A Brief Exposition of the Book of Ecclesiastes, Commentary on Ecclesiastes · Verses 28
Eccleſ. 4.9, to 12.
9. Two are better then one, becauſe they have a good reward of their labour.
10. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but wo to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up
11. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12. And if one prevaile againſt him, two ſhall withſtand him: and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
UPon occaſion of ſpeech of the vanity that befalleth the loneſome eſtate of men by covetouſneſſe, he declareth another vanity that befalleth the loneſome eſtate of men (though covetouſneſſe be wanting) through unprofitableneſs and helpleſneſs; and therefore preferreth the ſociety of two, and much more of three before loneſomneſſe. And that in all the affairs which are incident to humane life; which are all of them either, firſt, Voluntary: of which kind he putteth in (as in the reſt) one example for many; as labour; Two have a better reward for their labour, v. 9. Secondly, Caſual; if the one fall, the other ſhall help up his fellow, Which he amplifieth by the woe or miſery that may befall a loneſome man in ſuch caſe for want of help, v. 10. Thirdly, natural: if two lie together, then they have heat: amplified by deniall of warmth to one alone, v. 11. Fourthly, violent; If one prevaile againſt him, two ſhall withſtand: which he amplifieth by a Proverbiall Epiphonema, A threefold cord is not eaſily broken, v. 12.
Doct. Society in all ſorts of humane affaires is better then Solitarineſs.
Some conceive, this place ſpoken in praiſe of marriage, and preferment of it above ſingle life; but though that have the place here, marriage being one kind of ſociety, yet is not marriage onelyonly here meant. Yea, the Proverb of a threefold cord doth not ſo fitly agree to that. Polygamy is not preferred before Digamy; I mean before the marriage of two, one man with one woman.
Firſt, in voluntary affaires; God would have two workmen chiefe about the Ark, 1 Bezaliel. 2 Aholiab. Exod. 31.2, 6. The Egyptians in Pierius Hieroglyphicks expreſſed the unprofitableneſs of a ſolitary man by one milſtone which alone grindeth no meale, but with his fellow is moſt ſerviceable to prepare meale, and ſo bread for man. In the body all inſtruments of action are made by paires, as hands, feet, eyes, eares, legs, things, &c. though but one head; it is becauſe a man hath liberty to conſult with many heads in any buſineſſe of importance. Yea, if the buſineſs be urgent, and require haſt, yet he hath another, his wife in his own family. In ſpiritual things, Chriſt ſent forth his Diſciples two by two, Luke 10.1. Paul and Barnabas ſent out together, by the Holy Ghoſt, Acts 13.2. And when they fell out, Paul took Silas, and Barnabas took Mark, Acts 15.39, 40. Hence a Paſtor and a Teacher appointed to aſſiſt one another for one Congregation, Rom. 12.7, 8. In all duties two or three have a ſpecial aſſiſtance, Matth. 18.20.
Secondly, in Caſual events; Though a man may travel often, and finde no harm, meet with no fall; or having fallen, may help himſelfe. yer ſometimes a dangerous fall happeneth, in which ſociety helpeth and ſaveth, Luke 10.30. which is moſt apparent in ſpiritual fals, 2 Sam. 12.1, to 13. 2 Chron. 19.2. In theſe fals which are bodily, men ſooner feel their falls, and the danger of them; but in ſpirituall falls ſinne is of a venemous nature, and like ſome poyſons blindeth the eyes, and ſtupifieth the feeling; ſo that here a faithful Chriſtian helper is a ſpecial mercy.
Thirdly, In natural diſpoſitions and works; if one lie alone, in old and cold age, or in cold weather, he is without heat, 1 Kings 1.1, 2. Brands of fire laid together keep heat; one alone, though never ſo wel kindled, goeth out. In ſpiritual matters much more. Compare 2 Cor. 1.12, 13. with Acts 18.5. See alſo 2 Chron. 24.2, 17, 18. & 26.5, 16.
Fourthly, In violent aſſaults, one much helpeth his fellow, 2 Sam. 10.9, to 12. In ſpiritual aſſaults it is the like caſe: Eve alone yeilded to the tempter, who if ſhe had kept with her husband, and conſulted with him, might have reſiſted the temptation, and kept her innocency.
Reaſon 1. From the Lords appointment of mankind to live in Societies, firſt, of Family, Gen. 2.18. Pſal. 68.6. Secondly, Church, Epheſ. 2.19, 22. Thirdly, Commonwealth, Epheſ. 2.12.
Reaſon 2. From the variety of gifts given to the ſonnes of men; and to none all, that one might ſtand in need of another, and make uſe of one another, 1 Cor. 12.8, to 11. Yea, it is ſo in Civil gifts; No man is skilled in all Occupations.
Reaſon 3. From the ſubordination of ſome Gifts to others, as the Bricklayer to the Maſon, the maker of morter to both; whence theſe together, much further one anothers buſineſs, and ſo make better riddance of work, and get a better reward.
Ʋſe 1. To refute the Popiſh Anchorites and Hermites, who think ſolitary life a ſtate of perfection; but Solomon judgeth it a woful eſtate.
Ʋſe 2. To refute ſuch as love to be alone in all their counſels and proceedings, and are not willing to communicate with others. Thus pride of heart maketh a man of a ſavage nature; wild beaſts love to goe alone, but tame by flocks and herds. And to teach men to affect ſociety in all their affairs. Solomon, though full of wiſdom, yet had a Colledge of wiſe Councellors, 1 Kings 12.6.
Ʋſe 3. To perſwade alſo ſeaſonably to marriage, yea as preferring it before ſingle life, Gen. 2.18. Adam had no need of a wife as a remedy againſt incontinency, yet married.
Ʋſe 4. To teach men in ſocieties to doe one another the more good; Elſe Solomons diſcourſe falleth: Now a daies company doth one another much hurt.