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…

IN these words Solomon maketh another observation of that which was meet for all men to observe by his example, even what befell himself in the search of wisdom in his own times; which was, First, That in all his search of wisdom (to wit, by the works of creation and providence, and by tracing out happiness in the courses which men are went to take for it) he found that wisdom was too far off, and too deep for him, verse 23.24. Secondly, That missing of wisdom in the way, he applied his heart, or turned it about to seek for wisdom in taking account of himself, and seeking to know the wickedness of his own folly, and the foolishness of his own madness, verse 25. And the reason [of things] is better translated, and the account of my self or my ways, &c. verse 25.

IN these words Solomon maketh another observation of that which was meet for all men to observe by his example, even what befel himselfe in the search of wisdome in his own times; which was, First, That in all his search of wisdome (to wit, by the works of creation and providence, and by tracing out happinesse in the courses which men are went to take for it) he found that wisdome was too farre off, and too deep for him, verse 23.24. Secondly, That missing of wisdome in the way, he applyed his heart, or turned it about to seek for wisdome in taking account of himselfe, and seeking to know the wickednesse of his own folly, and the foolishnesse of his own madnesse, verse 25. And the reason [of things] is better translated, and the account of my selfe or my wayes, &c. verse 25.

Doctr. 1. The sense of our vast and deep distances from attaining wisdom, by the study of the creatures, and of the vanity of the ways of men, is a just motive to apply our hearts to make diligent search for wisdom in taking account of our own ways, and in the knowledge of the wickedness of our folly, and the foolishness of our own madness. To know, to seek, to search, verse 25. do all imply a diligent search: The Doctrine consisteth of two branches; First, That by the knowledge of the creatures he shall find himself still at a great distance from wisdom, and wisdom more deep then to be digged out of the creatures. Secondly, that hereupon Solomon was moved to seek it in looking homewards into his own heart, and ways, and the folly and madness, and wickedness thereof. The former branch is testified,