John Trapp on Esther 7:3

Verſe 3. Then Eſther the Queen, &c.] See chapter 5.7, 8. As Abigail, her family; and the woman of Abel, the City: ſo doth Eſthe[illegible: 1 letter] by her wiſdom and humility deliver herſelf and her people, ducem ſequens lucem fidei, as one ſaith of her.

Let my life be given me at my Petition] Heb. my ſoule. See how diſcreetly ſhe marſhalleth her words: ſetting theſe two great requeſts in the head of her petition, which is ſimplex & non fucata, plain and downright. Truth is like our firſt Parents, moſt beautiful when naked. Our words in prayer muſt be neque lecta, neque neglecta, neither curious nor careleſſe; but as the words of Petitioners, plain and full, and direct to the point. Eſther reckoneth her ſelfe here among the reſt of her poor Countreymen, free among the dead, free of that company, and begs for her life and theirs together; becauſe hers was even bound [illegible: 1 letter]p in theirs. Mortis habet vices quae trabitur vitâ genuitibus; to live after their death would be a lifeleſſe life; and hence her importunity for both together▪ ſith they were in her heart, ad commoriendum & convivendum, if they died ſhe could not live. Good blood will not belie it ſelfe. Eſther had not ſhewed her kindred and people till now, that ſhe muſt appear for them. See the like in Moſes, Heb. John 19.3[illegible: 1 letter] 11.25. in Nicodemus that night-bird, John 7.51. he ſpeaks boldly and ſilences the whole company, John 19. he boldly beggeth the body of Jeſus; neither could he any longer conceal himſelf. Surely, as Solomon by trial found out the true harlot-mother, ſo doth God by hard times deſcry the affections of his people. Then, as Joſeph could not refrain teares, ſo nor they the exerciſe of their faith and charity.