Chapter 7

CHAP. VII.

The Wise man having set forth many vanities of this life; and the great disappointment which men meet with, who seek for happiness and satisfaction from them, and thereupon the vexation which naturally ariseth from such a disappointment: and having interwoven some general remedies against these vanities, namely, the fear and worship of God, and the cheerful enjoyment of outward blessings: He here proceedeth to many other particular means of healing the vanities of this Life, and procuring tranquillity and peace to the mind of man ⟨p. 202⟩in the midst of them. Such are, 1. A good name, ve. 1. 2. A composed preparedness of mind to entertain death, the chiefest outward evil, and consequently to bear any any other sorrow, verse 2, 3, 6. 3. Moderation and patience of spirit to bear with present evils, and to digest injuries, expecting the end and issue which God will give, vers. 7—10. 4. Wisdom to defend a mans self against the vanity of Riches, vers. 11, 12. 5. Acquiescence in the Government of all things by the wise providence of God, vers. 13, 15. 6. Contentation of heart in all estates, as well adversity as prosperity, considering Gods wise and just tempering of them together for our good, vers. 14. 7. Prudent and pious moderation of our behaviour, so as that we may not by rash zeal, or inordinate walking, expose our selves to danger and trouble, vers. 16, 17. 8. Resolution and constancy in the fear of God, vers. 18. 9. Wisdom of meekness, charity, and patience towards such as offend, considering the general frailty of humane nature, and the experience and sense of our own weakness, vers. 19—22. 10. Contentment with such a measure of wisdom as is in this life attainable, and not to busy and disquiet our thoughts with things which are above us, vers. 23, 24. Now as before in ⟨p. 203⟩the handling of humane vanities he did occasionally intermix some Remedies thereof: so here in handling the remedies of it, and the means to obtain tranquillity of mind, he doth here and there intermix some other vanities, which are great occasions of vexation and unquietness to the heart of man: one principal one, whereof he had had very sad experience, he doth here subjoin, namely, the bitterness of an ensnaring woman, vers. 25—29.