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…

Eccles. 9.12. 12. For man also knoweth not his time, as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

Solomon had said in the former verse, that it is not in men to attain the ends which they are best furnished with sufficiency of abilities to attain, v. 11.

SOlomon had said in the former verse, that it is not in men to attain the ends which they are best furnished with sufficiency of abilities to attain, v. 11.

A double reason or cause he giveth thereof: First, one in God; Times and chances are in the hand of God, and he causeth them to fall upon men, in all their ways, v. 11. Secondly the other in man; his ignorance of his time, the time that he should take for every action, though he be fitted with ability to perform it, v. 12. [But this was formerly spoken to by Solomon in Chap. 8.6.] Therefore this verse may rather be taken as an amplification of the reason given in the former verse. There it was said, Men are often disappointed, because time and chance befell all their actions, and affairs: and that he amplifieth by an argument of equals; Time also falleth upon man himself, and chance therewith; and this set forth by the adjunct, ignorance of man, of what times shall befall him; And that amplified by the misery which thereby falleth suddenly upon man; and that sudden misery is set forth by a twofold comparison, first, of Fishes taken in an evil Net; secondly, of Birds taken in a snare.

A double reason or cause he giveth thereof: First, one in God; Times and chances are in the hand of God, and he causeth them to fall upon men, in all their waies, v. 11. Secondly the other in man; his ignorance of his time, the time that he should take for every action, though he be fitted with ability to perform it, v. 12. [But this was formerly spoken to by Solomon in Chap. 8.6.] Therefore this verse may rather be taken as an amplification of the reason given in the former verse. There it was said, Men are often disappointed, because time and chance befell all their actions, and affaires: and that he amplifieth by an argument of equals; Time also falleth upon man himselfe, and chance therewith; and this set forth by the adjunct, ignorance of man, of what times shall befall him; And that amplified by the misery which thereby falleth suddenly upon man; and that sudden misery is set forth by a twofold comparison, first, of Fishes taken in an evil Net; secondly, of Birds taken in a snare.