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

Better is a poor and wise child, than an old and foolish king, which will no more be admonished.

Better is a poore and wise childe, thē an old and foolish kyng, which will no more be admonished.

Here is an other kind of life after these covetous persons and unprofitable to others.¹ Even as he said there was vanity in covetousness, so now he saith there is the same in ambition. For many are borne to be kings, and yet remain not so. Many come out of the prison ⟨image 72⟩and become kings and rich men. Other forgo their kingdoms and become servants, because we should know, that our devises are nothing. Our counsel, our endeavour doth nothing. Therefore some of captives become kings, and govern well, because God prospereth them, and some that be borne kings govern naughtily. I have seen many children godlily brought up, and very well instructed, which when their tutor hath been gone, and they come to their inheritance, have proved very ungracious and wicked grafts. And other without any education and instruction have made good men, what then? Shall we neglect our children? Shall we not instruct them? Shall we set all at six and seven? No.

HEre is an other kynde of lyfe after these couetous persons and vnprofitable to others.¹ Euen as he sayd there was vanitie in couetousnes, so now he saith there is the same in ambition. For many are borne to be kinges, and yet remaine not so. Many come out of the prison ⟨image 72⟩and become kinges and richmen. Other forgoe their kingdomes and become seruaunts, because we should know, that our deuises are nothing. Our counsell, our endeuour doth nothyng. Therefore some of captiues become kinges, and gouerne well, because God prospereth thē, and some that be borne kynges gouerne naughtely. I haue séene many children godlyly brought vp, and very well instructed, whiche when their tutor hath béene gone, and they come to their inheritaunce, haue prooued very vngracious and wicked graftes. And other without any education and instructiō haue made good men, what then? Shall we neglect our childrē? Shall we not instruct them? Shall we set all at six and seuen? No.