A34666:1538
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.
Reason. 1. Wisdom discerneth and chooseth the right end of Government, which is, The punishment of evil ⟨p. 224⟩doers, The praise of the good, Rom. 13.4. 1 Tim. 2.2. I say, discerneth and chooseth; for Wisdom is not in the head only, as discerning, but in the heart, as choosing the best good. Else, he that discerneth good, but chooseth it not, is still a fool.
Reason. 1. Wisedome discerneth and chooseth the right end of Government, which is, The punishment of evill ⟨p. 224⟩doers, The praise of the good, Rom. 13.4. 1 Tim. 2.2. I say, discerneth and chooseth; for Wisedome is not in the head onely, as discerning, but in the heart, as choosing the best good. Else, he that discerneth good, but chooseth it not, is still a foole.
Reason. 2. Wisdom discerneth and chooseth the best means tending and leading to those ends: As 1. Righteous Laws, Deut. 4.6, 8. 2. Wise Counsellors, 1 Kings 12.6. 3. Just Judges, 2 Chron. 19.5, 6, 7. Psalm 82.2, 5. 4. Valiant Soldiers, 1 Sam. 16.18.