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

Crookedness can not be made straight, nor the imperfection in things be numbered.

Crookednesse can not bee made straight, nor the imperfection in thynges be numbred.

HE addeth the cause why all things trouble men with vain care and thought.¹ Because saith he the defaults and imperfection in things are infinite and can not be amended, their greatness and multitude so far passeth all mans devises. This is that therefore he would say: I have wisdom and understanding enough to perceive what is meet and expedient. But what am I able to do therein? There is so great crookedness & depravation in all mens affairs, that they can never be amended. Consider the Empire of Rome, which notwithstanding it was prudently governed, yet it could never find or stablish any firm ⟨image 27⟩peace with all their devises. But when one enemy was slain, there arose divers other. And when they were without wars abroad, they had civil commotions, till the common weal was destroyed. Even so fareth it with all men. Let every man mark the course of his own life, and if all things succeed according to his mind all his life long, let him reprove this book of lying.

HE addeth the cause why all thynges trouble men with vayne care and thought.¹ Bycause sayth he the defaultes and imperfection in thinges are infinite and can not be amended, their greatnesse and multitude so farre passeth all mans deuises. This is that therfore he would say: I haue wisedome and vnderstādyng inough to perceaue what is méete and expedient. But what am I able to doe therein? There is so great crookednes & deprauation in all mens affayres, that they can neuer be amended. Consider ye Empyre of Rome, which notwithstanding it was prudently gouerned, yet it could neuer finde or stablishe any firme ⟨image 27⟩