ECCLESIASTES, OR THE PREACHER. THE ARGUMENT. THE author of this book, both by the style, and by the title of it, appeareth to have been Solomon; since no other son of David was king in Jerusalem, but he. He seemeth to have written it in his old age, when he took a more serious view of his past life; the honours, pleasures, wealth, wisdom, he had so abundantly enjoyed; the errors and miscarriages, which he had fallen into; the large experience, and many observations he had made, of things natural, moral, domestical, civil, sensual, divine; the curious and critical inquiry he had made after true happiness, and what contribution all things under the sun could afford thereunto. Concerning which, he doth, 1. In the general, discover the utter vanity and insufficiency of all things, here below, to make a man blessed, in regard of their mutable nature, of their weakness and disproportion to the soul of man of the weariness which is contracted by the studying of them: and the impossibility of ever drawing from them more than hath been formerly extracted; and consequently the fruitless attempt of any, that should ever after go about to receive satisfaction from them. 2. He demonstrateth this general proposition touching the most vain vanity of all things under the sun, by an induction of those particulars, from which, above all others, men usually expect the greatest contentment. Those are, 1. Wisdom and knowledge both natural and moral; for inquiry whereinto no man was ever furnished with greater abilities and stronger inclinations in himself; or with more fitting provisions and assistants from without, than Solomon was, in regard of the greatness of his dignity and estate and yet, after all, he concludeth, that wisdom and knowledge do but increase grief and sor row; so far are they from bringing such blessedness to the soul, as may fully satisfy the desires thereof. 2. Pleasures and delights, which he had as much advantage by his greatness to enjoy, and by his wisdom to examine, as ever any other man should have: and yet all the content he expected from them, did end in hatred of them, and despair of ever mending his condition by them. 3. Honour, greatness, and power in the world; concerning which, he sheweth that it is so far from making men happy, as that, without the fear of God to correct and temper it, it is the occasion of much wickedness to those that have it, and of much misery to those that suffer under it; it usually breaking forth into oppression and violence, whereby men in power carry themselves like beasts towards their brethren, and shall themselves die like beasts, undesired, and unlamented. It being likewise matter of much discouragement to men that are oppressed by it, making them weary of their lives, careless of their labours, resolved rather upon quiet idleness, than upon envied employments; and to get what they can privately to themselves, than having been publicly useful, to be repaid with no other rewards than wrong and danger: by which means, society and community of services amongst men, so greatly beneficial to public interest, are obstructed and dissolved. 4. An outward form of religion and of divine wor ship, into which foolish men, by carnal confidence, and superficial performances, do also put divers vanities, and make even God's service unuseful to their happiness. 5. Riches and great possessions, which are so far from satisfying the heart of man, as that they occasion more cares, less sleep, less quiet, are snares and occasions of much hurt to the owners of them, who, living, possess them with sorrow; and dying, part with them with wrath and indignation: having little benefit by them in their life, as having not power to enjoy them nor in their death any comfort from them, as leaving them to they know not whom; being not at all exempted by them, either from misery or mortality. And having thus discovered the vanity of the principal things, from whence the heart of man might have expected satisfaction he doth thereupon prescribe many excellent means for healing and abating of that vanity, and for procuring tranquillity unto the mind, and peace and comfort to the life of a man. Such are, contentation of heart in the sweet and free enjoyment of all outward blessings, with thanksgiving, and in the fear of God:-Quiet and humble acquiescency under the holy and powerful providence of God, in all the events which befall us in the world:-Sincerity of heart in his worship, and prudent piety in our vows, prayers, and addresses unto him:-Patience of spirit under all the oppressions, we meet with in the world:-A composed preparedness of mind to undergo sorrows and afflictions:- Prudent and pious moderation of spirit in our behaviour towards all men, that so we may preserve our names from calumny, and our persons from danger :-Meekness, charity, patience towards such as offend, considering common frailty, and our own weakness:-Sobriety of mind, contenting ourselves with a measure of wisdom and knowledge, and not busying ourselves with things too high for us :-Practical prudence, which may render us beautiful in the eyes of others-Loyalty and obedience towards magistrates, that our lives may not be made uncomfortable by their displeasure:-Wisdom to discern of time and judgement:-Preparedness of heart against inevitable evils :-Submission to the holy and invincible providence of God, admiring his works, adoring his judgements:-Joyful fruition of comforts :-Conscionable and industrious walking in our particular callings-Wisdom how to carry ourselves amidst the many casualties which meet us in the world, so as that we may, by our loyalty towards our superiors, decline the danger of displeasure from them; and by our charity to inferiors, lay up a good foundation for ourselves, against the time to come:-Lastly, Moderation in the use of comforts here; and preparation by the fear of God, and keeping of his commandments, for death and judgement hereafter. That by these means, as our life is sweet, so our death may be welcome. That the piety of our youth may help us to bear the infirmities of our age, and to lift up our heads in the day of redemption. |