Title page of An exposition of Solomons book called Ecclesiastes or the preacher. Seen and allowed, London, 1573

A06504:200

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

Name: An exposition of Solomons book called Ecclesiastes or the preacher. Seen and allowed
Author: Martin Luther

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

Martin Luther 1483–1546London: printed by John Daye, 1573London: printed by Iohn Daye, 1573

181 [i.e. 187] leaves · 71k words · STC 16979 · ESTC S105591

Title page typeset from the transcription.

Chapter 3 › ¶ But man findeth not out the work. &c.Chapter 3 › ¶ But man findeth not out the worke. &c.

Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.

[ Earlier:200–212 of 797

:200p. 54

¶ But man findeth not out the work. &c.

¶ But man findeth not out the worke. &c.

:201p. 54

That is to say, man can not know, would he never so much vex him self there about, when God will do him good,¹ when to begin, or when to make an end. Even as no man is able to search out, or declare the hour when any shall be borne, how long they shall live, or when they shall dye, study they never so much. We must therefore say: Lord, it is in thy power to give things for the time to come, in the mean season I will rejoice in that thou hast given me, and in that thing that is present. Thus the other actions of mans life, whereof he hath rehearsed a great many, are not in mans power. For if it were, some men would alway make war, other would always give themselves to gaming, other would always be occupied in building &c. Because many ⟨image 56⟩men give them selves hereunto. Therefore all the world is ours, only we must not prescribe God any time or manner how we will use them. I will not (saith God) be measured according to your devises, for so should all things be at your commandment, and I also. He concludeth therefore as in the chapter gone before.

THat is to say, man can not know, would he neuer so much vexe him self there about, when God wil do him good,¹ when to begin, or when to make an end. Euen as no man is able to search out, or declare ye houre when any shal be borne, how long they shall liue, or when they shall dye, study they neuer so much. We must therfore say: Lord, it is in thy power to giue thinges for the time to come, in the meane season I wil reioyce in that thou hast giuē me, and in that thing yt is present. Thus ye other actiōs of mās life, wherof he hath rehearsed a great many, are not in mans power. For if it were, some men would alway make warre, other woulde alwayes geue themselues to gaming, other woulde alwayes bée occupied in buylding &c. Because many

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The book

Title as printed

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

Author

Martin Luther 1483–1546

Place

London

Printer

John DayeIohn Daye

Year

1573

Size

181 [i.e. 187] leaves

Words

71,187

Catalogue

STC 16979 · ESTC S105591

Text

EEBO-TCP A06504

Passages

797

Sections

334

Title page

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

¶ But man findeth not out the work. &c.

¶ But man findeth not out the worke. &c.

And I know that there is nothing good in them, but to rejoice and to do good in his life. And also that every man eateth and drinketh, and seeth the commodity of all his labour, this is the gift of God.

And I know that there is nothyng good in them, but to reioyce and to doe good in his lyfe. And also that euery man eateth and drinketh, and seeth the cōmoditie of al his labour, this is the gift of God.

I know that whatsoever God shall do, shall be for ever: to it can no man add, and from it can none diminish. For God hath done it, that they should fear before him.

I know that whatsoeuer God shall doe, shall be for euer: to it can no man adde, and from it cā none diminish. For God hath done it, that they should feare before him.

That that hath been, is also now, and that that shall be, hath been already, and God requireth the things that are past.

That that hath beene, is also nowe, and that that shall be, hath beene already, and God requireth the thinges that are past.

Because God requireth the things that are past.

Moreover, I saw under the Sun, the place of judgement, where was wickedness, and the place of justice where was iniquity. And I thought in mine hart, God will judge the just and the wicked: for there is a time for every work & purpose.

Moreouer, I saw vnder the Sunne, the place of iudgemēt, where was wickednes, and the place of iustice wher was iniquitie. And I thought in myne hart, God will iudge the iust and the wicked: for there is a tyme for euery worke & purpose.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

¶ But man findeth not out the work. &c.

¶ But man findeth not out the worke. &c.

And I know that there is nothing good in them, but to rejoice and to do good in his life. And also that every man eateth and drinketh, and seeth the commodity of all his labour, this is the gift of God.

And I know that there is nothyng good in them, but to reioyce and to doe good in his lyfe. And also that euery man eateth and drinketh, and seeth the cōmoditie of al his labour, this is the gift of God.

I know that whatsoever God shall do, shall be for ever: to it can no man add, and from it can none diminish. For God hath done it, that they should fear before him.

I know that whatsoeuer God shall doe, shall be for euer: to it can no man adde, and from it cā none diminish. For God hath done it, that they should feare before him.

That that hath been, is also now, and that that shall be, hath been already, and God requireth the things that are past.

That that hath beene, is also nowe, and that that shall be, hath beene already, and God requireth the thinges that are past.

Because God requireth the things that are past.

Moreover, I saw under the Sun, the place of judgement, where was wickedness, and the place of justice where was iniquity. And I thought in mine hart, God will judge the just and the wicked: for there is a time for every work & purpose.

Moreouer, I saw vnder the Sunne, the place of iudgemēt, where was wickednes, and the place of iustice wher was iniquitie. And I thought in myne hart, God will iudge the iust and the wicked: for there is a tyme for euery worke & purpose.