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 › I know that whatsoever God shall do, shall be for ever: to it can…: I know that whatsoever God shall do, shall be for ever: to it can no man add, and fro…Chapter 3 › I know that whatsoeuer God shall doe, shall be for euer: to it can…: I know that whatsoeuer God shall doe, shall be for euer: to it can no man adde, and fro…

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:204–217 of 797

:204p. 55

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.

:205p. 55

This is to say,¹ I saw that all things that God doth, endure for ever. As for our works, they be vain and uncertain. And this antithesis or counterpoint is to be well marked. God only (saith he) can bring his purpose to pass, & appoint them in their times. Look to whom he giveth the gift to enjoy things present, he hath it. He is faithful and sure. That he giveth, no man can take away. If he give life, no man can bereave us of it, although the world and Satan rage and rave. For he is sure and everlasting. If he give me good eyes, I shall keep them notwithstanding Satan would throw all the dust of the earth into them. If he will grant me strong, and whole arms and legs, no man shall be able to take ⟨image 57⟩them from me. All our works have their time and hour ordained, which we can not appoint. Who then? God himself appointeth the hour, and not fortune and destiny, as the Philosophers suppose. When he suffereth the hour to come which ordained it, then it cometh.

THis is to say,¹

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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

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.

There is a time for every work and purpose.

There is a tyme for euery worke and purpose.

I considered in mine hart the state of the children of men, that God ⟨image 60⟩hath purged them: yet, to see to, they are in themselves as beasts. For the condition of the children of men, and the condition of beasts are even as one. As the one dyeth: so dyeth the other.

I considered in myne hart the state of the children of men, that God ⟨image 60⟩hath purged them: yet, to see to, they are in themselues as beastes. For the condition of the children of mē, and the cōdition of beastes are euen as one. As the one dyeth: so dyeth the other.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

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.

There is a time for every work and purpose.

There is a tyme for euery worke and purpose.

I considered in mine hart the state of the children of men, that God ⟨image 60⟩hath purged them: yet, to see to, they are in themselves as beasts. For the condition of the children of men, and the condition of beasts are even as one. As the one dyeth: so dyeth the other.

I considered in myne hart the state of the children of men, that God ⟨image 60⟩hath purged them: yet, to see to, they are in themselues as beastes. For the condition of the children of mē, and the cōdition of beastes are euen as one. As the one dyeth: so dyeth the other.