Now — For now thou art most able to do it; and it will be most acceptable to God, and most comfortable to thyself, as the best evidence of thy sincerity, and the best provision for old age and death. Evil days — The time of old age, which is evil; burdensome in itself, and far more grievous when it... [ Continue Reading ]
Which — Heb. While the sun, and the light, and the moon, &c. That clause, and the light, seems to be added to signify that he speaks of the darkening of the sun, and moon, and stars; not in themselves, but only in respect of that light which they afford to men. And therefore the same clause which is... [ Continue Reading ]
The house — Of the body: whose keepers are the hands and arms, which are man's best instruments to defend his body; and which in a special manner are subject to his trembling. The strong men — The thighs and legs, in which the main strength of the body consists. Grinders — The teeth, those especiall... [ Continue Reading ]
In — Or, towards the streets: which lead into the streets. This may be understood either of the outward senses, which, as doors, let in outward objects to the soul: or rather the mouth, the two lips, here expressed by a word of the dual number, which like a door, open or shut the way that leads into... [ Continue Reading ]
Afraid — The passion of fear is observed to be most incident to old men. High — When they walk abroad they dread to go up high or steep places. Fears — Lest as they are walking, they should stumble, or fall. The almond — tree — Their heads shall be as full of grey hairs, as the almond — tree is of w... [ Continue Reading ]
The silver cord — By the silver cord he seems to understand the marrow of the back — bone, which comes from the brain, and goes down to the lowest end of it. And this is aptly compared to a cord, both for its figure, which is long and round, and for its use, which is to draw and move the parts of th... [ Continue Reading ]
Vanity — This sentence, wherewith he began this book, he here repeats in the end of it, as that which he had proved in all the foregoing discourse, and that which naturally followed from both the branches of the assertion laid down, Ecclesiastes 12:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
Taught — As God gave him this wisdom, that he might be a teacher of others. So he used it to that end. Gave heed — He did not utter whatever came into his mind, but seriously pondered both his matter and words.... [ Continue Reading ]
Acceptable — Such as would comfort and profit the readers.... [ Continue Reading ]
Nails — Piercing into men's dull minds, which make powerful and abiding impressions in them. Masters — By the teachers of God's church, appointed of God for that work. Shepherd — From Christ, the great Shepherd of the church in all ages.... [ Continue Reading ]
By these — By these wise men, and their writings.... [ Continue Reading ]
The conclusion — The sum of all that hath been said or written by wise men. Fear God — Which is put here, for all the inward worship of God, reverence, and love, and trust, and a devotedness of heart to serve and please him. The whole — It is his whole work and business, his whole perfection and hap... [ Continue Reading ]
For — All men must give an account to God of all their works, and this alone will enable them to do that with joy. Every secret — Not only outward and visible actions, but even inward and secret thoughts.... [ Continue Reading ]