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

Is it not better therefore for a man to eat and drink, and his soul to be merry in his labour?

Is it not better therefore for a man to eate and drinke, and his soule to be mery in his labour?

This is the principal conclusion,¹ yea the counsel of the whole book, which he often hereafter repeateth. And this is a notable place for the expounding of that is gone before, and that that followeth. Thus he consenteth with that that is said afore. These pleasures are to be condemned that we of our own heads and devise prepare for the time to come. Those travels and pains to be condemned which we undertake of our own fantasy and brain. But the pleasures and travels that God sendeth are good, & to be used as they come without care of pleasure, or vexation after to ensue. But who can thus do. It is very well said, but we do not that that is so wisely proponed, we hear it as though we heard it not, and see it as ⟨image 49⟩though we saw it not, and no man followeth it. For we are drowned in the care of making preparation and compassing of our own affairs. Our hart can brook no good counsel, but is vexed every day more and more. The godly cast from them all cares. All other men lead a disquiet life, even till they dye. He saith therefore:

THis is the principall conclusion,¹ yea the coūsell of the whole booke, which he often hereafter repeateth. And this is a notable place for the expoūding of that is gone before, and that that followeth. Thus he cōsenteth with that that is sayd afore. These pleasures are to bee cōdemned that we of our owne heades and deuise prepare for the time to come. Those trauels and paines to be condēned which we vndertake of our owne phātasie and braine. But the pleasures and trauels that God sendeth are good, & to be vsed as they come without care of pleasure, or vexation after to ensue. But who cā thus doe. It is very well sayd, but we doe not that that is so wisely proponed, we heare it as though we heard it not, and sée it as