King Solomon arrived at more than any man; he was the most magnificent Prince that ever held the Sceptre. 1. For his Parentage; he sprang from the Royal Line; not only that Line of which many Kings came, but of which Christ himself came. Jesus Christ was of Solomons Line and Race; so that for Heraldry and Nobility none could show a fairer Coat of Arms. 2. For the situation of his Palace; it was in Jerusalem, the Princess and Paragon of the earth. Jerusalem for its Renown, was called the City of God; it was the most famous Metropolis in the World, Whither the Tribes go up, the Tribes of the Lord, Psal. 122.4. 3. For Wealth; his Crown was hung full of Jewels; he had treasures of gold and pearl, and gave silver as stones, 1 Kings 10.27. 4. For worldly joy, he had the flower and quintessence of all delights; sumptuous Fare, stately Edifices, Vineyards, Fish-ponds, all sorts of Music to enchant and ravish the senses with joy; if there were any Rarity, it was a Present for King Solomons Court; thus did he bath himself in the perfumed waters of pleasure. 5. For Wisdom, he was the Oracle of his time; when the Queen of Sheba came to pose him with hard questions, he gave a solution to all her doubts: 1 Kings 10.3. He had a key of knowledge to unlock Natures dark Cabinet; so that if wisdom had been lost, it might have been found here, and the whole world might have lighted their understanding at Solomons Lamp. He was an earthly Angel; so that a carnal eye surveying his glory, would have been ready to imagine that Solomon had entered into that Paradise out of which Adam was once driven, or that he had found another as good; never did the World cast a more smiling aspect upon any man; yet when he comes to give in his impartial verdict, he tells us that the World hath vanity written upon its Frontispiece; and all those golden delights he enjoyed, ⟨p. 20⟩were but a painted felicity, a glorious misery. Eccles. 2.8. And behold all was vanity. Blessedness is too noble and delicate a Plant to dwell in Natures soil.
King Solomon arrived at more than any man; he was the most magnificent Prince that ever held the Scepter. 1. For his Parentage; he sprang from the Royal Line; not only that Line of which many Kings came, but of which Christ himself came. Jesus Christ was of Solomons Line and Race; so that for Heraldry and Nobility none could shew a fairer Coat of Arms. 2. For the situation of his Palace; it was in Hierusalem, the Princess and Paragon of the earth. Hierusalem for its Renown, was called the City of God; it was the most famous Metropolis in the World, Whither the Tribes go up, the Tribes of the Lord, Psal. 122.4. 3. For Wealth; his Crown was hung full of Jewels; he had treasures of gold and pearle, and gave silver as stones, 1 Kings 10.27. 4. For worldly joy, he had the flower and quintessence of all delights; sumptuous Fare, stately Edifices, Vineyards, Fish-ponds, all sorts of Musick to inchant and ravish the senses with joy; if there were any Rarity, it was a Present for King Solomons Court; thus did he bath himself in the perfumed waters of pleasure. 5. For Wisdome, he was the Oracle of his time; when the Queen of Sheba came to pose him with hard questions, he gave a solution to all her doubts: 1 Kings 10.3. He had a key of knowledge to unlock Natures dark Cabinet; so that if wisdome had been lost, it might have been found here, and the whole world might have lighted their understanding at Solomons Lamp. He was an earthly Angel; so that a carnal eye surveying his glory, would have been ready to imagine that Solomon had entred into that Paradise out of which Adam was once driven, or that he had found another as good; never did the World cast a more smiling aspect upon any man; yet when he comes to give in his impartial verdict, he tells us that the World hath vanity written upon its Frontispiece; and all those golden delights he enjoyed, ⟨p. 20⟩were but a painted felicity, a glorious misery. Eccles. 2.8. And behold all was vanity. Blessedness is too noble and delicate a Plant to dwell in Natures soile.
