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…

Solomon in this Chapter hath hitherto showed the vanity of sundry things of good account in the world, in comparison of other things of less esteem: and hath therefore preferred, First, A good name before a good ointment. Secondly, The day of death before the birth day. Thirdly, To go to the house of mourning, before going to the house of feasting. Fourthly, To hear the rebuke of the wise before the song of fools. In this verse he goeth on with the like argument, not preferring elder times before the present, though generally men are apt so to do. Parts two, 1. A prohibition of taking it for granted that elder times are better then these, and of the inquiry after the reason of it. Say not thou, what is it that the former times were better then these? 2. A reason of the prohibition taken from the want of wisdom in such an apprehension, and enquiry; for thou doest not enquire wisely, or out of wisdom concerning this.

SOlomon in this Chapter hath hitherto shewed the vanity of sundry things of good account in the world, in comparison of other things of lesse esteem: and hath therefore preferred, First, A good name before a good oyntment. Secondly, The day of death before the birth day. Thirdly, To goe to the house of mourning, before going to the house of feasting. Fourthly, To heare the rebuke of the wise before the song of fooles. In this verse he goeth on with the like argument, not preferring elder times before the present, though generally men are apt so to doe. Parts two, 1. A prohibition of taking it for granted that elder times are better then these, and of the inquiry after the reason of it. Say not thou, what is it that the former times were better then these? 2. A reason of the prohibition taken from the want of wisdome in such an apprehension, and enquiry; for thou doest not enquire wisely, or out of wisedome concerning this.

Doctr. 1. The ordinary conceit that men have of the excellency of former times above these, and their ordinary inquiry into the reason thereof, is not out of wisdom. Heathen Authors may be quoted, not for divine or Evangelical points, but natural or moral. Both Heathen and Christians are wont to have such a conceit, that former times were better. Horace his old man, is laudator temporis acti see puero. Again saith he, Damnosa quid non imminuit diesë Aetas parentum pejor Avis tulit nos nequiores, mox daturos progeniem vitiosiorem. Boetius de consolatione Philosophiae. Fortunae, nimium prior Aetas, &c.