Annotations on the book of Ecclesiastes

V. 10. And so I saw the wicked b•ried, who had come and gone from the place of the Holy: and they were forgotten in the City where they had so done: This is also vanity.] These words are obscure, some understanding the former part of wicked Rulers, and the later part of good Rulers: others, the whole, only of wicked ones. The sum of the former sense is this; When I considered the rule of Tyrants over others, I observed that when they were dead and buried, they did as it were come and return again in their Children or wicked Successors, who reigned like them, Job 8.18, 19. or when they had been deprived and deposed, and so as it were buried, I saw them return to domination again. But other good men, who had walked with God in his holy place, are driven out of sight, made to run into corners, and as it were buried in forgetfulness, Prov. 28.12, 28. Psal. 12.8. even in that City where they had done Right. This he looked on as a great Vanity, that the memory of good men should ⟨p. 265⟩perish; and wicked men should be had in honour. But the other sense which applieth all to wicked Rulers, seemeth to be more genuine, and is followed by our Translation; I saw wicked Rulers continue all their life long in the place of the Holy one, to be had in great honour, and after they had gone in and out before the people in the place of Justice and Government, (which is the Throne of God) I saw them magnificently buried in very great pomp and solemnity, Luke 16.22. yet being dead, notwithstanding all those flatteries and formalities in their funeral, their name and memories did quickly perish and dye with their bodies, insomuch, that in that very City where they had lived in so great power, and been buried in so much state, they were presently forgotten, neither the Nobleness of their Families, nor the flatteries of their Creatures, nor the magnificent Monuments erected for them, were able to preserve their names from rottenness, Psal. 37.9, 10, 35, 36. Prov. 10.7. By the place of the Holy, or of the Holy one, as Hab. 3.3. understand the Tribunals of Judgment, whereon they sit as his Vicegerents,

and they were forgotten] The Septuagint render it, and they were praised; upon an easy mistake of one letter for another in the original word.

and they were forgotten] The Septuagint render it, and they were praised; upon an easie mistake of one letter for another in the original word.

where they had so done] Others, where they had done right, in the first of the two former senses; [Greek or Hebrew], as Symmachus: or where whatsoever they did was accounted Right, and so it is appliable to the later sense.

where they had so done] Others, where they had done right, in the first of the two former senses; 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, as Symmachus: or where whatsoever they did was accompted Right, and so it is appliable to the later sense.

V. 11. Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily: therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.] Here is intimated the Reason why wicked Rulers go on without remorse or control in their tyranny and oppression all their life long; namely, because the Judgments of God threatened against them, are not presently put in execution. The prosperity ⟨p. 267⟩of wicked men doth exceedingly strengthen and harden them in their wickedness. This proceedeth from infidelity, and a root of Atheism in their hearts, they cannot see afar off; or if they do, yet because evil seems far from them, therefore they go on securely, abusing the goodness and long-suffering of God unto presumption, which should have led them unto repentance, Rom. 2.4.

V. 11. Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily: therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.] Here is intimated the Reason why wicked Rulers go on without remorse or controle in their tyranny and oppression all their life long; namely, because the Judgments of God threatned against them, are not presently put in execution. The prosperity ⟨p. 267⟩of wicked men doth exceedingly strengthen and harden them in their wickedness. This proceedeth from infidelity, and a root of Atheism in their hearts, they cannot see afar off; or if they do, yet because evil seems far from them, therefore they go on securely, abusing the goodness and long-suffering of God unto presumption, which should have led them unto repentance, Rom. 2.4.

First, we here see that there is sentence pronounced against every wicked work, Isa. 3.10, 11.

Secondly, That the Lord is slow in putting that sentence in execution, being willing that men should repent, 2 Pet. 3.9.

3. That the sentence being pronounced, though it come slowly, yet it will come surely against ungodly men. It is every day nearer and nearer, and the longer it stays, the more heavy it will be. It comes with feet of wool, but it will strike with hands of lead, Gen. 6.3.

3. That the sentence being pronounced, though it come slowly, yet it will come surely against ungodly men. It is every day nearer and nearer, and the longer it stayes, the more heavy it will be. It comes with feet of wooll, but it will strike with hands of lead, Gen. 6.3.

4. That wicked men abuse Gods patience unto presumption, and because they see all well with them, do despise his threatenings to their own destruction, Isa. 5.19. Jer. 5.12. & 17.15. 2 Pet. 3.4. Ezek. 12.22. Psal. 55.19.

4. That wicked men abuse Gods patience unto presumption, and because they see all well with them, do despise his threatnings to their own destruction, Isa. 5.19. Jer. 5.12. & 17.15. 2 Pet. 3.4. Ezek. 12.22. Psal. 55.19.

5. That Impunity maketh wickedness more excessive and outrageous, and the heart of man is the more filled and emboldened in wickedness, by how much the more experience it hath of Gods slowness to wrath, Matth. 24.48, 49. Prov. 7.18, 19, 20. 2 Pet. 3.3, 4.

5. That Impunity maketh wickednesse more excessive and outragious, and the heart of man is the more filled and emboldened in wickedness, by how much the more experience it hath of Gods slowness to wrath, Matth. 24.48, 49. Prov. 7.18, 19, 20. 2 Pet. 3.3, 4.

therefore the heart of the sons of men is full in them, or is f•lly set in them to do evil.] is bold in them, so Aquila: therefore the sons of men do evil, [Greek or Hebrew], with a fearless and presumptuous heart; so Symmachus: the phrase noteth an height of confidence and resolvedness on sinful courses, called in the Scripture, madness, excess, greediness, rushing, breaking forth, superfluity, &c. Esth. 7.5. Act. 5.3. Gen. 6.12, 13. Luk. 6.11. Jer. 50.38. 1 Pet. 4.4. Ephes. 4.19. Jer. 6.7. & 8.6. Hos. 4.2. Jam. 1.21.

therefore the heart of the sons of men is full in them, or is f•lly set in them to do evil.] is bold in them, so Aquila: therefore the sons of men do evil, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, with a fearless and presumptuous heart; so Symmachus: the phrase noteth an height of confidence and resolvedness on sinful courses, called in the Scripture, madness, excess, greediness, rushing, breaking forth, superfluity, &c. Esth. 7.5. Act. 5.3. Gen. 6.12, 13.

V. 12, 13. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged: yet surely I know, &c.] Here he answereth the Temptation whereby good men are apt to be offended at the prosperity of wicked men, Psal. 73.2, 3. Jer. 12.1. and wicked men to be hardened in their sins thereby: Though a sinner do continue to do evil, and escape punishment an hundred times, never so often, as Chap. 6.3.

V. 12, 13. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his dayes be prolonged: yet surely I know, &c.] Here he answereth the Temptation whereby good men are apt to be offended at the prosperity of wicked men, Psal. 73.2, 3. Jer. 12.1. and wicked men to be hardened in their sins thereby: Though a sinner do continue to do evil, and escape punishment an hundred times, never so often, as Chap. 6.3.

and his days be prolonged] Or▪ his punishment delayed: or God do put off his anger, and not straightway execute it upon him, Chap. 7.15. Isa. 48.9. Deut. 4.40. Exod. 20.12. yet surely I know, and do confidently affirm, That it shall be well with them that fear God, Isa. 3.10, 11. The order of the consequence is inverted, and first the remuneration of good men is mentioned, before the punishment of evil men, to strengthen their faith, and to comfort them against the oppressions and injuries of their potent adversaries, because usually the rage of Tyrants doth vent it self against those that fear God.

and his dayes be prolonged] Or▪ his punishment delayed: or God do put off his anger, and not straightway execute it upon him, Chap. 7.15. Isa. 48.9. Deut. 4.40. Exod. 20.12. yet surely I know, and do considently affirm, That it shall be well with them that fear God, Isa. 3.10, 11. The order of the consequence is inverted, and first the remuneration of good men is mentioned, before the punishment of evil men, to strengthen their faith, and to comfort them against the oppressions and injuries of their potent adversaries, because usually the rage of Tyrants doth vent it self against those that fear God.

which fear before him] This is the character of a good man, they fear God sincerely, they tremble at his presence, they labour to commend their hearts and consciences to him in well doing, Isa. 8.13. When wicked men prosper and rage, they fret not, they fear not their cruelty, but still they hold fast their integrity, and go on steadily in obedience and patient waiting on God.

But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow] It shall not well] This is a [Greek or Hebrew], less being said then is intended: for the meaning is, It shall be very ill with him; as Exod. 20.7. Psal. 34.5. Rom. 1.16. Psal. ⟨p. 270⟩84.12. Isa. 42.3. Rom. 4.19. Revel. 12 11.

But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his dayes, which are as a shadow] It shall not well] This is a 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, less being said then is intended: for the meaning is, It shall be very ill with him; as Exod. 20.7. Psal. 34.5. Rom. 1.16. Psal. ⟨p. 270⟩84.12. Isa. 42.3. Rom. 4.19. Revel. 12 11.

neither shall he prolong his days] Long life is oftentimes promised as a blessing, Prov. 28.16. Exod. 20.1•. Psal. 91.16. Prov. 3.2. and the contrary threatened as a curse, Psal. 55.23. and though they seem to live long, their longest life is but as a shadow, which suddenly is gone, Psal. 144.4. wrath doth at last certainly overtake them. Whereas in Scripture sometimes prolonging of ones days, relates to a life after death, and a victory over it, Isa. 53.10.

neither shall he prolong his dayes] Long life is oftentimes promised as a blessing, Prov. 28.16. Exod. 20.1•. Psal. 91.16. Prov. 3.2. and the contrary threatned as a curse, Psal. 55.23. and though they seem to live long, their longest life is but as a shadow, which suddenly is gone, Psal. 144.4. wrath doth at last certainly overtake them. Whereas in Scripture sometimes prolonging of ones dayes, relates to a life after death, and a victory over it, Isa. 53.10.