A34666:1438
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.
Eccles. 9.11. 11. I returned and saw under the Sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
Eccles. 9.11. 11. I returned and saw under the Sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor battell to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
IN the former Chapter Solomon had observed this vanity, that it often befalleth the righteous according to the work of the wicked, and to the wicked according to the work of the righteous, verse 14. This vanity Solomon hath amplified in the latter end of the former Chapter, and in the former part of this Chapter by sundry arguments. Amongst other arguments he amplified it with this observation, that all events fall alike to all, to the good, and to the evil, clean and unclean, holy and profane. And least it should be said that godliness or holiness and uncleanness make no great difference in mens actions, but as Rabshakeh said, wisdom and strength are for the war, (Isai. 36.5.) so events fall out, as wisdom and strength, swiftness (or speed) skill (or knowledge) do direct them, Solomon here denieth that, and telleth us it is not in the power of the likelyest means to attain their ends, or to effect their work. And this he showeth us in five instances. 1. The Race is not to the swift. 2. The Battle is not to the strong. 3. Bread is not to the wise. 4. Riches are not to men of understanding. 5. Favour (either of Princes or people) is not to men of knowledge. And besides he proveth ⟨p. 208⟩it, First, By a reason or cause thereof in God, taken from the over-ruling power of the higher cause or Agent, Gods disposing of time and chance; for saith he, Time, or Chance, or Occurrence cometh to all these. The word translated Chance, here, is translated Occurrent (or occurrence)