Ecclesiastes, otherwise called the Preacher Containing Salomons Sermons or Commentaries (as it may probably be collected) vpon the 49. Psalme of Dauid his father. Compendiously abridged, and also paraphrastically dilated in English poesie, according to the analogie of Scripture, and consent of the most approued writer thereof. Composed by H. L. Gentleman [i.e. Henry Lok]. Whereunto are annexed sundrie Sonets of Christian Passions heretofore printed, and now corrected and augmented, with other affectionate Sonets of a feeling conscience of the same Authors |
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| II. |
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| 8. | [Chap. 8.] |
| III. |
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 | [Chap. 8.] Ecclesiastes, otherwise called the Preacher |  |
74
[Chap. 8.]
1. Who is like the wise, who al things knows this face with fauor shines
2. The wise his Princes hests obserues, and to Gods word inclines.
2. The wise his Princes hests obserues, and to Gods word inclines.
1.
It stands him then vpon, who would withstand
This great calamitie of humane kind,
Another course of life to take in hand,
Then in the practise of the most we find,
And arm'd with wisedome gainst the flesh to fight,
Not yeelding cowardlike to lewd delight.
This great calamitie of humane kind,
Another course of life to take in hand,
Then in the practise of the most we find,
And arm'd with wisedome gainst the flesh to fight,
Not yeelding cowardlike to lewd delight.
That is true wisedome worthy lasting fame,
That doth adorne with honor and with prayse,
Such as sincerely do imbrace the same,
That will transforme their life to better wayes,
And giue them grace with Prince and people still,
And in the end aduance their state it will,
That doth adorne with honor and with prayse,
Such as sincerely do imbrace the same,
That will transforme their life to better wayes,
And giue them grace with Prince and people still,
And in the end aduance their state it will,
2.
It teacheth man his dutie vnto God,
And how with ciuill men he should conuerse,
With neighbours how to haue a kind abode,
Or with a people that are most peruerse:
To know what doth beseeme in euery case,
And how to walke, to win our soueraignes grace.
And how with ciuill men he should conuerse,
With neighbours how to haue a kind abode,
Or with a people that are most peruerse:
To know what doth beseeme in euery case,
And how to walke, to win our soueraignes grace.
It will aduise thee (as I also do)
To be attentiue to thy Prince behest,
To be obsequious also there unto,
So farre as may accord with all the rest,
Of lawes of God, of nature, and of state,
And to attend his pleasure rare and late.
To be attentiue to thy Prince behest,
To be obsequious also there unto,
So farre as may accord with all the rest,
Of lawes of God, of nature, and of state,
And to attend his pleasure rare and late.
75
3. In ill persist not, but giue place, Princes their pleasure craue:
4. His word of power who may withstand the thing he likes to haue?
4. His word of power who may withstand the thing he likes to haue?
3.
If so his liking did of thee require
A thing vnfit, not pleasing vnto thee,
I would not wish thee therewithall retyre,
Or discontent in count'nance ought to bee,
But yeeld with patience rather to the same,
For to obedience, subiects ought to frame.
A thing vnfit, not pleasing vnto thee,
I would not wish thee therewithall retyre,
Or discontent in count'nance ought to bee,
But yeeld with patience rather to the same,
For to obedience, subiects ought to frame.
But if thy selfe by indiscretion haue
Offended him, persist not in thy wrong:
Of him it is no shame thy pardon craue,
For vnto Princes homage doth belong,
They haue the power of subiects to dispose,
Thy life and goods, to saue or else to loose.
Offended him, persist not in thy wrong:
Of him it is no shame thy pardon craue,
For vnto Princes homage doth belong,
They haue the power of subiects to dispose,
Thy life and goods, to saue or else to loose.
4.
The Princes wrath is messenger of death,
His will a law, his words are firme decrees,
Their instruments are readie at a breath,
To pull the proudest rebels on their knees,
Such Maiestie and power in them is found,
With euery frowne a loyall hart they wound.
His will a law, his words are firme decrees,
Their instruments are readie at a breath,
To pull the proudest rebels on their knees,
Such Maiestie and power in them is found,
With euery frowne a loyall hart they wound.
Who dare vnto account his soueraigne call,
Who to no power in earth inferiour is?
Who will not at his feet all prostrate fall,
Who hath the power to punish his amis?
As deputies to God, on earth they raigne,
And by his sword of Iustice state maintaine.
Who to no power in earth inferiour is?
Who will not at his feet all prostrate fall,
Who hath the power to punish his amis?
As deputies to God, on earth they raigne,
And by his sword of Iustice state maintaine.
76
5. Who keepes the law, is free from blame, the wise they times do know:
6. The wise, with iudgement chuseth time, for things, lest trouble grow.
6. The wise, with iudgement chuseth time, for things, lest trouble grow.
5.
Whose lawes (the godly wise) both must and will
Indeuour most exactly to obserue,
In euery point and tittle to fulfill,
And wittingly in nothing much to swarue:
So shall he for himselfe, best safety find,
And leaue the better name to world behind.
Indeuour most exactly to obserue,
In euery point and tittle to fulfill,
And wittingly in nothing much to swarue:
So shall he for himselfe, best safety find,
And leaue the better name to world behind.
And (for they hardly can discharge aright
Their duetie, that their natiue lawes not know,
And that their ignorance cannot acquight,
Who may, and will not learne, more wise to grow)
The wise will therefore learne their duties furst:
The good, refraine th'euill, they might and durst.
Their duetie, that their natiue lawes not know,
And that their ignorance cannot acquight,
Who may, and will not learne, more wise to grow)
The wise will therefore learne their duties furst:
The good, refraine th'euill, they might and durst.
6.
And as in publike causes wise men vse,
To guide their actions warily and well:
And proper times and seasons euer chuse
For all they do, before therewith they mell:
(For proper times there are for euery thing,
Which good or ill successe with it doth bring.)
To guide their actions warily and well:
And proper times and seasons euer chuse
For all they do, before therewith they mell:
(For proper times there are for euery thing,
Which good or ill successe with it doth bring.)
So in their priuate life they do obserue,
Expediencie of that they take in hand:
From care whereof, whilst some do rashly swarue,
(Because true wifedome they not vnderstand)
They into many mischiefes headlong fall,
Which afterwards too late they would recall.
Expediencie of that they take in hand:
From care whereof, whilst some do rashly swarue,
(Because true wifedome they not vnderstand)
They into many mischiefes headlong fall,
Which afterwards too late they would recall.
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7. For what knowes he what shall succeed? he can not mend his fate,
8. In life, death, battell, sinne cannot protect the wickeds state.
8. In life, death, battell, sinne cannot protect the wickeds state.
7.
For it lies not (no doubt) in powre of man,
To iudge aright of sequels and euents,
Though (by obseruance of things past) we can
Sometimes right neere coniecture of intents,
As like to haue successe as we desire:
But none can iudge the truth that they require.
To iudge aright of sequels and euents,
Though (by obseruance of things past) we can
Sometimes right neere coniecture of intents,
As like to haue successe as we desire:
But none can iudge the truth that they require.
It is but chance not iudgement if they hit,
So many errors do incounter them:
Those future knowledges for God are fit,
And none but he, that priuileage can claime;
For as for Reuelations few are now,
And diuelish arts, Gods word will not allow.
So many errors do incounter them:
Those future knowledges for God are fit,
And none but he, that priuileage can claime;
For as for Reuelations few are now,
And diuelish arts, Gods word will not allow.
8.
And how should he be able to foretell,
An others haps or actions, can you thinke,
That not foresaw, what to himselfe befell,
Nor knew his perill being at pits brinke?
Nor could deferre his death or destiny,
With all the care he did thereto apply?
An others haps or actions, can you thinke,
That not foresaw, what to himselfe befell,
Nor knew his perill being at pits brinke?
Nor could deferre his death or destiny,
With all the care he did thereto apply?
That could not tell the place, the dart should light,
That he in battell flong against his foe?
That cannot saue himselfe amidst the fight,
But beares the brunt (perhaps) of ouerthroe?
No wicked slight or art can sinners saue,
But that they sure (in fine) their merits haue.
That he in battell flong against his foe?
That cannot saue himselfe amidst the fight,
But beares the brunt (perhaps) of ouerthroe?
No wicked slight or art can sinners saue,
But that they sure (in fine) their merits haue.
78
9. All these I note, and find sometime, mans powre his ouerthrow.
10. These wicked die, yet worse succeed: the godly, none to know.
10. These wicked die, yet worse succeed: the godly, none to know.
9.
How farre (alas) doth all our skill come short
Of that great knowledge we pretend to haue?
My selfe haue tryed the same in euery sort
Of studie, to the which my selfe I gaue,
And yet there is no knowledge so obscure
Or easie, but I did the same inure.
Of that great knowledge we pretend to haue?
My selfe haue tryed the same in euery sort
Of studie, to the which my selfe I gaue,
And yet there is no knowledge so obscure
Or easie, but I did the same inure.
Nay of the things, most common in my sight,
Which euery man can say, and witnesse true,
I groped at, as in obscurest night,
And could not see the reason how it grew:
That men (euen to themselues) most ruine bring,
And Magistrates their owne dependants wring.
Which euery man can say, and witnesse true,
I groped at, as in obscurest night,
And could not see the reason how it grew:
That men (euen to themselues) most ruine bring,
And Magistrates their owne dependants wring.
10.
For which the foolish world become so farre
From iust dislike of their iniust oppressions,
That liue and dead, they fear'd and praysed are,
And whose posterities get more possessions?
They flourish rather most by doing wrong,
As if the earth, did all to them belong.
From iust dislike of their iniust oppressions,
That liue and dead, they fear'd and praysed are,
And whose posterities get more possessions?
They flourish rather most by doing wrong,
As if the earth, did all to them belong.
But such as haue led long a holy life,
Deserued well of world and country all,
Haue bene pursued in life with hate and strife,
And euen at home forgot when death did call,
O vaine affection of the vulgar sort,
That maketh vice and vertue but a sport.
Deserued well of world and country all,
Haue bene pursued in life with hate and strife,
And euen at home forgot when death did call,
O vaine affection of the vulgar sort,
That maketh vice and vertue but a sport.
79
11. Gods patience makes the wicked ones, more bold to heap vp sin,
12. Which long deferd, is plagud in fine: when iust men blessed bin.
12. Which long deferd, is plagud in fine: when iust men blessed bin.
11.
These worldlings whilst they see the day deferd,
Of plague and iudgement of these wicked ones,
They do suppose their actions haue not erd,
But wisely were decreed for the nonce,
And so grew bold in practise of the same,
Till all the world, therewith grew out of frame.
Of plague and iudgement of these wicked ones,
They do suppose their actions haue not erd,
But wisely were decreed for the nonce,
And so grew bold in practise of the same,
Till all the world, therewith grew out of frame.
These wicked ones themselues grow insolent,
And pride their minds in their presumpteous trade,
They are so farre from meaning to repent,
That wrong on wrong vpon the iust they lade,
Euen whilst they able are no more to beare,
So voide they are of any kind of feare.
And pride their minds in their presumpteous trade,
They are so farre from meaning to repent,
That wrong on wrong vpon the iust they lade,
Euen whilst they able are no more to beare,
So voide they are of any kind of feare.
12.
But though they scape vnpunished awhile,
(For hundred yeares are but a while with God)
Though flatteringly them selues they do beguile,
And feele no smart of Gods correcting rod:
But rather find their dayes prolongd with peace,
As though their happinesse should neuer cease.
(For hundred yeares are but a while with God)
Though flatteringly them selues they do beguile,
And feele no smart of Gods correcting rod:
But rather find their dayes prolongd with peace,
As though their happinesse should neuer cease.
Yet sure I am, it one day shall be well
With such as in the feare of God do liue,
As in his holy lawes and Church do dwell,
And proofe of their beliefe in life do giue,
That they exempted farre from tyrants rage,
Shall liue and rest in peace an endlesse age.
With such as in the feare of God do liue,
As in his holy lawes and Church do dwell,
And proofe of their beliefe in life do giue,
That they exempted farre from tyrants rage,
Shall liue and rest in peace an endlesse age.
80
13. Who feares not God shall not escape: his daies as shadows pas;
14. Though wicked men triumph sometimes, & iust men waile alas.
14. Though wicked men triumph sometimes, & iust men waile alas.
13.
When as contrariwise, the wicked one
Shall be dismounted from his seat of trust,
Dismayd and desolate, forlorne alone,
Pursu'd by heauen and earth, by iudgement iust:
Of God and man, forsaken and contemnd:
As he the innocent before condemnd.
Shall be dismounted from his seat of trust,
Dismayd and desolate, forlorne alone,
Pursu'd by heauen and earth, by iudgement iust:
Of God and man, forsaken and contemnd:
As he the innocent before condemnd.
The pompe and glory of his passed pride,
Like to a flowre, shall vanish and decay,
His life like ruines, downe shall headlong slide,
His fame like to a shadow vade away;
Because he feared not the God of might,
In iustice shall these woes vpon him light.
Like to a flowre, shall vanish and decay,
His life like ruines, downe shall headlong slide,
His fame like to a shadow vade away;
Because he feared not the God of might,
In iustice shall these woes vpon him light.
14.
And yet in truth, it is a wondrous case,
To see the iust so many woes sustaine,
(Not that I thinke that pitie can haue place
With wicked ones, to make them wrong refraine:
But that the God of iustice doth permit
His seruants, to be subiect vnto it.)
To see the iust so many woes sustaine,
(Not that I thinke that pitie can haue place
With wicked ones, to make them wrong refraine:
But that the God of iustice doth permit
His seruants, to be subiect vnto it.)
For you shall lightly see, the better man
The more afflicted in his worldly state,
The vilest person (worst that find you can)
Most wealthy' and loued most, though worthy hate,
But it is vaine to search Gods mind herein,
Thereof to descant I will not begin.
The more afflicted in his worldly state,
The vilest person (worst that find you can)
Most wealthy' and loued most, though worthy hate,
But it is vaine to search Gods mind herein,
Thereof to descant I will not begin.
81
15. I best commend a ioyfull vse, of blessings falne to share,
16. For wisedome made me but behold, mans life more full of care.
16. For wisedome made me but behold, mans life more full of care.
15.
But drawing this discourse vnto an end,
Concluding it as I the former did,
I say, that in this life who doth intend,
Himselfe of many combers well to rid,
And to enioy the blisse that earth can giue,
Must cast off care, and seeke in peace to liue.
Concluding it as I the former did,
I say, that in this life who doth intend,
Himselfe of many combers well to rid,
And to enioy the blisse that earth can giue,
Must cast off care, and seeke in peace to liue.
I meane those curious studies fore-reprou'd,
Which do but multiply a bootlesse care,
And ioy himselfe, when ioy may best be mou'd,
With vse of euery creature, and prepare
To take a plenteous part of them, as gaine
Of all his trauels to him shall remaine.
Which do but multiply a bootlesse care,
And ioy himselfe, when ioy may best be mou'd,
With vse of euery creature, and prepare
To take a plenteous part of them, as gaine
Of all his trauels to him shall remaine.
16.
For though it be a thing some wisemen vse,
And man by nature is thereto inclind,
And I my selfe the same did not refuse,
(Euen studies trauell to inrich my mind)
Who knew thereby what studie might attaine,
Or which a forward wit and will might gaine.
And man by nature is thereto inclind,
And I my selfe the same did not refuse,
(Euen studies trauell to inrich my mind)
Who knew thereby what studie might attaine,
Or which a forward wit and will might gaine.
Who searched had mens actions curiously,
And all the accident that world doth yeeld:
Who in my selfe great part of them did try,
On others proofe did likewise knowledge build,
Both day and night applying thereunto
My busie braines, as many others do.
And all the accident that world doth yeeld:
Who in my selfe great part of them did try,
On others proofe did likewise knowledge build,
Both day and night applying thereunto
My busie braines, as many others do.
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17. I see therby Gods works profound, beyond mans reach to sound,
Be'he nere so wise: toile nere so much, their depth cannot be found.
Be'he nere so wise: toile nere so much, their depth cannot be found.
17.
Yet (loe) I found that I much time had lost,
That all my studie was imployd in vaine,
That I in vaine my bookes had turnd and tost,
That my experience did small knowledge gaine,
That out the meanest creature God did make,
I might a new, full many a lesson take.
That all my studie was imployd in vaine,
That I in vaine my bookes had turnd and tost,
That my experience did small knowledge gaine,
That out the meanest creature God did make,
I might a new, full many a lesson take.
That all we know but meere supposall is,
That we know not the least of truth of them,
That in the principles of art we mis,
That we vniustly name of knowledge claime,
Who only truely know, we nothing know:
As wise men in the end, to see do grow.
That we know not the least of truth of them,
That in the principles of art we mis,
That we vniustly name of knowledge claime,
Who only truely know, we nothing know:
As wise men in the end, to see do grow.
| [Chap. 8.] Ecclesiastes, otherwise called the Preacher | |