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

The end of a matter is better then the beginning.

The ende of a matter is better then the beginning.

That is, perseverance to the end getteth the crown.¹ Waite for the end: and it consisteth not in the beginning but in continuance to the very end. It is much better to attain to the end, then to give the onset. For no man shall have praise before his last day. Not he that beginneth, but he that holdeth on shall be safe. That I speak in matters of religion, the same is to be said of ⟨image 119⟩all other things, according to that common saying: A hot beginning, a warm middle, and a cold ending: So doth it lie even among the ashes. We Germans specially are reproved for this fault, because we are desirous of new-fanglednes. We take many things in hand, we go forward, and continue in none, and specially this falleth out with us in doctrine, where every day we embrace strange opinions. But this is the inconstancy of mans hart. Therefore we must not think so much of the beginning as of the end. Wherefore see that thou hold on: thy wisdom shall be slandered, thou shalt find ingratitude, men shall forget thy benefits & good deserts, they shall backbite thy counsels and devises, & requite thee evil for good. Wherein, if thou be a shrimp and white livered, thou shalt give over. But go thou on courageously, hold out, for God at length shall give fruit and increase to thy labour.

THat is, perseueraūce to the ende getteth the crowne.¹ Waite for the end: and it consisteth not in the beginning but in continuance to the very ende. It is much better to attaine to the ende, then to geue the onset. For no man shall haue praise before his last day. Not he that beginneth, but he that holdeth on shall be safe. That I speake in matters of religion, the same is to be sayd of