Men seeking after the Vanities of all World∣ly things, reproved. [ 1391]
SOlomon had more variety of all Worldly things, and more Wisedome to im∣prove it, then any now have; and he made it his businesse critically and curiously to examine all the Creatures, and to find out all the good which was under the Sun: And the product and result of all his enquiries, amounted at last to a totall made up all of Cyphers,* 1.1 of meer wind and emptinesse, Vanity of Vanities, Vanity of Vanities, all is Vanity. So he begins his book, and to shew that he was not mistaken, so he concludes it, Eccles. 1. 12. And so it is, that whereas many seek for joy out of the broken Cisterns of the Creatures, as in se∣cular wealth and greatnesse; Others in sensuall pleasures, feasting, gaming, lux∣ury, excesse;* 1.2 some in Titles of Honour, others in Variety of knowledg, some in stately Structures, magnificent retinue, goodly provisions; others in low, sordid, and brutish lusts; Unto all whom may be said, as the Angel unto the Women, Why seek ye the living amongst the dead? or as Samuel did unto Saul,* 1.3 Set not thy mind upon the Asses, there are nobler things to fix thy desires upon.