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…

Doct. 1. An idle person by his forbearance of labour maketh himself both a fool and a beggar; or a man that withholdeth himself from labour, doth both befool and undo himself. Folding of the hands together, is an act of an idle or slothful person, First, withholding himself from labour, Secondly, Composing himself to rest, or sleep, Prov. 24.30, 33, and 6, 10. It is all one, whether he fold his fingers together, or fold his arms together, put his hands into his pocket or bosom, Prov. 19, 24. All alike express cessation from labour with a mind to forbear it.

Doct. 1. An idle person by his forbearance of labour maketh himselfe both a fool and a beggar; or a man that withholdeth himselfe from labour, doth both befool and undoe himselfe. Folding of the hands together, is an act of an idle or slothful person, First, withholding himselfe from labour, Secondly, Composing himselfe to rest, or sleep, Prov. 24.30, 33, and 6, 10. It is all one, whether he fold his fingers together, or fold his armes together, put his hands into his pocket or bosome, Prov. 19, 24. All alike expresse cessation from labour with a minde to forbeare it.

Reasons of befooling himself, First, it is folly to mistake Names and Natures of things, especially to delude our selves with false names. To account and call that to be quietness which is idleness, slothfulness, sluggishness, to account diligent labour, Travel, vexation of spirit. Secondly, It is folly to think an handful will be gotten with idleness; whereas nothing will be so gotten, Prov. 13.4, & 20, 4, & 23, 21, & 24, 34. Thirdly, It is folly to think an handful gotten with ease and idleness, is better then both the handfuls with diligent labour; whereas a little gotten with labour is more precious and comfortable,