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. 11.1, 2, 3. 1 Cast thy bread upon the waters for thou shalt find it after many days. 2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight, for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. 3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the South, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.

Eccles. 11.1, 2, 3. 1 Cast thy bread vpon the waters for thou shalt find it after many daies. 2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight, for thou knowest not what evil shall be vpon the earth. 3 If the clouds be full of raine, they emptie themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the South, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.

Coherence, see above in Chap. 10. verse 20. Solomon having showed sundry several vanities, which (like dead flies) are found in Statesmen, he proceedeth to direct his wise Subjects to some such Christian duties as are requisite at all times, but especially in such dangerous times as the vanity of great men are wont to bring upon a State, from verse 20. of Chap. 10. to the end of the eighth, Discourse of the vanity of the estate of the creatures, till we come to conclude the whole Book. As First, To beware of cursing Princes and Statesmen, how corrupt soever their Government be: the better to provide for our own safety, Chap. 10.20. Secondly, To be the more liberal to pious and charitable ⟨p. 234⟩uses in regard of the troubles coming upon the Land, where such misgovernment is found, Chap. 11.1, 2, 3. Thirdly, To be the more diligent and fruitful in the duties of our calling, verse 4.5, 6. Fourthly, To break off a course of sin, and to hasten repentance, and turning unto God, howsoever the time be, verse 7. to verse 8. of Chap. 12. Whereupon Solomon concludeth the whole Book, Chap. 12. verse 9, to 14. The Text is an exhortation to liberality, or Beneficence, Cast thy Bread, Give a Portion, &c. Which is amplified by a twofold state of the Subject; First, By the fleeting estate of the Subject, like waters, verse 2. Secondly, By the variety of subject persons or multitude of them, to 7. & 8, verse 2. And confirmed by four motives; First, From the recompense thereof at last, in fullness of days thou shalt find it verse 1. Secondly, From the uncertainty of future calamities threatening the State; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the country, verse 2. Thirdly, From the example of the Clouds, who, when they are full, empty themselves upon the Earth, verse 3. Fourthly, From the certainty of the rest or abode of a benefit where it is bestowed, set forth by the similitude of a Tree lying where it falleth, verse 3.