A57129:52
Annotations on the book of Ecclesiastes
London: printed by J. Streater, 1669
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
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.
5. That largeness of Gifts and Helps from God, should quicken us unto a more cheerful and vigorous study of our duties, Matth. 15.16, 17.
5. That largeness of Gifts and Helps from God, should quicken us unto a more cheerfull and vigorous study of our duties, Matth. 15.16, 17.
6. That largeness of heart in knowledge of things natural, moral, Humane, Divine, are Royal Endowments, and things fit for a King to set his heart upon, Prov. 31.4. The greater our place, power, wealth is, the more noble and serious should our thoughts and employments be.
6. That largeness of heart in knowledge of things natural, moral, Humane, Divine, are Royal Endowments, and things fit for a King to set his heart upon, Prov. 31.4. The greater our place, power, wealth is, the more noble and serious should our thoughts and imployments be.
7. The more men abound with worldly things, the looser should they keep their hearts from them, and the more should they study the vanity of them, lest otherwise they steal away their hearts from God, Psal. 62.10.
8. The dignity, wisdom, piety of a people being duly considered, doth whet and add vigour to the studies and cares of those who are set over them for their good, 2 Reg. 3.8, 5. Mar. 6.5, 6.
8. The dignity, wisdome, piety of a people being duly considered, doth whet and add vigour to the studies and cares of those who are set over them for their good, 2 Reg. 3.8, 5. Mar. 6.5, 6.
9. We should improve the benefit of places and persons amongst whom we converse, to fit our selves thereby for the service of the Church. It is not only a comfort, but a furtherance unto wise and learned men, to live in places where wisdom and learning is professed, Act. 1.4.
10. It is a great comfort when men have helps and encouragements answerable to their employments, and having such, when they have hearts to use them, Prov, 17.16.
10. It is a great comfort when men have helps and encouragements answerable to their imployments, and having such, when they have hearts to use them, Prov, 17.16.
11. Here are the right principles of successful diligence in our places; 1. A willing heart, when a man goes about his work with all his strength, Eccles. 9.10. 2. Attendance on the Call of God, and for that reason submitting unto travel and pains, Act. 26.19. Gal. 1.15. 3. Stirring up the gifts which God hath given us as furtherances unto duty, 2. Tim. 1.6. 4. Exquisite inspection into the businesses about which we are employed, that we may not through our own negligence come behind in any gift, 1 Cor. 13.31. & 14.12.
11. Here are the right principles of successfull diligence in our places; 1. A willing heart, when a man goes about his work with all his strength, Eccles. 9.10. 2. Attendance on the Call of God, and for that reason submitting unto travel and pains, Act. 26.19. Gal. 1.15. 3. Stirring up the gifts which God hath given us as furtherances unto duty, 2. Tim. 1.6. 4. Exquisite inspection into the businesses about which we are imployed, that we may not through our own negligence come behind in any gift, 1 Cor. 13.31. & 14.12.
12. It is the will of God, that even our honourable and our necessary employments should be accompanied with sore travel, that we may be kept humble in our selves, weaned from the creature, and made the more thankful for any assistance the Lord giveth us in our Labours, and for any blessing upon them, Job. 5.7. Gen. 3.19.
12. It is the will of God, that even our honourable and our necessary imployments should be accompanied with sore travel, that we may be kept humble in our selves, weaned from the creature, and made the more thankfull for any assistance the Lord giveth us in our Labours, and for any blessing upon them, Job. 5.7. Gen. 3.19.
V. 14. I have seen all the works that are done under the Sun, and behold all is vanity ⟨p. 40⟩and vexation of spirit.] The former words showed the exactness of Solomons search into natural and humane things. That it was the labour of an aged Convert, (for Solomon was drawn away from God in his old age, 1 Reg. 11.4.) of a wise King, furnished with all Helps for such an inquiry: That it was an accurate and deep search, not loose or superficial. That it was undertaken with great impulsion of heart, and with a special Call of God: and now after all this, he concludes,
V. 14. I have seen all the works that are done under the Sun, and behold all is vanity ⟨p. 40⟩and vexation of spirit.] The former words shewed the exactness of Solomons search into natural and humane things. That it was the labour of an aged Convert, (for Solomon was drawn away from God in his old age, 1 Reg. 11.4.) of a wise King, furnished with all Helps for such an inquiry: That it was an accurate and deep search, not loose or superficial. That it was undertaken with great impulsion of heart, and with a special Call of God: and now after all this, he concludes,
1. That he had seen] That is, diligently heeded, and fully understood, as to the issue of this inquiry, all the works done under the Sun, Exod. 3.3. Eccles. 2.13, 14.
all the things] That is, the several kinds of them, 1 Reg. 4.33. He had gotten as large and as intuitive a knowledge as humane curiosity or industry, with all manner of furtherances could attain unto. Which appears not to be an arrogant boast, but a true account of the fruit of his studies, the Holy Ghost testifying the same thing of him, 1 Reg. 4. 29—34. & 10.23.
2. That he found all to be vanity and vexation of spirit.] Not only vain and ineffectual to confer Happiness, but which is worse, apt to bring much affliction and trouble upon the heart of him who is too earnestly ⟨p. 41⟩conversant about them. From several original Roots, there are by Interpreters given several explications of this word, Evil, or Affliction of Spirit. Breach, contrition, torment of Spirit; feeding upon, or consuming of the spirit; or vanity and feeding upon wind, as fruitless labour is expressed, Hos. 12.1. 1 Cor. 9.26. Thus he applies his general conclusion particularly unto all kind of knowledge, Natural and Moral. There is sore travel in the getting, danger of forgetting it again, discovery thereby of more Ignorance then a man observed in himself before▪ insufficiency and impossibility of perfecting the understanding, and satiating the desires thereof. Such and many other Considerations make Knowledge it self, as to the procuring of true Happiness, altogether Vain.
2. That he found all to be vanity and vexation of spirit.] Not only vain and ineffectual to confer Happiness, but which is worse, apt to bring much affliction and tro•ble upon the heart of him who is too earnestly ⟨p. 41⟩conversant about them. From several original Roots, there are by Interpreters given several explications of this word, Evil, or Affliction of Spirit. Breach, contrition, torment of Spirit; feeding upon, or consuming of the spirit; or vanity and feeding upon wind, as fruitless labour is expressed, Hos. 12.1. 1 Cor. 9.26. Thus he applyes his general conclusion particularly unto all kind of knowledge, Natural and Moral. There is sore travel in the getting, danger of forgeting it again, discovery thereby of more Ignorance then a man observed in himself before▪ insufficiency and impossibility of perfecting the understanding, and satiating the desires thereof. Such and many other Considerations make Knowledge it self, as to the procuring of true Happiness, altogether Vain.