Annotations on the book of Ecclesiastes

Those works are beneficial which follow a man, Rev. 14.13. therefore we must lay out our labour upon a life that abides and abounds, Joh. 10.10. Isa. 55.2. and not labour in the fire, and for every vanity, Hab. 2.13. Luk. 12.6. Matth. 24.38, 39.

Those works are ben••icial which follow a man, Rev. 14.13. therefore we must lay out our labour upon a life that abides and abounds, Joh. 10.10. Isa. 55.2. and not labour in the fire, and for every vanity, Hab. 2.13. Luk. 12.6. Matth. 24.38, 39.

V. 4. One generation goeth, and another generation cometh, but the earth abideth for ever] By Generation is meant the time wherein a Body of men do live and continue together, so we read of this or that Generation, Luk. 21.32. Heb. 3.10. the second, third, tenth generation or ages of men yet to come, Deut. 23.2, 3, 8. A mans own generation, ⟨p. 22⟩or ages of men yet to come, Deut. 23.2, 3, 8. A mans own generation, or the age wherein he liveth, Acts 12.36. There is a constant succession of men to one another, a fixed time, as the days of an hireling, Job 7.1.—10. & 14.14. The inward principles of change and mortality are always working, and life is like a shepherds tent, which doth not continue in one place or stay, Isa. 68.12.

V. 4. One generation goeth, and another generation cometh, but the earth abideth for ever] By Generation is meant the time wherein a Body of men do live and continue together, so we read of this or that Generation, Luk. 21.32. Heb. 3.10. the second, third, tenth generation or ages of men yet to come, Deut. 23.2, 3, 8. A mans own generation, ⟨p. 22⟩or ages of men yet to come, Deut. 23.2, 3, 8. A mans own generation, or the age wherein he liveth, Acts 12.36. There is a constant succession of men to one another, a fixed time, as the daies of an hireling, Job 7.1

But the earth abideth or standeth for ever] Continueth much longer than the men that are upon it; for ever, noteth often a long time, so long as the present course and order of nature is to continue, Ps. 119.90. so long as such or such an administration lasteth, Gen. 9.12. 1 Sam. 2.30. 1 Sam. 13.13. otherwise we know the earth is to be changed, and in some sense at the least to pass away, as now the inhabitants thereof do, Matth. 24.35. Psal. 102.25, 27. There seems to be a double sense in the words, both Consonant to the present argument. 1. That man cannot be happy by any thing which is here below, in regard of his transitory condition, fathers going, and children succeeding; a mans labour haply may enrich him, or bring him to honour, but it cannot lengthen out his days beyond one generation, and then he and all his acquirements must part, and in ⟨p. 23⟩this respect, the earth on which he treads, is in a condition better than himself, for it abideth to the end. 2. Man seeking happiness from the earth and earthly things, must needs be disappointed of his expectation, because he passeth away, and the earth stays behind him. If he could carry the earth along with him, he might haply promise himself his wonted contentments, but the earth abides where it was, when he goeth from it, and can enjoy it no more, Job. 7.10. Ps. 49.17. Here then we may observe. First, a determinate time prefixed to the life, states, honours, offices of men, at uttermost they are but for one generation, wherein every man hath his service to do, his warfare to accomplish, his race to run, Job 7.1. & 14.5

V. 5. The sun also ariseth, and th• sun goeth down, and hasteth to the pla•• where he arose] Or, panteth towards th• place. A metaphor from one who run earnestly to some mark, or presseth fo••ward with strong desire to something would attain, Psal. 119.131. Job 7.•• A like expression, Psal. 19.6, 7. an• 104.19. whereby is signified an unwearied, yet constant and regular motion founded in a Covenant or ordinance Heaven, Jer. 31.35, 36, and 33.2• Job 38.33. from which without a sp••cial and extraordinary restraint from […] (as Josh. 10.12. Isa. 38.8. Job 9.7▪ it never varieth. Having thus affirmed all things under the sun that they are […] he here beginneth with the sun it […] ⟨p. 25⟩which doth as it were weary it self out of breath with continual motion. 1. If it did bring happiness to a man in its rising, it would remove it again in its setting. 2. Though the earth abideth for ever, and the sun moveth regularly over it with its warmth, and the winds blow on it to refresh the fruits thereof, Cant. 4.16. and the waters pass through it to make it fruitful,

V. 6. The wind goeth towards the South and turneth about unto the North, &c. As the sun, so the winds have their courses, whereby is noted the uncertainty of outward things, if they please in their coming they must disquiet in their departing, where•as the matter of happiness must be ever present and permanent. Here we may also not the wise providence of God in the circuit of the winds and other sublunary creature which he bringeth out of his treasure, […] directeth as it pleaseth him for the uses […] men, one while making them helpful to […] part of the earth, and another while to an••ther, Psal. 135.7. Job 37.7. & 38.2▪ Jer. 10.13. Deut. 28.12. Psal. 78.2▪ Gen. 8.1. Exod. 8.1. & 14.21. He see••eth likewise to have respect to those wind• which in some parts of the world, have a […] regular and uniform motion, in […] months of the year, blowing constant ⟨p. 27⟩out of one quarter, and in others, out of another. The words [going, circuiting, whirling about, returning] are used to show the restless and unquiet nature of these things, their busy and speedy motion, as if they were ever out of their place; all which show how full of vanity they are, and represent the disquiet agitations of the mind of man, till it fix upon him that is immutable.

V. 6. The winde goeth towards the South and turneth about unto the North, &c. As the sun, so the windes have their courses, whereby is noted the uncertainty of outward things, if they please in their coming they must disquiet in their departing, whereas the matter of happiness must be ever present and permanent. Here we may also not the wise providence of God in the circui of the windes and other sublunary creature which he bringeth out of his treasure, directeth as it pleaseth him for the uses men, one while making them helpful to part of the earth, and another while to anther,

V. 7. All rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full: unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.] Though rivers hastily run into the sea, as into their cistern, yet the sea is not filled, so as to swell above the earth, or overflow the bounds within which God hath decreed it to stay, Job 38.8.—11. Psal. 104.8, 9. Jer. 15.22. The reason whereof is, because there is […] perpetual and proportionable return, as fast […] by some channels waters go from their •ountains to the sea, by others they return from the sea into the earth again. Thus, which •ay ever we cast our eyes, we every where meet with evidences of inconstancy and mutability here below, as testimonies of that •anity which all things under the sun are subject unto. 1. By the continual motions of these creatures, he seemeth to describe the restlessness of the mind of man, in enquiring after good. ⟨p. 28⟩2. The dis-satisfaction which it every where meeteth withal, finding no reason to rest or stay there, whither it had formerly hasted with greatest speed. As all rivers cannot fill the sea, so all creatures cannot fill the heart of man. It moves every way, forward and backward, to the South and to the North, from one content unto another for full satisfaction, but can find none, Psal. 39.6. & 74.11, 19. Prov. 19.21. Luk. 10.41.

V. 7. All rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full: unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.] Though rivers hastily run into the sea, as into their cistern, yet the sea is not filled, so as to swell above the earth, or overflow the bounds within which God hath decreed it to stay,

V. 8. All things are full of labour, man cannot utter it: The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing] All things, to wit, all these and the like things. This is a close of the former argument. Having showed the unquiet motion of the sun▪ winds, rivers, he here concludeth his Induction of particulars, with a general assertion, that as it was in them, so it is in all things else, no man is able with words to ru• over all particulars, but as it is in some, so is […] in the rest which cannot be numbered. They are said to be full of labour or weariness, because they weary out man in his studies and endeavours about them, Gen. 3.17, 19. Psal. 127 2. Here is also another argument provi•• the main proposition, whatever things bring toilsome labour and weariness with them cannot make a man happy, but are altogether •ai• as to such a purpose: But all things under ⟨p. 29⟩the Sun do bring unto him that is conversant about them toilsome labour and weariness, therefore they cannot make men happy. This toil and weariness doth not only appear in grievous and unpleasing labour, whereunto men are against their wills compelled, Job. 5.7. Lam. 5.5. Jer. 20.18. nor only in those labours which the Lord is pleased to blast and frustrate of an expected end, when men labour as it were in the fire, and reap no fruit of all their pains, Habak. 2.13. Hag. 1.6. Levit. 26.20.

as being senses which are nearest cognation unto reason, and are principal instruments and handmaids to the soul in her noblest operations. Now if the most spiritual, unwearied, rational senses cannot be satisfied, but that they are pricked with further desires of new objects to delight them, Acts 17.21. or satiated and glutted with the excess of what did delight them before; how much more is this true in those other faculties, where there is more labour in pursuing their objects, and more loathing in fruition of them, Prov. 27.20. And this is such labour and weariness as no man can utter it; no man can express how many ways any one faculty may be wearied out, nor recount all those objects, which when they minister some delight, do yet leave no satisfaction behind them. As the happiness which we expect in God, cannot be uttered, 1 Cor. 2.9. 2 Cor. 12.4. so the labour and weariness which the mind contracteth by excessive search into the creatures, cannot be uttered neither.

as being senses which are nearest cognation unto reason, and are principal instruments and handmaids to the soul in her noblest operations. Now if the most spiritual, unwearied, rational senses cannot be satisfied, but that they are pricked with further desires of new objects to delight them, Acts 17.21. or satiated and glutted with the excess of what did delight them before; how much more is this true in those other faculties, where there is more labour in pursuing their objects, and more loathing in fruition of them, Prov. 27.20. And this is such labour and weariness as no man can utter it; no man can express how many wayes any one faculty may be wearied out, nor recount all those objects, which when they minister some delight, do yet leave no satisfaction behind them. As the happiness which we expect in God, cannot be uttered, 1 Cor. 2.9.

V. 9, 10, 11. The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done, is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the Sun, &c.] The substance of these verses is this, If no man hath ⟨p. 31⟩ever hitherto been able to find out happiness in the creature, let no man think now or hereafter to do it, since there is no new thing out of which it may be extracted. All natural causes and effects continue as they were at the beginning, Gen. 8.22. Jer. 31.35, 36. and all humane and voluntary actions, counsels and studies, having the same principles of reason to produce them, and the same objects to draw them out, are in substance the same now as heretofore. And though some discoveries of new things have been made, as the Mariners Card, the Art of Printing, Gun-powder, &c. of which learned men have written, yet from defective and insufficient principles of happiness, such as all natural things are, no thing, though new, can be sufficient unto such an End, since the particulars cannot afford that which the general hath not comprised within it. As face answereth to face in water, so the courses of natural causes and effects, and the hearts desires, counsels of the men in one age, do answer unto those of another, Matth. 24.38, 39. Prov. 27.19.

V. 9, 10, 11. The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done, is that which shall be done: and there is no new •hing under the Sun, &c.] The substance of these verses is this, If no man hath ⟨p. 31⟩ever hitherto been able to find out happiness in the creature, let no man think now or hereafter to do it, since there is no new thing out of which it may be extracted. All natural causes and effects continue as they were at the beginning, Gen. 8.22.

V. 10. Is there any new thing whereof it may be said, See this, It is new?] This is a challenge to any man to procure any new thing if he can, with a peremptory repeating of the former assertion, and denying the ⟨p. 32⟩success of any such attempt. He speaketh of such new things as may far surpass the things which had been discovered before, as to be able to satisfy the heart, and make it truly blessed. And this he confidently denieth, that any thing can further be extracted out of the womb of nature in order unto humane happiness more then had been already discovered. Men may haply flatter themselves in their inventions, as if they had invented new things which were not before, and such as may afford more matter of content and satisfaction then other men in former ages have found. But he shows that this is but a mistake, for It hath been already of old time which was before us.] The discoveries of former ages have been as pregnant towards satisfaction of the heart, as any of after ages can be.

V. 10. Is there any new thing whereof it may be said, See this, It is new?] This is a challenge to any man to procure any new thing if he can, with a peremptory repeating of the former assertion, and denying the ⟨p. 32⟩success of any such attempt. He speaketh of such new things as may far surpass the things which had been discovered before, as to be able to satisfie the heart, and make it truly blessed. And this he confidently denyeth, that any thing can further be extracted out of the womb of nature in order unto humane happiness more then had been already discovered. Men may haply flatter themselves in their inventions, as if they had invented new things which were not before, and such as may afford more matter of content and satisfaction then other men in former ages have found. But he shews that this is but a mistake, for It hath been already of old time which was before us.] The discoveries of former ages have been as pregnant towards satisfaction of the heart, as any of after ages can be.

V. 11. There is no remembrance of former things, neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.] If new things be found out, as many old things are forgotten, so that still the stock of nature is as defective towards happiness in our age, as in another. Shortness of life, and narrowness of experience, causeth us to forget the things which have been before us, which were they all in our distinct view, no one thing would occur ⟨p. 33⟩without it's pattern and parallel, at least something as excellent as it in former ages: and as things past are forgotten by us, so things present will be forgotten by those that shall come after us.

Here then we see, 1. The aptness which is in man to nauseate and grow weary of the things which he is used unto, though they be otherwise never so excellent, Num. 11.6. 2. The wantonness of our hearts in having an itching desire after new things, and such as former ages were unacquainted with, Acts 17.21. 3. That it is Ignorance and inexperience which maketh things appear new, which indeed are old. 4. That the vanity which our forefathers have found in things here below, is an infallible argument that we shall find the same, and shall certainly miscarry, if we think to get more satisfaction out of the Creatures, then others have gotten before us, Job. 8.8, 9. & 15.18. 5. That new things are not to be looked for under the Sun, or in the course of natural causes and effects: But in a spiritual and heavenly conversation all things are new, durable, excellent. In the study of Gods Word and ways, there are ever new and wonderful things to be discovered, Psal. 119.18. 2 Cor. 5.17. 2 Pet. 3.13. Rev. 21.5. Gods mercies and judgements are wonderful, ⟨p. 34⟩and he doth many times strange things, which neither we nor our fathers have known, Deut. 432—36. 1 Cor. 2.9.

Here then we see, 1. The aptness which is in man to nauseate and grow weary of the things which he is used unto, though they be otherwise never so excellent, Num. 11.6. 2. The wantonness of our hearts in having an itching desire after new things, and such as former ages were unacquainted with,

V. 12, 13. I the Preacher was King over Israel in Jerusalem. And I gave mine heart to seek and search out by wisdom, concerning all things that are done under heaven: This sore travel hath God given to the sons of men, to be exercised therewith.] Having showed the vanity of things under the Sun in general: He now proceedeth unto some special and principal things, wherein men might be apt to place felicity. And he begins with the knowledge of things natural and humane: showing, that if any man could in that respect make himself Happy, he himself had more means to do it then any other man. And the better to gain belief to what he should deliver, He gives it them upon the word and experience of a Convert, a King, an Inspired King, a most wise and Active King, a King in Jerusalem, the seat of God; provoked unto this inquiry by the strong inclination of his own heart, by the special Call and direction of God, by the eye and help of that habitual wisdom which by prayer he had obtained of God in a more eminent manner then any other man; and by his zeal towards the people of God, and towards h•s house at Jerusalem. I, being such a person, ⟨p. 35⟩so completely furnished with all internal and external advantages, do testify the truth which I have delivered upon mine own most exact and accurate trial, That All is Vanity.

V. 12, 13. I the Preacher was King over Israel in Ierusalem. And I gave mine heart to seek and search out by wisdom, concerning all things that are done under heaven: This sore travel hath God given to the sons of men, to be exercised therewith.] Having shewed the vanity of things under the Sun in general: He now proceedeth unto some special and principal things, wherein men might be apt to place felicity. And he begins with the knowledge of things natural and humane: shewing, that if any man could in that respect make himself Happy, he himself had more means to do it then any other man. And the better to gain belief to what he should deliver, He gives it them upon the word and experience of a Convert, a King, an Inspired King, a most wise and Active King, a King in Ierusalem, the seat of God; provoked unto this inqu•ry by the strong inclination of his own heart, by the special Call and direction of God, by the eye and help of that habitual wisdome which by prayer he had obtained of God in a more eminent manner then any other man; and by his zeal towards the people of God, and towards h•s house at Jerusalem. I, being such a person,

I the Preacher] Or the Convert, who am returned by repentance unto the Communion of Saints, from whence by my sins I had formerly wandered, am able now by sad experience to seal the truth which I have so dearly bought, touching the vanity of all outward things. So this Book was the fruit of Solomons Conversion and returning to the bosom of the Church.

I the Preacher] Or the Convert, who am returned by repentance unto the Communion of Saints, from whence by my sins I had formerly wandred, am able now by sad experience to seal the truth which I have so dearly bought, touching the vanity of all outward things. So this Book was the fruit of Solomons Conversion and returning to the bosome of the Church.

was King over Israel] This Book therefore was written when he was on his throne, furnished with wisdom from God to manage his Royal Office, and with abundance of wealth to prosecute this inquiry after true happiness, 1 Reg. 3.7.—13.