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

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.

Before in the first Chapter, he said:¹ What is that that hath been? that that is to come. &c. Because in that place, he spake of mens works and doings, here in this place, he speaketh of Gods. Mans mind can not content it self with the things it hath, but still wisheth for the things to come. And when those things are come that it wisheth, it is not contented neither, but again desireth other things, so that it is never satisfied. For this is the condition of the hart of man, always to gape after future things, and never to be filled. But God proceedeth after a contrary sort and manner. For that that hath been with him, is yet still: that is to say: be turneth him not to things to come. For thus saith the Scripture of him. He beheld ⟨image 58⟩all the things he made, & they were very good. God resteth in the work that he maketh, and doth not so hop and leap to the desire of things to come, as mans mind doth. And they ye walk according to Gods appointment, do even like: their heads stretch not to future things, containing things present. The godly person laboureth & worketh after a constant sort, and constantly enjoyeth the thing that God sendeth.

BEfore in the first Chapiter, he sayde:¹ What is that that hath beene? that that is to come. &c. Because in that place, he spake of mens workes and doinges, here in this place, he speaketh of Gods. Mans mynde can not content it selfe with the thinges it hath, but still wisheth for the thinges to come. And when those thinges are come that it wisheth, it is not contented neither, but againe desireth other thinges, so that it is neuer satisfied. For this is the condition of the hart of man, alwayes to gape after future thinges, and neuer to bee filled. But God procéedeth after a cōtrary sort and maner. For that that hath béene with him, is yet still: that is to say: bee turneth him not to thinges to come. For thus saith the Scripture of him. He behelde