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

For like as the cracking of thorns under a pot, so is the laughing of a fool.

For lyke as the cracking of thornes vnder a pot, so is the laughing of a foole.

Laughing signifieth the whole life of a fool, wherein he delighteth,¹ but it is but an outward visor of mirth, no true Joy of the heart. But there is a marvellous likeness between the laughing of fools, & cracking of thorns. The Jews abound in similitudes, which they take ⟨image 117⟩from things among them. For they were still occupied in baking and keeping of •ier by reason of their continual washings and Sacrifices &c. For their priests were very butchers and Cooks. Hereof sprang that proverb of the cracking of thorns in the fire, both here and in the Psalms. This seemeth to us an hard thing, because it agreeth not with our usage, even as our proverbs seem hard to them, as when we say. Copper money, copper soul mass, although it be in use with us, and taken from our religion, yet would not they at all understand it.

LAughing signifieth the whole lyfe of a foole, wherein he delighteth,¹ but it is but an outwarde visure of myrth, no true Ioye of ye harte. But there is a merueilous lykenes betwene the laughing of fooles, & cracking of thornes. The Iewes abound in similitudes, which they take ⟨image 117⟩from thinges among thē. For they were still occupied in baking and keeping of ier by reason of their continuall washinges and Sacrifices &c. For their priests were very butchers and Cookes. Hereof sprang that prouerbe of the cracking of thornes in the fyre, both here and in the Psalmes. This séemeth to vs an harde thing, because it agréeth not with our vsage, euen as our prouerbes seeme harde to them, as when we saye. Copper money, copper soule masse, although it be in vse with vs, and taken from our religion, yet woulde not they at all vnderstand it.