Exposition Upon Ecclesiastes, Chapter 7 · Verse 5, 6
Ver. 5. It is better to hear the Rebuke of the Wiſe, than for a Man to hear the Song of Fools.
6. For as the crackling of thorns under a Pot: ſo is the laughter of a Fool: This alſo is Vanity.
IN the third place Solomon commends patient ſubmiſſion to the Reproofs of the Wiſe, whether publick Miniſters, or privat Chriſtians, who have Wiſdom and Calling from God to diſcover the nature, Hazard, and Remedy of Mens Sinfulneſs, and this is alſo to be taken as another mean of bringing Men to their true Happineſs and contentment: The Hearing of theſe Reproofs he ſaith, is better than the hearing of the Song of Fools: By the Song of Fools is meant, not only Ungodly Mens Glorying in their Sinful Courſes, but alſo, and mainly, according to the Scope, their Flatteries and applauding of others in their Sins. Next, He giveth a Reaſon why the ſevereſt Rebukes of Wiſe and Serious Men, ſhould be more acceptable than Wicked Mens Flattering Approbations, becauſe all the Joy that Wicked Men have in their way, and conſequently in their Flattering, or being Flattered by others, is of very ſhort continuance: And this he Illuſtrats by the ſimilitude of Thorns blazing and making a noiſe for a little, and ſoon ending in ſmoak, upon which he paſſeth Cenſure, that for Men to Rejoice in Sin, to Flatter others therein, or to be taken with the applauſe or Flattery of others, This alſo is Vanity.
Hence Learn. 1. The beſt of Men are not above the neceſſity of Reproofs, all being ſubject to manifold ſailings Jam. 3.2. and ready to ſleep ſecurely in their Sins, except by ſome wiſe Reprover they be alarmed. 2 Sam. 12.5. For, while he commends unto all ſubmiſſion to Rebukes, he ſuppoſes none above the neceſſity of them, It is better to hear the Rebuke of the Wiſe. &c.
2. Men are ſo in love with their Idols before they be wakened and reclaimed, that they have within them much oppoſition to Rebukes, and diſcoveries of the evil of their Ways, and cannot prize theſe as ſweet and beneficial to them, as they will do after they are wakened: Even what Mens own Conſciences will Rebuke them for, they will not willingly admit of Reproofs for it from others, but are in hazard to like better the Flatteries, and Applauſe of others ſoothing them in ther Sins, than wholeſome and ſharp Rebukes. Therefore the Spirit of the Lord ſees it neceſſary to commend theſe as much to be prefered to the ſweeteſt Flatteries, It is better to hear the Rebuke of the Wiſe, then the ſong of Fools.
3. There is much need of Wiſdom in a Reprover (if ſo be he would expect acceptance and ſucceſs as a reward) for diſcerning the Seaſon, the manner of Reproving, and eſpecially the temper of the perſons to be Reproved, that he may change his Voice (as Paul ſpeaks Gal. 4.20) or frame his ſtrain accordingly; that he may neither Rebuke without cauſe, nor ſo as to irritate the party juſtly Rebuked, nor for fear of diſpleaſing any, conceal his juſt Indignation at their Sins. For the Reproof which is here commended to be ſubmitted unto, is the Rebuke of the Wiſe.
4. As Men deſire to be truely Happy, and have true peace and contentment of Spirit, they muſt ſubmit to the ſharpeſt Rebukes of the Wiſe, and look upon the ſame, as a mean of promoving their Happineſs, the main end of them being to diſcover to Men, and reclaim them from theſe Sins which marr their peace and Happineſs; For in order to the attaining of true peace and Happineſs, is this commended, It is better to hear the Rebuke of the Wiſe.
5. As it is the mark of one void of the ſaving knowledge of God (who is the Fool indeed) to Glory in his Sin, and eſpecially to delight in Flattering others, and ſinging them a ſleep in their Sins; ſo thoſe that are in love with their Luſts, are much raviſhed and delighted with the Flatteries and Aplauſe of other Sinners: For Mens carnal Mirth, and particularly their Flattering of others in Sin, is here called The ſong of Fools, becauſe it uſes to be ſweet, both to the Flattering and the Flattered Fool.
6. We are not to eſteem of the ſpeeches of others, according as they are pleaſant unto our corrupt nature, to which nothing is ſweet, but what gratifies ſome Luſt, but according as they may be truly profitable, and conducing for our Happineſs, though they be never ſo contrary to our corrupt inclination, and eſteem that the beſt ſtrain for us: For it is better to hear the Rebuke of the Wiſe, than the Song of the Fools.
7. As carnal mirth is of very ſhort continuance, and ends in wo: ſo it concerns Chriſts Miniſters to ſtudy the moſt effectual way of repreſenting the ſame to men, and with all how little pleaſure a Gracious heart can have in it, as is imported in the ſimilitude Solomon makes uſe of here, As the crakling of Thorns under a Pot, ſo is the laughter of Fools.
8. It is a great Vanity for men to Glory in that which is their Shame, namely their Sin, or to be delighted with that which ſo ſoon evaniſhes, and hath ſo black an end: For Solomon ſpeaking mainly of Sinners delight in Flattering or being Flattered by others, he ſaith This is alſo Vanity.