John Trapp on Esther 3:4

Verſe 4. Now it came to paſſe, when they ſpake daily unto him] This if they did of good-will, (as at firſt perhaps they did) it was a friendly office, and may ſhame many of us who are ſo backward to Chriſtian admonition, (See my common places) that ſpiritual Almes, that we are bound freely to diſtribute. Jude 22.23. But if (as is likely, at length at leaſt) they did it to ingratiate with Haman, and out of envy to Mordecai, becauſe he did not comply and comport with them, what did they elſe but act the devils part; and the rather, becauſe they were importunate and impudent as not to take an anſwer?

And he hearkened not unto them] They did but ſurdo fabulam (as they ſay) beat upon cold iron;Act. & Mon. John Ardley. this matter was not malleable, this man not to be prevailed with, to do ought againſt his conſcience. The Heavens ſhall ſooner fall, then I will alter mine opinion, ſaid that Martyr. This the Perſecutours called obſtinacy: ſed pro hac obſtinatione fi[illegible: 1 letter]ei mor[illegible: 1 letter]mar, ſaith Tertullian, but for this obſtinacy of faith we gladly die: and the ſtronger any are in faith, the more reſolute in warrantable purpoſes. The ſtrength of Iſrael repenteth not, 1 Sam. 10.29. Unconſtancy comes from weakneſſe.

That they told Haman] Purpoſely to pick a thank and curry favour. Go not about as a tale-bearer, Levit. 19.16. The word ſignifieth as a pedler, that firſt filleth his pack with tales and ſlanders, and then venteth them to the hurt of others. Such are fitly joyned with flatterers. Prov. 20.19. and with murtherers, Ezek. 22.9. Such a wretched Pedler was Doeg, and ſuch were theſe evil inſtruments in the text, whoſe tongues were as ſharp as the quills of a Porcupine, the poiſon of aſpes was under their lips. And although it was truth they told Haman, yet becauſe they did it not for any love to the truth, nor for reſpect to juſtice, nor for the bettering of either party, but only to undo the one, and to incenſe the other, they were no better then flanderers.

To ſee whether Mordecai's matters would ſtand] Whether he would ſtick to his principles, and not ſtart aſide for any terrour, Phil. 1.28.

For he had told them that he was a Jew] That is, by Interpretation, a Confeſſour: yea more, he was a ſtout Profeſſour of the truth: and though he had hitherto concealed himſelf, yet now (ſith they will needs have it ſo) he plainly tells them, his countrey and his conſcience, the true cauſe of his peremptorineſſe, which they held and call'd pr[illegible: 1 letter]de and ſtubbornneſſe.