Ecclesiastes 5

Ecclesiastes 5:1

KEepe thy foot] Now he sheweth the vanity of humane sence which will meddle even with Gods service. And therefore he doth here correct it by the representation of Gods terrible majesty in his Temple, which ought for to suppresse and put away any irreligious and unworthy action or thought. See Isay 1. 12 To heare] To receive instruction to salvation, by his word publickly preached in the Temple. Or to obey, namely, to dispose thy selfe to a voluntary kinde of obedience, which is that service that is acceptable to God; and not sacrifices. 1 Samuel 15:22: Hosca 6. 6 Fooles] Namely, all such as through ignorance, superstition, or hypocrisie do erre in Gods service, which ought to be in Spirit and truth: for to acknowledge his benefits, and not to gaine his favour with presents, which is a thought abominable to God. See Psal. 50. 8. Prov. 15. 8. & 21. 27. Isay 1. 11. 16.

Ecclesiastes 5:2

Be not] Take a religious care of what thou utterest, whether it be in thy prayers, to desire of God things convenient, and in a convenient manner. Romans 8:25. Or in thy prayses and thanksgivings, to doe it with that devotion and zeale as is required: or in making of vowes, not to vow any thing that thou hast not a will, and firme resolution to fullfil. Others, doe not speake cursorily, that is to say, doe not accumulate and heape up multitudes of words, as superstitious men doe. Matth. 6. 7 For God] Seeing that thou who art an earthly creature, speakest to the Creator, in his glory, do it with reverence and trembling. See Hebrews 12:25.

Ecclesiastes 5:4

In ooles] For such are they that vow inconsiderately, and then doe seek meanes to go back from their promises. Proverbs 20:25.

Ecclesiastes 5:6

The Angell] Namely, the Sonne of God, who in his owne proper person was present in the Temple, in grace and power. See Isay 6. 5. John 12:41. And is called Angell by reason of his office of Mediator. Exod. 23. 20, 21. & 33. 14 Isay 63. 9. Malachi 3:1 And destroy] He would curse thee and bring all thine actions to naught, by reason of thy perjury.

Ecclesiastes 5:8

Marvell not] Although there were no providence to governe the wold, nor justice to punish these disorders That is higher] Namely, God the Soveraigne Lord. Psalme 58. 11. and 82. 1 Then the highest] Namely; the holy Angels, to whom as Executioners of Gods justice, and Ministers of his providence, is committed the care of the Empires of the world, and chiefly of the Church of God. See Daniel 4:17. Romans 8:38.

Ecclesiastes 5:9

The earth] An oeconomicall precept for to make choice amongst other practises and arts which are for the sustaining of the life of man, of husbandry, as the most innocent, necessary, and delightfull. See Prov. 27. 23. 24 The King] There is no man, let him bee never so great, that can bee without the earth; seeing he hath his nourishment from no other place.

Ecclesiastes 5:10

He that loveth] The covetousnesse and desire of growing rich more suddainly and abundantly often diverts a man to some other kinde of trafficks, and exercises more gainfull. Yet husbandry hath this advantage, that man in effect hath no fruition nor good of his money, but so farre as it is converted to purchase the fruits of the earth, for his sustenance Abundance] Namely of gold and silver: Things which of themselves are ed, and doe no yield any fruit as the earth doth This is] Namely this blind love of money.

Ecclesiastes 5:11

When goods] Ordinarily great wealth is accompanyed with a great family, and number of servants which waste and consume it. So that the possessor thereof hath no other pleasure or benefit thereby, but onely the vaine delight of seeing them before him.

Ecclesiastes 5:12

Is sweet] Because he is voyd of heart-burning cares, and vehement covetousnesse, and because that his labour, joyned with his sober manner of living, causeth him to take a sweet kind of rest The abundance] the abundance of wealth causeth a great deale of care and unquietnesse of mind. Or the ssuperfluity of dyet alters the health of the body, and fills it full of raw humours.

Ecclesiastes 5:13

To their hurt] Being occasion of their death, or some grievous sinister chance, through private treacherie or publike violence.

Ecclesiastes 5:14

By evill travaile] Namely, by some injury, or wicked act done unto them by others, or by some misfortune of their owne.

Ecclesiastes 5:17

In darkenesse.] basely and wretchedly, like one that is a true prisoner and slave to his riches.

Ecclesiastes 5:18

Behold] A confirmation of the conclusion made Eccl. 2. 12. 22.

Ecclesiastes 5:20

Shall not much] Hee shall not be much troubled, at the shortnesse and unstablenesse of this life; for living in Gods grace, whom hee calleth upon, he feeles in his heart that GOD answereth him, finding the comfort of his spirit; which breedes in him that holy, and pleasant fruition of the present good, which he hath, and the assured hope of the eternall.