Annotations on five poetical books of the Old Testament (viz.) Job, Psalmes, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Canticles / by Edward Leigh ...

CHAP. XII.

Verse 1. REmember now thy Creatour in the dayes of thy youth, while the evil dayes come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.

Remember.] Not barely think on God, remember to love, fear, reverence him, as remember the Sabbath-day to prepare for it.

It is,

• 1. To set the minde on work of the excellencies of God, Psal. 104. 34.
• 2. To recollect our selves and return to him as the fountain of our salvation, Psal. 22. 27. Hos. 2. 17.
• 3. It implies a reverent fear of him, Prov. 23. 17. Psal. 16. 7.
• 4. To retain a thankfull sense of his mercy, Deut. 18. 18. Psal. 106. 21.
• 5. To serve and obey him, Deut. 8. 11.
• 6. When we alwayes consider what may please or displease him, Col. 1. 10.

Thy Creators.] Heb. as Isa. 54. 5. he speaks of God either by way of honour, or alludes to the Trinity.

In the dayes of thy youth.] In the beauty, vigour and strength of youth, we have a sensible feeling of Gods creating bounty.

While the evil dayes come not.] i. e. Of old-age.

When thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.] That is, no sensitive pleasure.

Vers. 2. While the Sun, or the light, or the Moon, or the Stars be not darkned, nor the Clouds return after the rain.] That is, all the abilities of the minde be decayed.

The Clouds return after the rain.] As in winter, that is, though one evil follows upon another.

Vers. 3. In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble.] The hands and arms prove crazy.

And the strong men.] The thighes and legs, Shall bow themselves.

And the grinders.] Teeth Cease.

And those that look out of the windows.] The eyes, Be darkned.

Vers. 4. And the doors shall be shut in the streets.] That is, none shall have de∣light in their company.

And he shall rise up at the voice of the Bird.] Take little rest.

And all the daughters of musick shall be brought low.] See 2 Sam. 19. 35.

Vers. 5. Because man goeth to his long home.] See Job 30. 23. & Isa. 26. 4. it is a lasting house.

Vers. 6. Or ever the silver cord be loosed.] Some interpret it of the marrow, others of the sinews.

Or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain.] The liver is the fountain of bloud, the heart of spirits, these lose their drawing and distributing power.

Vers. 7. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.] To be rewarded or disposed of by him.

Vers. 11. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of Assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.] The Arguments which the Lord useth to fasten duties on the soul, and quicken us up to them.

There is a double power in the word of God preacht:

• 1. Quickning to stir us to duty, goads.
• 2. Strengthning, nails.

Vers. 13. Fear God, and keep his Commandments: for this is the whole duty of man] q. d. If we could keep the Commandments without this, this is not the thing.

The duty of every man, or the whole duty of man.

Notes

• Verba notitiae connotant af∣fectum,
• An allegorical description of Old-age.
• Dentes mola∣res.
• Domus aeter∣nitatis, The Vulgar Latine, Our everlasting home, it is not so, the English is better.
• Hac compara∣tione non ob∣scure afini∣num, seu bo∣vinum nostrum ad opera bona ingenium innuit: qui nisi stimulo impulsi & coacti, segnescimus, & tanquam sub gravi onere succumbimus. Cartw. in loc.
• Quae verò in hac tota con∣cione audivi∣stis, hûc ten∣dunt in sum∣ma, paucissimis istis verbis comprehensa, Deum reverete, & observandis ipsius mandatis sedulò incumbe. Beza.