Annotations on the book of Ecclesiastes

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, ⟨p. 35⟩so compleatly furnished with all internal and external advantages, do testifie the truth which I have delivered upon mine own most exact and accurate tryal, That All is Vanity.

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.

In Jerusalem] This being expressed thus twice, in this, and in the first verse, hath some emphasis in it. In Jerusalem was the House of the Lord, and the Testimony of Israel, Psal. 122.1, 2, 3. Here God was in a special ⟨p. 36⟩manner present, and might most comfortably be sought, Psal. 132.13, 14. There were continual attendances of the Priests, officers, and wise men about the Temple, 1 Chron. 25.26. There were the thrones of Justice, and public conventions of State, Psal. 122.5. There were the Masters of the Assemblies, or a College and Senate of the most learned men of the Nation, Eccles. 12.11. 2 Reg. 21.14. so that there he met with all the furtherances which a learned and wise man could desire in the prosecution of such a design.

In Ierusalem] This being expressed thus twice, in this, and in the first verse, hath some emphasis in it. In Jerusalem was the House of the Lord, and the Testimony of Israel, Psal. 122.1, 2, 3. Here God was in a special ⟨p. 36⟩manner present, and might most comfortably be sought, Psal. 132.13, 14. There were continual attendances of the Priests, officers, and wise men about the Temple, 1 Chron. 25.26. There were the thrones of Justice, and publick conventions of State, Psal. 122.5. There were the Masters of the Assemblies, or a Colledge and Senate of the most learned men of the Nation,

And I gave my heart] I did cheerfully and purposely set my self about it, and made it my business and delight, 2 Chron. 11.16. 1 Chro. 22.19. 2 Cor. 8.5.

to seek and search out] Searching is more then seeking, and denotes an orderly and accurate exploration, such as merchants use, who with great diligence procure rarest commodities out of several Countries, Eccl. 7.25. Ezek. 20.6.

by wisdom] An excellent instrument in such an inquiry.

by wisdome] An excellent instrument in such an inquiry.

all things done under the Sun] All natural causes and effects, all humane counsels and events: this phrase is much used by Solomon in this Book, whereby is limited the subject matter about which he inquires.

this sore travel] Or, afflicting labour; as Chap. 2.23. and 4.8.

hath given to the sons of man] It is his ordinance, he hath called them to search his works and ways.

hath given to the sons of man] It is his ordinance, he hath called them to search his works and wayes.

to be exercised] Or afflicted and distracted therein, therefore not at all to be made blessed thereby.

From hence we may observe: First, That the best way of teaching is out of our own experience, and exact disquisition, Psal. 66.16, 17. Gal. 1.16.

2. That sound repentance doth notably fit a man to know and search out the Will of God, and to discover and teach the vanity of all other things, 2 Tim. 2.25. Jam. 1.21. Luke 22.32. Psal. 51.12, 13.

3. That men in highest authority are by their studies as well as their power to seek the welfare of those over whom they are set, and to endeavour with all their hearts to fit themselves with wisdom and abilities for discharge of their office, 1 Reg. 3.7, 8, 9. Luke 2.52. Act. 6.4. 1 Tim. 4.13, 14, 15.

3. That men in highest authority are by their studies as well as their power to seek the welfare of those over whom they are set, and to endeavour with all their hearts to fit themselves with wisdome and abilities for discharge of their office, 1 Reg. 3.7, 8, 9. Luke 2.52. Act. 6.4. 1 Tim. 4.13, 14, 15.

4. That the piety, age, dignity, authority, experience of a person, though it add nothing to the truth it self, yet hath a great power to persuade and prepare the hearts of hearers to the entertainment of it, Philem. vers. 9. 2 Cor. 10.7, 8. & 11.5, 6, 22 23. ⟨p. 38⟩& 12.1, 2, 3, 4, 5.11. 1 Cor. 9.1, 2. & 15.8, 9, 10.

4. That the piety, age, dignity, authority, experience of a person, though it add nothing to the truth it self, yet hath a great power to perswade and prepare the hearts of hearers to the entertainment of it, Philem. vers. 9. 2 Cor. 10.7, 8. & 11.5, 6, 22 23. ⟨p. 38⟩& 12.1, 2, 3, 4, 5.11. 1 Cor. 9.1, 2. & 15.8, 9, 10.