Annotations on the book of Ecclesiastes

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.

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.

And now having thus largely set down various precepts for making the life of a man comfortable, and his mind quiet amidst all the vanities of the world, He proceedeth to instruct him how he may provide for death, and judgement, and so secure happiness in another world too: for a man might be apt to say, when I am thus throughly fitted by these many precepts unto a secure and comfortable manner of living, having the favour of great men, the blessing of poor men, peace within, and plenty without, when by godly wisdom, vexation of mind, and the vanity and disquietness thereupon of all outward things is healed, and removed. It cannot then but be a very pleasant thing to live, to see the light of the Sun, and to enjoy those ⟨p. 354⟩contents which by these means we have arrived at, vers. 7. To this the Wise man answereth, That albeit by these means life is much sweetened, and the vanity thereof is much abated, yet it is never throughly removed: But when all is done which can be done to render our condition here comfortable, yet All that cometh, both life, and the supplies thereof, are still Vanity, and will pass away, and the days of darkness which follow, will be abundantly more than the days of light which went before. And that therefore we ought, by the timely remembrance of them both, to moderate our delights in things present, and to prepare our selves to lift up our heads with comfort in the judgement to come, vers. 8.

And now having thus largely set down various precepts for making the life of a man comfortable, and his mind quiet amidst all the vanities of the world, He proceedeth to instruct him how he may provide for death, and judgement, and so secure happiness in another world too: for a man might be apt to say, when I am thus throughly fitted by these many precepts unto a secure and comfortable manner of living, having the favour of great men, the blessing of poor men, peace within, and plenty without, when by godly wisdome, vexation of mind, and the vanity and disquietness thereupon of all outward things is healed, and removed. It cannot then but be a very pleasant thing to live, to see the light of the Sun, and to enjoy those ⟨p. 354⟩contents which by these means we have arrived at, vers. 7. To this the Wise man answereth, That albeit by these means life is much sweetned, and the vanity thereof is much abated, yet it is never throughly removed: But when all is done which can be done to render our condition here comfortable, yet All that cometh, both life, and the supplyes thereof, are still Vanity, and will pass away, and the daies of darkness which follow, will be abundantly more than the daies of light which went before. And that therefore we ought, by the timely remembrance of them both, to moderate our delights in things present, and to prepare our selves to lift up our heads with comfort in the judgement to come, vers. 8.

And because of all others, young men, whose blood is fresh, and spirits active, are most apt to surfeit on present pleasures, and to put far from them the evil day, slighting such admonitions as these; therefore the Wise man, who had had himself as full a gale of youthful pleasures, as ever any other man, and had found the vanity of them all, doth by an Irony, deride the folly, and by a solemn citation unto the Tribunal of God, awaken the conscience of such a voluptuous Epicure, vers. 9. persuading him by the assurance of a future judgement, wherein he must be called ⟨p. 355⟩to a strict account for all the vanities and miscarriages of his youth: and by the flitting condition of that age wherein he doth so glut upon them, to remove far from himself those sinful excesses which would fill his heart with sorrow, and his flesh with sin.

And because of all others, young men, whose blood is fresh, and spirits active, are most apt to surfeit on present pleasures, and to put far from them the evil day, slighting such admonitions as these; therefore the Wise man, who had had himself as full a gale of youthful pleasures, as ever any other man, and had found the vanity of them all, doth by an Irony, deride the folly, and by a solemn citation unto the Tribunal of God, awaken the conscience of such a voluptuous Epicure, vers. 9. perswading him by the assurance of a future judgement, wherein he must be called ⟨p. 355⟩to a strict account for all the vanities and miscarriages of his youth: and by the flitting condition of that age wherein he doth so glut upon them, to remove far from himself those sinful excesses which would fill his heart with sorrow, and his flesh with sin.

Vers. 1. Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days] This is a proverbial form of speech, drawn from the manner of husbandmen, who sow their land in expectation of a plentiful harvest, after many days. Whereby the Wise man, in pursuance of his principal argument, touching tranquillity and comfort of life, doth persuade unto liberality towards the poor, that their mouths and bowels may bless us. Some make it an allusion to Merchants, who send their Estates in Ships upon the Sea, expecting in time a return with much gain, called the Harvest of the River, Isa. 23.3. if the Prophet do not rather there allude to the plenty of Egypt, by the over-flowing of the River, whereunto possibly the Wise man may likewise allude in this place. Others, more generally, understand it of giving alms to the poor, where all we do, may seem to be cast away, as if it were thrown into the Sea. Though thou think, what is so given, is all lost, because given to those who can ⟨p. 356⟩never recompense thee; yet do thou lend in that manner, looking for nothing again, Luk. 6.35. being assured, that what is thus given to the poor, is lent unto the Lord, Prov. 19.17. who will in his time, certainly repay it with advantage unto thee. But I rather take it to be an allusion unto seed, which is sowed on very fertile ground, which is near a river, or is made fat by the over-flowing of a river, Numb. 24.7. Isa. 32.20. So they used in Egypt to make their land fertile, by drawing the water, when the river flowed over, by art unto it, Deut. 11.10, 11. Therefore amongst other plagues, which the Lord threateneth Egypt withal, this is one, That their Rivers should be dried up; and that which was sowed by them, should wither, Isa. 19.5, 6, 7. and so we read of the seed of Sihor,

for thou shalt find it after many days] The seed which a man sows seemeth to dye ⟨p. 357⟩and perish, but the husbandman waiteth patiently for many days together, and at last he reapeth a plentiful harvest, Jam. 5.7. as Isaac did, Gen. 26.12. Mark. 4.8. And in like manner, that which is sowed in the bellies and backs of the poor, will be repaid, as the seed is in harvest, manifold into the bosoms of righteous men, Prov. 19.17. 2 Cor. 9.6—10. Deut. 15.10. Matth 19.22. Ps. 112.9.

for thou shalt find it after many daies] The seed which a man sows seemeth to dye ⟨p. 357⟩and perish, but the husbandman waiteth patiently for many daies together, and at last he reapeth a plentiful harvest, Jam. 5.7. as Isaac did, Gen. 26.12. Mark. 4.8. And in like manner, that which is sowed in the bellies and backs of the poor, will be repayed, as the seed is in harvest, manifold into the bosoms of righteous men, Prov. 19.17. 2 Cor. 9.6—10.

V. 2. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight: for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth] By waters, is sometimes in the Scripture meant, multitudes of people; as Isa. 8.7. & 17.12. Revel. 17.15. and the Wise man here bidding us to cast our bread on the waters, doth in this verse explain what he meant thereby, namely, that we should disperse our good works, and alms-deeds unto many, that we should be large hearted, and open-handed unto the poor.

Give a portion] He alludeth unto the manner of their feasts and entertainments in old times, when they did use to distribute portions to their guests, and to send to the poor, 2 Sam. 6.19. 1 Sam. 1.4, 5. Gen. 43.34. Esth. 9.22. Nehem. 8.10.12. Isa. 58.7. Whereunto our Saviour haply alludeth, when he saith that Mary had chosen ⟨p. 358⟩[Greek or Hebrew]; A good part or portion, Luk. 10.42. Which custom of distributing equal portions to the guests, we find in Homer and Plutarch, to have been observed likewise among the Grecians; as also the custom of sending portions from the Tables of greater persons, to those that were absent. Vide Stuck. Antiq. Conviv. lib. 3. cap. 3.

Give a portion] He alludeth unto the manner of their feasts and entertainments in old times, when they did use to distribute portions to their guests, and to send to the poor, 2 Sam. 6.19. 1 Sam. 1.4, 5. Gen. 43.34. Esth. 9.22. Nehem. 8.10.12. Isa. 58.7. Whereunto our Saviour haply alludeth, when he saith that Mary had chosen ⟨p. 358⟩

to seven and also to eight] That is, to many: a definite number, for an indefinite, 1 Sam. 2.5. Job 5.19. Mic. 5.5. So hereby is noted, large and cheerful liberality to all in want, according to our abilities. We may not think we have done our duty, when we have been charitable to one or two persons; but we must disperse our bounty, as seed that is sown; and do good unto all men, according to their need and to our condition, cheerfully and incessantly. The necessity of a man may require it, when his person doth not deserve it, Luk. 6.30. 2 Cor. 9.5—10. Gal. 6.10. Isa. 2•.18. Prov. 31.20.

for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth] Embrace the present opportunity of doing good, thou canst not fore-see how soon thou mayst be deprived of it, since thou knowest not what a day may bring forth, Jam. 4.14. Prov. 27.1. & 3.27, 28. Luk. ⟨p. 359⟩12.20. Haply thou mayst dye, and leave thy wealth to those who will shut up their bowels against the poor; however, what they do shall not be put on thy account. Thou art a steward of thy estate, no longer than for thine own life; and therefore be thine own Executor, and consider the wants of the poor at present, therefore let not thy bounty be only future. Haply God may disable thee another time, from doing that good which now he puts into thy hand. It is wisdom to do Gods work in Gods time. Haply thou thy self mayst fall into want, and stand in need of help from others; therefore make thee friends of Mammon before hand, Luk. 16.9. Ps. 37.26. & 41.1, 2, 3. 1 Tim. 6.18, 19.

for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth] Embrace the present opportunity of doing good, thou canst not fore-see how soon thou mayst be deprived of it, since thou knowest not what a day may bring forth, Jam. 4.14. Prov. 27.1. & 3.27, 28. Luk. ⟨p. 359⟩

V. 3. If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall towards the South, or towards the North, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be] He urgeth the duty of charity and bounty, by elegant similitudes. Clouds that are full of moisture, do not keep it to themselves, but shed it forth in showers on the earth, and on all kind of corn, and herbs for the benefit of many; whence they are called the bottles of heaven, Job. 38.37. and the chambers of the Lord: Ps. 104.13. ⟨p. 360⟩from whence he poureth down rain according to the vapour thereof, Job. 36.27, 28. so should rich men, Prov. 11.25. whom the Lord hath filled with his blessings, as the Scripture useth to express it, Deut. 33.23. Job 22.18. Prov. 5.10. Deut. 6.11. Prov. 30.9. Phil. 4.12.18. not keep Gods blessings to themselves, but pour them forth upon those that are empty.