John Trapp on Esther 4:1

CHAP. IV. Verſe. 1. When Mordecai perceived all that was done]

[non-Latin text not transcribed], ſaith Joſephus, when he had learned or fully informed himſelf,Jadang. ſo that he knew it to be ſo, as the Hebrew text hath it. Sollicitous he was of the Churches welfare, and ſat liſtening, as Eli did once, what would become of the Ark.1 Sam. 3.13. [non-Latin text not transcribed]. Now therefore (as ill newes is ſwift of foot, ſaith Sophocles, and comes like ill weather, before it be ſent for) Mordecai taketh knowledge of that bloody decree, though Eſther and thoſe about her had not heard of it, ver. 4, 5. Neither ſitteth he ſtill at home, as deſponding and deſpairing, or ſeeketh by ſiniſter practices to help himſelf and his people, but applieth himſelf, Firſt, to God by hearty humiliation and prayer; And then to the King, by the interceſſion of Eſther. A carnal heart would have taken other ſhifting courſes; like as a dog that hath loſt his Maſter, will follow after any other for relief.

Mordecai rent his clothes] To ſhew that his very heart was rent with ſorrow for Sion. This cuſtome of renting their clothes in time, and in token of greateſt grief, was in uſe not among the Jews only, but Perſians alſo, and other Nations,Herod l. 3. & 9. Curt. l. 3, 4. & 11. as is noted by Herodotus and Curtius.

And put on ſackcloth] The courſeft clothing he could get: as holding any clothes too good for ſo vile a caiti[illegible: 2 letters] and ſhewing, that but for ſhame he would have worn none. So the Ninivites ſat in ſackcloth and aſhes, for more humiliation. See Exod. 33.4. &c.

And [illegible: 1 word] ] He put on aſhes or duſt, that is a duſty garment ſprinkled with aſhes, ſaith [illegible: 1 span] his mouth in the duſt, as L[illegible: 2 letters]. 3.20 acknowledging himſelf to be of the earth earthy, and fit fuel for hell fire.Nonè [illegible: 1 span] è terra deſumptum pulrerem notar. Merlin.

And went out into the midſt of the City] That he might be a pattern to others. Si vis me flere, &c.

And cried with a loud and bitter cry] More [illegible: 1 letter]ar[illegible: 1 letter]arico, after the manner of that countrey; but there was more in it then ſo. It was not his own danger that ſo much affected him, (how gladly could he have wiſhed with Ambroſe, that God would pleaſe to turn all the adverſaries from the Church upon himſelfe, and let them ſatisfie their thirſt with his blood?) as that ſo many innocent people ſhould periſh. This made him lift up his voice unto God on High.On [non-Latin text not transcribed]. Joſeph.