A familiar exposition or commentarie on Ecclesiastes VVherein the worlds vanity, and the true felicitie are plainely deciphered. By Thomas Granger, preacher of the Word at Butterwike in East-holland, Lincolne.

Add to bookbag

Author:	Granger, Thomas, b. 1578.
Title:	A familiar exposition or commentarie on Ecclesiastes VVherein the worlds vanity, and the true felicitie are plainely deciphered. By Thomas Granger, preacher of the Word at Butterwike in East-holland, Lincolne.
Rights/Permissions:	The University of Michigan Library provides access to these keyboarded and encoded editions of the works for educational and research purposes. These transcriptions are believed to be in the public domain in the United States; however, if you decide to use any of these transcriptions, you are responsible for making your own legal assessment and securing any necessary permission. If you have questions about the collection, please contact eebotcp-info@umich.edu. If you have concerns about the inclusion of an item in this collection, please contact LibraryIT-info@umich.edu. This statement does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.
Print source:	A familiar exposition or commentarie on Ecclesiastes VVherein the worlds vanity, and the true felicitie are plainely deciphered. By Thomas Granger, preacher of the Word at Butterwike in East-holland, Lincolne. Granger, Thomas, b. 1578. London: Printed by T. S[nodham] for Thomas Pauier, dwelling in Iuie-Lane, 1621.
Subject terms:	Bible. -- O.T. -- Ecclesiastes -- Commentaries.
URL:	https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A02031.0001.001
How to cite:	For suggestions on citing this text, please see Citing the TCP on the Text Creation Partnership website.

Table of Contents

View entire text

title page

TO THE RIGHT Reuerend Father in God, and my very Honourable good Lord, GEORGE, by Gods prouidence L. Bishop of Lincolne, and high ALMONER to the Kings Most Excellent MAIESTIE, continuall increase of all true HAPPINESSE.

TO THE RIGHT VVorshipfull and worthy-minded Gentle∣men, Sir Iames Fowlerton, Sir Dauid Murray, Sir Peter Osburne, Knights: Mr. Iohn Murray, Mr. William Car•e, M^r. Henry Gibbe, of his Maiesties Bed-Chamber, Mr. Emmanuel Giffard, one of the Gen∣tlemen of his Maiesties Priuy-chamber, Esq. Mr. James Douglasse, Mr. Richard Jones, Mr. En∣dymion Porter, Mr. John Heron, and Mr. John Parker, Esquires: Grace and Peace be multiplyed.

CHAPTER I.

The words of the PREACHER, the Sonne of DAVID, King in Ierusalem.

Vanitie of Vanities, saith the Preacher, Vanity of Va∣nities, all is vanitie.

What profit hath a man of all his labour which hee ta∣keth vnder the Sunne?

One generation passeth away, and another genera∣tion commeth: but the earth abideth for euer.

The Sunne also ariseth, and the Sunne goeth downe, and hasteth to the place where he arose.

The winde goeth toward the South, and turneth about vnto the North; it whirleth about continually, and the winde re∣turneth againe according to his circuits.

All the Riuers runne into the Sea, yet the Sea is not full: vnto the place from whence the Riuers come, thither they returne againe.

All things are full of labour, man cannot vtter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the eare with hearing.

The thing that hath beene, it is that which shall be, and that which is done, is that which shall be done; and there is no new thing vnder the Sunne.

Is there any thing, whereof it may be said, See, this is new? It hath beene already of old time, which was before vs.

There is no remembrance of former things, neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come, with those that shall come after.

I the Preacher, was King ouer Israel, in Ierusalem.

And I gaue my heart to seeke and search out by wisedome, concerning all things that are done vnder heauen: this sore trauaile hath God giuen to the sonnes of men, to be exercised therewith.

I haue seene all the workes that are done vnder the Sunne, and behold, all is vanity, and vexation of spirit.

That which is crooked, cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting, cannot be numbred.

I communed with mine owne heart, saying, Loe, I am come to a great estate, and haue gotten more wisedome then all they that haue beene before me in Ierusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisedome and knowledge.

And I gaue my heart to know wisedome, and to know madnesse, and folly: I perceiued that this also is vexation of Spirit.

For in much wisedome is much griefe: and he that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow.

CHAPTER II.

I said in my heart, goe to now, I will prooue thee with mirth, therefore inioy pleasure: and behold, this also is vanitie.

I said of laughter, it is mad: and of mirth what doth it?

I sought in mine heart to giue my selfe vnto wine (yet acquainting mine heart with wisedome) and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sonnes of men, which they should doe vnder heauen all the dayes of their life.

I made me great workes, I builded houses, I planted me Ʋineyards.

I made me Gardens, and Hortyards, and I planted trees in them of all kinde of fruits.

I made me pooles of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees.

I got me seruants and maidens, and had seruants borne in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small Cat∣tle, aboue all that were in Ierusalem before me.

I gathered me also siluer and gold, and the peculiar treasure of Kings, and of the Prouinces: I got mee men-singers, and women-singers, and the delights of the sonnes of men, as mu∣sicall instruments, and that of all sorts.

So I was great, and increased more then all that were before mee in Ierusalem: also my wisedome remained with mee.

And whatsoeuer mine eyes desired. I kept not from them, I with-held not mine heart from any ioy; for my heart re∣ioyced in all my labour, and this was my portion of all my la∣bour.

Then I looked on all the workes that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to doe: and be∣hold all was vanity, and vexation of spirit; and there was no profit vnder the Sunne.

And I turned my selfe to behold wisedome, and mad∣nesse, and folly: for what can the man doe, that commeth after the King? euen that which hath beene already done.

Then I saw that wisedome excelleth folly, as farre as light excelleth darkenesse.

The wise mans eyes are in his head, but the foole wal∣keth in darkenesse: and I my selfe perceiued also that one euent happeneth to them all.

Then saide I in my heart, as it happeneth to the foole, so it happeneth euen to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I saide in my heart, that this also is vanity.

For there is no remembrance of the wise more then of the foole for euer, seeing that which is now, in the dayes to come shall be forgotten; and how dyeth the wise man? as the foole.

Therefore I hated life, because the worke that is wrought vnder the Sunne, is grieuous vnto me: for all is va∣nity and vexation of spirit.

Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken vnder the Sunne: because I should leaue it vnto the men that shall be after mee.

And who knoweth whether hee shall be a wise man or a foole? yet shall hee haue rule ouer all my labour, wherein I haue laboured, and wherein I haue shewed my selfe wise vnder the Sunne.

Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despaire of all the labour which I tooke vnder the Sunne.

For there is a man whose labour is in wisedome, and in knowledge, and in equity: yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leaue it for his portion. This also is vanity, and a great euill.

For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexati∣on of his heart wherein he hath laboured vnder the Sunne?

For all his dayes are sorrow, and his trauaile griefe; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanitie.

There is nothing better for a man, then that hee should eate and drinke, and that he should make his soule enioy the good of his labour. This also I saw, and that it was from the hand of God.

For who can eate? or who else can hasten hereunto more then I?

For God giueth to a man that is good in his fight, wise∣dome, and knowledge, and ioy: but to the sinner he giueth trauell to gather, and to heape vp, that he may giue to him that is good before God: This also is vanity, and vexation of spirit.

CHAPTER III.

To euery thing there is a season, and a time to euery pur∣pose vnder heauen.

A time to be borne, and a time to dye: a time to plant, and a time to plucke vp that which is planted.

A time to kill, and a time to heale: a time to breake downe, and a time to build vp.

A time to weepe, and a time to laugh: a time to mourne; and a time to dance.

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together: a time to imbrace, and a time to refraine from im∣bracing.

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keepe, and a time to cast away.

A time to rent, and a time to sow; a time to keepe silence, and a time to speake.

A time to loue, and a time to hate: a time of warre, and a time of peace.

What hath he that worketh, in that wherein hee labou∣reth?

I haue seene the trauell which God hath ginen to the sonnes of men, to be exercised in it.

He hath made euery thing beautifull in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that none can find out the worke that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

Verse 12.

And also that euery man should eate, and drinke, and in∣ioy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

I know that whatsoeuer God doth, it shall be for euer: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doth it that men should feare before him.

That which hath beene, is now, and that which is to be, hath already beene, and God requireth that which is past.

And moreouer, I saw vnder the Sunne the place of iudgement, that wickednesse was there; and the place of righ∣teousnesse, that iniquity was there.

I said in mine heart, God shall iudge the righteous, and the wicked: for there is a time there, for euery purpose, and for euery worke.

I said in my heart concerning the estate of the sonnes of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselues are beasts.

For that which befalleth the sonnes of men, befalleth beasts; euen one thing befalleth them all: as the one dyeth, so dyeth the other; yea, they haue all one breath, so that a man hath no preheminence aboue a beast: for all is vanity.

All goe vnto one place, all are of the dust, and all turne to dust againe.

Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth vpward, and the spirit of a beast that goeth downe-ward to the earth?

Wherefore I perceiue that there is nothing better, then that a man should reioyce in his owne workes: for that is his portion; for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

CHAPTER IIII.

So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done vnder the Sunne; and behold the teares of such as were▪ op∣pressed, and they had no Comforter: and on the side of their op∣pressours there was power, but they had no Comforter. II. Example of vanities in out∣ward things.

Verse 2.

Yea, better is be then both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seene the euill worke that is done vnder the Sun.

Againe, I considered all trauell, and euery right worke, that for this a man is enuyed of his neighbour: this is also va∣nity and vexation of spirit.

Verse 5.

Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then both the hands full with trauell, and vexation of spirit.

Verse 6.

Then I returned, and saw vanity vnder the Sunne.

There is one alone, and there is not a second, yea, he hath neither child nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, neither saith hee, for whom doe I labour, and bereaue my soule of good? this is also vanity, yea, it is a sore trauell.

Two are better then one; because they haue a good re∣ward for their labour.

For if they fall, the one will lift vp his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not auother to helpe him vp.

Againe, if two lie together, then they haue heate; but how can one be warme alone?

And if one preuaile against him, two shall withstand him; and a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.

Better is a poore and a wise child, then an old and foolish King, who will no more be admonished.

For out of prison hee commeth to raigne, whereas also he that is borne in his kingdome becommeth poore.

I considered all the liuing, which walke vnder the Sun, with the second child that shall stand vp in his stead.

There is no end of all the people, euen of all that haue bne before them: they also that come after, shall not reioyce in him: surely this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit.

CHAPTER V.

Keepe thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to heare, then to giue the sacrifice of fooles: for they consider not that they doe euill.

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart bee hasty to vtter any thing before God: for God is in heauen, and thou vpon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

For a dreame commeth through the multitude of busi∣nesse, and a fooles voyce is knowne by multitude of words.

When thou vowest a vow vnto God deferre not to pay it: for hee hath no pleasure in fooles: pay that which thou hast vowed.

Better it is that thou shouldest not vow, then that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sinne, neither say thou before the Angel, that it was an errour: wherefore should God be angry at thy voyce, and destroy the worke of thine hands?

For in the multitude of dreames, and many words, there are also diuers vanities: but feare thou God.

If thou seest oppression of the poore, and violent peruer∣ting of iustice and iudgement in a Prouince, maruell not at the matter: for he that is higher then the highest regardeth; and there be higher then they.

Moreouer, the profit of the earth is for all: the King him∣selfe is serued by the field.

He that loueth siluer, shall not be satisfied with siluer; nor he that loueth abundance, with increase: this is also va∣nitie.

When goods increase, they are increased that eate them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, sauing the behol∣ding of them with their eyes?

The sleepe of a labouring man is sweet, whether hee eate little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleepe.

There is a sore euill which I haue seene vnder the Sun; namely, riches kept for the owners thereof, to their hurt.

But these riches perish by euill trauell, and he begetteth a sonne, and there is nothing in his hand.

As he came forth of his mothers wombe, naked shall he returne, to goe as he came, and shall take nothing of his la∣bour, which he may carry away in his hand.

And this also is a sore euill, that in all points as he came, so shall he goe: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the winde?

All his dayes also he eateth in darkenesse, and he hath much sorrow, and wrath in his sicknesse.

Behold that which I haue seene: it is good and comely, for one to eate and to drinke, and to enioy the good of all his la∣bour that he taketh vnder the Sunne, all the dayes of his life which God giueth him: for it is his portion.

Euery man also, to whom God hath giuen riches, and wealth, and hath giuen him power to eate thereof, and to take his portion, and to reioyce in his labour; this is the gift of God.

For he shall not much remember the dayes f his life: because God answereth him in the ioy of his heart.

CHAPTER VI.

There is an euill which I haue seene vnder the Sunne, and it is common among men.

A man to whom God hath giuen riches, wealth, and ho∣nour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soule of all that he desi∣reth, yet God giueth him not power to eate thereof, but a stran∣ger eateth it: This is vanity, and it is an euill disease.

If a man beget an hundred children, and liue many yeares, so that the dayes of his yeares be many; and his soule be not fil∣led with good, and also that he haue no buriall, I say, that an vn∣timely birth is better then he.

For he commeth in with vanity, and departeth in darke∣nesse, and his name shall be couered with darkenesse.

Moreouer, he hath not seene the Sunne, nor knowne any thing. This hath more rest then the other.

Yea, though he liue a thousad yeeres twice told, yet hath he seene no good. Doe not all goe to one place?

All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the ap∣petite is not filled.

For what hath the wise more then the foole? What hath the poore, that knoweth to walke before the liuing?

Better is the sight of the eyes, then the wandring of the desire: This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

That which hath beene, is named already, and it is knowne that it is man. neither may he contend with him that is mightier than hee.

Seeing there be many things that encreaseth vanitie, what is man the better?

For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the dayes of his vaine life, which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him vnder the Sunne?

CHAPTER VII.

A good name is better then precious oyntment; and the day of death, then the day of ones birth.

It is better to goe to the house of mourning, then to goe to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men, and the liuing will lay it to heart.

Sorrow is better then laughter; for by the sadnesse of the countenance, the heart is made better.

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning: but the heart of fooles is in the house of mirth.

It is better to heare the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to heare the song of fooles.

For as the crackling of thornes vnder a pet, so is the laughter of the foole: this also is vanitie.

Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad: and a gift destroyeth the heart.

Better is the end of a thing then the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit, is better then the proud in spirit.

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosome of fooles.

Say not thou, what is the cause that the former dayes were better then these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concer∣ning this.

Wisedome is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the Sune.

For wisedome is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisedome giueth life to them that haue it.

Consider the worke of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

In the day of prosperity be ioyfull, but in the day of ad∣uersitie consider: God also hath set the one ouer against the other, to the end that man should finde nothing after him.

All things haue I seene in the dayes of my vanity: There is a iust man that perisheth in his righteousnesse, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wicked∣nesse.

Be not righteous ouermuch, neither make thy selfe e∣uer wise: why shouldest thou destroy thy selfe?

Be not ouermuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this, yea also from this withdraw not thine hand: for hee that feareth God shall come forth of them all.

Wisedome strengtheneth the wise, more then ten mighty men which are in the Citie.

For there is not a iust man vpon earth, that doth good, and sinneth not.

Also take no heed vnto all words that are spoken; lest thou heare thy seruant curse thee.

For oftentimes also thine owne heart knoweth, that thou thy selfe likewise hast cursed others.

All this haue I proued by wisedome: I said, I will be wise, but it was farre from me.

That which is farre off and exceeding deepe, who can find it out.

I applied mine heart to know and to search, and to seeke out wisedome, and the reason of things, and to know the wick∣ednesse of folly, euen of foolishnesse and madnesse.

And I finde more bitter then death, the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: Who so pleaseth God shall escape from her, but the sinner shall be taken by her.

Verse 27.

Which yet my soule seeketh, but I finde not: one man among a thousand haue I found, but a woman among all those haue I not found.

Loe, this onely haue I found, that God hath made man vpright: but they haue sought out many inuentions.

CHAPTER VIII.

Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpre∣tation of a thing? a mans wisedome maketh his face to shine, and the boldnesse of his face shall be changed.

I counsell thee to keepe the kings commandement, and that in regard of the oath of God.

Be not hasty to goe out of his sight, stand not in an euill thing, for he doth whatsoeuer pleaseth him.

Where the word of a King is, there is power: And who may say vnto him, what doest thou.

Who so keepeth the Commandement, shall seele none euill thing: and a wise mans heart discerneth both time and iudgement.

Because to euery purpose there is a time, and iudgement: therefore the misery of man is great vpon him.

For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him, when it shall be?

There is no man that hath power ouer the spirit to receiue the spirit, neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that warre, neither shall wickednesse deliuer those that are giuen to it.

All this haue I seene, and applyed my heart to euery worke that is done vnder the Sunne: There is a time where∣in one man ruleth ouer another, to his owne hurt.

And so I saw the wicked buryed, who had come and gone from the place of the Holy, and they were forgotten in the citie, where they had so done: This is also vanity.

Because sentence against an euill worke is not execu∣ted speedily, therefore the heart of the sonnes of men is fully set in them to doe euill.

Verse 12.

But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his dayes, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.

There is a vanity which is done vpon the earth, that there be iust men, vnto whom it happeneth according to the worke of the wicked; againe, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the worke of the righteous: I said, that this also is vanity.

Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing vnder the Sunne, then to eate, and to drinke, and to be merrie: for that shall abide with him of his labour, the dayes of his life, which God giueth him vnder the Sunne.

When I applyed mine heart to know wisedome, and to see the businesse that is done vpon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleepe with his eyes.)Then I beheld all the worke of God, that a man can∣not find out the worke that is done vnder the Sunne, because though a man labour to seeke it out; yea, further, though a wise man thinke to know it, yet shall he not be able to finde it.

CHAPTER IX.

For all this I considered in my heart, euen to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their workes are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either loue, or hatred, by all that is about him.

All things come alike to all: there is one euent to the righteous, and to the wicked, to the good, and to the cleane, and to the vncleane, to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrifi∣ceth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

This is an euill among all things that are done vnder the Sunne, that there is one event vnto all: yea also the heart of the sonnes of men is full of euill, and madnesse is in their heart while they liue, and after that they go to the dead.

For to him that is ioyned to all the liuing, there is hope: for a liuing Dogge is better then a dead Lion.

For the liuing know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither haue they any more a reward; for the memorie of them is forgotten.

Also their loue▪ and their hatred, and their enuie is nw perished: neither haue they any more a portion for euer in any thing that is vnder the Sunne.

Go thy way, eate thy bread with ioy, and drinke thy wine with a merrie heart: for God now accepteth thy workes.

Let thy garments be alwayes white, and let thy head lacke no oyntment.

Liue ioyfully with the wife, whom thou louest all the dayes of the life of thy vanitie, which he hath giuen thee vu∣der the Sunne, all the dayes of thy vanitie: for that is thy por∣tion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest vnder the Sunne.

Whatsoeuer thine hand findeth to do, do it with thy might: for there is no worke, nor deuice, nor knowledge, nor wisedome in the graue, whither thou goest.

I returned and sawe vnder the Sunne, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battell to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of vnderstanding▪ nor yet fauour to men of skill, but time and chance happeneth to them all.

For man also knoweth not his time, as the fishes that are taken in an euill net, and as the birds that are caught in the snares, so are the sons of men snared in an euill time, when it falleth suddenly vpon them.

This wisedome haue I seene also vnder the Sunne, and it seemed great vnto me.

Verse 14.

Now there was found in it a poore wise man, and he by his wisedome deliuered the Citie, yet no man remembred that same poore man.

Then said I, wisedome is better then strength▪ neuer∣thelesse the poore mans wisedome is despised, and his words are not heard.

The words of wise men are heard in quiet, more then the crie of him that ruleth among fooles.

Wisedome is better then weapons of warre: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

CHAPTER X.

Dead slies cause the oyntment of the Apothecarie to send foorth a stinking sauour: so doth alittle follie him, that is in reputation for wisedome and honour.

A wise mans heart is at his right hand: but a fooles heart at his left.

Yea also when he that is a foole walketh by the way▪ his wisedome faileth him, and he saith to euery one that he is a foole.

If the spirit of the ruler rise vp against thee, leaue not thy place: for yeelding pacifieth great offences.

There is an euill which I haue seene vnder the Sunne as an errour, which proceedeth from the Ruler.

Follie is set in great dignitie, and the rich in lowe place.

I haue seene seruants vpon horses, and Princes walk∣ing as seruvnts vpon the earth.

He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it, and who so breaketh an hedge, a Serpent shall bite him.

Who so remoueth▪stones, shall be hurt therewith: and he that cleaueth wood, shall be indangered thereby.

If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisedome profitable to direct.

Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment, and a babbler is no better.

The words of a wise mans mouth are gracious: but the lips of a foole will swallow vp himselfe.

The beginning of the words of his mouth is foo∣leshnesse: and the end of his talke is mischieuous mad∣nesse.

A foole also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell?

The labour of the foolish wearieth euery one of them▪ because he knoweth not how to goe to the Citie.

Woe to thee, O Land, when thy King is a child and thy Princes eate in the morning.

Blessed art thou, O Land, when thy King is the son of Nobles, and thy Princes eate in due season, for strength, and not for drunkennesse.

By much slouthfulnesse the building decayeth; and through idlenesse of the hands the house droppeth through.

A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh mer∣rie, but money answereth all things.

Curse not the King, no not in thy thought: and curse not the rich in thy bed-chamber: for a bird of the ayre shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shal tell the matter.

CHAPTER XI.

Cast thy bread vpon the waters: for thou shalt finde it As the first de∣gree of felicity consisted in the comfortable vse of worldly things, and wise auoidance of euils: so the se∣cond degree thereof con∣sisteth in doing good, commu∣nicating and ōpalsionating of others. The former, in one terme may be called sobriety, this charitie.after many dayes.

Giue a portion to seuen, and also to eight: for thou knowest not what euill shall be vpon the earth.

If the clouds be full of raine, they emptie themselues vpon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the South, or to∣ward the North, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.

He that obserueth the winde, shall not sow: and he that regardeth the clouds, shall not reape.

As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the wombe of her that is with child: euen so thou knowest not the workes of God who maketh all.

In the morning sowe thy seede, and in the euening with-hold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, eyther this or that, or whether they both both shall be alike good.

Truely the light is sweete, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the Sunne.

But if a man liue many yeares, and reioyce in them all: yet let him remember the dayes of darknesse, for they shall be many. All that commeth is vanitie.

Reioyce O yong man in thy youth, and let thy heart cheere thee in the dayes of thy youth▪ and walke in the wayes of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee to iudge∣ment.

Therefore remoue sorrow from thine heart, and put away euill from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are va∣nitie.

CHAPTER XII.

Remember now thy Creator in the dayes of thy youth, while the euill dayes come not, nor the yeares draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I haue no pleasure in them.

While the Sunne, or the Light, or the Moone, or the Starres be not darkened, nor the Cloudes returne after the raine.

In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselues, and the grinders cease▪ because they are few, and those that looke out of the win∣dowes be darkened.

And the doores shall be shut in the streetes, when the sound of the grinding is low, and hee shall rise vp at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musicke shall be brought low.

Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and feares shall be in the way, and the Almond tree shall flou∣rish, and the grashopper shall be a burden, and desire shall faile: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streetes.

Or euer the siluer cord be loosed, or the golden bowle be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountaine, or the wheele broken at the Cisterne.

Then shall the dust returne to the earth, as it was: and the spirit shall returne to God who gaue it.

Vanitie of vanities, saith the Preacher, all is vani∣tie.

And moreouer, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge: yea hee gaue good heede, and sought out, and set in order many prouerbes.

The Preacher sought to finde out acceptable words▪ and that which was written was vpright, euen the words of truth.

The words of the wise are as goads, and as nailes fastened by the maisters of Assemblies, which are giuen from one Shepheard.

And further, by these, my sonne, be admonished: of making many bookes there is no end, and much studie is a wearinesse to the flesh.

Let vs heare the conclusion of the whole matter: Feare God, and keepe his commandements, for this is the whole dutie of man.

For God shall bring euery worke into iudgement, with euery secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be euill.

A TABLE.

errata