A06504:80
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
An exposition of Solomons book called Ecclesiastes or the preacher. Seen and allowed.An exposition of Salomons booke called Ecclesiastes or the preacher. Seene and allowed.
London: printed by John Daye, 1573London: printed by Iohn Daye, 1573
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
I considered all the things that are done under the sun, and lo, they are all but vanity and vexation of mind. Things crooked can not be straight, nor the imperfection of things can be numbered.
I considered all the thyngs that are done vnder the sunne, and lo, they are all but vanitie and vexation of mynde. Thynges crooked can not be straight, nor the imperfection of thynges can be numbred.
This is a confirmation of that he spake before: I have not only proved this vanity by mine own example, but I have considered all other men, and I see that their ways & devises be but vain aswell as mine. Even as mine own devises succeeded not, no more have I seen any other mens in the world succeed. Wise mens devises are made frustrate and disappointed aswell as fools. Therefore by these words is that affection called good or godly intention beaten down, when we say commonly, I have a good intent or meaning. 1But that good intent is nothing that is not governed by the word of God, and springeth not of faith. And all other how beautiful so ever they appear, are most hurtful. Even Cicero him self had the experience hereof as ⟨p. 25⟩he witnesseth: The best devises, speed worst. And God doth very well in so frustrating our purposes. For if matters should never so little succeed as we would, then would we by and by be puffed up with pride, and ascribe the glory to our selves, which is against the glory of God, who alone is to be glorified &c.
THis is a cōfirmation of that he spake before: I haue not onely prooued this vanitie by myne owne example, but I haue considered all other men, and I sée that their wayes & deuises be but vayne aswell as myne. Euen as myne own deuises succeded not, no more haue I séene any other mens in the worlde succede. Wise mens deuises are made frustrate and disappointed aswell as fooles. Therfore by these wordes is that affection called good or godly intētion beaten downe, when we say commonly, I haue a good intent or meanyng.