_A.M. 3027. B.C. 977._ Solomon proves that we ought to make use of what God has given us, by showing the mutability of all human affairs, Ecclesiastes 3:1. The immutability and unsearchableness of the divine counsels, Ecclesiastes 3:11. The vanity of honour and power, often an instrument of oppress... [ Continue Reading ]
_To every thing_, &c. Solomon having mentioned God's overruling providence in the latter end of the foregoing chapter, proceeds in this to illustrate the imperfection of human wisdom, which is confined to a certain season for all things that it would effect, which if we neglect, or let slip, all our... [ Continue Reading ]
_A time to die_ And as there _is a time to die_, so there is a time to rise again, a set time, when they that lie in the grave shall be remembered. _A time to kill_ When men die a violent death. _A time to heal_ When he who seemed to be mortally wounded is healed. _A time to weep_ When men have just... [ Continue Reading ]
_What profit hath he that worketh_, &c. Seeing then all events are out of man's power, and no man can do or enjoy any thing at his pleasure, but only when God pleaseth, as has been shown in many particulars, and is as true and certain in all others, hence it follows that all men's labours, without G... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have seen the travail_, &c. I have diligently observed men's various employments, and the different successes of them. _Which God hath given_, &c. Which God hath imposed upon men as their duty; to which therefore men ought quietly to submit. _To be exercised_ That hereby they might have constant... [ Continue Reading ]
_He hath made every thing beautiful in his time_ This seems to be added as an apology for God's providence, notwithstanding all the contrary events and confusions which are in the world. _He hath made_ Or, _doth make_, or _do_, by his providence in the government of the world; _every thing_ Which he... [ Continue Reading ]
_I know_ By clear reason, and my own long and certain experience; _that there is no good in them_ No other satisfaction or felicity that a man can enjoy in creatures or worldly things; _but for a man to rejoice and to do good_ To employ them freely and cheerfully in acts of charity and liberality to... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever_ All God's counsels or decrees are eternal and unchangeable. _Nothing can be put to it_ Men can neither do any thing against God's counsel and providence, nor hinder any work or act of it. _God doth it, that men should fear before him_ That, by the conside... [ Continue Reading ]
_That which hath been is now_ Things past, present, and to come, are all ordered by one constant counsel, in all parts and ages of the world. There is a continual return of the same motions of the heavenly bodies, of the same seasons of the year, and a constant succession of new generations of men a... [ Continue Reading ]
_And moreover_, &c. This is another argument of the vanity of worldly things, and a hinderance of that comfort which men expect in this life, because they are oppressed by their rulers. _I saw the place of judgment_ In the thrones of princes, and tribunals of magistrates, where judgment should be du... [ Continue Reading ]
_I said in my heart_ I was sorely grieved at this, but I quieted myself with this consideration. _God shall judge_, &c. Absolving the just, and condemning the wicked. _For there is a time there_ Namely, at the judgment-seat of God; a time fixed by God's unalterable decree. He implies, that as this l... [ Continue Reading ]
_I said in my heart_, &c. And I further considered concerning their condition in this present world. _That God might manifest them_ God suffers these disorders among men, that he might discover men to themselves, and show what strange creatures they are, and what vile hearts they have. _That they ar... [ Continue Reading ]
_For that which befalleth_, &c. They are subject to the same diseases, pains, and casualties. _So dieth the other_ As certainly, and no less painfully. _They have all one breath_ One breath of life, which is in their nostrils; by which the beasts perform the same animal functions. For he speaks not... [ Continue Reading ]
_All go unto one place_ To the earth, as it is expressed Ecclesiastes 3:21, out of which they were both taken. _All turn to dust again_ All their bodies, as it is explained Ecclesiastes 12:7. _Who knoweth the spirit of a man_ True it is, there is a difference, which is known by good men, but the gen... [ Continue Reading ]
_I perceive there is nothing better_ For a man's present satisfaction, and the happiness of this life; _than that a man should rejoice in his own works_ That he should comfortably enjoy what God hath given him, and not disquiet himself with cares about future events. He seems to speak this not in th... [ Continue Reading ]