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

These things Solomon speaketh of good men which desire ye all things should do well.¹ Such as are magistrates & governors over households, not of fools which regard not wisdom, nor care not how the world goeth. For they that are governors of the common weal and Rulers of families find great deceit & falsehood in men. This thing hath frayed many men from intermeddling with public Offices, So that old man in Terence counted it an happy thing to be without a wife. An other again said: I have married a wife, what misery have I found therein, children come, cares increase. &c. Mans mind is offended with all these things, unless it be armed aforehand with the word of God. Therefore they that saw these things, said: He liveth well that liveth close and hid. &c. But Christians must be exhorted to live in the middle of these troubles, to marry ⟨image 109⟩wives, to rule their family. &c. And if their purposes shall be interrupted through the naughtiness of man, to take it patiently, and not to leave of a good work. Forsake not thy standing, but abide in it. Be not discouraged with sorrow or impatience, nor overcome of anger. This is therefore a joyful & very godly exhortation, but such as none giveth ear to, but only the true Christians.

These thinges Salomon speaketh of good mē which desire ye all thinges should doo well.¹ Such as are magistrates & gouernours ouer housholdes, not of fooles which regarde not wisedome, nor care not how the world goeth. For they that are gouernours of the cōmon weale and Rulers of families fynde great deceite & falshode in men. This thinge hath frayed many men from intermedling with publyke Offices, So that olde man in Terence counted it an happy thing to be without a wyfe. An other againe sayd: I haue maried a wife, what misery haue I founde therein, children come, cares encrease. &c. Mans mynde is offended with all these things, vnlesse it be armed aforehand with the worde of God. Therfore they that saw these things, sayd: He lyueth well that liueth close and hid. &c. But Christians must be exhorted to liue in ye middle of these troubles, to marry ⟨image 109⟩wiues, to rule their familie. &c. And if their purposes shall be interrupted through the naughtines of man, to take it patiently, and not to leaue of a good worke. Forsake not thy standing, but abide in it. Be not discouraged with sorrow or impatience, nor ouercommed of anger. This is therefore a ioyfull & very godly exhortation, but such as none géeueth eare to, but only ye true Christians.