A Brief Exposition of the Book of Ecclesiastes, Commentary on Ecclesiastes · Verse 35
Eccleſ. 12.13.
Let us beare the concluſion of the whole matter: Feare God, and keep his Commandements, for this is the whole duty of man.
THeſe two laſt verſes contain a ſecond part of the concluſion of the whole Chapter: The former was a pithy exhortation to receive this book, and other books of Scripture penned and opened by the maſters of the Aſſemblies, and given by Chriſt, v. 9: to 12.
This latter is a conſectary of the ſumme and ſcope of the whole book, which is ſummed up in theſe two, Feare God, keep his Commandements. Which is amplified by an Introduction calling for audience and attention, Let us heare the end (ſumme, concluſion) of the whole matter, to wit, of the whole fore-going diſcourſe of the vanities of the creatures, and of all the conditions thereof. And confirmed by a twofold argument, 1. From the ſumme of mans duty and ſafety for this (to feare God and to keep his Commandements) is the whole of man, the whole duty of man, verſe 13. the whole ſafety and ſtay of man, that which ſtayeth with him. 2. From the ſtrict exactneſſe of the laſt judgement, verſe 14.
Doctr. 1. It is a concluſion worthy of all attention; that the ends and ſcope of diſcovering and diſcerning all earthly vanities, is to feare God and keep his Commandements; the ſame courſe John Baptiſt tooke to the ſame end, Iſai. 40.6, 7, 8. Its a concluſion worthy of all attention; for Solomon calleth upon himſelfe as well as upon all his people, let us heare, &c. As a Cocke clappeth his own ſides with his wings, to ſtir up himſelfe, before he awaken others with his crowing. For clearing this point it would be opened, 1. What is the feare of God? 2. What are meant by his Commandements? 3. What is meant by the keeping of them.
The feare of God it is an holy affection of the heart, whereby we are affected towards God offended with the greateſt terrour, and towards God reconciled with greateſt reverence, Heb. 12.28. godly feare, Iſai. 8.13, 2 Pſal. 90.11, & 119, 53. Luke 12.4, 5. 3 Heb. 1….28. Pſal 130.4. Exod. 15.11. fearful in praiſ, Hoſ. 3.5. Hence being affected to God, offended with greateſt terror, Firſt, we eſchew all ſin whereby God is offended whether man take notice of it or no, Job 1.8, & 31, 21, 23. Secondly, no worldly dangers feared ſo much as God; diſpleaſure, Luke 12.4, 5. Thirdly, No matter ſo weighty as to ſeek Chriſt in whom our reconciliation is wrought, 2 Cor. 5.11, 14.
Hence being affected to God reconciled with greateſt reverence, Firſt, Chriſt in whom we are reconciled is moſt reverenced and adored, Pſal. 130.4. and moſt cloſely cleaved to, Jer. 39.40. Secondly, His word moſt venerable and awful, Iſai. 66.2. Pſalm 119.16. Thirdly, Our own ability is diſtruſted and we walk in awful dependance on Chriſt in our whole ſervice of God, Phil. 2.12, 13. Hebr. 12.28. Rom. 11.20. 1 Pet. 1.17, 18. Reverence ariſing from apprehenſion of his tranſcendent greatneſſe, and goodneſſe, we worſhip him, and endeavour to approve our ſelves to him, to be accepted of him.
2. The Commandements, be the ten Commandements; Deut. 4.13. which is further explained in the Goſpel by believing on Chriſt, 1 John 3.23.
3. To keep theſe Commandements is ſet forth by compariſons. As our way, Joſh. 1.7. As our Treaſure, Rev. 3.20, 21. As the apple of our eye, Prov. 7.2. And as our life and ſoul, Prov. 19.16. that is, with all diligence, faithfulneſſe, tenderneſſe, and preheminence.
Reaſon 1. From the whole of man wrapt up in the feare God and keeping his Commandements; it is our whole perfection and ſafety; life maketh us equal to a Plant, ſenſe to a Beaſt, reaſon to a man, grace (fearing God and keeping his Commandements) to Angels, Luke 20.36. Iſai. 6.2. Pſal. 103.20. It compleateth our conformity to the Image of God: It is our whole duty, and attaineth an everlaſting happy eſtate Deut. 5.29. elſe we walke in vanity, Pſal. 39.5, 6. and feare death, hell, the faces of men.
Reaſon 2. From the vanity of ſeeking after Gods feare, and yet not weaned from the vanities of the world, Marke 6.20.
Reaſon 3. From the vanity of weanedneſſe from earthly vanities, without learning the feare of God, and keeping his Commandements; ſuch was all the devotion of Popery, leaving great eſtates, yea Kingdomes to live and dye in a Fryers Coule, Iſai. 1.11, 12, 13.
Reaſon 4. Of the attention due to this word and counſel: Firſt, From the dulneſſe of our hearing, Heb. 5.11. Secondly, From the weightineſſe of the duty, Text. Thirdly, From the noiſe of worldly matters and imbred luſts hindring our attention.
Ʋſe 1. To refute the Antinomians who abrogate the Commandements, and in ſumme hold forth, Grace without Chriſt, Chriſt without Faith, Faith without the word of promiſe applyed particularly to me by the ſpirit, And the word of the Goſpel without the word of the law.
Ʋſe 2. To teach us to make theſe two duties our whole worke, Deut. 5.29.