Annotations on the book of Ecclesiastes

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.

Which are given from one Shepherd] Though the Collectors, Expounders, & publishers of the word be many, some Prophets, some Apostles, some Evangelists, some Pastors & Teachers; yet the word it self hath its original from One principal Shepherd, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and Master of the house, He by his Spirit inspired it, and by the same Spirit assisteth his Ministers in the dispensation of it; It is he that speaketh in them & by them, so long as they keep to their commission, and deliver nothing to the people but the counsel of God, and that which they have first received. Christ is here, as elsewhere, called a Shepherd, in pursuance of the Metaphor of goads and stakes, whereby herdsmen drive their oxen, and shepherds pitch their cauls, John. 10.11. Heb. 13.20. 1 Pet. 5.4. Hereby then is noted, The Divine Authority of the holy Scriptures delivered by Inspiration unto the Pen-man thereof for the use of Church. The Spirit of Christ being in those that wrote them, 1 Pet. 1.11. 2 Pet. 1.21▪ 2 Tim. 3.16. 2 Cor. 13.3. Heb. 1.1, 2. & 2▪ 3, 4. & 12.25. And also the duty of Pastors, to deliver nothing to the sheep of Christ, but that which is his, and which cometh from ⟨p. 409⟩himself, Jer. 23.22. Isai. 21.10. 1 Reg. 22.14. Ezek. 2.7.

V. 12. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh] And further, The Learned do by this word, join this verse unto the three former, as an inference from them. And some render it thus. Quod reliqum est, that which remains as is the result of all this inquiry is this, That since the Preacher was wise and faithful, to seek out such acceptable words, words of truth, consonant to the doctrine of other wise men, effectual, as goads and nails, delivered from the great and chief shepherd of the flock: That I say which hereupon remains is this, That thou my son be admonished by these words. Others begin the ninth Verse thus, And rather, because the Preacher was wise, &c. and then here repeat it, And rather, I say, by these be admonished, rather by these doctrines of mine, then by any other humane and vain writings. Amplius his, cave, quaeras, so Vatablus: and quod plus est istis, cave ab isto; so Cajetan. Whatever others say, If they speak not according unto these words, there is no wisdom in them, and therefore no heed to be given unto them, Isa. 8.20. These are the most excellent ⟨p. 410⟩Monitors thou canst have; from these thou mayest most richly be informed, and warned how to live, Psal. 19.11.

V. 12. And further, by these, my sonne, be admonished: of making many books there is no end, and much study is a wearinesse of the flesh] And further, The Learned do by this word, joyn this verse unto the three former, as an inference from them. And some render it thus. Quod reliqum est, that which remains as is the result of all this inquiry is this, That since the Preacher was wise and faithful, to seek out such acceptable words, words of truth, consonant to the doctrine of other wise men, effectual, as goads and nails, delivered from the great and chief shepherd of the flock: That I say which hereupon remains is this, That thou my son be admonished by these words. Others begin the ninth Verse thus, And rather, because the Preacher was wise, &c. and then here repeat it, And rather, I say, by these be admonished, rather by these doctrines of mine, then by any other humane and vain writings. Amplius his, cave, quaeras, so Vatablus: and quod plus est istis, cave ab isto; so Cajetan. Whatever others say, If they speak not according unto these words, there is no wisdom in them, and therefore no heed to be given unto them,

of making many books there is no end, &c.] An argument to enforce the exhortation, from the fruitlessness and vanity of other studies.

First, There is no end of writing them; one refutes what another wrote, another vindicates what his adversary disliked. If happiness were to be sought for in humane writings; The Volumes are so infinite, the opinions so endless and various, that it would be impossible for any man to find it out of them; when a man had with much curiosity, and continual reading, wearied himself, and pined his flesh away, he would find it all an unprofitable, and impertinent labour, weariness to the body, without any satisfaction to the mind. Therefore let these words, so few, and yet so full, be thy counsellors: He that will not be admonished by those, shall never be satisfied with any others: He that refuseth the Wheat, will be but choked with the Chaff. Well may we say unto this one Shepherd, as Peter did, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life, Joh. 6.68. These only are the Writings which make us wise unto salvation, and do furnish us throughly unto all good works, 2 Tim. 3.15, 17. others are useful in ⟨p. 411⟩their order: These only are the Rule of faith and life.

First, There is no end of writing them; one refutes what another wrote, another vindicates what his adversary disliked. If happiness were to be sought for in humane writings; The Volums are so infinite, the opinions so endless and various, that it would be impossible for any man to find it out of them; when a man had with much curiosity, and continual reading, wearied himself, and pined his flesh away, he would find it all an unprofitable, and impertinent labour, weariness to the body, without any satisfaction to the mind. Therefore let these words, so few, and yet so full, be thy counsellors: He that will not be admonished by those, shall never be satisfied with any others: He that refuseth the Wheat, will be but choaked with the Chaff. Well may we say unto this one Shepherd, as Peter did, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life, Joh. 6.68. These only are the Writings which make us wise unto salvation, and do furnish us throughly unto all good works, 2 Tim. 3.15, 17. others are usefull in

V. 13. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of a man] Or, the whole end of the matter, or the Sum and substance of the whole matter is heard; The discourse of mans happiness, which in this Book I have undertaken, is at an end, no more need be said of it; The sum of all is comprised in these two words, Fear God, keep his Commandments; this is all man needs, to lead an happy life.

V. 13. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; Fear God and keep his commandements: for this is the whole duty of a man] Or, the whole end of the matter, or the Summe and substance of the whole matter is heard; The discourse of mans happiness, which in this Book I have undertaken, is at an end, no more need be said of it; The summe of all is comprized in these two words, Fear God, keep his Commandements; this is all man needs, to lead an happy life.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter] This is an Exordium to stir up attention; I will in two words give you an Abridgement of all that can be said; therefore take special heed to remember them. The Verse begins with a great Letter in the Original, which is as Buxtorf, in his Tiberius notes, to excite the more heed and attention, the whole sum of the duty of man, being contained in this short saying, wherein he observeth the right order; for first, he begins with the internal root of all obedience and worship, which is, a filial, reverend, awful, and loving fear of God and his goodness in ⟨p. 412⟩the heart, Hos. 3.5. Prov. 1.7. Secondly, He proceedeth unto the fruit, which groweth out of this root of filial fear & love, shed abroad in the heart, which is an equal, uniform, constant, universal observing of his Commandments; of all of them without partiality; of all of them, as his, in obedience to his authority, in the acknowledgement of His Holiness in them, and of his Dominion and Sovereignty over us: keep His Commandments out of fear to displease him; out of conscience to approve your selves unto him; out of care to bring glory to his Name, to testify your thankfulness for his mercies, and your conformity to his Will.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter] This is an Exordium to stir up attention; I will in two words give you an Abridgement of all that can be said; therefore take special heed to remember them. The Verse begins with a great Letter in the Original, which is as Buxtorf, in his Tiberius notes, to excite the more heed and attention, the whole sum of the duty of man, being contained in this short saying, wherein he observeth the right order; for first, he begins with the internal root of all obedience and worship, which is, a filial, reverend, awful, and loving fear of God and his goodness in ⟨p. 412⟩the heart, Hos. 3.5. Prov. 1.7. Secondly, He proceedeth unto the fruit, which groweth out of this root of filial fear & love, shed abroad in the heart, which is an equal, uniform, constant, universal observing of his Commandements; of all of them without partiality; of all of them, as his, in obedience to his authority, in the acknowledgement of His Holiness in them, and of his Dominion and Soveraignty over us: keep His Commandements out of fear to displease him; out of conscience to approve your selves unto him; out of care to bring glory to his Name, to testifie your thankfulness for his mercies, and your conformity to his Will.

Thus to fear God, and to keep his Commandments, is the whole of man; About this should he spend all the strength of his thoughts and cares; This is the sum of all, which man can, after all his writing, reading, studying, inquiring, in order unto happiness, attain unto; This is the whole happiness of man, or, all the means which man can use to come unto happiness at the last: This is the basis, and bottom of all that perfection which man is capable of; It is the whole duty of man, and the duty of all men that will be happy, Job 28.28.

Thus to fear God, and to keep his Commandements, is the whole of man; About this should he spend all the strength of his thoughts and cares; This is the summe of all, which man can, after all his writing, reading, studying, inquiring, in order unto happiness, attain unto; This is the whole happiness of man, or, all the means which man can use to come unto happiness at the last: This is the basis, and bottom of all that perfection which man is capable of; It is the whole duty of man, and the duty of all men that will be happy, Job 28.28.

This necessarily, takes in the Doctrine of faith in Christ, because without him we can do nothing; by faith in him, the heart is purified to fear and love God; and by that fear and love, it is inclined to obey his Commandments, 1 Joh. 3.5. Joh. 14.22.

This necessarily, takes in the Doctrine of faith in Christ, because without him we can do nothing; by faith in him, the heart is purified to fear and love God; and by that fear and love, it is inclined to obey his Commandements, 1 Joh. 3.5. Joh. 14.22.

V. 14. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil] This is a strong motive unto fear and obedience: If the Excellency of the Doctrine do not persuade, let the Terror of Gods Judgement drive unto duty, Because he hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness, Act. 17.31. 2 Cor. 5.9, 10. Rom. 2.16. & 14.10.

V. 14. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil] This is a strong motive unto fear and obedience: If the Excellency of the Doctrine do not perswade, let the Terrour of Gods Judgement drive unto duty, Because he hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness, Act. 17.31. 2 Cor. 5.9, 10. Rom. 2.16. & 14.10.

with every secret thing] It is the day of the Revelation of Gods righteous Judgement. Hypocrisy shall be disclosed, Sincerity shall be rewarded, because nothing is hidden from him, Heb. 4.13. All other things are vain, but it is not vain to fear the Lord. They that do good, their works will follow them into Heaven; and they that do evil, their works will hunt and pursue them into Hell.

with every secret thing] It is the day of the Revelation of Gods righteous Judgement. Hypocrisie shall be disclosed, Sincerity shall be rewarded, because nothing is hidden from him, Heb. 4.13. All other things are vain, but it is not vain to fear the Lord. They that do good, their works will follow them into Heaven; and they that do evil, their works will hunt and pursue them into Hell.

FINIS.