that good under the sun which may most effectually sweeten the mortal life of man." All the days of their life:" that is, real good, which is durable and commensurate to the soul that feeds on it. Now most of the things here recounted are only for some seasons of life, as painful studies, vigorous pleasures, active negociations; when age and infirmities come, they forsake him: and so these good things die before the man that should enjoy them, 2 Sam. xix. 35; Ps. xc. 10; Eccles. xii. 3, 4. Therefore, in this enquiry, the duration of the good is as requisite to be considered as the quality of it; whether it will continue with a man as a stay and comfort to him all the days of his life. Nothing will secure this but godliness, Ps. xcii. 13, 14; there can be no season or condition in a man's life, in which the fear of God will not be comfortable to him.

Here we may observe, first, that in all these enquiries Solomon begins with his heart, evincing, that the good which can satisfy a man must bear proportion to his heart, and to his inward wants and capacities. Secondly, that he tempers his pleasures and pains in seeking knowledge together, teaching us, that the right use of pleasures is not to occupy the whole man, but by them to mitigate the bitterness of fatigues of various studies. Third

ly, that a person has never greater need of the bridle of prudence, than when he is in pursuit of carnal delights. Fourthly, that pleasures and folly are very nearly related, and it is a very difficult thing to hold in folly so fast, as that it shall not get loose and mix itself with carnal delights. Fifthly, that a free and full indulgence of pleasure, though not with sensual, but critical intentions, will by degrees steal away the heart, and greatly abate spiritual and heavenly delights; corruption ever creeping in with curiosity, Prov. xxi. 1. and xxiii. 3. Sixthly, it is a noble and high frame of spirit, in every thing a man undertakes, to look for that which is truly and principally good for his heart in the enjoyment of it. Seventhly, that the chief comfort of life under heaven, consists in doing that good, for which God has given both strength and existence. Eighthly, that nothing deserves the name of the summum bonum, or the supreme good, which is not commensurate with the life of man, and which will not administer comfort in all the various conditions of sickness, poverty, bondage, desertion of friends, and old age.

4. I made me great works, I builded me houses, I planted me vineyards.

I did not stoop

"I made me great works." to base and inconsiderable things, to find out that pleasure which might satisfy my desires, but I sought it in magnificent works, becoming my royal dignity, as Esth. i. 4: of which works he immediately subjoins a large catalogue." I builded me," or to myself, or for myself (dativus commodi), “houses," large and stately, thirteen years in building, 1 Kings vii. 1-13; ix. 15, 17, 18, 19; houses for habitation, and houses for state and pleasure, winter houses, and summer houses, Amos iii. 15, David had built an house of cedar before, 2 Chron. ii. 3; but Solomon was not content with that." I planted me vineyards:" David likewise had vineyards and orchards, and cattle and treasures, and servants set over them all, 1 Chron. xxvii. 25-31; yet Solo. mon is resolved to have them in greater magnificence, having no wars nor troubles, as his father had, to interrupt him.

5. I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits.

2;

"I made me gardens and orchards:" gar. dens for flowers, plants, spices, Cant. vi. orchards, or paradises, for trees of all sorts; under which we may comprise forests and

parks, or accommodations for the choicest cattle, Cant. iv. 13, 14; Nehem. ii. 8; which were places of great pleasure and delight, Esth. i. 5.

6. I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees.

"Pools of water:" artificial ponds, and receptacles of water, arising from springs, or conveyed by aqueducts, 2 Kings xviii. 17. These used to be in or near great gardens and princely edifices, 2 Kings xx. 20; Nehem. ii. 14; Gen. ii. 9, 10; Cant. vii. 4.-" To water the wood," or forest, by which he seems to mean the gardens and orchards just mentioned, on account of their spaciousness. So a forest is elsewhere called an orchard, or paradise, Nehem. ii. 8. These in hot countries were accounted special blessings, and from hence derive their name, Josh. xv. 19.

7. I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle, above all that were in Jerusalem before me.

Some he bought or hired from abroad, others were born to him in his house; and

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these he had for the various services of his royal family. Such had David, 1 Chron. xxvii. 26-31; and so Solomon, 1 Kings iv. 7; v. 16, 17; and x. 5.-" And had servants born in my house:" sons of my house; the children of a handmaid, born in her master's house, were born servants to the master of the house, Gen. xiv. 14; xv. 3; and xvii. 12; Jer. ii. 14: to which David alludes, when he says, "I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid," Ps. cxvi. 16. The servants of Solomon, who were certain public officers appointed by him, we read of long after, Ezra ii. 58; Nehem. vii. 60; who may probably have been those of the Canaanites whom Solomon made bond slaves, 1 Kings ix. 21. Some, by sons of the house, understand those officers who were set over his house to govern all its affairs, 1 Kings iv. 27.—“ Possessions of great and small cattle," or cattle both great and small, or herds and flocks. The first word is applied generally to all cattle, great or small; the two next words denote the species of that genus, Gen. xxxiv. 23; 1 Kings iv. 22, 23, 26.-" Above all that were before me in Jerusalem:" as he possessed more wisdom, he acquired more wealth and provisions for that wisdom to work upon, 1 Kings iii. 13; and x. 23.