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 here in the beginning must we root out an error and noisome opinion that many men have, namely,¹ that we think not Solomon to speak of the contempt of creatures which the scripture will not suffer to be contemned or condemned. For all things which God created are very good, and made for the use of man, which thing, Paul in plain words affirmeth. ⟨image 9⟩1.² Tim. 4. saying: Every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, that is received with thanks giving. For it is sanctified by the word of God, & by prayer. It is therefore very foolishly & wickedly done of some preachers, to inveigh against glory, power, dignity, riches, gold, fame, beauty, women, plainly condemning the creatures of God. A Magistrate or officer, is an ordinance of God. Gold is good, and riches are the gift of God. A woman is a good thing, and made to be an helper unto man. For God made all things, to the end they should be good and profitable some way to man.³ Therefore the creatures of God are not condemned by this book, but the naughty affection and desire of men, which are not con tented with these present creatures of God, and the use of them, but are alway careful how to heap up riches, to get honour, glory, and great name, as though they should alway live in this world, loathing still their present state and condition, and wishing, and aspiring to one thing after an other. For this is a great vanity and misery, that a man should defraud and beguile himself of the use of such pleasures as are before him, and vainly to vex and disquiet himself about things he hath not. These naughty affections (I say) and enterprises of men doth Solomon in this book condemn, and not the creatures themselves: For touching the use of these creatures, he himself saith hereafter: There is nothing better then to be merry in this life, and to eat and drink, and man to reign in his labour. &c. where he should be found utterly against himself, if he should condemn the things, and not rather the abuse ⟨p. 8⟩