta est successio principum sacerdotum et levitarum, etc., *usque ad* amica provisione restaurant, et debito honore exaltant.

[n: (ID., ibid.)] Jamdudum aedificata erat civitas, etc., *usque ad* tunc in re ipsa fruentium divina visione beatorum hominum in corporibus spiritualibus inter angelica agmina.

VERS. 27.-- *Et in cymbalis,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)] Cymbala, psalteria et citharae, etc., *usque ad* et corda proximorum ad amorem ejus accendunt, etc.

VERS. 28.-- *Filii cantorum. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Imitatores scilicet eorum, etc., *usque ad* et in ipso tempore dedicationis, id est, perpetuae remunerationis ibidem pariter uniuntur.

VERS. 30.-- *Et mundati. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Justus omnino [0723B] ordo, etc., *usque ad* et vinctis manibus et pedibus in tenebras exteriores mittatur.

VERS. 31.-- *Principes Juda,* etc., id est confessionis vel laudis, perfectiores sunt Ecclesiae doctores, qui in dedicatione civitatis super murum ascendunt: quia in tempore tribulationis generalem Ecclesiae conversationem altius vivendo transcendisse probantur. De his enim dicitur: *Super muros tuos Jerusalem constitui custodes [n: (Isai. LXII)]*, etc. Jure ergo qui nunc muris Ecclesiae tanquam vigiles praesunt, tunc quoque eisdem gloria remunerationis praeeminebunt.

*Et statui duos choros.* Vel spurcitiam peccatorum in praesenti de Ecclesia correctius vivendo, et errantes corrigendo expurgent, et in futuro qui corrigi noluerunt, judiciaria potestate de civitate Domini, [0723C] id est ingressu patriae coelestis, expellant. Vel chori laudantium ad dexteram euntes super murum ad portam sterquilinii ascendunt, dum eos dignos laude praedicant qui omnem immunditiam de Ecclesia praedicando, arguendo, excommunicando, eliminant.

VERS. 34.-- *Et de filiis sacerdotum,* etc. In hac vita filii sacerdotum in dedicatione civitatis Dei tubis canunt, qui ad memoriam patriae coelestis corda auditorum praedicando succendunt.

VERS. 35.-- *In vasis cantici David.* Quia non suo sensu vel desideriis innituntur, sed patrum et prophetarum vitam et doctrinam per omnia sequentes verbo praedicationis insistunt.

*Et Esdras scriba.* Quia in omnibus quae agunt verba sanctae Scripturae prae oculis habent, quibus [0723D] ducibus ad ingressum vitae aeternae perveniant, ut inebrientur ab ubertate domus Dei, et torrente voluptatis ejus, apud quem est fons vitae, etc.

VERS. 36.-- *Et contra eos ascenderunt in gradibus. [n: (BED., ibid.)]* Cum civitas aedificaretur, etc., *usque ad* sanctam Trinitatem socia exsultatione concelebrant.

*Super domum David. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Ascendunt filii sacerdotum, etc., *usque ad* ortumque solis justitiae sine occasu videre merentur.

VERS. 37.-- *Et super turrim furnorum. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Longum est de singulis portis vel turribus specialiter disserere, etc., *usque ad* circumspecta semper est necesse cautela et sollicitudine muniri.

[0724A]VERS. 39.-- *Steteruntque duo chori. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Perambulatis moenibus et portis civitatis, etc., *usque ad* in cujus implenda voluntate infatigabili mente permaneo.

VERS. 41.-- *Et clare cecinerunt. Dirupisti vincula mea: tibi sacrificabo hostiam laudis. Vota mea Domino reddam in atriis domus Domini, in conspectu omnis populi in medio tui, Jerusalem [n: (Psal. CXV)]*. Hoc fit cum in coelesti patria omnium sanctorum multitudine congregata, eas pro quibus in praesenti gemimus quasque gratiarum actione quotidiano desiderio sitimus, laudes efferimus.

VERS. 42.-- *Deus enim laetificaverat,* etc. [n: (BEDA, ibid.)] Haec ad dedicationem sanctae civitatis, etc., *usque ad* et victimas bonorum operum maximas immolare [0724B] curabant.

*Sed et uxores,* etc. Quia tempore resurrectionis non solum qui praedicando vel fortiter operando Ecclesiam aedificarunt, fructum laboris percipiunt, sed etiam infirmiores ejusdem fidei consortes, eadem vitae perceptione laetantur. *Benedixit* enim *Dominus pusillis cum majoribus [n: (Psal. CXIII)]*.

VERS. 43.-- *Recensuerunt quoque,* etc. [n: (BEDA, ibid.)] Gaudentibus cunctis, etc., *usque ad* et cum magna laude et laetitia erat dedicata.

## CAPUT XIII.

VERS. 1.-- *In die autem illo lectum,* etc. [n: (BEDA in Esdr., lib. III, tom. II.)] Hi quia de incestu nati sunt, etc., *usque ad* sed Deus maledictionem Balaam [0724C] in benedictionem populi sui convertit, et eum ab armis inimicorum munivit.

VERS. 3.-- *Factum est autem,* etc. Quia necesse est nos auditui veritatis intendere, ubi cum ab uno quolibet vitio lectione divina prohibemur, continuo etiam quidquid vitii sordidantis in nobis deprehendimus, ab actione nostra et conscientia repellamus.

VERS. 6.-- *In omnibus his. [n: (BED., ibid.)]* Haec sententia, etc., *usque ad* quae reversus Nehemias mox exstirpavit.

VERS. 8.-- *Et projeci vasa domus Tobiae. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Qui supradictus est servus Ammonites inimicus populi Dei, etc., *usque ad* quae communicatio haereticis et schismaticis cum orthodoxis et pacificis filiis Dei.

*Et projeci. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Tu quoque quidquid inter [0724D] fideles infidelitatis et immunditiae repereris, etc., *usque ad* sicut enim Nehemias in caeteris, ita et in hoc ejus personam repraesentavit.

[n: (ID., ibid.)] Sex diebus operari per legem quae necessaria sunt, in septima jubemur quiescere, etc., *usque ad* ab his quae ad victum et vestitum pertinent, prorsus intuitum avertant, sed congruo moderamine dispensent.

VERS. 16.-- *Inferentes pisces et omnia,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)] Piscis bonus, est pia fides, quam qui a Domino petit serpentem infidelitatis non accipit. Piscis autem malus, infirma cogitatio quae se curis hujus mundi ultra modum immergit, quam nobis Tyrii, id est, coangustatis quaerunt in sabbato vendere, cum immundi spiritus quietem nostrae cogitationis importune [0725A] profundis saeculi curis obruere tentant. Sed pro tali mercatu Nehemias optimates objurgat Juda et castigat, dum divina inspiratio eos qui professioni pietatis servire conantur, ab hujusmodi cogitationibus purgat.

VERS. 19.-- *Factum est autem. [n: (BED., ibid.)]* Conscientia nostra, etc., *usque ad* ideo merito sequitur.

VERS. 22.-- *Dixi quoque Levitis ut mundarentur,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)] Mundari eos a quotidiano operis exercitio necesse est, etc., *usque ad* oportet ut prius mentem suam et actus purificent ab omni errorum labe.

VERS. 23.-- *Sed et in diebus illis. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* In Ecclesia uxores alienigenas ducunt, etc. *usque ad* sed gentili sensu interpretantes.

[0725B]VERS. 30.-- *Igitur mundavi eos. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Apertius per omnia finis et condignus aedificio sanctae [0726A] civitatis et templi Domini, ut emundatis civibus alienae a Deo pollutionis, ordines sacerdotum et levitarum in ministerio suo rite custodiantur, ut instituti regulariter magistri Ecclesiae castigatum ab omni peccato populum de caetero in bono permanere, et crescere semper exhortentur.

VERS. 31.-- *Et in oblatione lignorum in temporibus constitutis et in primitiis.* Inter caetera populus ligna offert ad ignem altaris nutriendum, cum opera virtutum divina consecratione digna operantur. Ardent ligna et consumuntur in altari holocaustorum, cum in cordibus electorum, opera justitiae flamma charitatis perficiuntur.

*Memento mei, Deus, in bonum.* Merito talis conditor et dedicator civitatis, post multos devotionis labores, [0726B] memoriae se Creatoris et largitoris omnium bonorum commendat.

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## CHAPTER ONE.

[0713A]

VERS. 1.-- *The words of Nehemias the son. [n: (BED. in Esdram, tom. II.)]* Nehemias is interpreted *the consoler of the Lord,* etc., *as far as* they restore, as it were, the walls of Jerusalem thrown down by enemies.

*The words of Nehemias. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Thus far the words of Esdras, etc., *as far as* who rejoice not to be unnerved by temporal blandishments, but to be exercised by adversities, and to be made ready for everlasting rest.

*In the month Casleu. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* The month Casleu is that very one which we call December, the ninth among the Hebrews, the last among us. Its name, in that it is interpreted his hope, accords well with the vows of him who was intent upon raising up the ruins of the holy city. For the first foundation of a good action is to have hope [0713B] of the Lord's help toward accomplishing what we desire. In this month the Lord was born, by whose name it was figured long beforehand that in that month the true Nehemias, long desired, was to come for the building of the Church.

*I was in Susa. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Susa is the chief city of the Persians, but of such strength that it seems to be a fortress, and it is interpreted a riding, or returning, which is fittingly suited to the faithful, and most of all to those who bear a care for the captivity of Jerusalem, that is, for the salvation of those who, once snatched away from the Church by the snares of the devil, have by repenting been brought back again through the grace of God. For such men are in the returning fortress, that is, in the strength of a mind called back from the lowest things to the desire of the heavenly country, and in the cavalry of holy [0713C] hearts, which, namely, carry God as their rider.

*They that remained. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* The sense of the letter is plain, etc., *as far as* they ought to have kept off the unworthy, to perish in the burning of avarice, of luxury and of the other vices.

VERS. 4.-- *I wept and mourned.* If a holy man, hearing that buildings of wood and stone had been destroyed, rightly mourned, fasted and prayed, sitting long in sadness, how much more, in the destruction and ruin of souls, must one persist in continual lamentations and prayers, that by God's mercy they may be raised up to their former soundness who lay in the reproach of religion, with the enemy triumphing, squalid with the long-standing filth of the vices.

## CHAPTER II.

[0713D]VERS. 1.-- *And it came to pass.* [n: (BED. in Esdram. )] Which, namely, is the first month of the year, etc., *as far as* to make known his own. He was indeed chief cupbearer, he held out the cup to the king, outwardly he performed an office of gladness, but inwardly he mourned: because the holy city was overthrown, etc. Whence: *Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat,* etc. [n: (Psal. CXXVI.)]

VERS. 5.-- *If it seem good,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)] As by [0714A] Cyrus the first king of the Persians Christ is signified, etc., *as far as* concerning which I have taken care to expound the prophet's whole judgment most fully, as I was able, in the book of times.

VERS. 10.-- *And they heard.* The heretics are saddened, etc., *as far as* and they know that those who have gone astray by sinning return by repenting.

VERS. 15.-- *I considered the wall of Jerusalem.* He ranges over the various places of the destroyed city by surveying them; and searches out carefully how each is to be repaired. It belongs also to spiritual teachers to rise often by night, and with keen inquiry to inspect the state of the Church while the rest are at rest, so that they may watchfully search out how they may correct and raise up those things which have been befouled or cast down by the wars of the vices. But the wall [0714B] of Jerusalem lies broken down, and the conversation of the faithful is befouled with earthly and feeble affections. The gates are consumed with fire, when they who ought to have opened the entrance of life to others, having forsaken the common master of truth, grow torpid in sloth along with the rest, and are enslaved to temporal cares.

VERS. 17.-- *That Jerusalem is desolate. [n: (BED., ibid.)]* These things are plain and agreeable to the spiritual sense: because the teachers, nay rather all who burn with zeal for God, are in the greatest affliction so long as they perceive Jerusalem, that is, the vision of peace, which God has left and commended to us, to be made desolate by the wars of dissensions: and the gates of the virtues, which according to Isaias praise ought to have occupied, cast down by the prevailing gates of hell, and held in reproach.

## CHAPTER III.

[0714C]

VERS. 1.-- *And Eliasib the priest rose up. [n: (BEDA in Esdram, tom. II, lib. III.)]* That is, the high priest of that time, the son of Joachim, who after his father Jesus the son of Josedec held the pontificate for no small time. And rightly did the restoration of the city begin from the great priest and his brethren: that they who had gone before in the degree of order might become an example to others in good works. And well is it joined to the building priests: *And unto the tower of a hundred cubits they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananael.* For the priests build in the hundredfold number of cubits, when they set on fire all whom they instruct with the love and desire of things eternal. For a hundred, which in the reckoning of the fingers [0714D] passes over from the left hand into the right, figures the heavenly goods, which are the comparison of earthly things [cj: *comparatio*; read *comparatione*, "in comparison with earthly things"] as the right hand to the left.

*And they built. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* The old translation has, etc., *as far as* and let them be washed in it.

[n: (ID., ibid.)] It seems, according to the letter; etc., *as far as* they stretch forward with the sole intention of the inward recompense.

*The gate of the flock.* Which, namely, looks toward Joppe and [0715A] Diospolis, that is, Lydda, the nearer to the sea among all the ways of Jerusalem; which is now said to be called the gate of David, and to be the first of the gates toward the west of mount Sion. With this opinion the Words of the Days seem to agree, where it is written of Manasses king of Juda: *After this he built a wall outside the city of David,* etc. [n: (II Par. XII.)]

[n: (BED., ibid.)] But typically, as the flock signifies the faithful of the Lord, etc., *as far as* and that in the times of Ezechias the wall of the city was doubled, the Words of the Days thus show: *He built also, working industriously, the whole wall,* etc. [n: (II Par. XXIII.)]

But typically that Sophonias heard the voice of a cry from the fish gate, and a howling from the second: because he foreknew that both were to be cast down by enemies. For he saw that the faith [0715B] and the works of the teachers, by which the rest had to be drawn out of the waves of corruptible life and to be led into the Church, were to be laid low upon the ground by the snares of the devil, that is, that they were to be deprived of heavenly joys through the appetite of earthly pleasure. And well did he hear the voice of a cry and of howling from each gate, the first, namely, and the second, the inner and the outer: because he saw that outwardly works, and inwardly hearts, were to be overthrown at the devil's assault. But because the Lord raiseth up them that are cast down, Nehemias relates that the fish gate was restored after its ruin: because if any of the preachers have fallen by sinning, there will not be lacking, even unto the end of the world, those who, succeeding them, may open the gates of justice to the faithful by living well and by preaching, with the Lord helping.

*They covered it. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* This verse also, concerning the other [0715C] gates, etc., *as far as* who bring us more of peril by praising, than of saving support they carry back from us by seeing.

VERS. 6.-- *To the old gate.* Of which John says: *Dearly beloved, I write not a new commandment unto you, but an old one which you have had from the beginning [n: (I Joan. II)]*. *The old commandment is the word which you have heard.* But the old gate is built in Jerusalem when the word of faith and of love, which was handed down from the beginning of the Church, is either recovered in them that err, or is established in them that have newly believed.

VERS. 8.-- *To the wall.* The firmness, namely, and the fortification of perfect love in the hearts of the elect, to which its builders come by building, when, advancing in the works of charity, they say: [0715D] *I have run the way of thy commandments,* etc. [n: (Psal. CXVIII)], with that, namely, enlargement of an enlightened mind, whereby they love both a friend in God and an enemy for God's sake.

VERS. 13.-- *And the gate of the valley.* [n: (BEDA, ubi supra. )] The valley of Josaphat, which is also Gehennon, etc., *as far as* that is, the humble by the gift of heavenly refreshment.

*And the gate of the valley. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Well is the gate of the valley built after the old gate and the wall of the broader street, because after the rudiments of the catholic faith, which works by love, it is necessary that humility be impressed upon us as a guardian of the virtues, to be held fast, so that the greater we are, the more we be humbled in all things.

*And a thousand. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* They report that the site of the city of Jerusalem, [0716A] etc., *as far as* that they may cast forth from themselves all the rubble of harmful action, of useless speech, and even of superfluous thought.

VERS. 15.-- *And the gate of the fountain Sellum the son built,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)] Writers relate, etc., *as far as* comparing the steps themselves to the increases of the Church and to the advances of good works, which come about through humility.

*Of the city of David,* etc. The city of David, according to the letter, is called mount Sion, which, set on the south, overtops the city in place of a citadel, and the greater part of the city lies below the mountain, situated on the level ground of a lower hill. Whence in the book of Kings: *And David took the castle of Sion, the same is the city of David [n: (II Reg. V)]*. And a little after: *And David dwelt in the castle, and [0716B] called it the city of David [n: (Ibid.)]*.

VERS. 16.-- *Nehemias the son of Asboth built,* etc. [n: (BEDA, ubi supra. )] After the gate of the fountain and the walls of the pool of Siloe, etc., *as far as* and that they may know that they are to ascend to the heavenly kingdom.

*Over against the sepulchre of David,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)] Note that David was buried not in Bethlehem, as some suppose, but in Jerusalem, by a sure reason of the mystery. For just as, born in Bethlehem and anointed king, he figured Christ as about to be born in that same place of his own seed, and to be adored by the magi under the person of a king; so, having died and been buried in Jerusalem, he figured him as about to suffer and to be buried in that same city.

*To the pool, etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* The pool, namely, the divine Scripture, etc., *as far as* and if the ancient enemy [0716C] has taken away from us the fountain of the word of God, forthwith he bursts into the citadel of the mind.

VERS. 19.-- *And he built,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)] Thus far the first wall of the city is raised up, etc., *as far as* wherein we may offend the eyes of the inward judgment.

*Over against the ascent,* etc. This is Christ, who in his own faith and love made one the people of the Jews and of the Gentiles: whence he is called the corner stone. Over against whose ascent the second measure is built, when through the cleanness of holy thought we reach toward the vision of him, when also, held fast in this life, we sigh with frequent desire of the vision of him. There follow very many ranks of builders, who are related to have built the second measure: because the greatest structure of the Church is in [0716D] the fortifying of inward virtue, when, namely, we guard our heart with all watchfulness, since from it life proceeds. But to draw out each several thing to a spiritual understanding is too long a matter.

VERS. 26.-- *The Nathinites.* So are the Gabaonites called, who served with faithful devotion for the ministry of the house of the Lord according to the disposition of Josue the son of Nun.

*In Ophel. [n: (BEDA, ibid.)]* There was a tower not far from the temple, of enormous height. Whence it received the name of Ophel, that is, of darkness or of cloud, because it thrust its head into the clouds. In short, where it is written in Micheas: *And thou cloudy tower of the flock [n: (Mich. IV)]*, the tower of Ophel is blessed [cj: *benedicitur*; read *bene dicitur*, "is well named"]. In what part of the city this tower stands, the book of Paralipomenon shows, saying that *Manasses built a wall outside the city of David, to the west of [0717A] Gihon in the valley, from the entrance of the fish gate round about unto Ophel [n: (II Par. XXXIII)]*. It was fitting therefore, according to the site of the place, that the ministers of the temple should dwell in a tower near the temple.

But mystically the Nathinites dwell in Ophel, that is, in the cloudy tower, when they who by the profession of a more perfect life are dedicated to God abide always, in deed and in thought, in the fortification and the height of the virtues, and their conversation is in heaven, and the common people, marvelling at them, says: *Who are these that fly as clouds [n: (Isa. LX)]*, etc. Likewise the Thecuites dwell in Ophel, when all who are marked out by the habit of religion penetrate, with enlightened heart, the hidden things of the Scriptures, of which it is written: *Dark water in the clouds of the air [n: (Psal. XVII)]*, that is, the mystical knowledge in the prophets, and read them assiduously, [0717B] and meditate upon them.

*Over against. [n: (BEDA, ibid.)]* The Lord, namely, who daily waters us with the grace of his mercy, lest we slip in the toils of the present life and fail, etc., *as far as* and because after the present gifts of the virtues one ascends to behold the brightness of the Lord, rightly is it brought in: *After him the Thecuites built,* etc.

VERS. 27.-- *From the tower.* From the great and lofty tower unto the wall of the temple the structure of the city reaches, when the just ascend from the height of contemplation, which suspend the mind in this life, temporal things being despised, unto heavenly desires, truly in that life to behold the brightness of the Lord's incarnation, the glory also of the divine eternity being laid open. And because Thecua is interpreted a horn or a trumpet, and the Thecuites trumpeters, [0717C] it is aptly said that the Thecuites built this. For it belongs to the teachers, whose sound goes forth into all the earth, to lay open the present or the future gifts of God in his city, that is, to the faithful.

*To the wall of the temple.* The body, namely, of Christ: of which it is said in John II: *Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up:* which, namely, the persecutors had destroyed in his death, but, raised up and exalted to the heavens, they that love him cease not to behold it in glory.

VERS. 28.-- *But upward,* etc. [n: (BEDA, ibid.)] Jeremias signifies that this gate is in the eastern quarter of the city, etc., *as far as* horses, when they are taken in a good sense, like asses, camels and mules, show the peoples of the Gentiles converted to the Lord, or the cares of temporal things subjected, namely, to the Lord of the soul.

[0717D] *The priests built,* etc. But the priests of the city of God build the wall at the water gate, when the teachers, after the calling of the Jews, come by sowing the word of God to the leading in of the Gentiles into the Church.

[n: (BEDA, ibid.)] It is a long matter to discourse mystically of the several buildings or builders, etc., *as far as* he writes down their names in heaven.

## CHAPTER IV.

VERS. 1.-- . . . *Sanaballat . . . being exceedingly moved, mocked the Jews. [n: (BEDA in Esdram, lib. III, cap. 19, tom. II.)]* Plainly it is the anger of the heretics. These are [0718A] the words of those who surname themselves Samaritans, that is, keepers of the law of God, etc., *as far as* and, amended in their manners, may obtain the ornaments of the virtues.

VERS. 3.-- *But Tobias also,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)] The person and the words of this Tobias suit the heretics, etc., *as far as* wherewith they strive to corrupt the fruitful minds of the faithful.

VERS. 9.-- *And we prayed.* This is the one refuge against the enemies of the Church, namely prayer to God, and the diligence of the teachers, who, meditating day and night upon his law, fortify beforehand the hearts of the faithful against the snares of the devil and of his soldiers by preaching, by consoling and by exhorting.

VERS. 10.-- *The earth is too much. [n: (BEDA, ibid.)]* Heaped up, namely, in the place of the wall, etc., *as far as* and, when the storm of temptation rushes on, he is proved to have built, instead of [0718B] a house or a city, a ruin.

VERS. 11.-- *The enemies said,* etc. These things are wont to be done in the spiritual building; for the enemy remains untiring with his satellites, that is, with unclean spirits and malignant men, who strive to hinder and to storm the works of the virtues and of faith while we are unwary, and to slay the mind of the faithful with the sword-point of depraved suggestion. But against these things the armour of God must be taken up by us, that we may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand perfect in all things.

VERS. 13.-- *I set in the place,* etc. That the workmen, namely, surrounded by a line of armed men, might build more freely and more safely. For the degrees of the faithful are distributed: some, adorning the Church within by good works, [0718C] build it: others, fortified with the arms of sacred reading, keep watch against the assaulting heretics. These strengthen their neighbours in the truth of faith by religious devotion, those wage the necessary contest against the darts of the devil and of the vices, and by pastoral solicitude keep off the lurking wolves from the Lord's sheepfold.

VERS. 16.-- *From that day, the half part,* etc. [n: (BED., ibid., cap. 20.)] It is to be noted that not only the half part of the young men did the work, etc., *as far as* and it is of less labour to guard against a pleasure of the flesh unknown, than to cast off one that is known.

VERS. 22.-- *And let there be turns for you by night and by day. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* [var: Vulg. *nobis*, "for us"] Note how great zeal they had in working, etc., *as far as* and by reproving they thrust the gainsayers from the Church [0718D].

## CHAPTER V.

VERS. 1.-- *And there was a cry,* etc. [n: (BEDA in Esdr., lib. III, cap. 21.)] The people desired to build the wall, etc., *as far as* and, turning our hands away from our own pleasures, may turn them to the building of the city of Christ.

[n: (ID., ibid.)] For three causes the cry of the people is increased. Some, compelled by famine, wished to sell their sons to the richer: others, sparing their children, their fields rather and their houses. Some, forbidding the sale of children and of fields, urged only this, that they should take money on loan for the king's tributes, their fields and vineyards being pledged, until, fruitfulness returning, they might be able [0719A] to repay to the money-lenders what they had received on loan.

VERS. 7.-- *And I rebuked the nobles,* etc. [n: (BED., ibid.)] As the best leader of the heavenly warfare and a wise architect of the city of God, etc., *as far as* that the Father may forgive us our debts.

VERS. 13.-- *Moreover I shook out my lap, and said: So may God shake out every man,* etc. A terrible close is set upon this sentence. For whosoever bestows not mercy upon the poor, or exacts from those who have not as though justly, is shaken out of his own house, that is, out of the assembly of the Church, in which he thought that he would remain for ever, and out of his labours, namely, in the fruits of good works, in which he thought that he had laboured praiseworthily: he shall receive nothing at all of his labour. For labours without piety cannot be fruitful before God.

[0719B] *And all the multitude said, Amen.* It is shown how greatly the rebuke or the imprecation of Nehemias moved the hearts of all: for, having heard the adjuration, answering, Amen, and praising God together, they did the things which he had commanded. Wherein it is plain: that they received his words not through fear, but through love.

VERS. 14.-- *For twelve years. [n: (BEDA, ubi supra.)]* This the Apostle expounds, saying: *Because the Lord hath appointed that they who announce the Gospel should live by the Gospel: but I have used none of these things [n: (I Cor. IX)]* [var: Vulg. *Ita et Dominus ordinavit iis qui Evangelium annuntiant*, "So also the Lord ordained"]. And for twelve years Nehemias with his brethren so lived in the leadership that they did not eat the allowances which were due to leaders: intimating that it is an evangelical work, in the government of the people, to exercise the office of a ruler notably about the Church, and not to seek earthly [0719C] advantage from those subject to him.

## CHAPTER VI.

VERS. 2.-- *Come, and let us make a covenant,* etc. [n: (BEDA, in Esdr., lib. III, cap. 23, tom. II.)] The enemies of the holy city were urging Nehemias to go down into the plains, etc., *as far as* because the crafty enemy always tries to hinder our hands, let us take care always to strengthen them by the divine help.

VERS. 10.-- *And I entered in.* Beaten upon by the snares of his enemies, Nehemias enters the house of Samarias as that of a friend and a brother, but finds the man himself a layer of snares and an enemy, as one corrupted by the gifts and the friendship of strangers. For the elect always have fightings without, fears within, and not only the apostles, but the prophets also led a life beset with perils [0719D] from their own kindred, perils from the Gentiles, perils from false brethren.

VERS. 15.-- *The month Eliud. [n: (BEDA, ubi supra.)]* [var: Vulg. *mensis Elul*] Which according to the Hebrews is the sixth, etc., *as far as* and thenceforward adorn themselves in good works, in the love of God and of their neighbour.

VERS. 16.-- *All the nations. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* But they who wished to terrify the builders of the holy city, etc., *as far as* and driven out from the Church.

## CHAPTER VII.

VERS. 1.-- *But after the wall was built,* etc. [n: (BEDA, in Esdr., lib. III, cap. 24, tom. II.)] Mystically: when the wall of the Church has been built, new peoples being gathered to the faith [0720A] or those who had erred being corrected, straightway the doors of regular discipline are to be set up; lest the devil, who goes about as a roaring lion, be able to burst into the sheepfold of God.

*I numbered the porters. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* The porters, namely, who have received the keys of the kingdom of heaven, that they may take in the worthy and the humble; but may keep off the proud and the unworthy from the entrance of the city above, saying: *Thou hast no part nor lot in this matter. For thy heart is not right before God [n: (Act. VIII)]*.

VERS. 3.-- *Let not the gates be opened . . . until the heat of the sun,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)], that is, throughout the whole time of the night, etc., *as far as* whence: *And the gates thereof shall not be shut by day, night shall not be there [n: (Apoc. XXI)]*.

*And I set guards. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Guardians of souls [0720B] are to be appointed not from neophytes or from the common people, but from those who, freed by the grace of God from the contest of the vices, already have their mind in Jerusalem, that is, in the vision of tranquil peace, whose conversation is in heaven. For when some are withdrawn from this light, their course being finished, others are straightway put in their room, nor do they ever cease who, by keeping watch, compass about the peace of the Church because of the fears of the night, according to that: *Instead of thy fathers, sons are born to thee [n: (Psal. XLIV)]*.

These things agree typically with that time in which, the word of God having been sown far and wide by the apostles, the whole world received the new seed of faith, the Church being not yet built, but the peoples, as yet untaught, having been imbued only with the hearing of the word and with the sacraments. Therefore, when not only the nobles but the common people also had been gathered together, he took care diligently to review their number, [0720C] so that, the sum of all being seen, he might discern who ought to dwell in Jerusalem, and who in the other cities.

*Every one over against his house.* For thus the guarding of the holy Church is duly accomplished, if each so bears the solicitude of all the faithful that he especially bestows the care of a more diligent zeal upon those over whom, God being the author, he has been set.

VERS. 66.-- *All the multitude as one man.* [n: (JOSE.)] He commanded also the people that tilled the fields to offer the tithes of their fruits at Jerusalem, so that the priests and Levites, having sustenance, might not forsake the perpetual rights of religion. And these indeed willingly followed the decrees of Nehemias. And thereafter it came to pass that the city was filled with a multitude of men. And when Nehemias had done many such [0720D] good things, and worthy of praises, with the highest magnificence, coming to old age he died.

## CHAPTER VIII.

VERS. 1.-- *And the seventh month had come. [n: (BEDA, in Esdr., lib. III, cap. 26, tom. II.)]* Which was not far off. For since the wall was finished on the five and twentieth day of the sixth month, only five days remained to the beginning of the seventh month, which from the first day unto the two and twentieth was wholly consecrated with the lawful ceremonies, and when these had been duly celebrated, he then returned, with the princes and the people, to the appointing of the dwellers of the city.

*And all the people was gathered together as one man unto [0721A] the street which,* etc. [n: (BED., ibid.)] The devotion of the people and their concord are to be noted, etc., *as far as* by whose singing the people, amid the prayers and the victims, might be more ardently stirred up to the remembrance of the law.

Mystically also, when the city has been built, the divine reading must follow, and the trumpets must sound more frequently, so that the people, initiated into the heavenly sacraments, may be instructed also by the sacred words, and from that time more skilfully, how it ought to live.

*Before the water gate. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* I think that the water gate is said to be in the court of the priests, etc., *as far as* well therefore was the people gathered before the water gate, as being about to be given to drink spiritually of the streams of the Scriptures through its own prelate.

VERS. 4.-- *And Esdras the scribe stood upon a step.* [0721B] [n: (ID., ibid.)] He seems to be mindful, etc., *as far as* so that, timid and blushing, he foretells to others by doing the things which he himself did not do, etc.

When prelates surpass their subjects as much in work as in honour, these, stirred up by their examples, devoutly follow out the degree of their own life, and, piously admonished by them, take delight in pouring forth tears for their sins or from the desire of the heavenly country. Whence it is well subjoined, for all the people wept when it heard the words of the law, etc.

VERS. 10.-- *Go and eat,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)] He commands that we strengthen the weaker consciences of our neighbours by the example of holy action and by the sweetness of devout admonition, so that they may be filled as with marrow and fatness, and with others of exultation [cj: *aliisque*; read *labiisque*, "and with the lips of exultation"] may praise the name [0721C] of the Lord. According to the letter also, when on feast days, after prayer, reading and the studies of the psalms are completed, we refresh the flesh, we ought to be mindful of the poor and of pilgrims.

*Be not sorrowful.* The teachers, who by the sacred readings stir up the minds of their hearers to tears, and the same men console them, while they promise the joys that are to follow.

VERS. 11.-- *Because it is a holy day.* While, namely, we give our labour to the hearing and the fulfilling of the words of the Lord, on which day, although outwardly suffering adversities, we ought to rejoice in hope. Whence: *As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing [n: (II Cor. VI)]*, etc.

VERS. 14.-- *And they found,* etc. [n: (BEDA, ubi supra.)] These things are written more fully in Leviticus, etc., *as far as* we ought to remember that *we are dwellers in the land, [0721D] and sojourners as our fathers were [n: (Psal. XXXVIII)]* [var: Vulg. *advena ego sum apud te, et peregrinus sicut omnes patres mei*, "I am a sojourner with thee, and a stranger as all my fathers were"].

VERS. 15.-- *Of the fairest tree,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)] Which, namely, the Hebrews call the cedar. But he brings to himself the boughs of the myrtle and a shade who can say, *We are the good odour of Christ unto God in every place [n: (II Cor. II)]* [var: Vulg. *in iis qui salvi fiunt, et in his qui pereunt*, "in them that are saved, and in them that perish"].

*The boughs of the fairest tree and the boughs of the myrtle,* etc. The fruit of charity, which among all the virtues is the fairest, through which Christ also ascended the wood of the cross for our salvation, and while we imitate his passion as much as we are able, we are indeed protected by the boughs of the fairest tree and of the myrtle unto the mortification of vices and of lusts. For the magi, offering myrrh to the Lord, taught that they who are Christ's [sic: *Christ*] crucify their flesh with its vices and concupiscences.

[0722A] *Branches of palms. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* We bring branches of palms, which is the adornment of a conquering hand, when we bear a mind that conquers the vices and is unconquered by all enemies, so that we may stand *before the throne in the sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in our hands [n: (Apoc. VII)]* [var: Vulg. *palmae in manibus eorum*, "palms in their hands"].

VERS. 16.-- *Every one upon his housetop. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Upon his own housetop, etc., *as far as* and may deserve to abound in the greater fruits of good action.

VERS. 18.-- *Seven days. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* The feast of tabernacles was kept for seven days, etc., *as far as* gathered together in the sight of God, and never to be separated, he shall have exulted.

## CHAPTER IX.

VERS. 1.-- *But on the day,* etc. *(BEDA, ubi supra, [0722B] cap. 28.)* The devotion of the corrected people is to be noted, etc., *as far as* when there is a ceasing from other labours, the ears are more freely lent to the divine readings.

*And Esdras said.* Unto the end of his prayer or confession, that which was said above, that they were confessing their own sins and the sins of their fathers, is shown more fully, in what manner it was done, while Esdras made his prayer.

VERS. 38.-- *Therefore upon all these things. [n: (BEDA, in Esdr., lib. III, tom. II.)]* He shows with how great devotion all their persons made a new assembly after the feasts of tabernacles, namely, that with their whole intention they might join themselves, cleansed from the contagions of crimes, to the divine covenant, and might confirm by word and by writing the condition of the holy covenant; and thus, separated from the fellowship of the impious, might the more securely fill up the work which they had long before [0722C] begun, that is, that they might appoint fitting citizens of the city out of the number of the impious.

## CHAPTER X.

VERS. 1.-- *The subscribers,* etc. Another translation: *Nehemias who is called Athersata,* for he was of two names, whence in the singular there is subjoined, the son of Achelai, which is said above more openly: *And Nehemias said, and he himself is Athersata [n: (II Esd. VII)]*.

[n: (ID., ibid.)] By us also a spiritual sabbath is always to be kept, etc., *as far as* on the first day it is necessary to be cleansed from evils, then to be adorned with good acts.

## CHAPTER XI.

VERS. 1.-- *And they dwelt. [n: (BEDA, in Esdr., lib. III, tom. II.)]* Now the disposition is completed, etc., [0722D] *as far as* but they receive it by the gift of the hidden judge and bestower.

VERS. 3.-- *And in Jerusalem. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* By these words it is shown, etc., *as far as* for there follows: *Of the sons of Juda they dwelt in Cariatharbe [n: (II Esd. XI)]*.

[n: (ID., ibid.)] Judas is interpreted *confessing* or *confession,* etc., *as far as* when of those who are in the field one shall be taken, and the other left.

## CHAPTER XII.

VERS. 1.-- *And these are they,* etc. [n: (BEDA, ubi supra. )] Here the chiefs of the priests together with their brethren, etc., *as far as* and that therefore he could have been born while Nehemias was yet surviving.

[0723A] [n: (BED., ibid.)] The succession of the chiefs of the priests and of the Levites has been described, etc., *as far as* they restore by friendly provision, and exalt with due honour.

[n: (ID., ibid.)] Long since had the city been built, etc., *as far as* then, in the very reality, of blessed men enjoying the divine vision in spiritual bodies among the angelic hosts.

VERS. 27.-- *And with cymbals,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)] Cymbals, psalteries and harps, etc., *as far as* and they kindle the hearts of their neighbours to the love of him, etc.

VERS. 28.-- *The sons of the singers. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Their imitators, namely, etc., *as far as* and in the very time of the dedication, that is, of the perpetual reward, they are there united together alike.

VERS. 30.-- *And they were purified. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* An altogether just [0723B] order, etc., *as far as* and, his hands and feet being bound, he be cast into the exterior darkness.

VERS. 31.-- *The princes of Juda,* etc., that is, of confession or of praise, are the more perfect teachers of the Church, who at the dedication of the city go up upon the wall: because in the time of tribulation they are proved to have transcended the general manner of life of the Church by living more loftily. For of these it is said: *Upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen [n: (Isai. LXII)]*, etc. Rightly therefore they who now preside over the walls of the Church as watchmen shall then also excel those same by the glory of the reward.

*And I set two choirs.* Either that they may purge out the filthiness of sinners from the Church in the present, by living more correctly and by correcting them that err, and in the future may expel by judicial power from the city of the Lord, [0723C] that is, from the entrance of the heavenly country, those who would not be corrected. Or the choirs of them that praise, going to the right upon the wall, ascend to the dung gate, while they proclaim those worthy of praise who by preaching, by reproving and by excommunicating drive out all uncleanness from the Church.

VERS. 34.-- *And of the sons of the priests,* etc. In this life the sons of the priests sound with trumpets at the dedication of the city of God, who by preaching kindle the hearts of their hearers to the remembrance of the heavenly country.

VERS. 35.-- *With the instruments of the song of David.* Because they lean not upon their own understanding or their desires, but, following in all things the life and the doctrine of the fathers and the prophets, apply themselves to the word of preaching.

*And Esdras the scribe.* Because in all that they do they have the words of holy Scripture before their eyes, with which [0723D] as guides they may come to the entrance of eternal life, that they may be inebriated with the plenty of the house of God, and with the torrent of his pleasure, with whom is the fountain of life, etc.

VERS. 36.-- *And over against them they went up by the steps. [n: (BED., ibid.)]* When the city was being built, etc., *as far as* they celebrate together the holy Trinity with fellow exultation.

*Above the house of David. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* The sons of the priests go up, etc., *as far as* and deserve to see the rising of the sun of justice without setting.

VERS. 37.-- *And above the tower of the furnaces. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* It is a long matter to discourse particularly of the several gates or towers, etc., *as far as* it is necessary to be fortified always with circumspect caution and solicitude.

[0724A]VERS. 39.-- *And the two choirs stood. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* The walls and the gates of the city having been walked round, etc., *as far as* in the fulfilling of whose will I remain with untiring mind.

VERS. 41.-- *And they sang clearly. Thou hast broken my bonds: I will sacrifice to thee the sacrifice of praise. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the courts of the house of the Lord, in the sight of all the people, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem [n: (Psal. CXV)]* [var: Vulg. *Vota mea Domino reddam in conspectu omnis populi ejus; in atriis domus Domini, in medio tui, Jerusalem*, which sets the courts second and adds *ejus*]. This comes to pass when, in the heavenly country, the multitude of all the saints being gathered together, we utter those praises for which we groan in the present, and which we thirst after with daily desire in the giving of thanks.

VERS. 42.-- *For God had made them joyful,* etc. [n: (BEDA, ibid.)] These things unto the dedication of the holy city, etc., *as far as* and they took care to sacrifice [0724B] the greatest victims of good works.

*But their wives also,* etc. Because at the time of the resurrection not only they who built up the Church by preaching or by working strongly receive the fruit of their labour, but the weaker partakers also of the same faith rejoice in the same receiving of life. *He hath blessed* indeed, *the Lord, the little ones with the greater [n: (Psal. CXIII)]* [var: Vulg. *Benedixit omnibus qui timent Dominum, pusillis cum majoribus*, "He hath blessed all that fear the Lord, the little with the great"].

VERS. 43.-- *They numbered also,* etc. [n: (BEDA, ibid.)] All rejoicing, etc., *as far as* and it had been dedicated with great praise and gladness.

## CHAPTER XIII.

VERS. 1.-- *And on that day it was read,* etc. [n: (BEDA in Esdr., lib. III, tom. II.)] These, because they were born of incest, etc., *as far as* but God turned the curse of Balaam [0724C] into a blessing of his people, and fortified them from the arms of their enemies.

VERS. 3.-- *And it came to pass,* etc. Because it is necessary that we attend to the hearing of the truth, where, when we are restrained by the divine reading from any one vice, we may straightway also drive away from our action and our conscience whatever defiling vice we detect in ourselves.

VERS. 6.-- *In all these things. [n: (BED., ibid.)]* This sentence, etc., *as far as* which Nehemias, on his return, straightway rooted out.

VERS. 8.-- *And I cast forth the vessels of the house of Tobias. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Who was said above to be the Ammonite servant, an enemy of the people of God, etc., *as far as* what fellowship have heretics and schismatics with the orthodox and peaceable sons of God.

*And I cast forth. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* Thou also, whatsoever of unfaithfulness and of uncleanness thou shalt find among [0724D] the faithful, etc., *as far as* for just as Nehemias in the rest, so also in this represented his person.

[n: (ID., ibid.)] By the law we are bidden to work for six days the things that are necessary, and on the seventh to rest, etc., *as far as* they should turn their gaze away entirely from those things which pertain to food and clothing, but should dispense them with fitting moderation.

VERS. 16.-- *Bringing in fishes and all things,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)] A good fish is holy faith, which he that asks of the Lord receives not a serpent of infidelity. But a bad fish is a weak thought which plunges itself beyond measure into the cares of this world, which the Tyrians seek to sell to us, that is, to the straitened, on the sabbath, when unclean spirits try importunely [0725A] to overwhelm the quiet of our thought with the deep cares of the world. But for such trafficking Nehemias rebukes and chastises the nobles of Juda, while the divine inspiration purges from thoughts of this kind those who strive to serve the profession of piety.

VERS. 19.-- *And it came to pass. [n: (BED., ibid.)]* Our conscience, etc., *as far as* therefore it deservedly follows.

VERS. 22.-- *I said also to the Levites that they should be purified,* etc. [n: (ID., ibid.)] It is necessary that they be cleansed from the daily exercise of work, etc., *as far as* it behoves that they first purify their mind and their acts from every stain of errors.

VERS. 23.-- *But in those days also. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* In the Church they take foreign wives, etc. *as far as* but interpreting with a gentile understanding.

[0725B]VERS. 30.-- *Therefore I cleansed them. [n: (ID., ibid.)]* A more open end in all things, and one fully worthy of the building of the holy [0726A] city and of the temple of the Lord, that, the citizens being cleansed of the pollution that is alien from God, the orders of the priests and of the Levites may be duly kept in their own ministry, so that the masters of the Church, regularly appointed, may exhort the people, chastised from every sin, to remain thenceforward in good and always to increase.

VERS. 31.-- *And in the offering of woods at the appointed times, and in the firstfruits.* Among other things the people offers woods for the feeding of the fire of the altar, when they work works of virtue worthy of divine consecration. The woods burn and are consumed upon the altar of holocausts, when in the hearts of the elect the works of justice are perfected by the flame of charity.

*Remember me, O God, unto good.* Deservedly does such a founder and dedicator of the city, after many labours of devotion, [0726B] commend himself to the memory of the Creator and bestower of all good things.

license_source: Public Domain Mark 1.0

license_translation: CC BY-NC 4.0

license_apparatus: CC BY-NC 4.0