A Golden Chain

Object. 2. Eccles. 9. Man knows not whether he be worthy of love or hatred. For all things are kept uncertain till the time to come. Ans. First I say, the translation is not right; the words are thus in the Hebrew and in the Seventy. No man knoweth love or hatred, all things are before them. As for these words (all things are kept uncertain till the time to come) are thrust into the text by head & shoulders; and Hierome hath them not. Secondly I answer, that the holy Ghost doth not deny simply the knowledge of gods love or hatred, as though there could be no certain assurance of it in this life. If we understand the words thus, then the argument of the holy Ghost must be framed on this manner. If love or hatred were to be known, then it must be known by the outward blessings of God: but it cannot be known by the outward blessings of God, for all things come alike to all: therefore love and hatred cannot be known. The proposition is false. For love may be known other ways then by outward benefits: and therefore the reason is not meet to be ascribed to the spirit of trueth. Wherefore the true and proper sense of the words, is, that love or hatred can not be judged or discerned by outward blessings of God. Saint Bernard speaks of this text on this manner,¹ that no man knows love or hatred, namely by him: yet that God gives most certain testimonies thereof to men upon earth. And serm. 5. de Dedi•. his words are these: Who knows if he be worthy love or hatred? who knows the mind of the Lord? Here both faith and truth must needs help us, that, that which is hidden in the heart of the father, may be revealed unto us by the spirit: and his spirit giving testimony persuades our spirit, that we are the sons of God: and this persuasion is caused by his calling, and justifying us freely by faith. ²And S. Hierome (though commonly abused to the contrary) saith no more but that men cannot know love or hatred by the present afflictions which they suffer, because they know not whether they suffer them for trial or punishment.

Obiect. 2. Eccles. 9. Man knowes not whether hee bee worthie of loue or hatred. For all things are kept vncerten till the time to come. Ans. First I say, the translation is not right; the words are thus in the Hebrew and in the Seventie. No man knoweth loue or hatred, all things are before them. As for these wordes (all thinges are kept vncerten till the time to come) are thrust into the text by head & shoulders; and Hierome hath them not. Secondly I answere, that the holy Ghost doth not deny simplie the knowledge of gods loue or hatred, as though there could be no certaine assurance of it in this life. If wee vnderstand the wordes thus, then the argument of the holy Ghost must be framed on this manner. If loue or hatred were to bee knowne, then it must be knowne by the outward blessings of God: but it cannot be knowne by the outward blessings of God, for all things come alike to all: therefore loue and hatred cannot be known. The proposition is false. For loue may bee knowne other waies then by outward benefits: and therefore the reason is not meete to be ascribed to the spirit of trueth. Wherefore the true and proper sense of the wordes, is, that loue or hatred can not be iudged or discerned by outward blessings of God. Saint Bernard speakes of this text on this manner,