Ecclesiastes 8:11

Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

Ver. 11. Because sentence against an evil work, &c.] Ennarrata sententia, a published and declared sentence. So that it is only a reprieve of mercy that a wicked man hath; his preservation is but a reservation to further evil, abused mercy turning into fury. Morae dispendium faenoris duplo pensatur, saith Jerome a God's forbearance is no quittance; he will find a time to pay wicked men for the new and the old. "The Lord is not slow, as some men count slowness." 2Pe 3:9 Or if he be slow, yet he is sure. b He hath leaden heels, but iron hands; the further he fetcheth his blow, or draweth his arrow, the deeper he will wound when he hitteth. c God's mill may grind soft and slow, but it grinds sure and small, said one heathen. d Tarditatem supplicii gravitate compensat, he recompenseth the delay of punishment with an eternity of extremity, saith another. He hath "vials of vengeance," Rev 16:1 which are large vessels, but narrow mouthed; they pour out slowly, but drench deeply and distil effectually. Caveto igitur, saith one, e ne malam dilatura fiat duplicatum. Get quickly out of God's debt, lest ye be forced to pay the charges of a suit to your pain, to your cost. Patientia Dei quo diuturnior, eo minacior. f God will not always serve men for a sinning stock. Poena venit gravior quo magis sera venit. Adonijah's feast ended in horror; ever after the meal is ended comes the reckoning.

Therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set.] Heb., Is full. So full of wickedness that there is no room for the fear of God's wrath, till "wrath come upon them to the utmost." Intus existens prohibet alienum. God offers and affords them heart knocking time, Rev 3:20 but they ram up their hearts, dry their tears, as Saul, and are scalded in their own grease, stewed in their own broth. The sleeping of vengeance causeth the overflowing of sin, and the overflow of sin causeth the awakening of vengeance.

a Jerome in Jerem.

b Aeripedes dictae sunt Furiae.

c Aries quo altius erigittur, hoc figit fortius.

d Oφε θεων αλεουσι μυλαι, αλεουσι δε λεπτον .

e De Utroque Dionysio. Val., lib. i. cap. 2.

f Bucholc