Ecclesiastes 3

Ecclesiastes 3:1

TO every thing] Having spoken of the honest and lawfull pleasures which a good man may, and ought to take in this life, he now declareth how that this is not alwayes so, nor in the same measure seeing there are so many variable changes in the world, to which one must conforme his affections, of joy, or griefe Purpose] Heb. Will, that is to say each voluntary motion of the soule.

Ecclesiastes 3:5

To cast away] In publicke rejoycings as upon occasions of victories, they did make great heapes of stones in the fields, for trophies. Which in time f sadnesse or adversitie they cast away againe, some such like thing, Joshua 8:29. 2 Samuel 10:17.

Ecclesiastes 3:7

To rent] This is also referred to a ceremony used in great and suddain griefes: in which they used to rent their garments Keepe silence] Which was also an effect, and signe of some great sorrow, Lamentations 2:10. Amos 5:13.

Ecclesiastes 3:9

What profit] He doth here againe continue the speech which he had broken off, concerning the lawfull pleasures which a man may take in this world according to his vocation, still framing his affections to these variable chances as may happen, and he saith that anxietie, and continuall care, is no way available, but contrariwise is very hurtfull, seeing it keepeth man from enjoying the fruits of his labours.

Ecclesiastes 3:10

I have] I have found that this defect which men have, namely to vexe and torment themselves so much, proceeds from Gods secret judgement, which will have a man to be punished by the selfe same thing as he hath so much set his heart upon, forsaking God, namely by the goods of this world, which keep him in a continuall perplexity.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

He hath] Contrarily his perpetuall hearts care God hath appointed and is contented that man should conforme his affections of joy and sorrow, to the motions of his providence, and that he should rejoyce in time of prosperity, and be sad in time of adversitie, so he doth it alwayes moderatly. Ecclesiastes 7:13-14. Iam. 5. 13 He hath set] He hath endowed them with so much naturall light, as that they can apprehend the various chances of this life, to judge of them and governe themselves according to them So that] Though there be inscrutable secrets in the government of his providence: yet God revealeth so much thereof, as may cause a man to conforme himselfe unto his will in all these chances From the beginning] that is to say perfectly from one end to the other.

Ecclesiastes 3:12

To rejoyce]. When God gives a cause for it, and grants the power to doe it.

Ecclesiastes 3:14

Whatsoever] That the councells, and operations of the divine providence are permanent, and immutable, wherefore man ought to submit himselfe thereunto with all reverence Forver]Namely irrevocable and not to bee altered by any humane power.

Ecclesiastes 3:15

That which] That is to say, things which doe happen from time to time, were pre-ordained from everlasting; and are with God as things present, Acts 15:18 Requireth] As he hath pre-ordained all things that are to come, so shall he also judge of all actions that are past, which he sets before his eyes, as if they were present That which is] Heb. that which is driven away, that is to say, mens actions, though they passe away, and are followed and thrust forward successively one by the other.

Ecclesiastes 3:16

And moreover I saw] He toucheth a point which may trouble the said tranquillity of spirit and minde more then any other thing: namely, the subversion of publick justice, which is the only temperature and strong tye of humane society. For a remedy to which evill hee prescribes the meditation upon Gods just judgement which is to come.

Ecclesiastes 3:17

There is a time] Namely, a prefixed time for judgement Every work] the Italian addeth, Is there] Namely, A certaine place and prefixed time though unknowne. See Psal 14. 5. Hos. 13 8.

Ecclesiastes 3:18

I said] Seeing so many errours of carnall sense, which doth incessantly trouble itselfe for the obtaining of the soveraigne good in this world, I have desited that God would be pleased to enlighten men with his Spirit, that they might know, that through their sensuality and affection to worldly things, they transforme themselves into beasts, and at the last dye in that estate, without any rellish or hope of eternall life. For without this internall teacher, all my instructions are unprofitable.

Ecclesiastes 3:19

The Sonnes] Namely, to worldly men wo are guided by their blinde and corrupt naturall sense, and that have no part at all in Gods grace and Spirit No preheminence] Namely in respect of eternall happinesse, whereof worldly men are deprived as well as beasts.

Ecclesiastes 3:21

Who knoweth] Without the illumination of the holy Ghost, which alone revealeth eternall life to Gods children, 1 Corinthians 2:9-11. man hath but an obscure and wavering notice of it, and no perswasion of obtaining it for himselfe.

Ecclesiastes 3:22

Wherefore] A conclusion reiterated out of the 12. v There is nothing better] If man taking so much paines in the world doth proceed with reason, he must propound some end unto himselfe, wherefore he doth so; which can be none other but the sweet and honest fruition of his labours in this life, 1 Timothy 6:17. which being once past, he hath no more share in this world, nor in his goods. Now this is spoken against fooles, who labour to no end, and never reape this fruit of their labours.