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

Vanity of vanities saith the Preacher, and all is but vanity.

Vanitie of vanities sayth the Preacher, and all is but vanitie.

HE concludeth his book with the same saying,¹ wherewith he begun it, and addeth a commendation to his doctrine, and an exhortation, that we should not be led about with strange and divers learnings, but abide in that, that hath been taught us. For this is a great misery that when God hath set up his ⟨image 188⟩word and good teachers, by and by start up heretics and wicked teachers, which through emulation draw the people after them. Thus all the Apostles care was to keep us in wholesome doctrine. But this perverseness is the wholesome doctrine and word of God compelled to bear: when God raiseth up his word, in come heretics, and Apes, that will counterfeit his word. Moses appointed a service for god and certain Ceremonies, and forthwith certain Apes erected Idols. Thus in all Arts and Sciences it cometh to pass: If there be a good Poet, he wanteth not his zoili: If there be a good Artificer, there will be counterfeits to follow him. Thus all Arts have their imitators, that is, their destroyers. But this of all other is the worst, that the multitude followeth these fools, and prefer them before the true Artificers, as Christ said of them: They shall deceive many. This is it that Solomon in this place complaineth on.

HE concludeth hys booke with the same saying,¹ wherewith he begonne it, and addeth a cōmendation to his doctrine, and an exhortation, that we should not be led about with straunge and diuers learninges, but abide in that, that hath béene taught vs. For this is a great misery that when God hath sett vp his