darknesse misleadeth So is it with wisdome it sheweth a man his way voluptuousnesse leadeth aside 4 Light awakeneth us but darknesse lulleth asleep So doth wisdome stir up a man to his businesse but voluptuousnesse lulleth a man asleep in lazinesse and security Light excelleth blindness as in all the things wherin light excelleth darknesse for the light of the body is the eye So in these things besides 1. Sight is an Ornament to the body blindnesse a deformity By it the body is as it were a living dungeon to the soul without windowes So is wisdome an Ornament to the soul but the voluptuous person burieth himselfe quick in obscurity and deformity 1 Tim. 25.6 2. Sight can discerne light if it be shewed to a man but blindnesse maketh a man uncapable of seeing light offered So wisdome apprehendeth counsel and instruction but the voluptuous person is uncapable of either Hosea 4.11 By the voluptuous person I meane a man seeking happinesse in sensual pleasure whether arising from profit honour ease or pastime c. So Solomon himselfe understandeth himselfe for he saith to himselfe I will try thee with pleasure c. 2. v. 1. he thereupon sheweth what tryal he took of pleasure in great and honourable workes profitable treasures musical pastimes c. Vse 1. To teach us that men do not streightway condemn all such things wherein yet they do not place happinesse Solomon will not admit happinesse to be found in wisdome he meaneth natural or civil wisdome and yet he acknowledgeth much excellency and worth and use of it Vse 2. To stir up men to be studious of getting wisdome above wealth profit pleasure Vse 3. To teach wise men and learned more contentment in knowledge then other men take in wealth Doct. 5. The same events to dye and to be forgotten after death befal both to the wise man and to the voluptuous Epicure alike Eccles 9.15 Reas 1 The curse of God upon mankinde is more powerful to kill and blast men then wisdome much lesse sensuality can be to preserve their lives and memories V e. 1. To stir up both wise men and voluptuous to prepare for death and another life after this Neither wealth nor wisdome can secure for death Doct. 6. Such as employ themselves in getting wisdome and wealth and other sensual comforts to the intent to finde happinesse therein shall in the end be weary of their wisdome and wealth yea even of their lives Solomon here having so employed his life in the end commeth to this why am I more wise v. 15. And therefore I hated life v. 17. Reas 1. These things not yeilding happinesse sheweth us their vanity and our vanity in seeking it in them Againe hope disappointed vexeth the spirit Prov. 13.12 Ã minori Reas 2. God inflicteth a more special curse upon earthly blessings when they are set up as Summum Bonum in his stead God never more powerfully and disdainfully overthroweth Dagon then when he is exalted with the spoyles of his Arke 1 Sam. 5.2 3 4. So doth God then especially blast worldly comforts when our heart is carried captive unto them Quest But whether did Solomon well to be weary of his life for this cause Answ No He should rather have been weary of his sin in seeking happinesse in these things Life we are not to hate but for Christ Luke 14.26 Vse 1 To weane men from placing their happinesse as the world generally doth in these outward blessings Certainly as it was with Solomon so it shall be with all such They shall in the end be weary of all these things and of themselves also Eccles 2.18 to 23. 18. Yea I hated all my labour which I had taken under the Sun because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me 19. And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured and wherein I have shewed my selfe wise under the Sun This is also vanity 20. Theresore I went about to cause my heart to despaire of all the labour which I took under the Sun 21. For there is a man whose labour is in wisdome and in knowledge and in equity yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for a portion This is also vanity and a great evil 22. For what hath man of all his labour and of the vexation of his heart wherein he hath laboured under the Sun 23. For all his dayes are sorrowes and his travel griefe yea his heart taketh not rest in the night This is also vanity SOlomon in Vers 17. told us one effect which the consideration of the like event in death to the wise and fool wrought in him which was his hatred of life In this verse he addeth another effect of the same consideration which was he hatred also of all his labour verse 18. which he further amplifieth first by two causes thereof which shew the like event befalling to the wise man in death as to the foole Where The first is that he shall leave behind him all his labour to wit the great workes he hath laboured in to another that shall come after him verse 18. The Second is his uncertainty of his sons disposition whether he will prove a wise man or a fool verse 19. Secondly by the effect of the hatred of his labour verse 20 therefore saith he I went about to cause my heart to despaire of all the labour c. which effect he further amplifieth by a double cause 1. For that he having laboured in wisdome and knowledge and equity must leave the estate he hath so gotten to a man that hath taken no paines for wisdome or knowledge or equity verse 21. 2. For that his labour hath yeilded to himselfe nothing but sorrowes griefe restlesnesse even in the night verse 22.23 Doctr. 1. When we labour for worldly comforts and blessings such as wisdome wealth honour and pleasure be to the intent to seek happinesse in them we shall in the end come to see our labour lost yea become odious and weary some to us For no man may expect to finde more good by his labour after these things then Solomon did yet this was the issue of all his labour so bestowed Reas As of the former hatred of life verse 17. Quest But whether did Solomon well thus to hate his labour for not yeilding him that fruit he expected Answ No. For 1. His labour was commanded of God and was therefore good Eccles 1.13 Gen. 3 19. 2. His labour had not been in vaine if he had used it as God commanded sundry blessings follow dillgent labour Prov. 10.4 and 14 23 and 22 29. 3. God never gave labour about earthly things that blessing as to yeild felicity It was Solomons fault to look to reape that fruit from his labour which God never gave it He should rather have hated the vanity of his own minde which abused his labour to a
lesse desirable before another which to men doth commonly seem to be much more desirable The house of feasting is commonly preferred amongst men as more desirable to be gone unto above the house of mourning but here the day of mourning even the greatest mourning mourning for the dead is preferred before the house of feasting Better it is saith he to go to the house of mourning then to the house of feasting whereof he giveth two reasons First from the property of the house of mourning to wit for the dead It is the end of all men Secondly from the good use which the living will seriously make of his house of mourning and of the cause of mourning which he there beholdeth the death of some friend or neighbour The living will lay it to his heart Doctr. 1. It is better or a more desireable good thing to go to an house of mourning for the dead then to an house of feasting for the solace of the living Of feasts there be three sorts 1. Civil feasts where a fourfold solace First Eating the fat and drinking the sweet Secondly Loving and neighbourly company Thirdly Pleasant discourse and sometimes Musick Fourthly Increase of mutual neighbourly love 2. Prophane or riotous where the former comforts are abused and perverted First by Excesse in eating and drinking to gluttony and drunkennesse Secondly The Company swaggering and debaucht Ruffians Swearing and roaring Boyes Thirdly Instead of pleasant discourses Ribaldry wanton songs and dances abusing of the name of God or man Fourthly fallings out and quarrellings or else linking in conspiracy to doe some mischiefe 3. Holy feasts where First Gods institution or special mercies invite to thankfulnesse and meat and drink as before God Exod. 18.12 Secondly Christian company Thirdly Holy conference Luke 14.1 to 8. and so to the end Fourthly Increase of childlike love to God and brotherly love one to another Of this last sort of feasts the comparison is not put for Gods ordinances are more edifying then his providences Nor it it to civil especially to godly men put of the second sort of feasts Riotous For to honest and good men It is an house of mourning to be in such an house of feasting Psal 120.5 But here he speaketh of such an house of feasting as is contrary to the house of mourning Reason 1. From the nature of the occasion of that mourning it being the death of some or other desirable person in the family that death is the end of all men If the person dead were not desirable there is little or no mourning for him 2 Chron. 21.19 20. But if there be mourning all useful men will see their own end in his which is very wholesome to our spirits Deut. 32 29. Lamen 1.9 In feasting men are apt to put the evil day far from them Isai 56.12 Amos 6.3 to 6. Secondly In the house of mourning we shall be occasioned to take to heart what we see yea to lay it as a plaister to our heart Text Not so readily in an house of Feasting Object But doth not the house of feasting offer to our hearts many serious and savoury meditations Doth it not set before us First A spectacle of Gods bounty leading to Thankfulnesse Psal 145.16 and Repentance Rom. 2.4 Secondly The variety of Gods goodnesse dispersed in the several creatures Acts 14.17 Thirdly The wisdome of Gods providence preparing and gathering the meat and company from sundry quarters of the world Psal 145.15 Fourthly The large extent of Christian liberty purchased by the blood of Christ 1 Cor. 10.27 Fifthly The fatnesse and sweetnesse of spiritual and heavenly food a minori Luke 14.15 Sixthly A spurre to enlargement of fruitfulnesse after a Feast we expect our horses after well meating should travel better Answ It is true a Feast setteth before us many spiritual advantages But yet First A mans spirit disposed to cheerfulnesse is more exposed to lightnesse Secondly Sad objects make deeper impression upon our affections Thirdly The company at a Funeral are not so apt to draw our minds away by cheerful discourse as at a Feast Vse 1. To reprove Funeral Feasts for it maketh the house of mourning and feasting all one Vse 2. To teach us the estate of our nature God seeth it better for us to meet with sad and mourneful Occurrences then cheerful Vse 3. To teach us so to lay to heart the death of others that it may be better to us then the best meals meat better then a feast If thou art a living man lay sad objects to heart especially this of death more distinctly lay to heart First Death it selfe Secondly the causes of it Thirdly The effects of it Fourthly The manner of it Fifthly The subject of it In death it selfe see a spectacle of thine own mortality Josh 23.14 1 Kings 2.2 Wait therefore for a change Job 14.14 In the causes of it First Moral or deserving look at sin Gen. 2.17 Rom. 5.12 especially original sin Learne to mortifie that kill that which else will kill us soul and body Secondly Natural diseases see the evil of corrupt nature and life Rom. 6.23 Thirdly Violent 1. From Magistrates First Justly learne to feare such wickednesse Deut. 17.13 Secondly unjustly learn constancy to the death Rev. 2.10 Secondly from thieves and robbers and then learn 1. to walk regularly with God who else may and wil deliver into such hands Ezek. 21.31 2 If the man slain were godly learn to avoyd the misconstructions which are wont to be made of it Prov. 25.26 Thirdly from selfe either through 1. Distresse as Saul 2 Disgrace as Achitophel 3 Despaire as Judas Hence learn patience in affliction with faith to prevent all such evil In the manner of it First some die 1. suddenly Job 21.13 23 24. Hence learn first preparation for sudden changes secondly submission to reproofs Prov. 29.1 2. Lingringly Job 21.25 Hence learn not patience only but long-suffering Secondly some die distracted Learn hence 1. To commit our senses and understanding to God 2. Settle peace of conscience which wil keep our minds in Christ when not in our senses Phil. 4.7 In the subject 1. some die in sinne carnall persons and they die first Either as stones 1 Sam. 25.37 38. Hence learn weanednesse from worldlinesse which stupifieth the heart Secondly or presuming Matth. 7.22 Hence learn to build on a rock Matth 7.24 to 27. Thirdly Or despairing as Judas Hence learn to beware of sins against conscience 2. Others die in Christ and that first either troubled in mind conslicting with desertions Matth. 27.46 Hence learn To live by faith against sense Job 13.15 Luke 23 46. Secondly Or comfortably 1. Expressing their joy and confidence 2 Tim. 4.6 7 8. 2 Instructing and exhorting others Gen. 49. Hence learn first to live uprightly and justly Psalm 37.37 Secondly Boldnesse in Christ against death Rom. 8.38 39. Eccles 7.3 4 5 6. 3. Sorrow is better then laughter for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made
are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Titus 3.10 11. Paul hath tender respect of an ignorant weake conscience 1 Cor. 8.7.10 11. not so of an hardened 1 Tim. 4.2 Such a conscience doth not extenuate but aggravate sin as being a punishment of sin against light and conscience Propos 4. Magistrates may compel Church-Members to observe Church orders according to the word and others not to disturbe them Ezra 7.26 27. Propos 5. Magistrates may compel all to heare the word of God Acts 3.22 23. yet if men take exception at the calling as being either too Romish too neer to Rome or too far from it Let men be first convinced of the lawfulnesse to heare the word of God from any Jer. 28.1 to 6. 2 Chron. 35.21 22. Propos 6. No man can pretend conscience for Atheisme for no Nation so barbarous but is taken with conscience of a God Vse 2. To enquire how then doe Ministers and Churches binde conscience Psal 149.6 to Matth. 16.19 18 18. Answ Not by any Injunctions of their own but by Ministerial declaring the Commandements of God and the holy Ghost ratifying the same from Christ Vse 3. To refute the Popish and prelatical errour of humane lawes binding conscience Vse 4. To allow power to Magistrates where God alloweth it Matth. 22.21 Rom. 13.7 Hence give them honour else their power is violated and taken away Mark 6.4 5. The former Objection page 176. may be propounded and resolved thus Object If Blasphemers Idolaters Seducers to Idolatry and Heresie be punishable even with death then conscience is subject to coersive power Answ Conscience is either Natural Rom. 2.14 Weake 1 Cor. 8.7 or Seared through the just judgement of God blinding the minde and conscience and hardening the heart thereby to punish sin against conscience or at least the not receiving of the truth with love 1 Tim. 4.1 2. 2 Thes 2.10 11. Rom. 1.28 Natural conscience is not to be strained according to proposition 1 page 175. 2 Tim. 2.25 26. weak conscience is not to be despised Rom. 14.3 Seared conscience doth not extenuate but encrease both sin and punishment Isai 44.20 2 Thes 2.11.12 Rom. 1.28 32. especially after once or twice admonition Titus 3.10 Doctr. 2. It is neither in the power of the King nor in the dexterity of the craft-masters of wickednesse to discharge a man of his warfare in the day of death 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are crast-masters of wickednesse Psal 49.6 to 10. Reasons of the former 1. From Gods determinate appointment of our ends Job 14 5. Acts 17.26 Reason 2. From the preciousnesse of a mans life and soul greater then any man can give to God Psal 49 7 8 9. Reason 3. From the impotency of Princes to deliver and discharge themselves from the Warre and stroake of death Psal 23.29 Reason of the latter From the wages and desert of sin Rom. 6.23 Vse 1. To teach us there is a warfare between a man and death 1 Cor. 15.26 54. As appeareth First From the resemblance between death and warre in the effects in death as in warre we conflict de summa rerum about all our chiefest worldly Comforts Goods Lands Honours Pleasures Wife Children Liberty Life In Death as in warre greatest violence is offered to us and we use against it all our strength Job 2.4 1. Of Nature 2. Of Art Diet and Physick Death as warre conquering carrieth captive to the Prison of the grave and many to Hell if deam be not overcome Death feedeth on them Psal 49.14 Secondly From the causes of this warre Our earnest desire to preserve our selves John 21.18 2 Cor. 5.4 whence death to Philosophers was counted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as most contrary and destructive to nature Againe sin which brought in Death Rom. 5.12 addeth a venemous sting to it 1 Cor. 15.56 whence to a carnal heart Gods wrath Feare of hell Satans outrage Horrour of conscience whence we are to learne First To prepare for this warfare There is no avoyding it Prophane confidence will not availe us Isai 28.14 15. Meanes or preparations against death 1. Death to sin Rom. 6.8 9. 2. Death to the world Gal. 6.14 1 Cor. 7.29 30 31. 1 Cor. 15.30 31. 3. Faith in Christ Job 13 15. 2 Tim. 1 12. Psal 49.1 2 5 15. 4. Walking with God as Henoch Gen. 5.24 with Heb. 11.5 Henoches priviledge is thus farre communicated to all such as walke with God that though they escape not death yet the bitternesse of death Prov. 11.4 19 12 28. Such leave their souls to God with a quiet heart their bodies to the grave with good report and a blessed covenant behinde them to their posterity thus death will be our advantage Phil. 1.21 Secondly To abhorre all self-murder as not from humane nature but from Satan For even corrupt nature desireth to preserve it selfe Vse 2. To teach us not to doe evil at Princes commands nor to refuse to doe good for feare of their displeasure For they cannot deliver us from death This is Solomons scope Vse 3. To teach us to serve such a master as to whom alone it belongeth to save from death Rev. 1.18 Psal 68.20 Eccles 8.9 9. All this I have seen and applyed my selfe unto every worke that is done under the Sun there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt COherence see in verse 8. The words conteine a fourth resutation of the third Invention mentioned verse 4. As who should say where the word of the King is there is power but know withal that where this power is alwayes obeyed at all times submitted to this power or rule for it is the same word with that verse 4. will be hurtful and pernicious to him that obeyeth it There is a time when one ruleth over another for hurt to him And this he proveth by his own diligent and serious observation and testimony All this have I seen and applyed n y heart 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or in applying my heart to the consideration of all things done under the Sun Doctr. 1. A penitent and prudent soul that casteth his eyes about him and considereth all things that are done under the Sun shall observe a time wherein that man that ruleth over another ruleth over him for hurt to him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 translated One man better The man whatsoever the man be be it Solomon he in his rule had a time wherein he set his people a worke to erect and adorne Idols Temples And this was the rent and ruine of the ten Tribes 1 Kings 11.31 33. 11 Kings 12.28 29 with Chap. 14.15 16. their Apostacy and captivity Judah also followed the way of Israel to their Apostacy and captivity also 2 Kings 17.18 19. So David before him 2 Sam. 11.4 15. 2 Sam. 24.1 17. So Asa 2 Chron. 16.10 So Jehosophat a Chron. 18.1 with 21 3 6 8 10. So Hezekiah 2 Kings 20.16 17 18. So Josiah 2 Chron. 35.22 Reason 1. From Gods
men have more means and poor men more vacancy to seek and get this knowledge how justly then are both reproved for wanting heart to it Prov. 17.16 Yea Schollers here are not to be excused who study onely some generall causes and properties of the creatures as the principles of naturall bodies their motion time place measure c. but neglect to apply their studies to the nature and use of all things under heaven Doctr. 2. Those businesses which God setteth us about we are to set our hearts and best endeavours upon them God laid this sore travel upon men and Solomon gave his heart to seek and search c. Reas 1. Gods wholy we are and therfore to employ our whole selves at his appointment Reas 2. His blessing is upon the Industrious his curse upon the negligent Prov. 10.4 Ier. 48.10 Reas 3. All the opportunity we have of taking paines to any profitable use is in this life Eccles 9 10. Time spendeth fast and should be redeemed Ephes 5.15 16. Vse To reprove slacknesse and idlenesse in any Calling whether the study of nature or other It is not for men to say they have nothing to doe or to stand idle because no man hath hired them Matth 20 6 7. Behold a world of creatures for thee to study upon If God lay a sore travaile upon the sonnes of men it is not for Kings to neglect it but even they to give their hearts this way Doctr. 3. Such as speak by experience speak with authority As Solomon here vers 14. Acts 4.20 Three things give authority to speech 1. Experience 2. A good calling from God Amos 7.10 to 17. 3. The Spirit of God and we speaking in the evidence of it 1 Cor. 2.4 Acts 8 13. Matth. 7.29 Vse 1. To teach young men who want experience to be the more modest in speech Job 32.6 7. Vse 2. To Teach Ministers especially to know by experience the power of the Gospel and grace of God in themselves and then teach it to others Doctr. 4. They that have best experience of the knowledge of the creature finde both the creatures and the knowledge of them vain and unprofitable to the attainment of happinesse yea tending rather to the vexation of the spirit vers 14. For the Philosophers by the wisdome gathered from the creatures knew not God in the wisdom of God that is in Christ in whom alone our happinesse is 1 Cor. 20.21 Unprofitable to happinesse but rather yielding vexation 1 Because they lead us not to happinesse 2 There lieth a curse upon the creature ever since the fall Gen. 3.17 Rom. 8.20 3 Because of the difficulty of the searching out of many secrets in nature as the cause of the Seas flowing the motion of the Moon the Loadstones drawing of Iron and looking towards the North-pole sundry Sympathies Antipathies of the creatures It is said by some to be the death of Aristotle that he could not comprehend the cause of Euripus seven times ebbing and flowing in a day Because I cannot comprehend thee saith he thou shalt comprehend me and so is said to have thrown himselfe into it 4 Because the study of nature healeth not the sinfull defects of nature in our own spirits which is the reason Solomon rendreth vers 15. Vse 1. To teach Scholers and other Students of nature so to study it as not to place felicity in the creatures or in the knowledge of them They are vain and vexing if used to that end Solomon doth not bring a causlesse evill report upon the world as the spies did upon Canaan Object But doe not many Schollers acknowledge they finde great contentment yea sweetnesse in the study and knowledge of the creatures Answ 1. True they may if they use the creatures and the knowledge of them not to finde happinesse in them but to those other ends for which God made them mentioned in Doct. 1. pag. 23. 2. Though many think themselves happy by such speculations it is because they cast not up their accounts as Solomon here doth to see what true Reformation of their own perversnesse or supply of their defects they have found thereby Vse 2. To teach all men neither to satisfie themselves in such things as reach not to the healing the crookednesse of their natures nor to the supplying of the defects thereof How vain then are they that see not the vanity of wealth honour pleasure all earthly things which are all of them short herein Doct. 5. The crooked perversenesse and sinfull defects of our nature are not healed by the knowledge of Gods works in nature A threefold crookednesse is in our nature 1. We act not from a right principle from God in Christ but from our selves 2. We act not by a right Rule Gods will and word 3. For a right end Gods honour but our own ends Defects also Innumerable First in gifts Secondly in Acts as in Thoughts Words and Works Hence the Philosophers themselves as vicious as others in pride and vainglory in wantonnesse in covetousnesse in flattery c. Yea they are more averse and backward to embrace the Gospel then the common sort Acts 17.18 32. 1 Naturall bodies cannot reach to the healing of our soules 2 The vertue of the creatures is finite as themselves be but it requireth an infinite power even a new creation to heale our crookednesse and to supply our defects Psalm 51.10 Vse 1. To shew us the depth of our corruption no creature is able to make our crooked spirits streight or to supply our defects which are innumerable Vse 2. To stir us up to the knowledge of Christ whom to know is eternall life John 17.3 He rectifies our crookednesse and supplies all our defects John 1.16 Eccles 1. v. 16 17 18. 16. I communed with mine own heart saying Loe I am come to great estate and have gotten more wisdom then all they that have been before me in Jerusalem yea my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge 17. And I gave my heart to know wisdom and to know madnesse and folly I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit 18. For in much wisdome is much griefe and he that encreaseth knowledge encreaseth sorrow SOlomon having taught us partly by the nature of the creatures themselves and partly by his own experience that happinesse is not to be found in the creatures He now proceedeth to enquire after happiness in making triall and use of those blessings which God had given him 1 Great Estate 2 Great Wisdom Which point he delivereth by declaring First His communing with himselfe what gifts he had received which were two 1 Great Wisdome 2 Great Estate Amplyfied 1 A Minore Greater then any before him in Hierusalem 2. By the confirmation of it by his experience vers 16. Secondly his making use of the benefit of both these gifts and that by a phrase frequent in Scripture I gave my heart to know wisdom to wit to know the worth of it by
the beginning of it the beginning of it may be harsh and unpleasant but the end of it is wholsome and medicinable v. 8. Fourthly from the excellency of the patient in spirit as otherwise so especially in hearing and bearing the reproofs of the wise above the proud in spirit v. 8. Whereupon he inferreth a grave and wise admonition not to be of an hasty spirit to anger neither in hearing reproofs nor generally in any other case taken from the proper subject of the residence of anger for Anger resteth in the bosome of fools vers 9. Doctr. It is better to heare and bear the rebuke of the wise with submission and patience then with oppression and passion with pride and anger This seemeth to be the very proper scope of Solomons words in this place 2 Sam. 12.7 to 13. 2 Chron. 19.2 3 4. 1 Kings 22.8 Let not the King say so Mat. 16.23 Gal. 2.11 to 14. Reason 1. From the madnesse that a wise man shall fall into by oppressing a wise Reprover in that first he wil distemper and enrage himselfe 2 Chron. 16.10 Secondly he will destroy the heart and life of the gift of reproofe It will no more profit then Physick vomited up or a plaister cast aside Thirdly he may also distemper and enrage the reprover Jer. 20.7 8 9. v. 14 to 20. At least it wil force him to keep silence Amos 5.10 13. This may be referred to the second Reason 2. From the excellency of the word of reproofe in the end above what it appeareth in the beginning Psalm 141. 5. Prov. 28.23 Physick may be bitter and loathsome at first yet health by it recompenceth that Reason 3. From the excellency of the patient in spirit above the proud in spirit vers 8. Patience first possesseth the soule Luke 21.19 Secondly inheriteth promises Heb. 6.12 Thirdly it maketh us perfect Jam. 1.4 Reason 4. Implied in the Text vers 8. from the root of all rejection of reproofe which is pride of spirit Prov. 13.1 15 12. Pride first God abhorreth and scorneth and resisteth 1 Pet. 5.5 Psal 138.6 Prov. 3.34 Secondly is the presage of sudden destruction Prov. 29.1 Vse 1. To teach us to eschew all oppression especially of our reprovers It argueth us and maketh us mad Prov. 28.16 It discourageth a reprover from putting forth the faithfulnesse of his brotherly love Jer. 20.9 Amos 5.13 Yea he is now excused in his silence Matth. 7.6 It eateth out the heart and life of a gift of the reproofe given 1 Kings 22.8 v. 27 28. 2 Kings 5.12 13. Vse 2. To teach us to be patient in hearing and bearing reproofs The end of them is better then the beginning the beginning may seem harsh and bitter but the end is wholsome and comfortable as of all affliction Heb. 12.11 2 Cor. 1.6 7. chap 7 8 9 10 11. It is not meant of all things universally that their end is better then their beginning for it is otherwise in some things 2 Pet. 2.20 Matth. 12.45 Prov. 20.21 But it holdeth in this duty of Admonition and all Afflictions inward and outward to the godly All impatience here argueth pride of spirit as appeareth by the opposition Text v. 8. Vse 3. To teach us to expresse patience rather then pride and to prefer it both in our judgements and in our practice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a man of a long breath which argueth a patient spirit men of a short breath are soon hot men of hot hearts breath quick and short as in cholerick and aguish men Patient in spirit exceeds the sproud first in understanding and wisdom Prov. 17.27 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 frigidus spiritû a man of a coole spirit is of great understanding Secondly in strength and courage Prov. 25.28 16.32 Thirdly in honour Prov. 22.4 Fourthly in profiting by all means of grace In word Luke 8.15 In affections Rom. 5.3 4 5. Some think it their excellency and magnanimity to bear no coals at any mans hand but to give every man as good as he brings Patience they condemn for cowardise but the Spirit of God judgeth otherwise Eccles 7. v. 9. 9. Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry for anger resteth in the bosome of fooles DOctrine 1. To be of an hasty spirit to anger God forbids it to his people Prov 14.17 Jam. 1.19 Prov. 16.32 The spirit is hasty to anger when anger ariseth First without cause Gen. 4.5 6. Jonah 4.9 This is hasting before the cause Secondly without measure passing the bounds 1. Of our calling Acts 7.26 27. Gen. 34.25 with 49.7 2. Of love First As when instead of brotherly admonition we fall to clamour rayling scolding not reproving sin by Scripture names and arguments but vexatious termes Eph. 4.31 Secondly When we are not fit to pray for those we are angry with Exod. 32.19 30 31 32. 1 Sam. 8.6 with 1 Sam. 12.23 15.35 Thirdly Of reason Luke 6.11 Acts 22.23 2 Chron. 28.9 Fourthly Of Justice Zach. 1.15 Fifthly Of due season 1. After sun-setting Eph. 4.26 27. 2. After the offenders acknowledgement of his offence Luke 17.3 4. And these are hasting before the measure or proportion of the cause Reason 1. From the proper subject of the residence and rest of anger It resteth in the bosome of fooles Text Wherein Solomon takes of an excuse which men are wont to make of their holinesse Though I be somewhat hasty yet I thanke God anger doth not rest with me Yes saith Solomon If thou beest hasty anger resteth with thee and argueth thee a fool For a man could not have anger so ready at hand hastily if it did not rest with him the habit of sinful anger resteth there though the act be quickly transient Object Cholerick men are soon stirred and yet they are not all fooles the fools are commonly sanguine as the simple light fond fool or flegmatick as the dull Asse fool or melancholick as the lunatick fool Answ A cholerick fool is a frantick fool Every complexion in excesse is subject to folly yea to madnesse but if choler be subdued to reason cholerick men though they could be soon hasty if they see cause yet will not be where there is none A man of quick speed for race yet will not run till he see cause Quest But what folly is in Anger Answ First Rashnesse Isai 32.4 Secondly Stiffenesse Jonah 4.9 blinde wilfulnesse Thirdly Outragiousnesse Prov. 27.4 Fourthly Unprofitablenesse Anger unfitteth a man First To do good Jam. 1.20 Secondly To take good 2 Kings 5.12 As a man when his house is all on a light fire himselfe in the midst of it can heare no direction given him from without nor himselfe able to doe ought within So is a man in a burning anger neither able to direct himselfe nor to take counsel from others Reason 2. From the Image of God which should shine forth in us He is slow to anger Psal 103.8 Vse To cast discouragement as it were coole water
For the original Text speaketh of this wisdome that is this wisdome whereby a man avoydeth both the folly of continuance in sin verse 17. and the overmuch wisdome of excessive righteousnesse verse 16. In both which men undoe or destroy themselves this wisdome will strengthen a man more to wit By supportance and By deliverance then ten that is many 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Princely Lords and friends in the City meaning the Court which resided in the City and whereto they resorted Ten often put for many Numb 14.22 Job 19.3 Reason 1. From the presence and protection of God with such whose wayes are pure and upright before him 2 Chron. 16.9 Psal 18.20 21 23 24. God is First The light of our countenance Psal 42.11 43 5. Secondly The staffe of our maintenance Psal 16.5 Thirdly The horne of our deliverance Psal 18.2 Reason 2. From the protection and Ministery of Angels who are greater then the greatest men Psal 34.7 91 11 12. 2 Kings 6.15 to 20. Reason 3. From the favour which wayes of true righteousnesse finde even of strangers 1 Pet. 3.13 Job 5.19 to 23. even of enemies Prov. 16.7 Reason 4. From the failing of all great friends when Gods hand is heavy upon him as also in death when righteousnesse faileth not Prov. 11.4 Psal 146.3 4 88 18. Job 6.15 to 21 9 13. Vse 1. To remove the stumbling blocke out of the way which hindreth many from breaking off their sinful courses to wit from the losse of their great friends Nay the wayes of true righteousnesse procure great friends by Gods over-ruling hand Prov. 22.11 2 Kings 10.15 16. Jehu was but an Hypocrite yet would countenance a good man and take countenance from him even wicked Princes by perswasion have befriended the Church Vse 2. To exhort such private Christians and the whole state of the Countrey to walke and grow up in this wisdome it may be our strength when all else may faile us in City and Country Psal 27.10 11. Eccles 7. v. 20. 20. For there is not a just man upon Earth that doth good and sinneth not SOlomon having commended this wisdome as strengthening the wise above many great friends in Court or City where by a man neither maketh himself over-righteous nor over-wicked in this verse he giveth a reason of it taken from the infirmity of the most righteous man upon Earth As who should say doe not make your selfe over-righteous so righteous as no fault to be found in you as Ephraim did Hos 12.8 For there is not a just man upon Earth that doth good and sinneth not Doct. 1. Perfection of righteousnesse so as to doe good without sin is not to be found in any man no not in the best man upon the Earth 1 Kings 8.46 Psal 130.3 143 2. Job 9.3 and verse 30.31 Clothes defile As testifying our sinful nakednesse which was the cause of it Gen. 3.7 The meaning of the doctrine is First That in many things and in some things more then other all men even the best men doe sin Jam. 3.2 either omitting good or committing evil Noah Abraham Lot Moses David Peter Secondly That in all things in our best actions we sinne something Neh. 13.22 Exod. 28.38 Psal 80.4 Rev. 8.3.4 Reason 1. From Gods wise and just desertion of every one of his servants sometimes or other for a season Either To know what is in our hearts 2 Chro. 32 31. or to chasten First Our carnal selfe confidence Matth. 26 33 35. and so to chasten our neglect of stirring up our selves to lay hold of God Isai 64.6.7 Secondly Our uncircumspect and unjust walking neglect of pondering the paths of our feet Psal 119.9 Prov. 4.26 Reason 2. From the contrary lusting between the flesh and spirit Gal. 5.17 hence floweth an impossibility of doing any one duty perfectly Lust in him sinneth not the person If rebellious or irregular subjects of confederate Princes trespasse one upon another it is not the trespasse of the state whilest the Princes condemne it and punish it now the judgement and will are the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in a man the carnal part are but as rebellious subjects Vse 1. To refute 1. Perfection of works held by Papists Catharists of old and herewith possibility of keeping the law 2 Justification by works Psal 143.2 Rom. 3.23 24. 3 Merit of Works 4 Supererogation 5 The immaculate perfection of the Virgin Mary 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Text comprehendeth women as well as men Gen. 1.26.27 Vse 2. To convince carnal wicked men of their abundance of sin seeing the most godly and just fall Job 15.16 Vse 3. To shew us where our happinesse lyeth to wit not in our own innocency but in the covering of our sins Psal 32.1 2. And therefore we to seek for all our righteousnesse in Christ Phil. 3.7 8 9. Rom. 3.23 24. Vse 4. To mortifie pride of our best duties Vse 5. To teach us to beare evils at Gods hand patiently Micah 7.9 Vse 6. Not to be masterly censorious of the failings of our brethren Jam. 3.1 2. John 8.7 Vse 7. To comfort the godly righteous against the feare and griefe of death in our selves or our Christian friends In death the spirits of just men are made perfect Heb. 12.23 else death were not the last enemy if sin remained after it contrary to 1 Cor. 15.26 Eccles 7.21 22. 21. Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken lest thou heare thy servant curse thee 22. For often times also thine own heart knoweth that thou thy selfe likewise hast cursed others SOlomon having observed vers 20. that there is not a just man upon earth that doth good and sinneth not he hence inferreth this Corollary Not to set a mans heart upon all the words that are spoken not upon all their hard sayings and ill speeches wherein all men even the most wise and just are sometimes too blame either in speaking or in giving occasion to be spoken Parts two first an Exhoration not to set our hearts on all the words spoken that is 1. Not to listen after them 1 Sam. 24.9 with 1 Sam. 24.8 9 10. 2 Not to be over deeply affected with them 1 Sam. 18.7 8. 3 Not to pursue the same with revenge 2 Sam. 19.19 20. Secondly Confirmation by Reasons two 1. From the inconveniency which may easily attend it so a man may hear his own servant cursing him or sleighting him v. 21. 2. From the conveniency of Gods wise and just hand in measuring to us as we have measured to others which that we have done Solomon argueth from the testimony of his own conscience v. 22. Doct. 1. It is not good to set a mans heart upon all mens speeches of him no not upon the hard and sleight speeches of his own servants against him to wit First In case men speake vanity to wit 1 Out of a vanity of minde not upon any grounded cause or just occasion Psal 12.2 144.8 2. Unto vanity
are comming after this life ended are many Secondly That all the future time and work wil be but vanity v. 8. The light is sweet and it is a pleasant thing for the eyes to behold the Sunne light is a Periphrasis of this naturall life Job 3.20 so here As who should say life is sweet and so they that behold the Sun are put for men living in this world Eccles 7.11 And here both are put in opposition to the daies of darkness after this life ended which are daies of death and buriall Doctr. Though life be sweet and to some men long yea and comfortable all their daies yet let them remember that the daies which are comming are many both of darknesse and vanity The sweetnesse of death is argued by even Peters lothness to die even when an aged Christian and the cause of death is honourable and gratefull John 21.18 Daies of death and buriall are daies of darkness Job 10.21 22. And in hell the darkness is extream and everlasting the darkness is outward or extream Matth. 22.13 notwithstanding the fire Matth. 25.41 as a fire of Brimstone Esay 30 33. Reason of lifes sweetnesse First from many desireable comforts which we enjoy in this life congruous and suitable to all our senses and to all our affections Secondly from the intimate union of soule and body so as they both make but one person Hence lothnesse to part we will lose any member to save head and heart or any vitall part Some men spend their daies in prosperity Job 21.13 Reason 1. From the reward of godliness Prov. 3.16 Reason 2. From the patience and bounty of God to evil men Gen. 25.17 Reasons why the daies of darknesse and vanity are many First from their continuance to the resurrection in the end of the world Joh 14.12 Secondly from the ignorance and oblivion of all things in the grave Psal 88.12 6.5 Thirdly from the disappointment of any labour all that time Eccles 9.10 Psal 30.9 This to be remembred words of sense in the Hebrew are understood with affection and action so this word Eccles 12.1 which implieth here 1. Continuall mindfull knowledge of it 2. So to be affected with care and conscience of it as that it may take deeper impression in us then all the transient cares and comforts of this naturall life whereof though the daies be many yet not so many 3. So to provide in this life as that when our bodies shall sleep in darkness yet our soules may enjoy the light and comfort of everlasting life and blessedness Reason 1. From the benefit of such remembrance In so doing we remember God Eccles 12.1 and our selves also Luke 16.4 Reason 2. From the danger and folly brutish folly of such forgetfulness Job 21.13 Ecces 3 21. Vse of lifes sweetnesse 1. For thankfulness to God who hath given us life and all the lively comforts of it Joh 10.12 For thankfulness to Christ who laid down this life for our sakes Matth. 20.28 whence we are to live to him 2 Cor. 5.15 Vse 2. To learn to behold a greater sweetnesse in the life of grace in union with Christ in the light of Gods countenance Psal 4.6 7 63 3. Vse of many dayes of darknesse and vanity and remembrance hereof 1. To warne us not to be so taken up with the sweetnesse of this life as to forget the farre longer time to come Vse 2. To teach us not to envy the many prosperous dayes of wicked men here Their lightsome dayes here are but a few to their darke dayes behinde Vse 3. To provide here for life in death and for light in darknesse and for felicity against vanity Meanes hereof First Meditation frequent and constant and serious of the shortnesse of this life and of all the comforts of it Isai 40.6 7 8. Secondly Not to rest in a state of darknesse here Eph. 5.8 1 John 1.6 Thirdly Behold Christ losing his sweet life for us and mourne over him Zach. 12.10 Fourthly Walke in his light 1 John 1.7 Eccles 11.9 10. 9 Reioyce O young man in thy youth and let thy heart cheare thee in the dayes of thy youth and walk in the waies of thine heart and in the sight of thine eyes but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee into iudgement 10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart and put a way evill from thy flesh for childhood and youth are vanitie FOr a fifth wholsome counsell and instruction Solomon giveth it unto young men which is twofold First To know God will bring them to judgement verse 9.10 Secondly To remember their Creator in the dayes of their youth vers 1. to 7. And both this and the former Counsels are but further motives and directions to take the counsel given verse 6.4 sowing our seed in the Morning and in the Evening not to cease Reason 1. For after this life ended many will be the dayes of darknesse and they will be dayes of vanity verse 7.8 Reason 2. For youth is the morning of our Age and so a fit time to sow good seed usually misimployed to the sowing of vanity verse 9.10 And there be three words that expresse it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth properly signifie the morning of Age v. 10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 youth is as the word signifieth the choyce Age of a mans life as that 1. Which is chosen to most employments of action 2. Wherein a man is to choose what course to take 3. And which a man would choose to live in alwayes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is childhood which is the green flourishing bloud of Age or life Parts First An Ironical concession to children and youth to rejoyce in their dayes and wayes Rejoyce O young man c. Secondly A serious Admonition to know the judgement of God reserved for them but know that c. verse 9. Thirdly Hence an exhortation to put away and remove the passions and lusts of youth and childhood verse 10. Therefore remove the Irascible passions of the heart and evil from thy flesh that is the lusts of the flesh Fourthly a Reason of that exhortation from the vanity of childhood and youth verse 10. Doctr. 1. God is wont in an holy scorne to give up children and youth in their own dayes to take their own wayes and to rejoyce or applaud themselves in them See the like kinde of Irony or holy scorne 1 Kings 18.27 22 15. 2 Chron. 25.8 Quest But doth not God speake seriously as allowing children and youth more liberties then are meet for riper yeares as Chap. 9.7 8 9. Answ There be some lawful liberties which God doth allow to that age as Zach. 8.5 9 17. But if he had spoken of these he would have given some just ground of encouragement for it is your portion or the like but here he rather giveth a check and admonition against it from a ground that is wont to dampe not lawful but carnal delights But know
that for all these things God will bring thee to judgment The wayes of 1. Childhood First Ignorance 1 Cor. 14.20 Secondly Vanity serious in trifles and trifling in serious things Text. verse 10. Thirdly Folly Fourthly Falshood Psal 58.3 Fifthly Forwardnesse Matth. 11.16 17. 2. Youth First High conceits of their own sufficiency and worth 1 Tim. 3.6 Secondly Inordinate and excessive love of liberty Thirdly Wantonnesse Fourthly Strong affections upon weake grounds Fifthly Impatience of counsels and reproofes which is stubbornnesse Jer. 31.18 19. Sixthly Prodigality Luke 15.12 13. Seventhly Impudency Isai 3.5 God giveth up children and Youth to these wayes First by not giving them his grace either restraining or converting so soon Secondly By taking from them such Parents governours and friends as might restraine them 2 Chron. 24.17 As he that taketh away a damme giveth a running River leave to run strongly Thirdly By giving them up to a company of flatterers and Paresites sons of Belial who encourage them to evil 2 Chron. 24.17 18 and harden them against wise and grave counsel 1 Kings 12.10 11. Fourthly By suiting the heart with fit and strong objects and leaving the heart to the impetuousnesse of its own passions and lusts Reason 1. From the Idol of self-fulnesse which God seeth in the heart of youth according to which he answereth them and all others Ezek. 14.4 Reason 2. From their wilful disobedience Psal 81.11 Reason 3. From his delight to scorne scorners Prov. 3 34. Psal 2.3 4. Reason 4. From his purpose to magnifie his grace the more and to humble them the more in their conversion Jer. 31.18 19. Vse 1. To humble childhood and youth the more the flower of whose Age is so much corrupted If our choyce dayes be so wicked what are our dregs If our first fruits be so uncleane what is our whole lumpe yea and this spiritual judgement should humble youth the more for it is a more dreadful judgement for God to scorne then to frowne and threaten Doctr. 2. God would have children and youth to know that God will bring them to judgement for all their childish and youthful courses and for their delight in them Psal 50.18 to 22. Rev. 20.12 2 Cor. 5.10 Eccles 12.14 Reason 1. From Gods unpartial justice to all Rom. 2.6 to 11. God taketh no pleasure in proper youth Psal 147 10. nor pitty on carnal children Reason 2. From the proportion which God keepeth in recompencing like measure yea double measure of torment to deliciousnesse Rev. 18.7 Vse 1. To charge children and youth to put away and remove from them their passions and Iusts the evils of their flesh verse 10. Youths eagerly pursue their lusts and boisterously contend for them But lusts overwhelme with the greater torments Potentes potenter torquebuntur Vse 2. To discover and convince the vanity of childhood and youth verse 10. In regard First Of the many corruptions incident to their Age mentioned above Secondly Of their fond rejoycing in them as a fool in his Fetters and Shackles Thirdly Of the danger growing thereby of Impenitency here and of Judgement hereafter Vse 3. To exhort both to remember their Creator in their prime dayes Eccles 12.1 Eccles 12.1 1 Remember now thy Creator in the daies of thy youth while the evil daies come not nor the yeers draw nigh when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them SOlomon to restraine children and youth from the vanities of their Age propounded to them a double Antidote First The knowledge of Gods approaching Judgement whereto he will bring them for all the evils of their youth Chap. 11. verse 9. whence he inferred two Corollaries 1. An exhortation to put away youthful passions and lusts 2. The vanity of childhood and youth Chap. 11. v 10. Secondly The remembrance of their Creators in the dayes of their youth Chap. 12.1 The copulative And implyeth a connexion upon the former as the Addition of another remedy like the former Doctr. 1. The remembrance of our Creator in the dayes of our youth is a Soveraigne remedy against the vanities both of youth and Age. It is a remedy against the vanities of youth before spoken of and the words following Before the evil dayes come c. argue it is a remedy against the wearisome vanities of old Age Remember words of sense in the Hebrew Tongue are to be understood with Affection and Action by reason of the combination and concatenation of all the faculties of the soul in pure nature like as of links in a chaine draw one and draw all breake one and breake all Luke 23.42 1 Sam. 1.19 Psal 106 4 7. Heb. 13.3 Rev. 2.5 Remembrance of God implyeth and inferreth 1. Turning to him Psal 22.27 2. Trust and joy in him Isai 51.13 3. Service and obedience to him Deut. 8.11.19 Psal 9.17 Judg. 3.7 4. Thankfulnesse to him Deut. 8.18 Thy Creator Setteth forth God as the Author and fountaine of all our being out of nothing Which argueth God to be 1. The end of all our being Prov. 16.4 2. Our preserver and Governour Isai 40.26 3 Our owner and possessour and Lord Isai 43.1 4. Intimately acquainted with all our wayes Psal 33.15 5. Unwilling yea disdaining to have his worke deformed or corrupted Deut. 32.5 6. 6. Able easily to destroy us Psal 104.29 30. Creators Implyeth more Creators then one all the three persons concurring in the worke Gen. 1.26 Remember Jesus Christ your Redeemer 1. As one that dyed and rose againe for us 2 Tim. 2.8 2. And without whom we are strangers from God Eph 2.12 3. In whom we become new creatures 2 Cor. 5.17 4. And through whom the Father is well pleased with you Matth. 3.17 Remember the holy Ghost First Who uniteth us to Christ 1 Cor. 6 17. and without whom we are carnal and sensual Jude 19. John 3.6 Secondly Who sanctifieth us to God and that in a Creating way Psal 51.10 11. Mortifying our passions and lusts Rom. 8 13. Quickning us to righteousnesse Thirdly Who pacifieth and comforteth our consciences John 14.16 17. and that in a creating way Psal 31.12 Reason 1. From the vanity of youth and Age without this remembrance of our Creators Text. Eccles 12.1 with Chap. 11.9 Reason 2. From the benefit of this yoke upon Youth Lament 3.27 to 30. Reason 3. From the sanctification of the whole lumpe of our life by the sanctifying of these first fruits Rom. 11.16 Vse 1. To reprove forgetfulnesse of our Creator in this time of youth It causeth old age to perish in such to be good for nothing Job 30.1 2 3 Youth and childhood is the seed time of grace and all goodnesse If in the spring no seed be sowne or none but Cockel and Darnel and such weeds what hope of Harvest Isai 17.10 11. From a threefold cause of difficulty 1. Custome in sin Jer. 13.29 2. Satans long possession Mark 9.21 29. 3. Gods rejection Prov. 1.24 to 28. Vse 2. To exhort children and youth to heed