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

It is better to go into a house of mourning, then into a house of feasting. For there is the end of all men.

It is better to goe into a house of mourning, then into a house of feasting. For there is the ende of all men.

¹This is spoken by way of a sentence. For of these two proverbs, he maketh his sentences & exhortations. A fool would affirm the contrary. Busy not ⟨p. 109⟩thy self with mourning, and meddle not with any heaviness of life (as Hierome followed the single life for a pleasant thing) but Solomon saith otherwise, to bear the cross and to go into the mourning house is better. For in this house we behold what the end is of all men, and of the world. All things are full of grief and sorrow, as well in public government as private regiment, but it is better to bear this cross, then to fly it.² For he that is occupied in mourning and mortification, acquainteth him self to dye, he desireth to live no longer, but dyeth with a good will. He that is not acquainted herewith, but will always be at feasts, without the cross, his mind is not inured, and he dyeth with great sorrow and standeth in extreme danger. But he that is occupied and inured and exercised herewith, he can well away with it. Such a one will be a man.

¹THis is spoken by way of a sentence. For of these two prouerbes, he maketh his sentēces & exhortations. A foole would affirme the contrary. Busye not ⟨p. 109⟩thy selfe with mourning, and meddle not with any heauynes of lyfe (as Hierome followed the single lyfe for a pleasaunt thinge) but Salomon sayth otherwise, to beare the crosse and to goe into the mourning house is better. For in this house we beholde what the ende is of all men, and of the world. All thinges are full of gréefe and sorowe, as well in publycke gouernment as priuate regiment, but it is better to beare this crosse, then to flye it.