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Exposition of Ecclesiastes

by George Sikes

Published: 1680
Length: 197,033 words
Reading: ~13 hours
Divisions: 221

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An exposition of Ecclesiastes, or, The preacher

London printed in the year, 1680. Sold by Samuel Lee, at the Feathers in Lombard-Street, near Popes-head Alley [1680]

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The Life and Death of Sir Henry Vane

1662

Original spelling, as transcribed by the Text Creation Partnership.

Front matter
Title page
Text
Illustration
Chapter 1
Verse 1Vers. I. The words of the Preacher, the Son of David, King of Jerusalem.
Verse 2Vers. II. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; Vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
Verse 3Vers. III. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the Sun?
Verse 4Vers. IV. One generation passeth away, and another generation commeth: but the earth abideth for ever.
Verse 5Vers. V. The Sun also ariseth, and the Sun goeth down, and hasteth to (or panteth aster) his place, where…

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Verse 6Vers. VI. The Wind goeth towards the South, and turneth about unto the North; it whirleth about…
Verse 7Vers. VII. All the rivers run into the Sea; yet the Sea is not full: unto the place from whence the rivers…
Verse 8Vers. VIII. All things are full of labour, man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor…
Verse 9Vers. IX. The thing that hath been, is that which shall be: and that which is done, is that which shall be…
Verse 10Vers. X. Is there any thing, whereof it may be said, see, this is new? it hath bin already of Old time,…
Verse 9Vers. IX. There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall their be any remembrance of things that…
Verse 12Vers. XII. I the Preacher was King over Israel, in Jerusalem.
Verse 13Vers. XIII. And I gave my heart to seek and search out by Wisdom, concerning all things that are done under…

221 divisions in the TEI outline

Subjects

Bible · O.T · Ecclesiastes · Commentaries

Details

Author: George Sikes
Imprint: London printed in the year, 1680. Sold by Samuel Lee, at the Feathers in Lombard-Street, near Popes-head Alley [1680]
Extent: [2], 478 p.
Language: English
Catalogue: Wing S6323A · ESTC R221693
Source: TCP A62085
Licence: CC0 1.0 Universal (Text Creation Partnership)

The Book of Nature Translated and Epitomized

1667

Verse 14Vers. 14. I have seen all the works that are done under the Sun; and behold, all is vanity, and vexation of…

Verse 15Vers. 15. That which is crooked, cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting, cannot be numbred.

Verse 16Vers. XVI. I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more…

Verse 17Vers. XVII. And I gave my heart to know Wisdom, and to know Madness and Folly: I perceived that this also…

Verse 18Vers. XVIII. For, in much wisdom is much grief: and he that encreaseth knowledg, increaseth sorrow.

Verse 1Vers. I. I said in my heart, go to now; I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and behold,…

Verse 2Vers. II. I said of Laughter, it is mad: and of Mirth, what doth it?

Verse 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10Vers. III. I sought in mine heart, to give my self unto wine (yet acquainting my heart with Wisdom) and to…

Verse 11Vers. XI. Then I looked on all the workes that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured…

Verse 12Vers. XII. And I turned my self to behold wisdom, and madness and folly: for, what can the man do, that…

Verse 13Vers. XIII. Then I saw, that Wisdom excelleth Folly, as far as Light excelleth Darkness.

Verse 14Vers. XIIII. The wise Man's Eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I my self perceived…

Verse 15Vers. XV. Then said I in my heart, as it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I…

Verse 16Vers. XVI. For there is no remembrance of the wise, more then of the fool, for ever; seeing that which now…

Verse 17Vers. XVII. Therefore I hated life, because the Work that is wrought, under the sun, is grievous unto me:…

Verse 18Vers. XVIII. Yea, I hated all my labour, which I had taken under the Sun: because I should leave it unto…

Verse 19Vers. XIX. And, who knoweth whether he shall be a wise Man, or a fool? Yet shall he have Rule over all my…

Verse 20Vers. XX. Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the Labour which I took under the Sun.

Verse 21Vers. XXI. For, there is a man, whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity: Yet, to a man…

Verse 22Vers. XXII. For, what hath a Man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath…

Verse 23Vers. XXIII. For, all his dayes are sorrows; and his Travel, grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the…

Verse 24Vers. XXIIII. There is nothing better for a man, then that he should Eat and Drink; and that he should make…

Verse 25Vers. XXV. For, who can eat? or who else can hasten hereunto, more then I?

Verse 26Vers. XXVI. For, God giveth to a man that is good in his sight, Wisdom, and Knowledg, and Joy: But, to the…

Verse 1Vers. I. To every thing there is a Season, and a time to every Purpose under the Heaven.

Verse 2, 3, 4Vers. 2. A time to be Born, and a time to Die: A time to Plant, and a time to pluck up that which is Planted.

Verse 5Vers, 5. A time to cast away Stones, and a time to gather Stones together: a time to embrace, and a time to…

Verse 6Vers. 6. A time to Get and a time to Lose: A time to Keep, and a time to cast Away.

Verse 7Vers. 7. A time to Rent, and a time to Sew: A time to keep Silence and a time to Speak.

Verse 8Vers. VIII. A time to Love, and a time to Hate: a time of War, and a time of Peace.

Verse 9Vers. IX. What profit hath he that worketh, in that wherein he laboureth?

Verse 10Vers. X. I have seen the travel which God hath given to the Sons of Men, to be exercised in it; Heb. To…

Verse 11Vers. XI. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the World in their heart, so…

Verse 12Vers. XII. I know that there is no good in them, but for a Man to rejoyce, and to do good in his life.

Verse 13Vers. 13. And also, that every Man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his Labour, it is the…

Verse 14Vers. XIV. I know that whatsoever God doth, it shall be for ever: Nothing can be put to it, nor any thing…

Verse 15Vers. XV. That which hath been, is now; and that which is to be, hath already been; and God requireth that…

Verse 16Vers. XVI. And moreover, I saw under the Sun, the place of Judgment, that Wickedness was there; and the…

Verse 17Vers. XVII. I said in mine Heart, God shall Judg the Righteous and the Wicked: For, there is a time there,…

Verse 18Vers. XVIII. I said in my Heart, concerning the Estate of the Sons of Men, that God might Manifest them,…

Verse 19Vers. XIX. For, that which befalleth the Sons of Men, befalleth Beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as…

Verse 20Vers. XX. All go unto one place: All are of the Dust, and all turn to Dust again.

Verse 21Vers. XXI. Who knoweth the Spirit of Man that goeth upward, and the Spirit of the Beast that goeth downward…

Verse 22Vers. XXII. Wherefore, I perceive, that there is nothing better, then that a Man should rejoyce in his own…

Verse 1Vers. I. So I returned, and considered all the Oppressions that are done under the Sun. And behold, the…

Verse 2Vers. II. Wherefore I praised the Dead which are already Dead, more than the living which are yet alive.

Verse 3Vers. III. Yea, better is he then both they, which hath not yet bin; who hath not seen the evil work that…

Verse 4Vers. IV. Again, I consider'd all travel, and every right work; that for this a Man is envied of his…

Verse 5Vers. V. The Fool foldeth his Hands together, and Eateth his own Flesh.

Verse 6Vers. VI. Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full, with travel and Vexation of spirit.

Verse 7Vers. VII. Then I returned, and I saw Vanity under the Sun.

Verse 8Vers. VIII. There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither Child nor Brother: Yet is…

Verse 9Vers. IX. Two are better then one; because they have a good reward for their Labour.

Verse 10Vers. X. For if they fall, the one will lift up his Fellow; but Wo to him that is alone, when he falleth:…

Verse 11Vers. XI. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but, how can one be warm alone?

Verse 12Vers. XII. And, if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a three-fold Cord is not quickly…

Verse 13Vers. XIII. Better is a poor and a wise Child, than an Old and foolish King, who will no more be admonished…

Verse 14Vers. XIV. For, out of Prison he cometh to Reign (Heb. Out of the House of Bond-Men, or Bondage, he goes…

Verse 15Vers. XV. I considered all the living which walk under the Sun, with the second Child that shall stand up…

Verse 16Vers. XVI. There is no end of all the People, even of all that have been before them: they also that come…

Verse 1Vers. I. Keep thy Foot, when thou goest to the House of God; and be more ready to hear, then to give the…

Verse 2V. II. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for, God…

Verse 3Vers. III. For, a Dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by a…

Verse 4Vers. IV. When thou vowest a Vow unto God, deferr not to pay it: For, he hath no pleasure in Fools; pay…

Verse 5Vers. V. Better is it, that thou should'st not vow, then that thou should'st vow, and not pay.

Verse 6Vers. 6. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to Sin; neither say thou before the Angel (70. before God)…

Verse 7Vers. VII. For, in the multitude of Dreams, and many Words, there are also divers Vanities: but, fear thou…

Verse 8Vers. 8. If thou seest the Oppression of the Poor, and violent perverting of Judgment and Justice in a…

Verse 9Vers. IX. Moreover, the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.

Verse 10Vers. X. He that loveth silver, shall not be satisfied with silver: nor he that loveth abundance, with…

Verse 11Verse. XI. When goods encrease, they are increas'd that eat them: and what good is there to the owners…

Verse 12Vers. XII. The sleep of a labouring Man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance (Arab.…

Verse 13Vers. XIII. There is a sore Evil, which I have seen under the Sun; namely, Riches kept for the Owners…

Verse 14Vers. XIV. But, those riches perish by evil travel (Heb. in the evil use (or employment) of them) and, he…

Verse 15Vers. XV. As he came forth of his Mothers Womb, naked shall he return, to go as he came; and, shall take…

Verse 16Vers. XVI. And, this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit…

Verse 17Vers. XVII. All his days also he eateth in darkness; and he hath much sorrow, and wrath with his sickness.

Verse 18Vers. XVIII. Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comly for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy…

Verse 19Vers. XIX. Every man also, to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat…

Verse 20Vers. XX. For, he shall not much remember the days of his Life; because God answereth him in the joy of his…

Verse 1, 2Vers. I. There is an evil which I have seen under the Sun, and it is common among Men: (Hebr. much upon…

Verse 3Vers. 3. If a Man beget an hundred Children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many,…

Verse 4Vers. 4. For he cometh in with Vanity, and departeth in darkness; and, his name shall be covered with…

Verse 5Vers. 5. Moreover, he hath not seen the Sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other.

Verse 6Vers. 6. Yea, though he live a thousand years, twice told; yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one…

Verse 7Vers. 7. All the labour of Man is for his mouth: and yet the appetite (Heb. Soul) is not fill'd.

Verse 8Ver. 8. For, what hath the Wise more than the Fool? What hath the Poor, that knoweth to walk before the…

Verse 9Vers. 9. Better is the sight of the Eyes, than the wandring of the desire, (Heb walking of the Soul) this…

Verse 10Ver. 10. That which hath bin, is named already; and it is known, that it is Man: neither may he contend…

Verse 11Vers. 11. Seeing there be many things that encrease vanity, what is Man the better?

Verse 12Vers. 12. For, who knoweth what is good for Man, in this life, all the days of his vain life, which he…

Verse 1V. 1. A good Name is better then precious Ointment: and the day of death, then the day of one's birth.

Verse 2Vers. 2. It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for, that is the…

Verse 3Vers. 3. Sorrow is better then laughter: for, by the sadness of the Countenance, the heart is made better.

Verse 4Vers. 4. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but, the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

Verse 5Vers. 5. It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a Man to hear the song of fools.

Verse 6Vers. 6. For, as the crackling (Voice or Sound) of thorns under a pa, so is the laughter of the Fool: this…

Verse 7Vers. 7. Surely, oppression maketh a wise Man, mad; and, a gift destroyeth the heart.

Verse 9Ver. 9. Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Verse 10Vers. 10. Say not thou, what is the cause that the former days were better then these? for thou dost not…

Verse 11Vers. 11. Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the Sun.

Verse 12Vers. 12. For, Wisdom is a defence (Heb. shadow) and mony is a desence; but, the excellency of knowledg,…

Verse 13Vers. 13. Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

Verse 14Vers. 14. In the day of Prosperity, be joyful; but, in the day of Adversity, consider: God also, hath set…

Verse 15Vers. 15. All things have I seen in the days of my Vanity: there is a just Man, that perisheth in his…

Verse 16Vers. 16. Be not righteous over-much, neither make thy-self over-wise: why shouldst thou destroy thy felf?…

Verse 17Vers. 17. Be not over-much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldst thou die before thy time? (Heb.…

Verse 18Vers. 18. It is good that thou should'st take hold of this; yea also, from this withdraw not thine hand:…

Verse 19Vers. 19. Wisdom strength'neth the wise, more then ten mighty Men which are in the City.

Verse 20Vers. 20. For, there is not a just man upon earth, that doth good, and sinneth not.

Verse 21Vers. 21. Also, take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy Servant curse thee.

Verse 22Vers. 22. For often-times also, thine own heart knoweth, that thou thy self likewise hast cursed others.

Verse 23Vers. 23. All this have I proved by Wisdom: I said I will be wise; but, it was far from me.

Verse 24Vers. 24. That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?

Verse 25Vers. 25. I applied mine heart, to know, and to search, and to seek out Wisdom, and the reason of things;…

Verse 26Vers. 26. And I find more bitter then death, the Woman whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as…

Verse 27Vers. 27. Behold, this have I found (saith the Preacher) counting one by one, to find out the account,

Verse 28Vers. 28. Which yet my Soul seeketh, but I find not: one Man, among a thousand, have I found; but, a Woman…

Verse 29Ver. 29. Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made Man upright; but, they have sought out many…

Verse 1V. 1. Who is as the wise Man? and, who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? (Heb. word) A man's wisdom…

Verse 2Vers. 2. I counsel thee to keep the King's Commandment; and that, in regard of the Oath of God.

Verse 3Vers. 3. Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for, he doth whatsoever pleaseth…

Verse 4Vers. 4. Where the word of a King is, there is power: and who may say unto him, what dost thou?

Verse 5Vers. 5. Whoso keepeth the Commandment, shall feel no evil thing: and, a wise man's heart discerneth both…

Verse 6Vers. 6. Because to every purpose, there is time and judgment; therefore the misery of man is great upon him.

Verse 7Vers. 7. For, he knoweth not that which shall be: for, who can tell him, when (or how) it shall be?

Verse 8Vers. 8. There is no Man hath Power over the Spirit, to retain the Spirit; neither hath he Power in the day…

Verse 9Ver. 9. All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the Sun: there is a…

Verse 10Vers. 10. And so, I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy; and they were…

Verse 11Ver. 11. Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily; therefore the heart of the sons of…

Verse 12Ver. 12. Tho' a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged; yet surely, I know that it…

Verse 13Vers. 13. But, it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days which are as a…

Verse 14Vers. 14. There is a Vanity which is done upon the Earth, that there be just Men, unto whom it happeneth…

Verse 15Vers. 15. Then I commended Mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the Sun, then to eat, and to…

Verse 16Vers. 16. When I applied mine Heart to know Wisdom, and to see the business, that is done upon the Earth:…

Verse 17Vers. 17. Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the…

Verse 1V. 1. For all this I consider'd in my Heart, (Heb. gave or set my Heart) even to declare all this; that the…

Verse 2Vers. 2. All things come alike to all; there is one Event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good,…

Verse 3Vers. 3. This is an evil among all things that are done under the Sun' that there is one Event unto all:…

Verse 4Vers. 4. For, to him that is joyned to all the living, there is hope: for, a living Dog is better then a…

Verse 5Ver. 5. For the Living know that they shall die; but the Dead know not any thing; neither have they any…

Verse 6Vers. 6. Also their Love, and their Hatred, and their Envy is now perish'd; neither have they any more a…

Verse 7Vers. 7. Go thy way, eat thy Bread with joy, and drink thy Wine with a merry Heart; for, God now accepteth…

Verse 8Vers. 8. Let thy Garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.

Verse 9Vers. 9. Live joyfully with the Wife whom thou lovest, all the days of the life of thy Vanity, which he…

Verse 10Vers. 10. Whatsoever thine Hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for, there is no Work, nor Device, nor…

Verse 11Vers. 11. I returned, and saw under the Sun, that the Race is not to the swift, nor the Battel to the…

Verse 12Vers. 12. For, Man also knoweth not his time: as the Fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the Birds…

Verse 13, 14, 15Vers. 13. This Wisdom have I seen also under the Sun, and it seem'd great unto me.

Verse 16Vers. 16. Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless, the poor Man's wisdom is despis'd, and…

Verse 17Vers. 17. The words of wise Men are heard in quiet, more then the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

Verse 18Vers. 18. Wisdom is better then Weapons of War: but, one sinner destroyeth much good.

Verse 1V. 1. Dead Flies (Heb. flies of death) cause the Ointment of the Apothecary, to send forth a stinking…

Verse 2Vers. 2. A wise Man's heart is at his right hand; but, a fool's heart, at his left.

Verse 3Vers. 3. Yea also, when he that is a fool, walketh by the way, his Wisdom (Heb. heart) faileth him; and he…

Verse 4Vers. 4, If the spirit of the Ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for, yielding pacifieth…

Verse 5, 6Vers. 5. There is an evil which I have seen under the Sun, as an errour which proceedeth from the ruler.

Verse 7Vers. 7. I have seen Servants upon Horses, and Princes walking as Servants upon the Earth.

Verse 8Vers. 8. He that diggeth a Pit, shall fall into it; and, whoso breaketh an Hedg, a Serpent shall bite him.

Verse 9Vers. 9. Whoso removeth stones, shall be hurt therewith: and, he that cleaveth Wood, shall be endangered…

Verse 10Vers. 10. If the Iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edg, then must he put to more Strength: but, Wisdom…

Verse 11Vers. 11. Surely the Serpent will bite without enchantment, and a Babbler is no better.

Verse 12Vers. 12. The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious: but, the lips of a Fool will swallow up himself.

Verse 13Vers. 13. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and, the end of his talk is mischievous…

Verse 14Vers. 14. A Fool also is full of words; a Man cannot tell what shall be: and, what shall be after him, who…

Verse 15Vers. 15. The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the City.

Verse 16Ver. 16. Wo to thee, O Land, when thy King is a Child, and thy Princes eat in the morning.

Verse 17Vers. 17. Blessed art thou, O Land, when thy King is the Son of Nobles, and thy Princes eat in due season,…

Verse 18Vers. 18. By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and, thro' idleness of the hands, the house droppeth…

Verse 19Vers. 19. A Feast is made for laughter, and Wine maketh merry; but Money answereth all things.

Verse 20Vers. 20. Curse not the King, no, not in thy thought; and curse not the Rich in thy Bed-chamber: for, a…

Verse 1V. 1. Cast thy Bread upon the Waters: for thou shalt find it, after many days.

Verse 2Vers. 2. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for, thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the Earth.

Verse 3Vers. 3. If the Clouds be full of Rain, they empty themselves upon the Earth: and, if the Tree fall towards…

Verse 4Vers. 4. He that observeth the Wind, shall not sowe; and, he that regardeth the Clouds, shall not reap.

Verse 5Vers. 5. As thou knowest not what is the way of the Spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the Womb of her…

Verse 6Vers. 6. In the morning sowe thy Seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for, thou knowest not…

Verse 7Vers. 7. Truly, the Light is sweet; and, a pleasant thing it is, for the eyes to behold the Sun.

Verse 8Vers. 8. But, if a Man live many years, and rejoyce in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness;…

Verse 9Vers. 9. Rejoyce, O young Man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and…

Verse 10Vers. 10. Therefore remove Sorrow (Heb. anger) from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh; for…

Verse 1V. 1. Remember now thy Creatour in the days of thy Youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw…

Verse 2, 3, 4Vers. 2. While the Sun, or the Light, or the Moon, or the Stars be not darkned, nor the Clouds return after…

Verse 5Vers. 5. Also, when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the…

Verse 6Vers. 6. Or ever the silver Cord be loosed, or the golden Bowl be broken, or the Pitcher be broken at the…

Verse 7Vers. 7. Then shall the dust return to the Earth, as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Verse 8Vers. 8. Vanity of vanities (saith the Preacher) all is vanity.

Verse 9Vers. 9. And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people Knowledg; yea, he gave…

Verse 10Vers. 10. The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words; and that which was written, was upright; even…

Verse 11Vers. 11. The words of the Wise are as Goads, and as Nails fastned by the Masters of Assemblies, which are…

Verse 12Vers. 12. And further, by these, my Son, be admonished: of making many Books there is no end, and much…

Verse 13Vers. 13. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; Fear God, and keep his Commandments: for, this is…

Verse 14Vers. 14. For, God shall bring every work into Judgment; with every secret thing, whether it be good, or…

Exposition of Ecclesiastes

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