The Book of Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon Paraphrased, Frontispiece – Dedication
Effigies Reverendi in Christo Patris D: Simonis Patrick Eliensis Episcopi.
A PARAPHRASE UPON THE BOOKS OF ECCLESIASTES AND THE SONG of SOLOMON. WITH ARGUMENTS to each Chapter, and ANNOTATIONS thereupon.
By SYMON PATRICK D. D. Now Lord Biſhop of Ely.
LONDON, Printed by W. H. for Luke Meredith at the Star in St. Paul's Church-Yard, MDCC.
To the Right Reverend Father in God and the no leſs Honourable HENRY, Lord BISHOP of LONDON, one of His MAJESTY'S moſt Honourable Privy Council.
MY LORD,
WE ſee in Your Lordſhip ſuch a plain and familiar Example of that Wiſdom which SOLOMON preaches in the Book of ECCLESIASTES, that I am invited thereby to this boldneſs of prefixing Your Lordſhip's Name before the Paraphraſe I have made upon it, and upon the Book that follows it.
A Wiſdom, which hath raiſed Your Mind above the deceitfulneſs of Riches, and of all Worldly Glories: a Divine Wiſdom, which hath raiſed You above your ſelf; and made the faithful ſervice of God, and of the King, the ſole ſcope of all Your Endeavours.
It is a token ſurely of the Divine favour towards us, and ought to be reckoned among the felicities of our Sovereign's Reign, that a Vertue ſo active and laborious in doing good, is placed in ſuch a wide and capacious Sphere, as that wherein Your Lordſhip moves. From whence Your influences are no leſs powerful than they are benign: ſtirring us up to induſtry, and quickning us, by Your own great Example, to do our Duties uprightly and unweariedly in our ſeveral Stations.
Some ſmall ſervice I hope I have performed in the Explication of theſe two holy Books. In the firſt of which (according to the ancient Opinion) the foundation is laid for a due progreſs unto the other: the Mind not being fitted for ſuch ſublime thoughts, as lye hid under the Figures, in the Book of Canticles, till it hath learnt by the Eccleſiaſtes, the vanity of all earthly Enjoyments; and, by looking down upon them with contempt, be diſpoſed to value heavenly Bleſſings. To this purpoſe Origen diſcourſes in his Preface to the Song of Songs.
Which is a Depth into which I have adventured to dive, though it hath been famous, as one ſpeaks, for the ſhipwrack of many great Pilots: who went too far, as I conceive, and ſought for more there than is to be found; and therefore miſcarried. Which Rock I have carefully avoided; and ſteered my Courſe by ſuch a clear and certain Direction (which I thought I eſpied in other holy Writings) that if I have kept my eye ſtedfaſtly fixt upon it, I am ſatisfied hath not miſled me, but carried me to the right ſenſe of this admirable Piece of Divine Poetry.
Which I truſt I have made ſo evident, that if the Readers will ſeriouſly conſider the Riſe and Ground I have taken for my Expoſition: even they who have made bold to prophane this Book with their wanton imaginations, will hereafter look upon it with reverence.
If in any Part of this difficult Work, I have miſtaken my way Your Lordſhip I know hath the Goodneſs, not only to pardon the errours of my weakneſs, but, to accept of the ſincerity of my endeavours to do Honour to the Holy Scriptures: by repreſenting them, to the beſt of my power, in their native Beauty, that is ſimplicity, unto the eyes of thoſe, who have the heart to make them their Study.
Praying God to continue Your Lordſhip a long Bleſſing to this Church, by Your prudent, ſteady and obliging Conduct, in the Government of us, who have the happineſs to be under Your particular care; I remain,
MY LORD, Your moſt humble and dutiful Servant, S. Patrick.