Esther 5

Secondly, it cannot make a man righteous: for wicked men have it, which are unrighteous, and cannot be saved. Haman hated Mordecai in his heart: yea, his heart boiled in malice against him: yet the Story says; That nevertheless he refrained himself till he came home, Esther 5:10…

And certainly if his Father has been so gracious to him as to bestow so high and absolute a sovereignty on him, as to accomplish and effect whatever he means to do, surely his purpose was never to deny Christ any request, that he should after this make: he would never have advan…

In the beginning of the chapter (where the feasts of Job's children are described) it is said only, That his sons went every one their day, to eat and to drink: But here it is said, that they did eat and drink wine: which notes an extraordinary feast. For still in Scripture, whe…

The second expression, setting forth her condition, is, and my breasts like towers: This supposes a growth, and further degree of her faith and other graces, as having not only breasts, which the little sister had not, verse 8. but breasts like towers, that is, well fashioned (E…

It is promised (Psalm 22:26) that the meek shall eat and be satisfied. He has whatever sweetness is to be had in his common comforts, while the angry man either cannot eat, his stomach is too full, and too high, as Ahab (1 Kings 21:4), or eats and is not satisfied, unless he can…

§. 16. Of husbands' ready yielding to their wives' humble suits. Again, it being a token of reverence in a wife humbly to make known her desire to her husband, he ought to show so much courtesy as readily to grant her desire: this courtesy the forenamed Ahasuerus afforded to Est…

Use 2. For Reproof, that we make more noise of a little trouble than we do of a thousand benefits that remain with us. We fret and complain and manifest the impatience of the flesh, like a great machine or carriage, if one pin be out of order all stops, or one member hurt though…

Partly by the manner how it comes upon us, by what instruments, and in what sort: how many make themselves miserable by an imagined cross, and so when all things without are well, their own humors and passions make them a burden to themselves, and when they are not wounded in po…

3. As it vents itself by the disdain of underlings. Haman could not endure to see Mordecai in the king's gate (Esther 5:13), and therefore contrives how to root him out, and all his nation. Pride disdains the meanness of God's people, and that they should have any subsistence, a…

If the sinner be seriously willing to part with [illegible] sin, he is restless, and unsatisfied until it be [illegible] and taken away from him, he finds nothing that [illegible] can have any sweet contentment in as long as he [illegible] that distemper which is cross to his wi…

Majesty shall appear in God to preserve reverence, but withal majesty clothed with beauty and tempered with sweetness to excite joy in the saints. We shall see God as a friend — not as guilty Adam did, who was afraid and hid himself (Genesis 3:10) — but as Queen Esther looked up…

The saints' robes signify their glory and splendor; and white robes denote their sanctity — they have no sin to taint or defile their robes; in these robes they shall shine as the angels. Kings have their scepters in token of rule and greatness; King Ahasuerus held out to Esther…

Through the face of Christ as through a bright mirror, or crystal the glory of God, his wisdom, holiness, mercy shall be sweetly transparent. We shall see God as a friend; not as guilty Adam did, who was afraid and hid himself (Genesis 3:10); but as Queen Esther looked upon King…

Thus he in the Gospel — he keeps an audit in his heart; Soul (says he) you have goods laid up for many years. So Haman (Esther 5:11) takes an inventory of his honors and goods, he talks of all the glory of his riches, and all the things in which the king had promoted him. So Neb…

Love fulfills the commandments, and this manifests itself chiefly in all holy duties (2 Corinthians 5:14). Besides, faith has another work toward God, that having found God merciful to us in forgiving and healing our sins, and entertaining us at his table; then faith makes me to…