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

Solomon calleth the living, those that live gorgeously, and as though they sought for no other life, but that the world had been created for their sake only, as the Gallants of the court use to do. He continueth in the example of a kings education, whether it be to govern at home, or in the field. Education (saith he) is a good thing, but mans will & study bringeth not to pass that he would. The devises of education are deceitful, the travel is necessary, but the success and care oftentimes beguileth us.¹ Therefore he teacheth us that our devises are vain. For if care and counsel deceive us in a kings ⟨image 74⟩education, how much more will it deceive in education of the commons, where is less care, and slenderer education.

SAlomon calleth the lyuing, those that lyue gorgiously, and as though they sought for no other lyfe, but that ye world had béene created for their sake onely, as the Gallaunts of the court vse to doe. He cōtinueth in the example of a kings education, whether it be to gouerne at home, or in the fielde. Education (sayth he) is a good thing, but mans will & studie bringeth not to passe that he would. The deuises of education are deceitfull, the trauell is necessary, but the successe and care oftentimes beguileth vs.¹ Therfore he teacheth vs that our deuises are vayne. For if care and counsell deceaue vs in a kings ⟨image 74⟩education, how much more wyll it deceaue in education of the cōmons, where is lesse care, and slenderer education.

1. 1Our devises deceive us.Our deuises deceaue vs.

That he saith the living, or all the states under the Sun, keep company with the second child, he meaneth not all simply, but the most part of the kingdom: so that the sense is, all the company that be about the king, wait and attend upon the kings sonne his beck. Every one cleaveth unto him, having conceived some great hope of him. For this young Prince is the second youth or springald, which standeth in stead of another king, that is, which shall be king, and succeed in the kingdom after his Father: Before whom, and behind whom is there a great company of people, that is to say, he is waited on with a great multitude of people behind & before, guarding him, as though he were king. There is a great hope in this young man, that he should pass his father in power and authority. All men deemed and judged very well of him, and yet they rejoiced not in him. Why so? Because he answered not their expectation, because he proved such a fool and dullard, according to the proverb,