A34666:1043
A brief exposition with practical observations upon the whole book of Ecclesiastes by that…A briefe exposition with practicall observations upon the whole book of Ecclesiastes by that…
A brief exposition with practical observations upon the whole book of Ecclesiastes by that late pious and worthy divine, Mr. John Cotton ... ; published by Anthony Tuckney ...A briefe exposition with practicall observations upon the whole book of Ecclesiastes by that late pious and worthy divine, Mr. John Cotton ... ; published by Anthony Tuckney ...
London: printed by T.C. for Ralph Smith, 1654
A BRIEF EXPOSITION UPON ECCLESIASTES. › VerseA BRIEFE EXPOSITION UPON ECCLESIASTES. › Verse
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.
To be wicked overmuch, implieth two things: 1. Aggravation of sin beyond the word. 2. Multiplication of it. First, to make a mans self more wicked then the word maketh him: So excessively wicked, as thereupon to shut out a mans self from all hope of mercy, or otherwise worse then he is. This excess a man that is convinced of the emptiness of his righteousness which he prized overmuch before, is apt to sink into, even to despair. Cain, who before thought himself as righteous as his brother, and his sacrifice as acceptable as his, being convinced by God of his ⟨p. 144⟩wickedness sunk into despair of mercy, Gen: 4.13. Hence also some think they have sinned against the Holy Ghost. Others that they have quenched the Spirit, when as rather the Spirit hath enlightened and awaked them. But this sense doth not fully answer the opposition in verse 14. though it answer well enough to verse 16.
To be wicked overmuch, implyeth two things: 1. Aggravation of sin beyond the word. 2. Multiplication of it. First, to make a mans selfe more wicked then the word maketh him: So excessively wicked, as thereupon to shut out a mans selfe from all hope of mercy, or otherwise worse then he is. This excesse a man that is convinced of the emptinesse of his righteousnesse which he prized overmuch before, is apt to sink into, even to despaire. Cain, who before thought himself as righteous as his brother, and his sacrifice as acceptable as his, being convinced by God of his ⟨p. 144⟩wickednesse sunck into despaire of mercy, Gen: 4.13. Hence also some think they have sinned against the Holy Ghost. Others that they have quenched the Spirit, when as rather the Spirit hath enlightened and awaked them. But this sense doth not fully answer the opposition in verse 14. though it answer well enough to verse 16.
Secondly the phrase may well be translated, Do not evil much, that is, Do not multiply transgression, as Amos 4.4