SOLOMON, who made Many Books, tells us (toward the end of one of them, Eccl. 12.12.) That, of making many Books there is no end, and, that much study is a weariness to the flesh. But while Solomon speaks thus, doth he not at once blot those many Books which himself had written, and discourage others from writing any more? Though study be a weariness to the flesh, yet ('tis granted) that's no sufficient reason why we should desist (the flesh must be wearied and hard wrought, 'tis good it should be so) But there's no colour of reason, why we should begin that, which either cannot be finished and brought to an end or which is to no end, when 'tis brought to an end, and finished. How then saith Solomon, that of making many Books there ⟨image 3⟩is no end? His scope clears this scruple; for, having read his Son a Lecture upon the vanity of the Creature, and having given him many excellent advices, for the due steering of his course through this World, he applies all in the former part of this Verse, And further by these, my Son, be admonished. Let what is now written take upon thy heart, and be accepted with thee. For (Vers. 10.) The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. Again (Vers. 11.) The words of the Wise are as Goads, and as Nails fastened by the Masters of Assemblies, which are given from one Shepherd: Therefore, let these words, like Goads, put thee on, and like Nails, fasten thee to the obedience of my counsels; By these, my Son, be admonished: As if he had said, Let not this Book, which discovers the vanity of all worldly things, be it self accounted vain; If this Book prevail not with thee, if it master not thy judgement, and manage not thy affections, 'tis to no end for me to make many Books; seeing this is clothed with as much completeness of rule to direct, as a Book, of this Argument can be, and is stamped with as much strength of Authority to command, as any Book of any Argument, can be: And further, why shouldest thou, my Son, put me to the making of many Books? What if I could make many with as much ease to my own spirit, as I have made this one, which was given me in immediately by the spirit? yet thou canst not study (or as we put in the Margin, read) many Books without weariness to thy flesh.
SOLOMON, who made Many Bookes, tells us (toward the end of one of them, Eccl. 12.12.) That, of making many Books there is no end, and, that much study is a wearinesse to the flesh. But while Solomon speakes thus, doth he not at once blot those many Books which himselfe had written, and discourage others from writing any more? Though study be a wearinesse to the flesh, yet ('tis granted) that's no sufficient reason why we should desist (the flesh must be wearied and hard wrought, 'tis good it should be so) But there's no colour of reason, why we should begin that, which eyther cannot be finisht and brought to an end or which is to no end, when 'tis brought to an end, and finisht. How then saith Solomon, that of making many Books there ⟨image 3⟩is no end? His scope cleares this scruple; for, having read his Son a Lecture upon the vanity of the Creature, and having given him many excellent advices, for the due steering of his course through this World, he applyes all in the former part of this Verse, And further by these, my Son, be admonished. Let what is now written take upon thy heart, and be accepted with thee. For (Vers. 10.) The Preacher sought to finde out acceptable words, and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. Againe (Vers. 11.) The words of the Wise are as Goads, and as Nayles fastned by the Masters of Assemblies, which are given from one Shepheard: Therefore, let these words, like Goads, put thee on, and like Nayles, fasten thee to the obedience of my counsels; By these, my Son, be admonished: As if he had sayd, Let not this Booke, which discovers the vanity of all worldly things, be it selfe accounted vaine; If this Book prevaile not with thee, if it master not thy judgement, and mannage not thy affections, 'tis to no end for me to make many Bookes; seeing this is cloathed with as much compleatnesse of rule to direct, as a Book, of this Argument can be, and is stampt with as much strength of Authority to command, as any Book of any Argument, can be: And further, why shouldest thou, my Son, put mee to the making of many Bookes? What if I could make many with as much ease to my owne spirit, as I have made this one, which was given me in immediately by the spirit? yet thou canst not study (or as we put in the Margin, read) many Books without wea•inesse to thy flesh.
