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…

Doctr. 1. There is a great difference between a wise man and a fool, in the placing and carrying of their hearts. It is not to be thought there is any observable difference in the heart of a wise man and of a fool; for then some Anatomists would have observed it. But the heart is put Metonymically for the mind, judgement, and will of a man. And the Right and Left hand are put Metaphorically. The meaning is, First, A wise man doth not aim at sinister ends in his work, Matth. 6.3. He aimeth sincerely at the glory of God, and the good of himself and others. A foolish Pharisee (Christ calleth them so, Matth. 23.17, 19.] he doth all to be seen of men, Matsh. 6.2, 5, 16. 2 Kings 10.16. or for some selfish end or other. Secondly, A wise man carrieth his thoughts and works with strength and dexterity. As the Right hand is counted the stronger then the Left: so what is wrought with strength is attributed to the Right hand, Psal. 118.15, 16, & 98, 1. Thirdly, A wise man may be said to have his heart at his Right hand, in that he taketh all things in the fairest and best sense from God or man, Psal. 119.75. Matth. 1.19. On the contrary a fool makes a sinister construction of that which is well meant from God or man, 2 Sam. 10.2, 3, Eccles. 8.11. Psal. 50.21. Rom. 2.4, 5: Fourthly, The Right hand is a place of preeminence and blessing, Gen. 48.14, 17, 18, 19. In which respect a wise man taketh ways of preferment to highest honour before the most high,