A57129:711
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.
Even in thy thought, or in thy conscience curse not the King] Entertain not any light, vain, contemptuous or dishonourable thoughts of him, do not wish any evil to his person, crown or Government, not so much as in thy inmost and most secret retirements, Exod. 22.28. 2 Pet. 2.10. Ps. 62.4. 1 Sam. 10.27. 2 Sam. 19.21. 1 Reg. 2.8. Isa. 8.21.
Even in thy thought, or in thy conscience curse not the King] Entertain not any l•ght, vain, contemptuous or dishonourable thoughts of him, do not wish any evil to his person, crown or Government, not so much as in thy inmost and most secret retirements, Exod. 22.28. 2 Pet. 2.10. Ps. 62.4. 1 Sam. 10.27. 2 Sam. 19.21. 1 Reg. 2.8. Isa. 8.21.
The second clause, neither curse the Rich, is a re-enforcing of the same precept again, meaning by the Rich, the Governor, Isa. 53.9. In the chambers of thy bed, or, in thy most secret retirement.
The second clause, neither curse the Rich, is a re-enforcing of the same precept again, meaning by the Rich, the Governour, Isa. 53.9. In the chambers of thy bed, or, in thy most secret retirement.
And left a man should presume so to do, ⟨p. 349⟩as conceiving thoughts to be free, and far enough out of the sight of the Governor to observe or avenge, He addeth the great danger like to ensue by means which they could not so much as imagine, or suspect.
[for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter] As if he had said, Thy thoughts and secret curses are heard in Heaven, by him who will certainly punish them, however secret they are kept from men. And the Lord can easily find our ways even by brute Creatures, to bring them to light: as he did rebuke the madness of Balaam by his ass, 2 Pet. 2.16. and punish the pride of Pharaoh and Herod by frogs, lice, and worms, Exod. 8.6, 17. Act. 12.23. We read how a flight of Cranes did discover the murder done upon the Poet Ibycus: and how Bessus, who had slain his father, overthrew a nest of swallows chattering, because, saith he, they accuse me for killing my father. As our Saviour saith in another case, If these should hold their peace, the very stones would cry out, Luke 19.40. So the Lord can by even dead and inanimate Creatures, discover wickedness. The earth it self, which drank blood in, shall disclose and reveal it, Gen. 4.11. Isa. 26.21. Hab. 2.11. The Chaldee by birds of the air, understand the ⟨p. 350⟩Angels of Heaven, who like winged Eagles shall make report of secret wickedness. Others understand it of fame, which is a swift, and as it were a winged Messenger; alluding unto that which is said of Princes, [Greek or Hebrew] ▪ That Princes have many Eyes, & many Ears, and long arms, that can see, and hear, and punish offences at at a greater distance.
CHAP. XI.
IN the former Chapter he showed the excellent use of true wisdom, as a means of Tranquillity of mind, and remedy against the vanity of outward things, in ordering our behaviour aright towards Superiors for prevention of those dangers which their displeasure may subject us unto. In this Chapter he further discovereth the use thereof unto the same End of comfortable living, in ordering of our behaviour towards Inferiors, those especially that are in want.
IN the former Chapter he shewed the excellent use of true wisdome, as a means of Tranquillity of mind, and remedy against the vanity of outward things, in ordering our behaviour aright towards Superiors for prevention of those dangers which their displeasure may subject us unto. In this Chapter he further discovereth the use thereof unto the same End of comfortable living, in ordering of our behaviour towards Inferiors, those especially that are in want.
Concerning which, we have, First, the precept it self, concerning substantial and useful charity, vers. 1. with an effectual reason thereof, both drawn from a Metaphor of sowing and reaping seed, vers. 1.
Secondly, the manner and measure of this our charity, which is to abound towards all ⟨p. 351⟩that are in want, and that enforced by a reason drawn from the uncertainty of future Events; now thou art able; hereafter thou mayst be disabled, therefore do good while thou hast means so to do, and thereby provide friends to thy self against any evils which thou also mayst fall into, vers. 2.
Thirdly, Both those are illustrated by many similitudes, in the which he doth by way of Prolepsis prevent such objections as the covetous hearts of men are apt to make against this duty.
1. A man is apt to say, That he is nearest to himself, and must look after his own supplies, and leave others to look after theirs.
1. A man is apt to say, That he is neerest to himself, and must look after his own supplyes, and leave others to look after theirs.
To which he answereth, That as Clouds are not filled with waters to keep them to themselves, but to empty them upon the Earth: so Gods blessings are not deposited to men only for their own good, but as Stewards they are to dispense out of them unto others, vers. 3.
To which he answereth, That as Clouds are not filled with waters to keep them to themselves, but to empty them upon the Earth: so Gods blessings are not deposited to men only for their own good, but as Stewards they are to dispence out of them unto others, vers. 3.
2. It may be objected, If I must relieve seven and eight, take notice of the wants of many, It will be seven to one if much of this bounty will not be cast away upon unworthy and ungrateful persons, who will make no return either unto God or man for it.
To this he answereth, That as it is all one ⟨p. 352⟩to the master of a tree, whether it fall North or South, for either way it falls to the owners use and benefit: so that good which is done to any man in want, out of a desire thereby to honour God, and to help our neighbour, shall prove beneficial unto him that so doth it, whatever the person be unto whom it is done, vers. 3.
3. It may be objected, That it is not yet a season to be thus bountiful, there are many Impediments and discouragements thereunto, This charge, this loss; that affliction or danger, or expense lies upon me, when I am gotten over these, it will then be a fitter time to think on the wants of others, when I am secured against mine own.
3. It may be objected, That it is not yet a season to be thus bountiful, there are many Impediments and discouragements thereunto, This charge, this loss; that affliction or danger, or expence lyes upon me, when I am gotten over these, it will then be a fitter time to think on the wants of others, when I am secured against mine own.
To this he answers by another similitude drawn from husbandry, He that will not sow his seed lest the wind should blow it away, nor reap his corn, lest the Clouds should rain and wet it, shall never want exceptions against that which yet is necessary to be done. Therefore our duty is to embrace the present opportunity, and leave the success for the future unto Gods blessing.
If we could certainly fore-see better weather, and more seasonable accommodations for our businesses to morrow than to day, we might haply pretend some reason for delay of duty. But that is in Gods hand alone, ⟨p. 353⟩as unknown unto us, as the way of the wind, or of the souls coming into the body, or the growing of the bones of an Embryo in the womb. Therefore it is our duty to do good at present while we have opportunity, and to commit the success of all for the future unto God, vers. 4, 5. Whereupon he repeateth the Exhortation in the same Metaphor, sow thy seed, scatter thy charity in season and out of season, in youth, in age, at all times, on all occasions, since thou knowest not which will be most successful, vers. 6.
If we could certainly fore-see better weather, and more seasonable accommodations for our businesses to morrow than to day, we might haply pretend some reason for delay of duty. But that is in Gods hand alone, ⟨p. 353⟩as unknown unto us, as the way of the wind, or of the souls coming into the body, or the growing of the bones of an Embryo in the womb. Therefore it is our duty to do good at present while we have opportunity, and to commit the success of all for the future unto God, vers. 4, 5. Whereupon he repeateth the Exhortation in the same Metaphor, sow thy seed, scatter thy charity in season and out of season, in youth, in age, at all times, on all occasions, since thou knowest not which will be most succesful, vers. 6.