Annotations on the book of Ecclesiastes

Here we observe; 1. That in all these inquiries Solomon begins with his heart, thereby noting unto us, That the good which must satisfy a man, must bear proportion to his heart, and to his inward man. 2. That he tempers his pleasures and […] pains in seeking knowledge, together; teaching thereby, that the right use of pleasures, is not to take up the whole man, but to mitigate the bitterness and pains of severer studies thereby. 3. That a man hath never greater need of the bridle of wisdom, then when he is in ⟨p. 55⟩pursuance of carnal delights. 4. That pleasures and folly are very near of kin; and a very hard thing it is to hold folly so fast in, but that it will get loose, and immix it self in carnal delights. 5. That a free and full indulgence unto pleasures, though not upon sensual, but critical and more curious aims, will by degrees steal away the heart, & much abate more spiritual and heavenly delights: corruption ever creeping in with curiosity, Prov. 20.1. & 23.3, 6. It is a noble and high frame of spirit, to look out in every thing which a man undertakes, after that which is truly and principally good for his heart, in the use of that thing. 7. That the comfort of a mans life under heaven, is to be doing of that good which God hath given him his strength and life for. 8. That nothing is truly the good of a mans life, which is not commensurate in duration and continuance thereunto, and which will not properly minister comfort unto him into whatsoever various conditions of life, as sickness, poverty, bondage, disfavour, old age, &c. he may be cast into.

Here we observe; 1. That in all these inquiries Solomon begins with his heart, thereby noting unto us, That the good which must satisfie a man, must bear proportion to his heart, and to his inward man. 2. That he tempers his pleasures and 〈…〉 pains in seeking knowledge, together; teaching thereby, that the right use of pleasures, is not to take up the whole man, but to mitigate the bitterness and pains of severer studies thereby. 3. That a man hath never greater need of the bridle of wisdom, then when he is in ⟨p. 55⟩pursuance of carnall delights. 4. That pleasures and folly are very near of kin; and a very hard thing it is to hold folly so fast in, but that it will get loose, and immixe it self in carnal delights. 5. That a free and full indulgence unto pleasures, though not upon sensual, but critical and more curious aims, will by degrees steal away the heart, & much abate more spiritual and heavenly delights: corruption ever creeping in with curiosity,

V. 4. Having upon further deliberation, declared his purpose, to search for good amongst pleasures and bodily delights; he now showeth what magnificent and royal provisions he made, in order to that design, sumptuous diet, stately buildings, vineyards, gardens, orchards, ⟨p. 56⟩forests, parks, fish-ponds, honourable retinue of servants; possessions of all sorts of cattle; treasures of gold, silver, and all precious things; music vocal, instrumental; and all these in great abundance, as far as royal wealth could procure, largeness of heart desire, or exquisite wisdom contrive: In all which he took exceeding much joy and delight, being withheld by no manner of impediments from the full fruition of them; yet in the conclusion, he passeth the same censure here, as he had done before, That all was vanity, &c.

V. 4. Having upon further deliberation, declared his purpose, to search for good amongst pleasures and bodily delights; he now sheweth what magnificent and royal provisions he made, in order to that design, sumptuo•s diet, stately buildings, vineyards, gardens, orchards, ⟨p. 56⟩forests, parks, fish-ponds, honourable retinue of servants; possessions of all sorts of cattel; treasures of gold, silver, and all precious things; musick vocal, instrumental; and all these in great abundance, as far as royal wealth could procure, largenesse of heart desire, or exquisite wisdom contrive: In all which he took exceeding much joy and delight, being withheld by no manner of impediments from the full fruition of them; yet in the conclusion, he passeth the same censure here, as he had done before, That all was vanity, &c.

I made me great works] I did not stoop to base and inconsiderable things, to find out that pleasure which might satisfy my desires, but I sought it in magnificent works, becoming the royal state of a King; as Esth. 1.4. Of which works, he doth immediately subjoin a large catalogue.

I made me great works] I did not stoop to base and inconsiderable things, to find out that pleasure which might satisfie my desires, but I sought it in magnificent works, becomming the royal state of a King; as Esth. 1.4. Of which works, he doth immediately subjoyn a large catalogue.

vineyards] Cant. 8 11. David likewise had vineyards, and orchards, and cattle, and treasures, and servants set over all these, 1 Chron. 7.25 — 31. yet Solomon will have them in greater magnificence, having no wars nor troubles to interrupt him, as his father had.

vineyards] Cant. 8 11. David likewise had vineyards, and orchards, and cattel, and treasures, and servants set over all these, 1 Chron. 7.25 — 31. yet Solomon will have them in greater magnificence, having no wars nor troubles to interrupt him, as his father had.

V. 5. I made me gardens and orchards] Gardens for flowers, plants, spices, Cant. 6.2. orchards, or paradises for trees of all sorts; under which we may comprise forests and parks, or places for choicest cattle, Cant. 4.13, 14. Neh. 2.8. which were places of great pleasure and delight, Esth. 1.8.

V. 5. I made me gardens and orchards] Gardens for flowers, plants, spices, Cant. 6.2. orchards, or paradises for trees of all sorts; under which we may comprize forrests and parks, or places for choisest cattel, Cant. 4.13, 14. Neh. 2.8. which were places of great pleasure and delight, Esth. 1.8.

V. 6. pools of water, to water therewith the wood, &c.] Artificial ponds, and receptacles of water, whether arising from springs, or otherwise by aqueducts, and other means derived thither, 2 Reg. 18.17. These used to be in, or near great gardens, and near princely works, 2 Reg. 20.20. Neh. 2.14. & 3.15. Gen. 2.9, 10. Cant. 7.4. To water the wood or forrest, whereby he seemeth to mean the gardens and orchards, before mentioned, for the spaciousness of them. So a forrest is elsewhere called an orchard or paradise, Neh. 2.8. These things in these hot Countries, were accounted special blessings, and from thence they have their name, Josh. 15.19. These things he had as materials for his wisdom, 1 Reg. 4.33.

V. 6. pools of water, to water therewith the wood, &c.] Artificial ponds, and receptacles of water, whether arising from springs, or otherwise by aqueducts, and other means derived thither, 2 Reg. 18.17. These used to be in, or near great gardens, and near princely works, 2 Reg. 20.20. Neh. 2.14. & 3.15. Gen. 2.9, 10. Cant. 7.4. To water the wood or forrest, whereby he seemeth to mean the gardens and orchards, before mentioned, for the spaciousness of them. So a forrest is elsewhere called an orchard or paradise, Neh. 2.8. These things in these hot Countries, were accounted special blessings, and from thence they have their name, Josh. 15.19. These things he had as materials for his wisdome, 1 Reg. 4.33.

V. 7. I got me servants and maidens] Some he bought or hired from abroad, others were born unto him in his house: and these he had for the manifold duties of his royal family: Such had David, 1 Chron. 27.26.—31. and so Solomon, 1 Reg. 4.7. & 5.16, 17. & 10.5.

And had servants born in mine house] Sons of mine house; the children of an handmaid born in her masters house, were born servants unto the master of the house, Gen. 14.14. & 15.3. & 17.12. Jer. 2.14. hereunto David alludeth, when he saith, I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid, Psal. 116.16. The servants of Solomon, which were certain public officers, appointed by Solomon, we read of long after, Ezra 2.58. Neh. 7.60. who may seem to be those of the Canaanites, whom Solomon made bond-slaves, 1 Reg. 9.21. Some, by sons of the house, understand those officers whom Solomon did set over his house, to order the Affairs thereof, 1 Reg. 4.27.

And had servants born in mine house] Sons of mine house; the children of an handmaid born in her masters house, were born servants unto the master of the house, Gen. 14.14. & 15.3. & 17.12. Jer. 2.14. hereunto David alludeth, when he saith, I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid, Psal. 116.16. The servants of Solomon, which were certain publick officers, appointed by Solomon, we read of long after, Ezra 2.58. Neh. 7.60. who may seem to be those of the Canaanites, whom Solomon made bond-slaves, 1 Reg. 9.21. Some, by sons of the house, understand those officers whom Solomon did set over his house, to order the Affairs thereof, 1 Reg. 4.27.

possessions of great and small cattle] Or, I had cattle both great and small, or herds and flocks. The first word is general to all cattle, great or small; the two next, the species of that general, Gen. 34.23. 1 Reg. 4.22, 23, 26.

possessions of great and small cattel] Or, I had cattel both great and small, or herds and flocks. The first word is general to all cattel, great or small; the two next, the species of that general, Gen. 34.23. 1 Reg. 4.22, 23, 26.

above all that were before me in Jerusalem] ⟨p. 59⟩As more wisdom, Chap. 1.16. so more wealth, and provisions for that wisdom to work upon, 1 Reg. 3.13. & 10.23.

above all that were before me in Ierusalem] ⟨p. 59⟩As more wisdom, Chap. 1.16. so more wealth, and provisions for that wisdom to work upon, 1 Reg. 3.13. & 10.23.

V. 8. I gathered me also silver and gold] I heaped it up; as Psal. 33.7. 1 Reg. 9.28. & 10.14. & 15.27. The ways of this great gain were Tribute, 1 Reg. 10.25. Honourers presents, sent out of the high admiration of his wisdom, from other Princes, 1 Reg. 10.10. & 4.34. and merchandise, or free-trade into remote Countries, 1 Reg. 9.26— 28. & 10.15, 28.

V. 8. I gathered me also silver and gold] I heaped it up; as Psal. 33.7. 1 Reg. 9.28. & 10.14. & 15.27. The wayes of this great gain were Tribute, 1 Reg. 10.25. Honourers presents, sent out of the high admiration of his wisdom, from other Princes, 1 Reg. 10.10. & 4.34. and merchandize, or free-trade into remote Countries, 1 Reg. 9.26— 28. & 10.15, 28.

and the peculiar treasure of Kings and of Provinces] Precious rarities, or most choice & desirable things, which men use to lay up in their treasures; the chief rarities of several Countries, 1 Chron. 29.3. Hence whatsoever is intimately dear and honourable, is metaphorically called segullah, Exod. 19.5. Psal. 135.4. Mal. 3.17. The Apostle rendereth it [Greek or Hebrew], Tit. 2.14. others, [Greek or Hebrew], that which is of principal worth and esteem, Isai. 39.2. The preciousest and most desirable things, which Kingdoms and Provinces could afford, or wherewith Princes and Provinces did use to present him, 1 Reg. 4.21. & 9.11. & 10.2, 10. 2 Chron. 9.9. & 10.24.

and the peculiar treasure of Kings and of Provinces] Precious rarities, or most choice & desirable things, which men use to lay up in their treasures; the chief rarities of several Countries, 1 Chron. 29.3. Hence whatsoever is intimately dear and honourable, is metaphorically called segullah, Exod. 19.5. Psal. 135.4. Mal. 3.17. The Apostle rendreth it 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Tit. 2.14. others, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, that which is of principal worth and esteem,

I gat me men singers and women singers] These as well as those, because naturally their voices are sweeter then mens: So we find ⟨p. 60⟩them joined, 2 Sam. 19.35. 2 Chron. 35.25. So we read, that not only Moses and the men, but Miriam and the women did sing at the overthrow of Pharaoh, Exod. 15.1. & 20.21. 1 Sam. 8.6, 7.

I gat me men singers and women singers] These as well as those, because naturally their voices are sweeter then mens: So we finde ⟨p. 60⟩them joyned, 2 Sam. 19.35. 2 Chron. 35.25. So we read, that not onely Moses and the men, but Miriam and the women did sing at the overthrow of Pharaoh, Exod. 15.1. & 20.21. 1 Sam. 8.6, 7.

and the delights of the sons of men, viz. musical instruments, &c.] The word translated musical instruments, is no where else used in the Scripture, and hath various interpretations put upon it. Some understanding by it, beautiful daughters, denominated from their breasts, as elsewhere from their womb, Judg. 5.30. Others, for choice and delicate women, taken as a prey in war, as we find there the manner was: and others for divers other things, as we find in Hierom, Drusius, Mercer, and others. But the most received sense, and most agreeable with the former delight of singers, is musical instruments.

and the delights of the sons of men, viz. musical instruments, &c.] The word translated musical instruments, is no where else used in the Scripture, and hath various interpretations put upon it. Some understanding by it, beautiful daughters, denominated from their brests, as elsewhere from their womb, Judg. 5.30. Others, for choice and delicate women, taken as a prey in war, as we finde there the manner was: and others for divers other things, as we find in Hierom, Drusius, Mercer, and others. But the most received sense, and most agreeable with the former delight of singers, is musical instruments.

V. 9. So I was great, and increased] Or, added to my greatness; as Chap. 1.16. 1 Reg. 10.23.