Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
Ver. 20. Then answered I them, and said unto them] He would not honour them so far as to tell them of the king's licence; but shapes them a sharp answer, and shakes them up as having nothing there to do. This was true Christian courage; this was right, and much better than railing for railing; for that were but lutum lute purgare, to wash off one dirt with another.
The God of heaven] Who does whatsoever he pleases in heaven and earth; who looks and laughs at your malice.
He will prosper us] He will break his heavens, and come down amongst us, and give good success. Oh the force of a heroic faith! Though Sense says, It will not be, Reason, it cannot be; yet Faith gets above and says, It shall be; God will prosper us. It eats its way through the alps of whatsoever difficulties.
But ye have no portion] Nothing to do here, neither ought you to interpose in aliena republica, in a foreign land, as busy braggers and quarrellers; meddle where you have command.
Nor right] sc. Of interest or any good desert.
Nor memorial] Or enrolment there, as free denizens; therefore we neither accept you as friends nor fear you as enemies, &c.