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Now by Oyntment, some (with Olympiodorus) un∣derstand,
I. To flow in Riches and Delights; reflecting upon that of David, Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than when their Wine and Oyl increased, as 'tis in our Service-Translation of Psal. 4.8. This the Psalmist elsewhere expresses by Rivers of Oyl; the same word being there render'd, Oyl, which is here, Oyntment.
Nay, the very word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is in this very place Tran∣slated by the Septuagint 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, good Oyl; which we (with Symmachus) teach to speak as much as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 precious oyntment, or rather indeed, oynt∣ment of a good savour; which some (as I said) ex∣pound, Riches, &c.
These indeed are oyls or oyntments; but (like that of the (e) 1.1 Apothecary) full of drown'd Flies: In∣fatuated men (the sons of Ease and Sunshine) perish here. Here indeed (according to holy David's lan∣guage) Rivers of oyl may be; and such as flow, like Pactolus, upon golden Sands. Here you may survey the prosperous rich man's state; upon those Rivers Banks we have a Landtschape of Elms tall and fair, and without fruit; of Tantalus his Apples, glorious to the eye, to raise a distant expectation, and deceive approach; our Saviour's Fig-tree, of a tempting shew, and curs'd; Job's Vine, which shakes its Grapes off, yet unripe; his Olive too, miscarrying in its flowers (f) 1.2; and Jonah's Gourd, for shade without duration: And here sleeps wealthy man, and here he dies; and oft unfortunately dies amidst delights: like an unweildy body, which sinks deep where the ground's soft.
The Greeks perhaps might have their wealth more literally term'd oyntment; who, by expensive unction of their heads, at once betray'd their riches, and laid them out; which practice was derided by Diogenes, anointing his own feet, and crying out, That (g) 1.3 oynt∣ment on the head lost all its virtue in the Air, but from the feet sent up its sweets into the Nostrils. But alas! this made them sweet beneath the sex of men, wasting their reputation with their unguents; whil'st, grown effeminate, they often left their names the sacrifices to
perfumes and sweet consistencies. Besides, what kind∣ness could this do them in the Land of Moles and Pismires, where all their odors found a Grave with them?
But a good Name perfumes the breath of Children, and Childrens Children. The wealthy may awhile blaze in the world with much shew, and some heat; and in a while, like dying Coals, cover themselves with Ashes, when Death (their universal Night) approa∣ches; But a good Name survives in gleams of light, and glows to long posterity. A good Name is better than riches, Prov. 22.1. That's one sort of oyl or oyntment; but a good Name is better than that, and better also
Eccl. 10.1.
Job 15.33.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Diog. Laert. in vita Diog.