Ecclesiastes, othervvise 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. 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.

[verse 25] This haue I prou'd, & wisdom sought to know, which fled frōme, [verse 26] It is too high and deepe, my reach cannot her secrets see.

25.

All this haue I proued by wisedome: I thought, I will be wise, but it went farre from me.

All this haue I found by experience true, And so mayst thou, if that thou way it well, Apply thy selfe the same then to ensue, And let her lawes within thy actions dwell, And of thy wisedome do not ouerweene, For many times the wise are ouerseene.

My selfe by nature was inclynd to skill, By education was instructed much, A heauenly gift did more my knowledge fill, And all the world supposd my wisedome such, As few attaynd, and I supposd no lesse, But found my folly great, I must confesse.

26.

It is farre of, what may it be? and it is a profound deep∣nesse who can find it?

For of three things (all worthy to be knowne) The past, the present, and the future things, Whose first in writs record (in part) is showne, Whose last with deepe obscurenesse blindnesse brings, In th'one I had but euen a very tast, In seeking th'other out, I time did wast.

That vulgar knowledge which by moderne view, I did obserue, to make my profit by Did somewhat me instruct, and much more trew Then passed things forgotten presently, Or dreamd supposals of succeeding time, Which for to fetch, to heauen my thoughts should clime.