A Brief Exposition of the Book of Ecclesiastes, Commentary on Ecclesiastes · Verses 26
Eccleſ. 4.5, 6.
5. The foole foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own fleſh.
6. Better is an handful with quietneſſe, then both the hands full with travel and vexation of ſpirit.
SOlomon having ſhewed the vanity that befalleth men through Oppreſſion, and Envy, he proceedeth to ſhew the vanity that befalleth the eſtate of men though idleneſſe; where he deſcribeth the idle perſon, Firſt, by his Adjunct of folly, the fool. Secondly, By his ceſſation from action, and his compoſing himſelfe to that ceſſation, a fool foldeth his hands together: Thirdly, By the cauſe of that his ceſſation or reſtineſſe, a deceitful imagination of the betterment of an handful with eaſe and quietneſſe, then of both the hands full with travel and vexation of ſpirit, verſe 6.
Doct. 1. An idle perſon by his forbearance of labour maketh himſelfe both a fool and a beggar; or a man that withholdeth himſelfe from labour, doth both befool and undoe himſelfe. Folding of the hands together, is an act of an idle or ſlothful perſon, Firſt, withholding himſelfe from labour, Secondly, Compoſing himſelfe to reſt, or ſleep, Prov. 24.30, 33, and 6, 10. It is all one, whether he fold his fingers together, or fold his armes together, put his hands into his pocket or boſome, Prov. 19, 24. All alike expreſſe ceſſation from labour with a minde to forbeare it.
Reaſons of befooling himſelfe, Firſt, it is folly to miſtake Names and Natures of things, eſpecially to delude our ſelves with falſe names. To account and call that to be quietneſſe which is idleneſſe, ſloathfulneſſe, ſluggiſhneſſe, to account diligent labour, Travel, vexation of ſpirit. Secondly, It is folly to think an handful will be gotten with idleneſſe; whereas nothing will be ſo gotten, Prov. 13.4, & 20, 4, & 23, 21, & 24, 34. Thirdly, It is folly to thinke an handful gotten with eaſe and idleneſſe, is better then both the handfuls with diligent labour; whereas a little gotten with labour is more precious and comfortable, Eccleſ, 5.12. Prov. 12.27. Fourthly, It is folly, yea a fooliſh tempting of God, to ſeparate the end from the meanes; to expect maintenance without labour, Gen. 3.17. Prov. 10.4. Fifthly, It is a like folly to ſeparate the meanes from the end, God having given hands to labour, minde and wit to employ in ſome honeſt calling, for private and publike good ends, which to neglect is a ſloathful folly, Matth. 25.26. 6. It is a folly for a man to prefer his wiſdome and practice above others who excel him, verſe 6. This folly is very incident to idle perſons, Prov. 26.16.
Reaſons of undoing himſelfe, Firſt, By waſting and neglecting the meanes of his ſubſiſtence, Prov. 18.9. Eccleſ. 10.18. Prov. 20.4. No mans eſtate is infinite or bottomleſſe. Prov. 27.24, to 27. Secondly, By breeding diſeaſes, waſting body; Reſt to the body is as Ruſt to Mettall: 3 By corrupting the mind with Wantonneſs, Pride, Folly. Ezek. 16.49. Standing Pools gather mud and venemous vermine. 4 By waſting a mans Kindred alſo who are his own fleſh.
Ʋſe 1: To wean us from Idleneſs, as that which maketh us both Fools and Beggars. See all the Particulars in the Reaſons.
It is a ſin againſt the third Commandement, as ſpending our Time and Talents in vain. Againſt the fourth Commandement, as not labouring fix days, and ſo unfitting us for Reſt on the ſeventh. Againſt the fifth Commandement, Pro. 10.5. Againſt the ſixth Commandement, in the Text. Againſt the ſeventh Commandement. Ezek. 16.49. Againſt the eighth Commandement, Pro. 10.4. & 19.15. & 20.4. Idleneſs is counted a Gentlemans life, but it is a baſe and fooliſh Condition.
Ʋſe 2. To obſerve the deceitfullneſs of Sin: to cover and colour Idleneſs with the name of Quietneſs, but Labour with the name of Travell and Vexation of ſpirit: Selflove maketh us apt to make a good conſtruction of our own ways: The vicinity or neerneſs of Vertue and Vice, maketh us apt to miſtake and miſcall one for another.
Ʋſe 3. To teach Parents to train up their Children in a way of Diligence. If either Parent be idle, Children will follow the worſe part. God gave Chriſt a Calling to be King, Prieſt and Prophet to his Church: the Angels have all a Calling, Heb. 1.14. Adam in Paradiſe a Gardiner, Gen. 2.15. Cain a Husbandman, Abel a Shepherd, Noah a Vinedreſſer. Kings muſt be diligent and provident, Pro. 27.23. to 27. Queens Huſwifes, Pro. 31.
Ʋſe 4. To teach us to labour moſt in our chiefeſt work. 2 Pet. 1.10. Phil. 2.12.