A Brief Exposition of the Book of Ecclesiastes, Commentary on Ecclesiastes · Verse 32
Eccleſ. 12. v. 9.
And moreover, becauſe the Preacher was wiſe, he ſtill taught the people knowledge: yea he gave good heed, and ſought out, and ſet in order many proverbs.
FRom this verſe to the end of the chapter is the concluſion, which conſiſteth of two parts: Firſt, an encouragement to the reading of this and other books of Scripture, from verſe 9, to 12. Secondly, the ſum or ſcupe, and uſe of this and the other books of Scripture, to fear God, and keep his commandements; ſet forth and confirmed by a twofold Reaſon: firſt, from the compleat duty of man. Secondly, from the exact judgement of God, verſe 14. The former of theſe, to wit, the encouragement to the reading of this and other books of Scripture, is ſet on by ſeven Arguments: Firſt, from Solomon improvement of his wiſdom to teach the people knowledge; and that proportionably, according to his wiſdom. The more wiſe the Preacher was, the more he taught the people knowledge, v. 9.
Secondly, from the elaborate diligence in pondering or weighing, ſeeking out, ordering fit matters or words.
Thirdly, from the matter & frame of his words; they were words 1. Of knowledge. 2. Of weight or power; the word ſignifieth to rule or have authority, as if the words were fit to command ſaith and obedience, verſe 9. 3. Acceptable words, words of delight, v. 10. 4. Upright. 5. Of truth, v. 10.
Fourthly, from their efficacy, as 1. Goads. 2. Nailes, v. 11.
Fifthly, from their authority, 1. Miniſteriall, faſtned by the maſters of Aſſemblies. 2. Principall, or Soveraigne, given by one Paſtor, verſe 11.
Sixthly, from their ſufficiency; of theſe my ſonne be enlightned (or admoniſhed) verſe 12.
Seventhly, from the vanity and weariſomneſſe of reading many of other books, verſe 12.
Doctr. The more wiſe a Governour (or Ruler) eſpecially a Preacher is, the more he teacheth the people knowledge. If it be read, Becauſe the Preacher was wiſe, he ſtill taught the people knowledge, it comes to the ſame iſſue. For if the wiſdome of Solomon cauſed him to teach the people knowledge, then the more wiſe a man is, the more his wiſdome wil encline him to teach men knowledge. But in Solomons phraſe it is uſed in way of compariſon, as Eccleſ. 2.15. However this is evident, It is the wiſdome of a Ruler, eſpecially of a Preacher, to teach the people knowledge, 2 Chron. 17.7, 8, 9. Coloſ. 2.1, 2. 1 Cor. 10.1. & 12.1. & 14.18, 19, 20. 1 Theſ. 4.13. 2 Pet. 3.8. Jer. 3.15.
Reaſon 1. From wiſe mens knowledge of the excellency of knowledge, which ignorant men know not, and therefore regard not, Prov. 1.22. Eccleſ. 2.13, 14. & 7.12. Prov. 19.2. Hoſ. 4.6. Iſai. 27.11.
Reaſon 2. From their calling. They have a Paſtorall charge of the people, yea of the ſoules of the people, Rulers, Pſal. 78.70.71, 72. 2 Sam. 24.17. Preachers, Heb. 13:17. God giveth to non power over the bodies of his people, but he giveth them alſo charge over their ſoules. [ſee verſe 1.]
Reaſon 3. For regard to their own comfort. Ignorant ſubjects wil be either, 1. Rebels, and unruly, 2 Chron. 15.3, 5, 6. 2. Flatterers, Hoſ. 7.3, 5. 3. Barbarians. Ignorant people will be either 1. unprofitable hearers, Jer. 5.3, 4. 2. Perſecutors, (which is worſe) Acts 3.17. 1 Tim. 1.13.
Ʋſe 1. To teach all men of wiſdom, that have people under them, whether in Church, as Preachers; Commonwealth, as Magiſtrates; Family, as Parents, Maſters; that it is a part of your wiſdom to teach your people knowledge; and the more wiſdome, the more to teach them knowledge. Preachers, Jer. 3.15. Magiſtrates, as before. Houſholders, to their Wives, 1 Pet. 3.17. Children, Epheſ. 6.4. Deut. 6.7. Servants. Gen. 18, 19. Schoolmaſters and Tutors, Prov. 30.
Magiſtrates teach knowledge, (not onelyonly as Solomon here by writing) but, Firſt, by providing and ſending forth good Miniſters, 2 Chron. 17.7, 8, 9. Secondly, by erecting and publiſhing good laws, Deut. 4.5, 6. eſpecially for the free paſſage of true Religion, Ezra 7.23. Thirdly, by removing ſtumbling blocks (Teachers of lyes) out of the way, 2 Chron. 17.6. Fourthly, by puniſhment of evil doers, Judg. 8, 7, 16. Prov. 19.25 & 21.11. Fifthly, by preferment and encouragement of wel-doers, Prov. 22.11. Pſal. 101, 6. Sixthly, by example, Pſal. 122.1, 2.
Miniſters teach knowledge, firſt, by diſpenſing ordinances, Jer. 31.15. Secondly, by exemplary converſation, 1 Tim. 4.12. Houſholders teach by Chatechiſing, Prov. 22.6. Wholſome Diſcipline, Prov. 29.15. and godly example, 1 Chron. 28.19.
All of them teach by maintenance of Schooles of good learning, Acts 7.22. Elſe knowledge is more hard to be attained, John 7.15.
Ʋſe 2. To teach people to be as willing to learn knowledge; elſe how ſhall others teach knowledge?
Ʋſe 3. To teach us what is indeed knowledge; to wit, ſuch things as Solomon taught, Prov. 9.10. As firſt, the vanity of the creature, eſpecially of a mans ſelfe by nature, as in Eccleſiaſtes. Secondly, the precious ſweetneſſe of the love of Chriſt, in the Canticles. Thirdly, the right ordering of Commonwealths, or Families, as in the Proverbs, Prov. 9.30.