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

Behold the works of God. Who can make straight, that he hath made crooked?

Beholde the workes of God. Who can make straight, that he hath made crooked?

¹HE concludeth all this place, which he took in hand for the comforting of impatient and angry men, with a trim sentence. Why saith he, art thou angry? why art thou so impatient with ingrateful men? Behold the works of God, how no man can make that straight, that he hath made crooked, let this comfort thee. For by this argument thou mayst know that God governeth all things, and that it is not required of thee that all men should be good and kind, nor is not in thy power to make them so. Therefore be content, and let it go as it listeth. It is not in my power to straighten things crooked. I benefit ⟨p. 120⟩many, and I receive reproach and unkindness for my labour. This is no marvel, nor any news. For unless god give man an understanding and kind hart, thou shalt lose all thy good turns. Therefore this place hath in it singular good doctrine: that it is mans arbitrement to make the hart of man straight, or to correct any kind of grief. Thou mayst in deed teach & admonish men. &c. But none but god can amend it. To know this is the only remedy against such ingratitude and slanders. Wherefore, when thy rebuke and instruction helpeth not, take Pauls rule: A man that is an heretic, after once or twice admonishing avoid. When thou hast done thy part, God will do his. For not to leave of before thou haddest corrected such things, were to place thy self in Gods room, which were openly to be mad. Therefore:

¹HE concludeth all this place, which he tooke in hand for the comfortyng of impatient and angry mē, with a trimme sentence. Why saith he, art thou angry? why art thou so impatient with ingratefull mē? Beholde ye workes of God, how no man can make that straight, that he hath made crooked, let this comfort thée. For by this argument thou mayst know that God gouerneth all thinges, and that it is not required of thée yt all men should be good and kynde, nor is not in thy power to make them so. Therefore be contēt, and let it goe as it listeth. It is not in my power to straighten things crooked. I benefite