Bridge's remains, being VIII sermons

Eccles. 9.10. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might: for there is no work, &c.

Some think that Solomon speaks these words in the person of an Epicure; as if he should say, Let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall dye. But an Epicure doth not use to speak so religiously. An Epicure doth not mind the acceptance of God. But Solomon here saith, v. 7. Eat and drink with joy, for God accepteth thy works. An Epicure doth not look upon this life; and the days thereof as vanity, Which Solomon here doth, v. 9, An Epicure doth not look ⟨p. 136⟩upon these outward things and blessings of this life, as the gift of God, Solomon here doth, v. 9. But in this Scripture Solomon tells us, That a man should cheerfully take all the good that God doth put into his hand to have, v. 7, 8, 9. And that he should industriously do all that work which God hath put into his hand for to do, v. 10. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, &c. Where ye have an Injunction, and the reason of that Injunction. The Injunction in these words, Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, or is in the power of thy hand to do, as some Translations have it, do it with thy might. The Reason in these words, For there is no work, &c. that is, There is nothing in the Grave which you can turn your hand unto; for the Word [Greek or Hebrew] is sometimes put for Work, sometimes for Device, sometimes for Knowledge, and sometimes for Wisdom. So that from these words you may observe thus much; That it is our duty to do that work with all our might, which is in the power of our hand to do. For the clearing whereof, we must first enquire what this phrase, Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, or whatsoever is in the power of thine hand, doth import. Now if ye consult the Scripture, it implies three things, Authority, Ability, Opportunity

SOme think that Solomon speaks these words in the person of an Epicure; as if he should say, Let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall dye. But an Epicure doth not use to speak so religiously. An Epicure doth not mind the acceptance of God. But Solomon here saith, v. 7. Eat and drink with joy, for God accepteth thy works. An Epicure doth not look upon this life; and the days thereof as vanity, Which Solomon here doth, v. 9, An Epicure doth not look