An exposition of Solomons book called Ecclesiastes or the preacher. Seen and allowedAn exposition of Salomons booke called Ecclesiastes or the preacher. Seene and allowed

❧The Preface upon the book of Solomon, called the Preacher.

❧The Preface vppon the booke of Salomon, called the Preacher.

Because this book hath been obscurely & darkly translated out of the Hebrew tongue,¹ every learned man hath greedily gone about to expound and declare it, each man labouring to frame diverse of the sayings therein to his own profession, or rather opinion whether for that their curiosity was delighted in strange, obscure and unwonted matters: or else for that in such obscure and dark writings, it is easy for a man to feign what he fancieth and supposeth. For the Philosophers have thought, that which Solomon saith even in the very beginning, hath appertained to them, namely, that all things are difficult, man is not able to utter them with tongue, as though Solomon meant some kind of vain speculation in Philosophy.

BEcause this booke hath beene obscurely & darckly translated out of the Hebrew tounge,¹ euery learned mā hath greedyly gone aboute to expoūde and declare it, eche man labouryng to frame diuerse of the sayinges therin to his owne profession, or rather opinion whether for that their curiositie was delighted in straūge, obscure and vnwonted matters: or els for that in such obscure and darke writyngs, it is easie for a man to fayne what hee phansieth and supposeth. For the Philosophers haue thought, that which Salomon sayth euen in the very begynnyng, hath appertained to them, namely, that all thynges are difficulte, man is not able to vtter them with tounge, as though Salomon ment some kinde of vayne speculation in Philosophie.

1. 1He blameth the abusing of this book.He blameth the abusing of this booke.