Who is wise — There are few wise men in this world. Who knoweth — How few understand the reasons of things and can rightly expound the word and works of God. Wisdom — Makes a man venerable, chearful, mild, and amiable. The face is put for the mind, because the mind discovers itself in the countenanc... [ Continue Reading ]
The oath — Because of that oath which thou hast taken to keep all God's laws, whereof this of obedience to superiors is one.... [ Continue Reading ]
To go — In discontent, withdrawing thyself from the king's service or obedience. Stand not — if thou hast offended him, persist not in it. For — His power is uncontrollable.... [ Continue Reading ]
The commandment — Solomon passes to a new subject. Shall feel — Shall be delivered from those mischiefs which befal the disobedient. Discerneth — Both when, and in what manner he must keep the commands of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Because — There is a fit way and season for the accomplishment of every business, which is known to God, but for the most part hidden from man. Therefore — Because there are few who have wisdom to discern this, most men expose themselves to manifold miseries.... [ Continue Reading ]
For — Men are generally ignorant of future events, and therefore their minds are disquieted.... [ Continue Reading ]
To retain — To keep it in the body. This is added as another evidence of man's misery. No discharge — In that fatal conflict between life and death, when a man is struggling with death, though to no purpose, for death will be always conqueror. Neither — And although wicked men, who most fear death,... [ Continue Reading ]
To his hurt — There are some kings, who use their power tyrannically, whereby they not only oppress their people, but hurt themselves, bringing the vengeance of God upon their own heads.... [ Continue Reading ]
And so — In like manner. The wicked — Wicked princes or rulers. Buried — With state and pomp. Who — Had administered publick justice, which is frequently signified by the phrase of coming in and going out before the people. The holy — The throne or tribunal seems to be so called here, to aggravate t... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore — God's forbearance makes them presumptuous and secure.... [ Continue Reading ]
A shadow — His life, though it may seem long, yet in truth is but a shadow, which will quickly vanish and disappear.... [ Continue Reading ]
Done — Either by wicked potentates, who do commonly advance unworthy men, and oppress persons of greatest virtue and merit: or, by God's providence, who sees it fit for many weighty reasons so to manage the affairs of the present world. To whom — Who meet with such usage as the worst of men deserve.... [ Continue Reading ]
To be merry — This he speaks of sensual delights.... [ Continue Reading ]
To see — To observe mens various designs and employments, and their unwearied labours about worldly things. For there is — Having now mentioned the business which is done, or which man doth, upon earth, he further adds, as an evidence of man's eagerness in pursuing his business, for even by day and... [ Continue Reading ]
I beheld — I considered the counsels and ways of God, and the various methods of his providence, and the reasons of them. Find out — No man, though ever so wise, is able fully and perfectly to understand these things. And therefore it is best for man not to perplex himself with endless enquiries, bu... [ Continue Reading ]