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<div2 id="Neh.xi" n="xi" next="Neh.xii" prev="Neh.x" progress="95.73%" title="Chapter X">
<h2 id="Neh.xi-p0.1">N E H E M I A H</h2>
<h3 id="Neh.xi-p0.2">CHAP. X.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Neh.xi-p1">We have in this chapter a particular account of
the covenant which in the close of the foregoing chapter was
resolved upon; they struck while the iron was hot, and immediately
put that good resolve in execution, when they were in a good frame,
lest, if it should be delayed, it might be dropped. Here we have,
I. The names of those that set their hands and seals to it,
<scripRef id="Neh.xi-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.1-Neh.10.27" parsed="|Neh|10|1|10|27" passage="Ne 10:1-27">ver. 1-27</scripRef>. II. An account
of those who signified their consent and concurrence, <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.28-Neh.10.29" parsed="|Neh|10|28|10|29" passage="Ne 10:28,29">ver. 28, 29</scripRef>. III. The covenant
itself, and the articles of it in general, that they would "keep
God's commandments" (<scripRef id="Neh.xi-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.29" parsed="|Neh|10|29|0|0" passage="Ne 10:29">ver.
29</scripRef>); in particular, that they would not marry with the
heathen (<scripRef id="Neh.xi-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.30" parsed="|Neh|10|30|0|0" passage="Ne 10:30">ver. 30</scripRef>), nor
profane the sabbath, nor be rigorous with their debtors (<scripRef id="Neh.xi-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.31" parsed="|Neh|10|31|0|0" passage="Ne 10:31">ver. 31</scripRef>), and that they would
carefully pay their church-dues, for the maintenance of the temple
service, which they promise faithfully to adhere to, <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.32-Neh.10.39" parsed="|Neh|10|32|10|39" passage="Ne 10:32-39">ver. 32-39</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Neh.xi-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10" parsed="|Neh|10|0|0|0" passage="Ne 10" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Neh.xi-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.1-Neh.10.31" parsed="|Neh|10|1|10|31" passage="Ne 10:1-31" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Neh.10.1-Neh.10.31">
<h4 id="Neh.xi-p1.9">The Sealing of the Covenant. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Neh.xi-p1.10">b. c.</span> 444.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Neh.xi-p2">1 Now those that sealed <i>were,</i> Nehemiah,
the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,   2
Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,   3 Pashur, Amariah, Malchijah,
  4 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,   5 Harim, Meremoth,
Obadiah,   6 Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,   7 Meshullam,
Abijah, Mijamin,   8 Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah: these
<i>were</i> the priests.   9 And the Levites: both Jeshua the
son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel;   10
And their brethren, Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,
  11 Micha, Rehob, Hashabiah,   12 Zaccur, Sherebiah,
Shebaniah,   13 Hodijah, Bani, Beninu.   14 The chief of
the people; Parosh, Pahath-moab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani,   15
Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,   16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,   17
Ater, Hizkijah, Azzur,   18 Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai,   19
Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,   20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
  21 Meshezabeel, Zadok, Jaddua,   22 Pelatiah, Hanan,
Anaiah,   23 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hashub,   24 Hallohesh,
Pileha, Shobek,   25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,   26 And
Ahijah, Hanan, Anan,   27 Malluch, Harim, Baanah.   28
And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters,
the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated
themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their
wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge,
and having understanding;   29 They clave to their brethren,
their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk
in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to
observe and do all the commandments of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Neh.xi-p2.1">Lord</span> our Lord, and his judgments and his
statutes;   30 And that we would not give our daughters unto
the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons:
  31 And <i>if</i> the people of the land bring ware or any
victuals on the sabbath day to sell, <i>that</i> we would not buy
it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and <i>that</i> we
would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.xi-p3">When Israel was first brought into covenant
with God it was done by sacrifice and the sprinkling of blood,
<scripRef id="Neh.xi-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.24.1-Exod.24.8" parsed="|Exod|24|1|24|8" passage="Ex 24:1-8">Exod. xxiv.</scripRef> But here it
was done by the more natural and common way of sealing and
subscribing the written articles of the covenant, which bound them
to no more than was already their duty. Now here we have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.xi-p4">I. The names of those public persons who,
as the representatives and heads of the congregation, set their
hands and seals to this covenant, because it would have been an
endless piece of work for every particular person to do it; and, if
these leading men did their part in pursuance of this covenant,
their example would have a good influence upon all the people. Now
observe, 1. Nehemiah, who was the governor, signed first, to show
his forwardness in this work and to set others a good example,
<scripRef id="Neh.xi-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.1" parsed="|Neh|10|1|0|0" passage="Ne 10:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. Those that are
above others in dignity and power should go before them in the way
of God. 2. Next to him subscribed twenty-two priests, among whom I
wonder we do not find Ezra, who was an active man in the solemnity
(<scripRef id="Neh.xi-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.2" parsed="|Neh|8|2|0|0" passage="Ne 8:2"><i>ch.</i> viii. 2</scripRef>) which
was but the first day of the same month, and therefore we cannot
think he was absent; but he, having before done his part as a
scribe, now left it to others to do theirs. 3. Next to the priests,
seventeen Levites subscribed this covenant, among whom we find all
or most of those who were the mouth of the congregation in prayer,
<scripRef id="Neh.xi-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Neh.9.4-Neh.9.5" parsed="|Neh|9|4|9|5" passage="Ne 9:4,5"><i>ch.</i> ix. 4, 5</scripRef>. This
showed that they themselves were affected with what they had said,
and would not bind those burdens on others which they themselves
declined to touch. Those that lead in prayer should lead in every
other good work. 4. Next to the Levites, forty-four of the chief of
the people gave it under their hands for themselves and all the
rest, chiefly those whom they had influence upon, that they would
keep God's commandments. Their names are left upon record here, to
their honour, as men that were forward and active in reviving and
endeavouring to perpetuate religion in their country. The memory of
such shall be blessed. It is observable that most of those who were
mentioned, <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Neh.7.8-Neh.7.63" parsed="|Neh|7|8|7|63" passage="Ne 7:8-63"><i>ch.</i> vii.
8</scripRef>, &amp;c., as heads of houses or clans, are here
mentioned among the first of the chief of the people that
subscribed, whoever was the present head bearing the name of him
that was head when they came out of Babylon, and these were fittest
to subscribe for all those of their father's house. Here are
<i>Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani</i> (<scripRef id="Neh.xi-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.14" parsed="|Neh|10|14|0|0" passage="Ne 10:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>), <i>Azgad, Bebai, Bigvai, Adin,
Ater, Hashum, Bezai, Hariph, Anathoth,</i> and some others in the
following verses, that are all found in that catalogue. Those that
have interest must use it for God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.xi-p5">II. The concurrence of the rest of the
people with them, and the rest of the priests and Levites, who
signified their consent to what their chiefs did. With them joined,
1. Their wives and children; for they had transgressed, and they
must reform. Every one that had knowledge and understanding must
covenant with God. As soon as young people grow up to be capable of
distinguishing between good and evil, and of acting intelligently,
they ought to make it their own act and deed to <i>join themselves
to the Lord.</i> 2. The proselytes of other nations, <i>all that
had separated themselves from the people of the lands,</i> their
gods and their worship, <i>unto the law of God,</i> and the
observance of that law. See what conversion is; it is separating
ourselves from the course and custom of this world, and devoting
ourselves to the conduce of the word of God. And, as there is one
law, so there is one covenant, one baptism, for the stranger and
for him that is born in the land. Observe how the concurrence of
the people is expressed, <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.29" parsed="|Neh|10|29|0|0" passage="Ne 10:29"><i>v.</i>
29</scripRef>. (1.) <i>They clave to their brethren</i> one and
all. Here those whom the court blessed the country blessed too! The
commonalty agreed with their nobles in this good work. Great men
never look so great as when they encourage religion, and are
examples of it; and they would by that, as much as any thing,
secure an interest in the most valuable of their inferiors. Let but
the nobles cordially espouse religious causes, and perhaps they
will find people cleave to them therein closer than they can
imagine. Observe, Their nobles are called their <i>brethren;</i>
for, in the things of God, rich and poor, high and low, meet
together. (2.) They <i>entered into a curse and an oath.</i> As the
nobles confirmed the covenant with their hands and seals, so the
people with a curse and an oath, solemnly appealing to God
concerning their sincerity, and imprecating his just revenge if
they dealt deceitfully. Every oath has in it a conditional curse
upon the soul, which makes it a strong bond upon the soul; for our
own tongues, if false and lying tongues, will fall, and fall
heavily, upon ourselves.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.xi-p6">III. The general purport of this covenant.
They laid upon themselves no other burden than this necessary
thing, which they were already obliged to by all other engagements
of duty, interest, and gratitude—<i>to walk in God's law, and to
do all his commandments,</i> <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.29" parsed="|Neh|10|29|0|0" passage="Ne 10:29"><i>v.</i>
29</scripRef>. Thus David swore that he would <i>keep God's
righteous judgments,</i> <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.119.106" parsed="|Ps|119|106|0|0" passage="Ps 119:106">Ps. cxix.
106</scripRef>. Our own covenant binds us to this, if not more
strongly, yet more sensibly, than we were before bound, and
therefore we must not think it needless thus to bind ourselves.
Observe, When we bind ourselves to do the commandments of God we
bind ourselves to do <i>all</i> his commandments, and therein to
have an eye to him as the Lord and our Lord.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.xi-p7">IV. Some of the particular articles of this
covenant, such as were adapted to their present temptations. 1.
That they would not intermarry with the heathen, <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.30" parsed="|Neh|10|30|0|0" passage="Ne 10:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>. Many of them had been guilty of
this, <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.9.1" parsed="|Ezra|9|1|0|0" passage="Ezr 9:1">Ezra ix. 1</scripRef>. In our
covenants with God we should engage particularly against those sins
that we have been most frequently overtaken in and damaged by.
Those that resolve to <i>keep the commandments of God must say to
evil doers, Depart,</i> <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.119.115" parsed="|Ps|119|115|0|0" passage="Ps 119:115">Ps. cxix.
115</scripRef>. 2. That they would keep no markets on the sabbath
day, or any other day of which the law had said, <i>You shall do no
work therein.</i> They would not only not sell goods themselves for
gain on that day, but they would not encourage the heathen to sell
on that day by buying of them, no not victuals, under pretence of
necessity; but would buy in their provisions for their families the
day before, <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.31" parsed="|Neh|10|31|0|0" passage="Ne 10:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>.
Note, Those that covenant to keep all God's commandments must
particularly covenant to keep sabbaths well; for the profanation of
them is an inlet to other instances of profaneness. The sabbath is
a market day for our souls, but not for our bodies. 3. That they
would not be severe in exacting their debts, but would observe the
seventh year as a year of release, according to the law, <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.31" parsed="|Neh|10|31|0|0" passage="Ne 10:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>. In this matter they had
been faulty (<scripRef id="Neh.xi-p7.6" osisRef="Bible:Neh.5.1-Neh.5.19" parsed="|Neh|5|1|5|19" passage="Ne 5:1-19"><i>ch.</i>
v.</scripRef>), and here therefore they promise to reform. This was
the acceptable fast, to <i>undo the heavy burden,</i> and to <i>let
the oppressed go free,</i> <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p7.7" osisRef="Bible:Isa.58.6" parsed="|Isa|58|6|0|0" passage="Isa 58:6">Isa. lviii.
6</scripRef>. It was in the close of the day of expiation that the
jubilee trumpet sounded. It was for the neglect of observing the
seventh year as a year of rest for the land that God had made it
enjoy its sabbaths seventy years (<scripRef id="Neh.xi-p7.8" osisRef="Bible:Lev.26.35" parsed="|Lev|26|35|0|0" passage="Le 26:35">Lev.
xxvi. 35</scripRef>), and therefore they covenanted to observe that
law. Those are stubborn children indeed that will not amend the
fault for which they have been particularly corrected.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Neh.xi-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.32-Neh.10.39" parsed="|Neh|10|32|10|39" passage="Ne 10:32-39" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Neh.10.32-Neh.10.39">
<h4 id="Neh.xi-p7.10">The Renewal of Sacred Rites. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Neh.xi-p7.11">b. c.</span> 444.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Neh.xi-p8">32 Also we made ordinances for us, to charge
ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of
the house of our God;   33 For the showbread, and for the
continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of
the sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the
holy <i>things,</i> and for the sin offerings to make an atonement
for Israel, and <i>for</i> all the work of the house of our God.
  34 And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and
the people, for the wood offering, to bring <i>it</i> into the
house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times
appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Neh.xi-p8.1">Lord</span> our God, as <i>it is</i> written in the
law:   35 And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the
firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house
of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Neh.xi-p8.2">Lord</span>:   36 Also the
firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as <i>it is</i> written
in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to
bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in
the house of our God:   37 And <i>that</i> we should bring the
firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all
manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the
chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto
the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the
cities of our tillage.   38 And the priest the son of Aaron
shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the
Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of
our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.   39 For
the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the
offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the
chambers, where <i>are</i> the vessels of the sanctuary, and the
priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we
will not forsake the house of our God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.xi-p9">Having covenanted against the sins they had
been guilty of, they proceed in obliging themselves to revive and
observe the duties they had neglected. We must not only <i>cease to
do evil,</i> but <i>learn to do well.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.xi-p10">I. It was resolved, in general, that the
temple service should be carefully kept up, that the work of the
house of their God should be done in its season, according to the
law, <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.33" parsed="|Neh|10|33|0|0" passage="Ne 10:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>. Let not
any people expect the blessing of God unless they make conscience
of observing his ordinances and keeping up the public worship of
him. Then it is likely to go well with our houses when care is
taken that the work of God's house go on well. It was likewise
resolved that they would never <i>forsake the house of their
God</i> (<scripRef id="Neh.xi-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.39" parsed="|Neh|10|39|0|0" passage="Ne 10:39"><i>v.</i> 39</scripRef>), as
they and their fathers had done, would not forsake it for the house
of any other god, or for the high places, as idolaters did, nor
forsake it for their farms and merchandises, as those did that were
atheistical and profane. Those that forsake the worship of God
forsake God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.xi-p11">II. It was resolved, in pursuance of this,
that they would liberally maintain the temple service, and not
starve it. The priests were ready to do their part in all the work
of God's house, if the people would do theirs, which was to find
them with materials to work upon. Now here it was agreed and
concluded, 1. That a stock should be raised for the furnishing of
God's table and altar plentifully. Formerly there were treasures in
the house of the Lord for this purpose, but these were gone, and
there was no settled fund to supply the want of them. It was a
constant charge to provide show-bread for the table, two lambs for
the daily offerings, four for the sabbaths, and more, and more
costly, sacrifices for other festivals, occasional sin-offerings,
and meat-offerings, and drink-offerings for them all. They had no
rich king to provide these, as Hezekiah did; the priests could not
afford to provide them, their maintenance was so small; the people
therefore agreed to contribute yearly, every one of them, the third
part of a shekel, about ten pence a-piece for the bearing of this
expense. When every one will act, and every one will give, though
but little, towards a good work, the whole amount will be
considerable. The tirshatha did not impose this tax, but the people
made it an ordinance for themselves, and charged themselves with
it, <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.32-Neh.10.33" parsed="|Neh|10|32|10|33" passage="Ne 10:32,33"><i>v.</i> 32, 33</scripRef>. 2.
That particular care should be taken to provide wood for the altar,
to keep the fire always burning upon it, and wherewith to boil the
peace-offerings. All of them, priests and Levites as well as
people, agreed to bring in their quota, and cast lots in what order
they should bring it in, which family first and which next, that
there might be a constant supply, and not a scarcity at one time
and an overplus at another, <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.34" parsed="|Neh|10|34|0|0" passage="Ne 10:34"><i>v.</i>
34</scripRef>. Thus they provided the fire and the wood, as well as
the lambs for the burnt-offerings. 3. That all those things which
the divine law had appointed for the maintenance of the priests and
Levites should be duly paid in, for their encouragement to mind
their business, and that they might not be under any temptation to
neglect it for the making of necessary provision for their
families. Then the work of the house of God is likely to go on when
those that serve at the altar live, and live comfortably, upon the
altar. First-fruits and tenths were then the principal branches of
the ministers' revenues; and they here resolved, (1.) To bring in
the first-fruits justly, the first-fruits of their ground and trees
(<scripRef id="Neh.xi-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.23.19 Bible:Lev.19.23" parsed="|Exod|23|19|0|0;|Lev|19|23|0|0" passage="Ex 23:19,Le 19:23">Exod. xxiii. 19; Lev. xix.
23</scripRef>), the first-born of their children (even the money
wherewith they were to be redeemed) and of their cattle, <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.2 Bible:Exod.13.11 Bible:Exod.13.12" parsed="|Exod|13|2|0|0;|Exod|13|11|0|0;|Exod|13|12|0|0" passage="Ex 13:2,11,12">Exod. xiii. 2, 11, 12</scripRef> (this was
given to the priests, <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p11.5" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.15-Num.18.16" parsed="|Num|18|15|18|16" passage="Nu 18:15,16">Num. xviii.
15, 16</scripRef>), also the first-fruits of their dough (<scripRef id="Neh.xi-p11.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.15.21" parsed="|Num|15|21|0|0" passage="Nu 15:21">Num. xv. 21</scripRef>), concerning which there
is a particular order given in the prophecy concerning the second
temple, <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p11.7" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.44.30" parsed="|Ezek|44|30|0|0" passage="Eze 44:30">Ezek. xliv. 30</scripRef>.
(2.) To bring in their tenths likewise, which were due to the
Levites (<scripRef id="Neh.xi-p11.8" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.37" parsed="|Neh|10|37|0|0" passage="Ne 10:37"><i>v.</i> 37</scripRef>), and
a tenth out of those tenths to the priest, <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p11.9" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.38" parsed="|Neh|10|38|0|0" passage="Ne 10:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>. This was the law (<scripRef id="Neh.xi-p11.10" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.21-Num.18.28" parsed="|Num|18|21|18|28" passage="Nu 18:21-28">Num. xviii. 21-28</scripRef>); but these dues
had been withheld, in consequence of which God, by the prophet,
charges them with <i>robbing him</i> (<scripRef id="Neh.xi-p11.11" osisRef="Bible:Mal.3.8-Mal.3.9" parsed="|Mal|3|8|3|9" passage="Mal 3:8,9">Mal. iii. 8, 9</scripRef>), at the same time
encouraging them to be more just to him and his receivers, with a
promise that, if they brought the <i>tithes into the
store-house,</i> he would <i>pour out blessings upon them,</i>
<scripRef id="Neh.xi-p11.12" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.10" parsed="|Neh|10|10|0|0" passage="Ne 10:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. This
therefore they resolved to do, that there might be meat in God's
house, and plenty in the store-chambers of the temple, where the
vessels of the sanctuary were, <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p11.13" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.39" parsed="|Neh|10|39|0|0" passage="Ne 10:39"><i>v.</i> 39</scripRef>. "We will do it (say they) <i>in
all the cities of our tillage,</i>" <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p11.14" osisRef="Bible:Neh.10.37" parsed="|Neh|10|37|0|0" passage="Ne 10:37"><i>v.</i> 37</scripRef>. <i>In all the cities of our
servitude,</i> so the LXX., for they were servants in their own
land, <scripRef id="Neh.xi-p11.15" osisRef="Bible:Neh.9.36" parsed="|Neh|9|36|0|0" passage="Ne 9:36"><i>ch.</i> ix. 36</scripRef>. But
(as Mr. Poole well observes), though they paid great taxes to the
kings of Persia, and had much hardship put upon them, they would
not make that an excuse for not paying their tithes, but would
render to God the things that were his, as well as to Cæsar the
things that were his. We must do what we can in works of piety and
charity notwithstanding the taxes we pay to the government, and
cheerfully perform our duty to God in our servitude, which will be
the surest way to ease and liberty in God's due time.</p>
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