Annotations on the book of Ecclesiastes

shall return unto God that gave it] Ut stet Judicio ante Deum? That it may appear before his Tribunal to be judged: as the Chaldee well paraphraseth the place. As ⟨p. 402⟩certainly as the body goes unto the dust, so certainly the Soul returneth unto God to be judged. The godly are translated into Paradise, into Abraham's bosom, into the condition of Just men made perfect, Luke 16.22. and 23.34. Heb. 12.23. The wicked into the prison of disobedient spirits, reserved there in Hell unto the Judgement of the great day, Luke 16.23. 1 Pet. 3.19.

shall return unto God that gave it] Ut stet Iudicio ante Deum? That it may appear before his Tribunal to be judged: as the Chaldee well paraphraseth the place. As ⟨p. 402⟩certainly as the body goes unto the dust, so certainly the Soul returneth unto God to be judged. The godly are translated into Paradise, into Abrahams bosome, into the condition of Just men made perfect, Luke 16.22. and 23.34. Heb. 12.23. The wicked into the prison of disobedient spirits, reserved there in Hell unto the Judgement of the great day, Luke 16.23. 1 Pet. 3.19.

V. 8. Vanity of Vanities, saith the Preacher: All is Vanity.] As Mathematicians having made their demonstration, do then resume their principal conclusion with a quod erat demonstrandum: so here the Wise man having made a large and distinct demonstration, That the Happiness of man doth not stand in Any, or in All the Contents which the World can afford, both in regard of their disproportion unto him, and their discontinuance with him, He doth hereby conclude his discourse, 1. With a confident affirming what he had in the beginning undertaken to prove.

2. With a strong and solid vindication thereof from any Cavils which might yet arise in the minds of men against it.

V. 9. And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge: yea he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many Proverbs. V. 10. The Preacher sought to find out Acceptable words; and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.] Here Solomon commendeth the doctrine taught in this Book.

1. Because it was the doctrine of a penitent Convert: for Repentance is an excellent means to discern and acknowledge spiritual truth, 2 Tim. 2.25. James 1.21.

2. Because he was endued with wisdom from God, so that they came and sent from remote Countries to hear him, 1 Reg. 4.30, 31.

2. Because he was indued with wisdome from God, so that they came and sent from remote Countreys to hear him, 1 Reg. 4.30, 31.

3. He used this wisdom aright, he did not hide his talent in a napkin, but being taught of God himself, he also taught the people; and being converted himself, he sought to convert others, and hereby showed himself to be wise, and a penitent indeed, Ps. 51.12, 13. John 4, 28, 29. Joh. 1.41, 45. Luke 2.17. & 24.33, 34, 35. Prov. 11.30.

3. He used this wisdome aright, he did not hide his talent in a napkin, but being taught of God himself, he also taught the people; and being converted himself, he sought to convert others, and hereby shewed himself to be wise, and a penitent indeed, Ps. 51.12, 13. John 4, 28, 29. Joh. 1.41, 45. Luke 2.17. & 24.33, 34, 35. Prov. 11.30.

4. Because he was exceeding considerate in the doctrine he taught, he gave good heed unto it, and weighed it in the balance of ⟨p. 404⟩wisdom. He was exceeding diligent to learn of others, and to study himself. He was very perspicacious and judicious, to select choice matter to teach the people, 1 Pet. 1.10.

4. Because he was exceeding considerate in the doctrine he taught, he gave good heed unto it, and weighed it in the ballance of ⟨p. 404⟩wisdome. He was exceeding diligent to learn of others, and to study himself. He was very perspicacious and judicious, to select choice matter to teach the people, 1 Pet. 1.10.

5. Because he had been exceeding successful in that disquisition, and had composed many excellent and wise parables for instruction in piety, virtue, and prudence, 1 Reg. 4.32.

5. Because he had been exceeding succesful in that disquisition, and had composed many excellent and wise parables for instruction in piety, vertue, and prudence, 1 Reg. 4.32.

Whereupon he doth, sixthly, commend the doctrine he taught from the nature and quality of it, 1. They were Verba desiderii, pleasant, delightful, acceptable words, such as would be worthy of all entertainment, and minister solid comfort and refreshment to the hearers, Psal. 19.10. 1 Tim. 1.13.

2. They were Verba Rectitudinis, equal and right words, not loose, fabulous, amorous, impertinent, which should satisfy the itch of the ear, or tickle only a wanton fancy; but they were profitable and wholesome words; he did so seek to please men, as that it might be unto edification, and for their profit, 1 Cor. 10.33. 2 Tim. 3.16. words written to make men sound and upright, Prov. 8.8. to make their paths direct and straight, without falseness or hypocrisy.

2. They were Verba Rectitudinis, equal and right words, not loose, fabulous, amorous, impertinent, which should satisfie the itch of the ear, or tickle only a wanton fancy; but they were profitable and wholsome words; he did so seek to please men, as that it might be unto edification, and for their profit, 1 Cor. 10.33. 2 Tim. 3.16. words written to make men sound and upright, Prov. 8.8. to make their paths direct and straight, without falsen•sse or hypocrisie.

3. They were Verba veritatis, words of truth and infallible certainty, which would not deceive or misguide those that should yield up themselves to the direction of them, Psal. 19.9. Joh. 17.17. A truth which is sanctifying and saving, Ephes. 1.13. and in these respects most worthy of our Attention and belief. Many other books Solomon wrote, besides those which we now have mentioned, 1 Reg. 4.32, 33. 2 Chron. 35.4. See Josephus Antiquit. lib. 8. cap. 2. Pineda de Rebus Solomonis, lib. 3. Sixtus Senensis Biblioth, lib. 2.

V. 11. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the Masters of Assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.] Before, he showed the Internal Quality of the doctrine taught in the Church; here, he showeth the use, virtue, Efficacy and Authority thereof, and that by Two excellent Similitudes.

V. 11. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nailes fastened by the Masters of Assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.] Before, he shewed the Internal Quality of the doctrine taught in the Church; here, he sheweth the use, vertue, Efficacy and Authority thereof, and that by Two excellent Similitudes.

First, Of Goads, sententious and concise parables and wise Sayings, have a notable acumen in them to stir up the heart unto attention, and to urge our sluggish affections forward unto obedience, as the goad quickens the Ox unto labour. This is the nature of sound and spiritual doctrine, it ⟨p. 406⟩searcheth, pricketh, and extimulateth the hearers of it unto Duty, doth not flatter any in their sins, or security, but rouseth them up, and awakeneth them, Psal. 45 5. Isa. 49.2. Act. 2.37. Heb. 4.12. Shamgar with an Ox goad slew six hundred Philistines, Judg. 3.31. Such is the power of the word to mortify our lusts and corruption.

First, Of Goades, sententious and concise parables and wise Sayings, have a notable a•umen in them to stirre up the heart unto attention, and to urge our sluggish affections forward unto obedience, as the goad quickens the Oxe unto labour. This is the nature of sound and spiritual doctrine, it ⟨p. 406⟩searcheth, pricketh, and extimulateth the hearers of it unto Duty, doth not flatter any in their sins, or security, but rouzeth them up, and awakeneth them, Psal. 45 5. Isa. 49.2. Act. 2.37. Heb. 4.12. Shamgar with an Oxe goad slew sixe hundred Philistines, Judg. 3.31. Such is the power of the word to mortifie our lusts and corruption.

Secondly, Of nails or stakes, by which we are fastened and confirmed in our duties; a Metaphor either from Smiths and Carpenters, who fasten their work together with nails; or from Shepherds, who fasten their hurdles and sheep-pens together with stakes fixed in the ground, as likewise Tents were wont with cords and pins or stakes to be pitched, Isa. 33.20. & 54.2. Isa. 22.23. elsewhere the word is compared unto an Hammer, whereby these nails are thus fastened, Jer 23.20.

Secondly, Of nayles or stakes, by which we are fastened and confirmed in our duties; a Metaphor either from Smiths and Carpenters, who fasten their work together with nailes; or from Shepherds, who fasten their hurdles and sheep-pens together with stakes fixed in the ground, as likewise Tents were wont with cords and pins or stakes to be pitched, Isa. 33.20. & 54.2. Isa. 22.23. elsewhere the word is compared unto an Hammer, where•y these nailes are thus fastened, Jer 23.20.