Annotations on the book of Ecclesiastes

CHAP. XII.

IN this Chapter the Wise man proceedeth to demonstrate this Vanity of youth and old age, which quickly run into Death, And then concludeth the whole Book.

He had before by an Emphatical Irony, deterred Young men from those inordinate passions, and sensual pleasures, which that slippery age is most subject unto, and that by the Consideration of that dreadful account which in the last Judgement God will require of them. And because that age of of all other is most apt to put the evil day far from them, and to look on Death and Judgement as at a great distance, (as evil men use to do, Ezek. 12.27. 2 Pet. 3.3, 4. Amos 6.3.) therefore he doth by a Prolepsis prevent that shift; Young men might be apt to say, the things you press us unto are good, but we shall have time enough before Judgement come, to think of them, old age will be a fit season to draw off from the world, and to draw nigh to God. Solomon here persuades from so dangerous a Resolution, showing the necessity of seeking and serving God in our youth, in regard old age will be very unfit to begin so great a work in.

He had before by an Emphatical Ironie, deterred Young men from those inordinate passions, and sensual pleasures, which that slippery age is most subject unto, and that by the Consideration of that dreadfull account which in the last Judgement God will require of them. And because that age of of all other is most apt to put the evil day far from them, and to look on Death and Judgement as at a great distance, (as evil men use to do, Ezek. 12.27. 2 Pet. 3.3, 4. Amos 6.3.) therefore he doth by a Prolepsis prevent that shift; Young men might be apt to say, the things you press us unto are good, but we shall have time enough before Judgement come, to think of them, old age will be a fit season to draw off from the world, and to draw nigh to God. Solomon here perswades from so dangerous a Resolution, shewing the necessity of seeking and serving God in our youth, in regard old age will be very unfit to begin so great a work in.

2. He presseth the same duty by another argument: from the approach of death, which taketh away all means of Repentance and conversion, vers. 7. And having thus by an Induction of many particulars showed the Vanity both of the Creatures here below, and of the Condition of man under the Sun, who, were they never so excellent, could not long enjoy them; He doth conclude the whole book, 1. With resuming his first conclusion, vers. 8. 2. By vindicating the truth of his doctrine therein, and in other his Writings, by arguments; 1. From the Pen-man of them, His Piety, he was a penitent Convert; His wisdom: His fidelity in teaching the people: His diligence, in seeking out choice matter to teach them: His success in composing many excellent and profitable Sentences for their furtherance in Piety, Virtue, and Prudence, vers. 9.

2. He presseth the same duty by another argument: from the approach of death, which taketh away all means of Repentance and conversion, vers. 7. And having thus by an Induction of many particulars shewed the Vanity both of the Creatures here below, and of the Condition of man under the Sun, who, were they never so excellent, could not long enjoy them; He doth conclude the whole book, 1. With resuming his first conclusion, vers. 8. 2. By vindicating the truth of his doctrine therein, and in other his Writings, by arguments; 1. From the Pen-man of them, His Piety, he was a penitent Convert; His wisdome: His fidelity in teaching the people: His diligence, in seeking out choyce matter to teach them: His success in composing many excellent and profitable Sentences for their furtherance in Piety, Vertue, and Prudence, vers. 9.

2. From the Quality of the doctrine which he taught, which he commendeth, 1. Absolutely, and for it self, in regard, 1. Of the pleasantness. 2. The uprightness. 3. The truth of it, vers. 10. 4. The Efficacy of it, set forth by two similitudes of goads, and of ⟨p. 376⟩nails. 5. The Authority of it, 1. In regard of the office of those who dispense it, they are Masters of the Assemblies. 2. In regard of the great Shepherd of the sheep, by whose Spirit it was revealed, vers. 11.

2. From the Quality of the doctrine which he taught, which he commendeth, 1. Absolutely, and for it self, in regard, 1. Of the pleasantness. 2. The uprightness. 3. The truth of it, vers. 10. 4. The Efficacy of it, set forth by two similitudes of goads, and of ⟨p. 376⟩nailes. 5. The Authority of it, 1. In regard of the office of those who dispence it, they are Masters of the Assemblies. 2. In regard of the great Shepherd of the sheep, by whose Spirit it was revealed, vers. 11.

2. He commendeth it Comparatively, from the Vanity of all other studies and learning without this; All other Books are made without end or number, and read without Satisfaction or Content; by these a man may be admonished; by others he can be only wearied, vers. 12.

2. He commendeth it Comparatively, from the Vanity of all other studies and learning without this; All other Books are made without end or number, and read without Satisfaction or Content; by these a man may be admonished; by others he can be onely wearied, vers. 12.

And having thus demonstrated the Doctrine he had in this book delivered, he closeth the whole with a most grave and solemn conclusion, containing, 1. A summary abridgement of the means of perfect Happiness and Tranquility of mind, in two words, fear and obedience, fear of God in the heart, as the root; Obedience to his Will in the life, as the fruit of that holy fear, vers. 13.

And having thus demonstrated the Doctrine he had in this book delivered, he closeth the whole with a most grave and solemn conclusion, containing, 1. A summary abridgment of the means of perfect Happiness and Tranquility of mind, in two words, fear and obedience, fear of God in the heart, as the root; Obedience to his Will in the life, as the fruit of that holy fear, vers. 13.

2. A strong Motive thereunto drawn from the future Judgment, upon which and that final sentence of Absolution or Condemnation then to be pronounced, the everlasting Happiness or Misery of Man standeth, vers. 14. He will bring every work to Judgment, therefore keep his Commandments: He will bring every secret thing to judgment, therefore ⟨p. 377⟩fear him, and sanctify him in your hearts.

2. A strong Motive thereunto drawn from the future Judgment, upon which and that final sentence of Absolution or Condemnation then to be pronounced, the everlasting Happiness or Misery of Man standeth, vers. 14. He will bring every work to Judgment, therefore keep his Commandements: He will bring every secret thing to judgment, therefore ⟨p. 377⟩fear him, and sanctifie him in your hearts.

Vers. 1. Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them] Remember] We are naturally apt to forget God, and not to retain him in our knowledge, but to live as it were without him, Psal. 10.4, 5. Ephes. 2.12. and this most of all, when Earthly and Sensual objects draw the heart with a stronger attraction; therefore the Wise man having dissuaded young men from youthful lusts, doth here exhort them as a necessary means thereunto, to Remember their Creator, To set the Lord always before their eyes, Psal. 16.8. to be in his fear all the day long, Prov. 23.17. To compose themselves unto his service, to keep in memory, to hold fast, to ponder, and stir up the thoughts of him, and desires towards him in their hearts, 1 Cor. 15.2. Tit. 1.9. Prov. 4.4. Luke 8.15. Deut. 11.18. Psal. 119.11. Luke 2.51. This Remembrance imports love, desire, obedience, Verba notitiae connotant affectus, Psal. 119.55. Isa. 26.8, 9.

Vers. 1. REmember now thy Creator in the dayes of thy youth, while the evil dayes come not, nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them] Remember] We are naturally apt to forget God, and not to retain him in our knowledg, but to live as it were without him,

We find Two Psalms amongst Davids, with this Inscription, To bring to Remembrance, ⟨p. 378⟩so careful was he not to forget the dealings of God with him, Psal. 38.1. & 70.1. for this purpose were Sacraments instituted, Exod. 12.42. 1 Cor. 11.24. Festivals ordained to keep alive the memory of mercies, Esth. 9.27, 28. Stones and Monuments erected for •he remembering of Gods goodness, Josh. 4.6, 7. the Law written on door-posts, fringes, frontlets, to be kept ever in mind, Deut. 6.7, 8, 9. for this purpose God hath appointed his Ordinances, and given his Spirit to his Church, to put them in remembrance, 2 Pet. 1.12. 1 Tim. 4.6. Joh. 14.26.

We find Two Psalms amongst Davids, with this Inscription, To bring to Remembrance, ⟨p. 378⟩so careful was he not to forget the dealings of God with him, Psal. 38.1. & 70.1. for this purpose were Sacraments instituted, Exod. 12.42.

thy Creator] This word includeth many reasons, why God ought to be remembered and served by us.

thy Creator] This word includeth many reasons, why God ought to be remembred and served by us.

1. He made us, and not we our selves, and we owe our service to him from whom we receive our Being, Psal. 100.2, 3. Remember he made all things for himself, we are of him, therefore we must live to him, Prov. 16.4. Isa. 43.21. Rom. 11.36. & 14.7, 8.

2. He made us after his own Image, to know him, and to have special interest in him, and acquaintance with him; and being made like him, we are the more obliged unto his service, Eph. 4.23, 24.

3. By that Power which created us, we are continually preserved; if he withdraw ⟨p. 379⟩it, we presently perish, In him we live, and move, and have our being. The more vigour and strength we have, the more sensible we should be of that Divine supportance, which continueth it unto us, Act. 17.27—30. Psal. 104.28, 29.

4. He who hath power to create, hath power to destroy; and he will show the same Almighty power, in destroying those, who live not suitably to the ends of their Creation, 1 Sam. 2.6, 8. 2 Thess. 1.9. This creating power of God, should teach us to fear him. Jer. 5.22.

4. He who hath power to create, hath power to destroy; and he will shew the same Almighty power, in destroying those, who live not suteably to the ends of their Creation, 1 Sam. 2.6, 8. 2 Thess. 1.9. This creating power of God, should teach us to fear him. Jer. 5.22.