The whole narration doth show that Solomon wrote this book after his fall. When he had the experience of vanities, and seen the folly of the world, what evil comes of pleasure, and what fruit groweth of sin, he was bold to say, Vanity of vanities, &c. which he avoucheth with such protestation, as though he would justify it against many adversaries: For all the world is in love with that which he calls vanity. Therefore he puts to his name in the middest of his sentence, as if he would defend it against all comers: if any man ask, who broached this strange doctrine? the Preacher (saith Solomon ) To testify his hearty conversion to God, he calls himself a Preacher, in the witness of his unfeigned repentance, as if God had said unto him Thou being converted, convert thy brethren and be a Preacher, as thou art a King: ⟨p. 822⟩so when we are converted, we should become Preachers unto other, and show some fruits of our calling, as Solomon left this book for a monument to all ages of his conversion. Therefore they which write, that Solomon dyed in his sin, and that such a famous instrument of God went to the damned, do great wrong to the worthy King which gives them such an example to repent, and would correct their rash judgement, if they considered. First, that he was the clearest figure of Christ (except Melchizedek) which passed all Kings in prosperity, and all men in wisdom. Secondly that he was inspired by the Holy Ghost like the prophets,1 to be one of the pens of God to write his holy word, the word of salvation, which was not fit for a reprobate. Thirdly, that GOD promised to his father, that he would not take his spirit and his mercy from him as he did from Saul, 2nor forsake him as he did Saul but correct him in another sort. Fourthly, that GOD is said to love him,3 therefore as Paul concludes that Jacob was elected,4 because,5 God saith,6 Jacob have I loved: 7So we may conclude, that Solomon was elected, because God saith; Solomon have I loved. Fifthly, that in Luke 13. 28. Al the Prophets of God are said to be in heaven: and therefore Solomon being an holy Prophet must ⟨p. 823⟩beholden to be in heaven. To show that he was a holy prophet, in 2. Pet. 3, 2. Peter calleth all the Prophets which wrote the Scripture, Holy Prophets. Lastly we may gather out of the seventh Chapter of this book and the thirtieth verse, and out of the 5.
The whole narration doth shew that Salomon wrote this book after his fall. When he had the experience of vanities, and seene the folly of the world, what euill comes of pleasure, and what fruite groweth of sinne, he was bold to say, Vanitie of vanities, &c. which he auoucheth with such protestation, as though he would iustifie it against many aduersaries: For all the world is in loue with that which he calles vanitie. Therefore hee puts to his name in the middest of his sentence, as if hee would defend it against all commers: if any man ask, who broched this strange doctrine? the Preacher (saith Salomō ) To testifie his heartie conuersion to God, he cals himselfe a Preacher, in the witnes of his vnfained repentance, as if God had said vnto him Thou being conuerted, conuert thy brethren and be a Preacher, as thou art a King: ⟨p. 822⟩so when we are conuerted, wee should become Preachers vnto other, and shew some fruits of our calling, as Salomon left this book for a monument to all ages of his conuersiō. Therefore they which write, that Salomon dyed in his sinne, and that such a famous instrument of God went to the damned, doe great wrong to the worthie King which giues them such an example to repent, and would correct their rash iudgement, if they considered. First, that he was the cleerest figure of Christ (except Melchisedec) which passed all Kings in prosperitie, and all men in wisedome. Secondly that hee was inspired by the Holie Ghost like the prophets,1 to bee one of the pennes of God to write his holy word, the word of saluation, which was not fit for a reprobate. Thirdlie, that GOD promised to his father, that hee would not take his spirit and his mercie from him as he did frō Saule, 2nor forsake him as he did Saule but correct him in another sort. Fourthlie, that GOD is said to loue him,3 therefore as Paule concludes that Iacob was elected,4 because,5 God saith,6 Iacob haue I loued: 7So we may conclude, that Salomon was elected, because God saith; Salomon haue I loued. Fiftly, that in
- 1Psal. 45. 7.
- 21. Cor. 17. 13
- 32. Sā. 7. 13.2. Sā. 7. 13.
- 42. Sam. 12.
- 5Nehe. 13. 6
- 6Rom. 9.
- 7Gen. 27.
