A godlie and learned commentarie vpon the excellent book of Solomon, commonly called Ecclesiastes, or the Preacher in the vvhich commentarie are briefly and plainly layde downe the methode, sense, and vse of that most profitable sermon, on the which, yet there hath neuer bin set forth any exposition in the English tong before this time, in such large and profitable manner. VVritten in Latin by Iohn Serranus, and newly turned into English by Iohn Stockwood, school-master of Tunbridge.

The doctrine.

For as much as the knowledge of humane things is so vncertaine and so weake, as we must

at no hand so handle the matter, that we place happinesse in this life that is fléeting, miserable and subiect vnto a sepulchre full of forgetfulnes: so are our mindes to be enlightened with the light of a certaine better knowledge, that wée may also growe vp into an hope of a better and a more happie life, in the which doubtlesse we shall finde assured & immortall happinesse: the know∣ledge of the which happinesse is to be set against the miseries of this vnstedfast and vncertaine life, that we may both ouercome them with a more valiant minde, whilest we are in this life, and may also most certainly sée and behold out of the darknesse of this dungeon, that immortall light, the which in that place abideth for vs in most ample and full maner.

2 Against man his curiositie we are also to set this remedie, namely to know that the sharp∣nesse of the wit of man is blind euen in the view∣ing of the things of this worlde, vntill that it be enlightened with the true light of the knowledge of God: vpon the which onely we ought to de∣pend, that the word of God may be a lanterne vnto our féete, that is to say, the guide of our whole life: that they are in déede the true and faithfull counsailours, & that we thinke the same to be a most safe way to iudge both of our owne and also other mens matters: and as the Gospel containeth promises of both liues, so also that it shall be verie well with vs in regard both of bo∣die and minde, if we doe follow the guidance of

the same, that is to say, if we séeke the kingdome of God, and his righteousnesse, and doe make him the principall and chiefe ende of our whole life.

3 And as for our vnsatiable and restlesse desire, let vs thus bridle it, that we be contented with things presēt, & séek for nothing more: let vs ear∣nestly embrace the golden sufficiencie and con∣tentednes, and as it were fasten our mindes with this naile, least that leaping hither and thither with an vnaduised sway, it take from vs tran∣quillitie and quietnes, which is the only solace of our life: and therfore let vs bid so hurtful an ene∣mie to depart most farre awaie from vs, who o∣therwise will take away from vs that which in life is most néedefull to liue withall.

4 Moreouer, let vs search out of y^e monuments of God his prouidence, that is to say, out of the word written, the causes of the chaunges, where∣with both the common life of man, and also the societie and fellowship of all mankind is sundrie wayes dismayed: and let vs know, that then in déede we shall be verie well sharpsighted euen in the discerning of politike affaires, when wée shall be wise out of the same word, in the which there is no doubt that these fountaines of true an∣tiquitie are contained: namely, that God the go∣uernour of mankinde doth most wiselie rule all euen the verie smallest and least points thereof, that he doth gouerne families, common wealths, kingdomes, all empires, and euerie particular man: but especially that he hath a singular care

ouer his Church, y^e which he preserueth amongst hurliburlies of the world, the ruines and ouer∣throwes of kingdomes and empires: and there∣fore that she is not onely the kéeper of true anti∣quitie, but also the witnesse and discrier of all those chaunges, she her selfe being not at all sub∣iect vnto alteration or chaunge. Therefore as Habacuc saieth, Let vs goe vp into the watch-tower, that is to say, let vs out of the worde of God, and in the bosome of the Church behold the confusions of the perishing worlde, and let vs wisely iudge of them,

This is the generall proofe of the confutation, namelie, that in the whole life of man there is great vanitie: the which Solomon hath prooued by the vnstedfastnesse and shortnesse of life, the vnprofitable successe of man his labours y^e weak∣nesse of the wit of man, the forgetfull darknesse of the things themselues, and the sundrie chaunges and alterations of the same.

Notes

• We are to hope for a far better life, then this present.
• A remedie a∣gainst the curiositie of man.
• A bridle for our vnsatia∣ble desire.
• The true causes of such chaunges as fall out in this life, are to be sought for out of the word of God.
• A short re∣petion of the principall prooues of the first con∣futation.