A briefe exposition with practicall observations upon the whole book of Ecclesiastes by that late pious and worthy divine, Mr. John Cotton ... ; published by Anthony Tuckney ...

Eccles. 7.23, 24, 25.

• 23. All this have I proved by wisdome: I said, I will be wise, but it was farre from me.
• 24. That which is farre off, and exceeding deep, who can finde it out?
• 25. I applyed mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdome, and the reason of things, and to know the wickednesse of folly, even of foolishnesse and madnesse.

IN these words Solomon maketh another observation of that which was meet for all men to observe by his example, e∣ven what befel himselfe in the search of wisdome in his own times; which was, First, That in all his search of wisdome (to wit, by the works of creation and providence, and by tracing out happinesse in the courses which men are went to take for it) he found that wisdome was too farre off, and too deep for him, verse 23.24. Secondly, That missing of wisdome in the way, he applyed his heart, or turned it a∣bout to seek for wisdome in taking account of himselfe, and seeking to know the wickednesse of his own folly, and the foolishnesse of his own madnesse, verse 25. And the reason [of things] is better translated, and the account of my selfe or my wayes, &c. verse 25.

Doctr. 1. The sense of our vast and deep distances from attaining wisdome, by the study of the creatures, and of the vanity of the wayes of men, is a just motive to apply our hearts to make diligent search for wisdom in taking account of our own wayes, and in the knowledge of the wickedness of our folly, and the foolishnesse of our own madnesse. To know, to seek, to search, verse 25. do all imply a diligent search: The Doctrine consisteth of two branches; First, That by the knowledge of the creatures he shall finde him∣selfe still at a great distance from wisdome, and wisdome more deep then to be digged out of the creatures. Se∣condly, that hereupon Solomon was moved to seek it in loo∣king homewards into his own heart, and wayes, and the folly and madnesse, and wickednesse thereof. The former branch is testified, 1 Cor. 1.21. Rom. 1.21, 22. Job 28.12, 13, 14, & verse 20.21, 22.

Reasons of the former, 1. From the distance and depth of Christ from the creatures, and from the knowledge of them all, Christ is the wisdome both of God, 1 Cor. 1.24. and of us, 1 Cor. 1.30. But the wisest could never discerne Christ by the creature, 1 Cor. 2, 6, to 9. Hence not the creature but the word is perfect to convert soules, Psal. 19.1, to 7.

Reason 2. From the aptnesse of the creature, and the knowledge of it (by reason of the curse that lyeth upon it) to puffe us up, Isai. 47, 10. Solomon confesseth himselfe, I said I will be wise this way, Presuming of his knowledge. Text. of the latter, That hereupon Solomon was moved to search after wisdome in taking account of himselfe, and the folly of his own course.

Reason 1. From the excellency of man himselfe, above all the creatures, he is the Lord of them all, and so their Lord, Gen. 1.28, 29. And therefore more may be found in obser∣ving a mans selfe, then all the other creatures.

Reason 2. From the vanity and vexation of spirit which all the creatures yeild to a man. A man is justly occasioned to look into the root and cause of it in himselfe.

Ʋse 1. To convince all the wise Philosophers of the Heathens of the vast distance of wisdome from them. For they had no further meanes of wisdome, then what Solomon improving to the utmost, found farre off from conveying true wisdome to him, Rom. 1.22. A warning to Schollers, not to overvalue wisdom and knowledge, which they have from the creatures.

Ʋse 2. To teach us that in taking just account of our selves and our wayes, we shall finde our former course Fol∣ly, even the wickednesse of Folly and Madnesse, even the foolishnesse of madnesse, 2 Sam. 24.19. Acts 26.11. Job 40.4, 5, & 42, 6. Jer. 2.19. 2 Chron. 16.9. Ezek. 6.9, & 36, 31.

Ʋse 3. To teach us a difference of the wisdome of God, revealed in the creatures, It is farre off and deep, Text. Not so in the Gospel, Deut. 30.11, to 14. with Rom, 10.6.7.

Ʋse 4. To teach us there is much wisdome, may be lear∣ned, from knowing our own wickednesse, foolishnesse and madnesse, he was more then a common wise man that said, Prov. 30.2. Surely I am more foolish then any man, 1 Cor. 3.18. Jer. 10.14, For First, The sense of our own folly and wickednesse maketh us low and base, and so humbleth us before the Lord. Secondly, The sense of our folly di∣recteth us to seek true wisdome in Christ, and in his word.