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 ...
John Cotton 1584–1652London: printed by T.C. for Ralph Smith, 1654
[8], 277 p. · 105k words · Wing C6413 · ESTC R20578
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.
Eccles. 7. v. 18.
18. It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this, yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
The two former Admonitions in the verses next aforegoing Solomon amplifieth, First, By a motive to the taking hold of them, taken from the goodness thereof. Secondly, By the means whereby we may perform what is required, and eschew the evils dehorted from: and that means is the fear of God. Thirdly, By an argument from the strength and supportance, which this wisdom bringeth to a wise man, above great friends, verse 19.
THe two former Admonitions in the verses next aforegoing Solomon amplifieth, First, By a motive to the taking hold of them, taken from the goodnesse thereof. Secondly, By the meanes whereby we may performe what is required, and eschew the evils dehorted from: and that meanes is the feare of God. Thirdly, By an argument from the strength and supportance, which this wisdome bringeth to a wise man, above great friends, verse 19.
Doctr. 1. It is a good thing to take hold of such admonitions as may keep us from excess either of righteousness or wickedness, or from overmuch either righteousness or wickedness. To take hold, which is done, First, By Faith, both 1. In the word, else it profitteth not,
. It is good not to be over-righteous, First, To prevent the evil of desolation threatened, verse 16. Desolation signifieth, 1. Solitude left to a solitary condition, 2. Confusion, (as
. 3. Destruction: For what shall satisfy for former sins and for defects of this righteousness. Secondly, To obtain the contrary solace. 1. Of peace with God,
. It is good not to be overwicked; First, To prevent the evils of despair
⟨p. 147⟩
and of untimely death. As also to prevent the evils of continuance and growth in sin, mentioned in verse 17. page 144. Secondly, To obtain the good 1. Of hope of possibility of help, It taketh hold of Gods strength, Isai. 27.5. Mark 1.40. and stirreth up to the use of means, Ezra 10.2, 3, 4. 2. Of sincere reformation or breaking off the course of sin, First, Prolonging of tranquility, Dan. 4.27. Secondly, Finding of mercy, Prov. 28.13.
Doctr. 1. It is a good thing to take hold of such admonitions as may keep us from excesse either of righteousnesse or wickednesse, or from overmuch either righteousnesse or wickednesse. To take hold, which is done, First, By Faith, both 1. In the word, else it profitteth not, Heb. 4.2. 2. In the Lord, to help us by his strength, both of power, wisdome, and grace, Isai. 27.5. Secondly, By hearty affection, as a pretious treasure, Psal. 119.11. Thirdly, By caution and circumspection. Here to take heed, is to take hold, Acts 16.14. Heb. 2.1. wanting in Jehu, 2 Kings 10 31. Fourthly, By practise, so the word is taken, Prov. 2.19. It is good not to be over-righteous, First, To prevent the evill of desolation threatned, verse 16. Desolation signifyeth, 1. Solitude left to a solitary condition, 2. Confusion, (as Dan. 4.19.) Astonishment. 3. Destruction. Overmuch righteousnesse bringeth, 1. Desertion from God, Luke 1.53, & 18, 9, 14. we first deserting him, Rom. 10.3. Desertion from men, Job 32.1. 2. Confusion through disappointment of a mans end and hopes, Rom. 9.30, 31, 32. 3. Destruction: For what shall satisfie for former sins and for defects of this righteousnesse. Secondly, To obtaine the contrary solace. 1. Of peace with God, Rom. 5.1. Isai. 32.19. 2. Of establishment and encouragement in ill houres, Isai. 28.16. with 1 Pet. 2.6. 3. Of Salvation, Prov. 12.18. It is good not to be overwicked; First, To prevent the evils of despaire ⟨p. 147⟩and of untimely death. As also to prevent the evils of continuance and growth in sinne, mentioned in verse 17. page 144. Secondly, To obtaine the good 1. Of hope of possibility of help, It taketh hold of Gods strength, Isai. 27.5. Mark 1.40. and stirreth up to the use of meanes, Ezra 10.2, 3, 4. 2. Of sincere reformation or breaking off the course of sinne, First, Prolonging of tranquility, Dan. 4.27. Secondly, Finding of mercy, Prov. 28.13.
Use 2. To exhort us to grow up and walk on in the fear of God; which might have been handled, as a distinct doctrine being expressly mentioned in the Text. The fear of God is a good preservation against excess both of righteousness and wickedness. Against excess of righteousness, Deut. 5.27, with 29. Against excess of wickedness, Prov. 16.6. & 14, 16, & 28, 14, Jer. 32.40.
Ʋse 2. To exhort us to grow up and walke on in the feare of God; which might have been handled, as a distinct doctrine being expresly mentioned in the Text. The feare of God is a good preservation against excesse both of righteousnesse and wickednesse. Against excesse of righteousnesse, Deut. 5.27, with 29. Against excesse of wickednesse, Prov. 16.6. & 14, 16, & 28, 14, Jer. 32.40.
Reason 3. To exhort us how to carry our selves toward wholesome admonitions, to wit, as here Solomon warneth, to take hold of them in all the four particulars specified in opening the meaning of the Text, Prov. 4.13.
These words give another reason, why we should beware of the folly of sin, and of the overmuch wisdom of excessive righteousness, taken from the safeguard or strong protection and deliverance which this wisdom will procure to a wise man, and that amplified à Minori from the less supportance and deliverance, which many great friends in Court or City might afford him.
THese words give another reason, why we should beware of the folly of sin, and of the overmuch wisdome of excessive righteousnesse, taken from the safeguard or strong protection and deliverance which this wisdome will procure to a wise man, and that amplified à Minori from the lesse supportance and deliverance, which many great friends in Court or City might afford him.
Doct. 1. The wisdom of an innocent and truly righteous life, will yield a man greater supportance and safer deliverance then many great friends in Court or City, Prov. 24.5. ⟨p. 148⟩Job. 22.23, 30. For the original Text speaketh of this wisdom, that is, this wisdom whereby a man avoideth both the folly of continuance in sin, verse 17. and the overmuch wisdom of excessive righteousness, verse 16. (In both which men undo or destroy themselves) this wisdom will strengthen a man more, to wit, By supportance, and By deliverance, then ten (that is many) [Greek or Hebrew] Princely Lords, and friends in the City, meaning the Court which resided in the City, and whereto they resorted. Ten] often put for many, Numb. 14.22. Job 19.3.
Doct. 1. The wisdome of an innocent and truly righteous life, will yeild a man greater supportance and safer deliverance then many great friends in Court or City, Prov. 24.5. ⟨p. 148⟩Job. 22.23, 30. For the original Text speaketh of this wisdome, that is, this wisdome whereby a man avoydeth both the folly of continuance in sin, verse 17. and the overmuch wisdome of excessive righteousnesse, verse 16. (In both which men undoe or destroy themselves) this wisdome will strengthen a man more, to wit, By supportance, and By deliverance, then ten (that is many) 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Princely Lords, and friends in the City, meaning the Court which resided in the City, and whereto they resorted. Ten] often put for many, Numb. 14.22. Job 19.3.
Reason 1. From the presence and protection of God with such whose ways are pure and upright before him, 2 Chron. 16.9. Psal. 18.20, 21, 23, 24. God is First, The light of our countenance, Psal. 42.11, 43, 5. Secondly, The staff of our maintenance, Psal. 16.5. Thirdly, The horn of our deliverance, Psal. 18.2.
Reason 1. From the presence and protection of God with such whose wayes are pure and upright before him, 2 Chron. 16.9. Psal. 18.20, 21, 23, 24. God is First, The light of our countenance, Psal. 42.11, 43, 5. Secondly, The staffe of our maintenance, Psal. 16.5. Thirdly, The horne of our deliverance, Psal. 18.2.
