Ecclesiastes 8

1. God is not bound to give an account of his actions to his creatures. If none may say to a king, what do you do (Ecclesiastes 8:4)? much less to God. It is sufficient, God is Lord paramount, he has a sovereign power over his creatures, therefore can do no injustice (Romans 9:2…

God can with the same breath that made us, dissolve us; his eyes are as a flame of fire; the rocks are thrown down by him (Nahum 1:6). Solomon says, Where the word of a king is, there is power (Ecclesiastes 8:4); much more where the word of a God is. O let us fear this mighty Go…

Neither needs it stumble any that this is attributed to the word of God, of which he seems to speak, for that is all one and to ascribe it to God. For as 'where the word of a king is, there is power,' says Solomon (Ecclesiastes 8:4), so where the word of God is, there is the pow…

Men go on in sin from day to day and from year to year without repentance, nothing at all fearing the sentence of condemnation at the last day; like many who, for the obtaining of other men's goods, are neither kept in good order by the fear of arraignment or imprisonment. The o…

First then, this point of doctrine is implied here, that coming to the grave is a thing common and certain to all men; I mean, that death, or a state of death and to be in the grave, in an ordinary way is common to all men; and whoever wants the privilege of burial, their condit…

The rich glutton (Luke 16) has the better life as to externals, and Lazarus had a poor, afflicted life — but when death comes, the rich glutton goes to hell, and Lazarus goes to the bosom of Abraham. This is laid down as a certain truth (Ecclesiastes 8:12-13): Though a sinner do…

Use 3. See here the necessity of making use of Christ's death, either you must do it, or die, and come under the curse of God yourselves; there is not a [reconstructed: middle way]; if you have sin, how will it be gotten put by and satisfied for? Not by your prayers; let be by a…

Stephen's mind was filled with such an incredible solace in the sense of God's love, that he showed no troubledness, but a mind so unconcerned and freed from all fear and sorrow, as if he had been among the angels of God in full glory, and not among his enemies who sought his bl…

For while men look to the outward appearance, and see the wicked have all they can wish, and the godly overwhelmed with miseries; they are troubled and doubt in themselves, whether the matters of this present life are governed by the hand of God, or whether all things are guided…

It is a sadder thing to have had a season and not to know it (that is, not to use it) than not to have had it. Solomon tells us (Ecclesiastes 8:6) that, because to every purpose there is a time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him. Misery cannot be great t…

And first, it is called strong, in respect of its constraining power, whereby the person that loves, is led captive, and brought down as weak under it, so that he cannot withstand it: says she, love masters and will undo me, if it be not satisfied; love-sickness so weakens the s…

The Lord sees it better for them to be under ground than above ground; and therefore by a merciful providence sets them out of harm's way. Neither the corn nor tares can possibly resist the sharp and keen sickle, when it's applied to them by the reapers hand; neither can the god…

He that in righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost: that is, in Christian meekness and quietness of spirit, serves Christ, is acceptable to God and approved of men (Romans 14:17-18), and to whom else can we wish to recommend ourselves? Solomon (a very competent judge…

He hears and knows all that which is said against him, and against his truth and ways, and as a jealous God resents it. He has always power in his hands to punish the proudest of his enemies, nor would their immediate ruin be any loss to him, and yet sentence against these evil…

Amos 9. 8. Ecclesiastes 8:12. THE POEM.

It convinceth them clearly also that in matters of deep concernment, it is an high point of wisdom, to apprehend and improve the right seasons and opportunities of them Proverbs 10:5. He that gathers in summer is a wise Son. Ecclesiastes 8:5. A wise man's heart discerns both tim…

Those sins of theirs, against which I have here engaged, are the Jonahs in your Ships: 'tis sin that sinks them, and drives them against the Rocks. One sinner destroys much good, Ecclesiastes 8:11. How much more a leud Crew of them conspiring to provoke God! The death of their L…

It may be learned from his constant way in governing the world; notwithstanding all provocations; yet he does good to men, causing his sun to shine upon them, sending them rain and fruitful seasons, filling their hearts with food and gladness. From this it was easy for them to c…

What egregious fools then are disobedient children: they regard neither God, their parents, nor themselves, but deprive themselves of their eternal happiness, hinder their welfare, and shorten their days. Fitly hereupon I may apply to undutiful children these words of the Psalmi…

To those that are in a state of sin, the continuance of life is a mercy, as it affords them time to repent and reconcile themselves to God. And the contrary is threatened as a curse, (Ecclesiastes 8:13) He shall not prolong his days, because he fears not God. For wicked men to h…

He could have said as Job (Job 29:3-4): His candle shined upon my head, by his light I walked through darkness, the secret of God was upon my Tabernacle. But alas now he must say, as (Ecclesiastes 8:6-7): because to every purpose there is a time and judgment, therefore the miser…

How the understanding is darkened and depraved, I showed above; that the heart is desperately wicked and deceitful beyond any knowledge but God's, the prophet assures us from God himself (Jeremiah 17:9), the mind and conscience is defiled (Titus 1:15-16). The will is become perv…

The believer's desires are seasonable, he desires grace in the season of grace, and seeks in a time when it may be found. The wise man's heart knows both time and judgment (Ecclesiastes 8:5). He knows his season, and has wisdom to improve it.

And it was too hard for all the art he had to help himself. The wise man makes it a conclusion, which is settled in the hearts of all the sons of men beyond all doubt (Ecclesiastes 8:11): Because sentence is not speedily executed, therefore the hearts of the sons of man are whol…

Eighth, delay of the execution of justice. Ecclesiastes 8:11: Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. God forbears punishing, therefore men forbear repenting.

We may as well stop the chariot of the Sun, when posting to night, and chase away the shades of the evening, as escape this hour of darkness that is coming upon us all. None has power over the Spirit to retain it, neither has he power in the day of death, and there is no dischar…

15. There is a froward heart (Proverbs 17:20) that perverts and is crafty [illegible] to pervert. 16. A wicked heart (Proverbs 26:23) set on evil (Ecclesiastes 8:11, 17); foolishness is bound to the heart (Proverbs 22:15); a dissembling heart, when seven abominations are in it (…

Secondly, he leaves them to Satan (1 Kings 22:21, 22), because Ahab would not love Elijah nor Micaiah, therefore God justly gave them up to a lying fancy. Thirdly, sometimes God so far leaves men to themselves, as only to propound to them good objects, yet such as he knows they…

Or if like oil, the spirit is poured out to heal and bind up your wounds, and to make your heart cheerful (Psalm 104:15) (Luke 10:35). Grace makes the countenance shine (Ecclesiastes 8:1). God has acquainted you with his secret counsels (Acts 2:18).