Ecclesiastes 8

Ecclesiastes 8:1

VVHo is] Though mans wisdom be so imperfect, yet it is of great esteeme Who knoweth] Besides he that is wise To shine] It causeth a tranquillitie of spirit in him, which appeares by his cleere, and jocond aspect; contrary to the fierce and sad lookes of those men who are possessed with turbulent passions.

Ecclesiastes 8:2

The oath] Namely the oath of alleagiance which the subjects sweare to their Prince, not onely for feare of men, but chiefly for feare of wronging thy Conscience towards God, Romans 13:5.

Ecclesiastes 8:3

Bee not hastie] Bee not rash nor hastie to be angry with thy Prince, upon a pretence of any injury done to thee by him, forsaking his service; if thou be one of his houshold servants; or flying from his obedience, if thou be one of his subjects In an evill thing] That is to say having committed any misdeed, having beene faultie in any businesse. Others do not persist in any evill action; that is to say, if thou beest in disgrace with thy Prince, seeke to appease him as soone as thou canst, Proverbs 25:15. that thou mayest not feele the thunder of his absolute power.

Ecclesiastes 8:5

The commandement] Namely of God, Shall feele] Shall keep himselfe from committing any fault as may provoke the Princes just wrath and indignation against him. The meaning is, that pietie towards God, shall by him bee rewarded with such wisdome, as may be applyed to any occasion.

Ecclesiastes 8:8

No man] It is true that by wisdome many evills may be avoided, but the punishment of impiety cannot bee avoided, no more than the course of the wind can be stayed, death shunned, or fighting avoyded by a Souldier that is enrolled, in some day of battell. This he saith to confirme that which he had said before, ver. 5. that innocency was the spring of mens safeties.

Ecclesiastes 8:9

Have I seene] I have considered of all these good meanes which man may use to live peaceably under a reasonable and a just Prince, and I have also perceived that there are some tyrants; that bring nothing but ruine upon their subjects and under which, none attaine to any promotion, but onely wicked men.

Ecclesiastes 8:10

Buried] That is to say which lay hidden for feare of the Lawes, or were kept under, and obscure, being not admitted to any dignity or Office From the place] Namely from Gods Temple, as it happened to David in Sauls ime, 1 Samuel 26:19 Vame] That is to say one of the disorders of the world: by which may be perceived how much names, and outward shewes may vary from the truth even in the highest and most excellent things, such as publicke governments are.

Ecclesiastes 8:14

Which is done] By men, especially by evill Princes who doe often time reward vice, and persecute vertue. Others take this to be spoken of Gods providence, which prospereth the wicked, and afflicteth good men, which is a vanitie not in respect of the providence it selfe which is alwayes most just, and most wise, but in respect of those worldly goods and evills which it disperseth so contrary to that which seemes convenient, whence it appeares that they are not reall goods nor evills.

Ecclesiastes 8:15

Then I] Seeing so many unavoidable evils, I resolved to set my minde at rest and take honest pleasures, referring all to Gods providence Vnder the Sunne] in respect of this corporall life, and the goods of this world Shall abide with him] The Italian hath it: Which is lent him]Whereof he hath but a little fruition, as it were through favour, and for a time, and no true and constant propriety.

Ecclesiastes 8:16

Seeth sleepe] Never rests from this deepe meditation.

Ecclesiastes 8:17

All the worke] All the ground of his government and providence, his counsells, ends reasons, and meanes.