CONTENTS The Preacher is still prosecuting the same subject, of the insufficiency of all things here below to give comfort. And the whole chapter is but one and the same train of reasoning on this important point. Ecclesiastes 4:1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done un... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. Solomon was not singular in this opinion: a voice from heaven proclaimed the same, Revelation 14:13. But, Reader! it is blessed to live, or die; provided we live, or die, in the Lord. Paul's situation was... [ Continue Reading ]
Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. (4) Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. (5) The fool foldeth his hands... [ Continue Reading ]
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. (8) There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is al... [ Continue Reading ]
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. (10) For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. (11) Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone... [ Continue Reading ]
Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. (14) For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor. The sense of these verses is very plain. The folly spoken of in scripture, means a state void of Chri... [ Continue Reading ]
I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead. (16) There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit. If we r... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS MY soul! hast thou learnt to form similar conclusions to the Preacher from the same causes; and in a right estimate of human life, made calculations what the close will be? Hast thou beheld the tinge of vanity which is given to all, and from hence directed thy views to all precious Jesus... [ Continue Reading ]