A34666:1168
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. › VersesA BRIEFE EXPOSITION UPON ECCLESIASTES. › Verses
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.
The former Chapter Solomon ended with a complaint of the inventions which men (though made righteous) are wont to seek out, both to lead themselves into sin, and to excuse themselves from holy duty, either of pure worship to God, or faithful love to a brother fallen into sin; who being fallen, might after be healed by wise and faithful admonition: but that all sorts of men are wont to seek out many inventions to excuse themselves from that unwelcome office, as they count it. It was said above, that mean men put it off to Nobles, Nobles to the Priests, the Priests to the Prophets; the Prophets, and indeed generally all the sorts of Solomons loyal subjects put it off by the inventions which ⟨p. 165⟩here in these words Solomon both propoundeth, and refuteth.
THe former Chapter Solomon ended with a complaint of the inventions which men (though made righteous) are wont to seek out, both to lead themselves into sin, and to excuse themselves from holy duty, either of pure worship to God, or faithful love to a brother fallen into sin; who being fallen, might after be healed by wise and faithful admonition: but that all sorts of men are wont to seek out many inventions to excuse themselves from that unwelcome office, as they count it. It was said above, that mean men put it off to Nobles, Nobles to the Priests, the Priests to the Prophets; the Prophets, and indeed generally all the sorts of Solomons loyal subjects put it off by the inventions which ⟨p. 165⟩here in these words Solomon both propoundeth, and refuteth.
Invention 1. From Solomons eminency of wisdom, together with the unsearchable depth of his counsels and proceedings; which were so deep, as they were not able to search out the bottom, the meaning or interpretation of them: Who is as the man (that is, as Solomon) the wise man, 1 Kings 4.31 And who knoweth the interpretation (the reason or meaning) of his matters? Our ignorance and weakness (might his Subjects say) will dash us out of countenance, when we speak to him.