Ecclesiastes 3

Ecclesiastes 3:1

To every thing there is a season] Or rather a time prefixed, set, and predetermined. The series and contexture whereof, and of all future events, we cannot order or alter, we cannot antedate or anticipate; nor post-off, or post-date; by all our anxious care and toyles: we cannot break through the bounds of Gods providence and predeterminate purpose in the guidance of them. So again, chap. VIII. 6. And therefore we should quiet and content our selves in the good and comfortable use of them; as chap. II. 24.

And not seek to extract out of such vaine and variable things that good and felicity which is not in them. Yet again, This may minde us not to neglect the seasons, times, and opportunities of Grace, which are in Gods hand when he doth please to offer and afford them, Luke XIX. 42. Heb. II. 3.

Ecclesiastes 3:2

A time] Chap. III. 17. This here is oft repeated, that it may be once remembred. There are various vicissitudes and changes in all things under the Sunne. We should seek perfect felicitie in him only in whom there is no shadow of change; and in his kingdome of glory, which shall continue when time it self shall be no more.

Ecclesiastes 3:9

What profit] Concludes that, Chap. I. 3. Matth. VI. 27. no more then that, James II. 14, 16. Consider that, Matth. XVI. 26.

Ecclesiastes 3:10

which God hath given] God gives it, for our exercise in it, and by it. And he, not we; or fate, or fortune orders it, and the event of it. He usualy gives the blessing in our use of the meanes

Ecclesiastes 3:11

beautiful] Though we at all times see it not in every thing; though we are not able to put together all the pieces of Gods providence, nor to foresee that frame and forme & feature that he will bring them to at the last, Esay X. 12. we being not able to finde out the beginning or end of the causes or uses of Gods works. Yet these seeming confusions God will reduce into an excellent & beautiful order, and in a beautiful season too. Frost and Snow are as seasonable in the Winter as heat, and flowers, and fruits are in the Summer. The world is so much in our hearts, that we minde and mark not Gods dealings sufficiently: and we are of so short continuance, that though we minde it, yet we live not to observe a full point in the works of God: Their beginning may be in one age, and their end in another, Rom. XI. 34.

Ecclesiastes 3:12

No good in them, but, &c.] To enjoy things present, and to do good here, and so have good hereafter, Psal. CXXVIII. 2. 1 Tim. VI. 18, 19.

Ecclesiastes 3:14

it shall be for ever] His doing and counsel shall stand. Esay XLVI. 10, 11. Jer. 44. 28. And is perfect and holy; unalterable by man. Job XXXVIII. 31, &c. We should therefore with willingnesse and contentment submit to him and his doings, acquiesce in him, and dread, and adore him, though our blear eyes cannot see the bright Sun-shine of his actions. His decrees must not drive us to despair, or to a neglect of using the means; but from deifying our selves, and our own wisdome in the use of meanes, still depending upon his blessing.

Ecclesiastes 3:16

And moreover] Having formerly shewed the vanitie and vexation of Knowledge, and of Pleasures, and of humane Labours, in many regards; together with the Remedies of them; He now proceeds to shew more vanities and vexations; and yet to vindicate Gods Providence in them.

the place of judgement] That should be a Sanctuarie and Citie of Refuge for wronged Innocencie. That wickednesse and oppression should be and reigne there, was a great vexation, and a great tentation too against Gods righteous Providence.

Ecclesiastes 3:17

I said] That God shall judge and right all, at least and last in that great Assizes to be held by his Sonne at the last day, Acts XVII. 31. Some he judgeth here, lest his Providence, but not all, lest his patience and promise of judgement, might be called into question. Therefore this vanitie and vexation ought not to dismay the innocent, or hearten the oppressors: seeing God will amend all.

Ecclesiastes 3:18

that God might manifest them] Men in place and power, though they carry themselves as beasts to their brethren, yet will hardly know themselves, their own fraile and base condition, and that as to outward respects, they are but as the beasts that perish, Psal. XLIX. 20. God must manifest it to them. And this should humble them, and staine their pride; This shewes, and should cure this vanitie, Prov. XXX. 2.

Ecclesiastes 3:19

For that which befalleth] Psal. XLIX. 10. chap. II. 15, 16. hunger, thirst, diseases, &c.

Ecclesiastes 3:20

all turne to dust againe] Expire alike; and the body turnes to dust alike, Gen. III. 19. Job XXXIV. 15. This still in relation to the body only.

Ecclesiastes 3:21

Who knoweth the spirit of man] No man can by sense discerne the ascent of the one, or the descent of the other. But he can who hath the minde of Christ, who hath seen the insides of Nature, and Grace; Who is spiritual, 1 Cor. II. 14, 15, 16. See chap. XII. 7. of this book. And Solomons scope throughout this Book, is to shew the vanitie of earthly things, and of humane actions in order unto things under the Sunne, as to satisfie the heart of man in the acquiring of true felicitie. Of his immortal or heavenly condition he speaks not purposely. But as he makes Pietie the Only Remedy against all these earthly vanities and vexations; and so concludes his Book in the two last verses. We need not here then to make these passages to be speeches taken up in the Person of the picure or Atheist.

Ecclesiastes 3:22

Wherefore I perceive] He resumes his Assertion, verse 13. and ch. II. XXIV. and V. 18.

after him] What shall become of his goods; how used, and disposed; and by whom.

all the oppressions] More vanities and vexations in the Civil State.

no Comforter] Doubled here. This addes to their miserie. This was Jobs case, chap. VI. 14, 15. and chap. XVI. 2. and chap. XIX. 21. he crieth and calleth for this pitie and commiseration. It was Davids case, Psal. LXIX. 20. And Jerusalems, Lam. I. 2, 9, 16. God cals for it towards Jerusalem, Esay XL. 1, 2. And himself doth it, Esay LI. 3, 12. See Nahum. III. 7.

praised the dead] He preferreth the ease and quietnesse of death, before the miseries of such a dying life. See Job, chap. III. throughout, Jonah IV. 3. 1 Kings XIX. 4. He speaks here according to the judgment of men under oppression: without relation to the wickednesse of men, whose state after death is in those terrours and torments that shall either mend, or end, and they be never able to abide or avoid, Matth. XXVI. 24.