Ecclesiastes 11

Ecclesiastes 11:1

CAst thy] Doe good to those from whom thou hast least hope to receive any recompence; for the Lord himselfe will recompence thee for it, when thou least thinkest on it, or peradventure in life everlasting. A phrase taken from those husbandmen, that sow their seed upon moorish and overflowing grounds, which are unlikely and unfitting to bring forth any increase, Isay 32. 20.

Ecclesiastes 11:2

To even] That is to say, as many as thou canst without any limitation For thou] The time ay come that thou wilt not bee able to be bountifull, doe it therefore whilest God affordeth thee the meanes to doe it, Galatians 6:10. Or, seeing thou art not sure not to fall into povertie, be charitable, that in adverse times thou mayest have charitie used towards thee either by God, or men, Luke Chapter 16. ver. 9.

Ecclesiastes 11:3

If the clouds] The Italian, When the] Even s the clouds, after they are growne thicke, doe dissolve, and powre downe their water upon the earth. so the covetous man is at last constrained by death to leave all, for death makes man like a tree digged up by the roots which beares no fruit, and remaineth so for ever.

Ecclesiastes 11:4

Hee that] Even as the Husbandman that will stand too strictly to watch the just time and perfect opportunitie, may lose the season, wherin he ought to doe his businesse. So hee that hath too many carnall respects, loseth his time of well doing, which he cannot recover when he will.

Ecclesiastes 11:5

The workes] That is to say the Councells, and secret dispositions of his providence which determineth of the casualties of this life, and of the houre of death, wherefore doe thou good at all times that thou mayest not be surprised.

Ecclesiastes 11:6

In the morning] Namely at all times, and upon all occasions Sow] That is to say, doe deeds of charitie: which are the seeds of the harvest of eternall life, a Corinthians 9. 10. Galathians 6. 7.Shall prosper] The Italian Shall happen best] This is spoken either in regard of men, whereof some are more thankefull than others, or in respect of God, who amongst diverse objects of Charitie, doth oftentimes present some to men, that are very precious in his sight, for love of which he doth proportionably increase the reward. See Matthew 10:1-42. ver. 41, 42. Hebrews 13:2.

Ecclesiastes 11:7

The light] Even as the sweetnesse of this life, is in worldly men quite overthrowne by their thinking upon death, from which there is no returne: So in the faithfull it must bee qualified by the same meanes, that they may judge of the said sweetnesse rightly, and not set their affections too much upon it but in time dispose themselves to a happy end.

Ecclesiastes 11:8

The twelfth Chapter in the Italian begins at this ninth Verse.

Ecclesiastes 11:9

Rejoyce] It is lawfull and seemely for thee to enjoy the flower of thine age, and therein follow thy naturall delighs: so thou alwayes keepe the feare of God in thine heart, and remember his everlasting judgment: not to licence thy selfe to do evill, nor to use any excesse in that which of it selfe is good and lawfull, Ecclesiastes 3:12.

Ecclesiastes 11:10

Are vanitie] That is to say, short and transitory; and doth not come againe, therefore man may lawfully enjoy it whilest God doth permit it.