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under the sun, that there is one event unto all (v. 1-3).

Is not this true? Are not all subject to pain, suffering, and trials? Do not all live in a wicked and vexatious world? Are not all born in sin? Are not all by nature children of wrath? Must not all die; and all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ? Judging from these things only, could you form a right estimate of the state, or end, either of the righteous or the wicked? For, not only in all these matters do things come alike to all; but the balance of trial and change, judging by the same rule, appears not unfrequently to turn against those who are the children of God and the heirs of heaven. Was not Lazarus sorely afflicted; whilst Dives lived in ease and pleasure? Was not Job grievously tempted and chastised; whilst his friends were so far from understanding the nature of God's dealings with his beloved servant, that they could not even sympathise with him in his distress; and they uttered all kinds of hard speeches against him?

Is it not then clear, that you want a key to unlock this mystery of divine providence ; in order to see how it is, that, whilst the heirs of heaven are thus afflicted, the firebrands of destruction are left at ease? What is that key? It is this truth: "both are in the hand of God." On the one side, God permits the wicked thus to prosper, that he may manifest his righteous judgment, in their eternal condemnation, for their abuse of his kindness, in filling up the measure of their iniquities; and, on the other, he thus corrects and chastens the godly, that he might manifest the riches of his grace, in making them meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. (Rom. ix. 22, 23.)

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prosperous sinner is ripening for ruin. Or, if he be afflicted, like the other, he disregards the voice of the rod; and suffers the awakening call to pass unheeded and without profit. And when they both come to die, what a tremendous gulph will lie between the two! The one will be for ever excluded from the regions of bliss. The other will be happy, in the presence of God and the Lamb, for evermore!

Now, these truths ought to be seriously pondered by all. That they are not so considered, is one of the strongest practical proofs, that "the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead" (v. 3). Yet while they live there is hope; for the worst sinner may be saved, by the grace of God, before he die; but there is no hope beyond the grave for any wicked man whatever. The living know that they must die (v. 5); and that thought may, perhaps, lead to their conversion; but the dead, and especially they who have died in their sins, know nothing more of the hope which the present time affords. Their state is fixed; and their misery is sure. The only way, therefore, to escape such misery, and such an end, is, to be wise in time; to seek the Lord now; to hearken to the voice which says, "To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts;" and never to forget that, "Behold, now is the accepted time. Behold, now is the day of salvation."

CHAPTER X.

1 Observations of wisdom and folly: 16 of riot, 18 slothfulness, 19 and money. 20 Men's thoughts of kings ought to be reverent.

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come alike to all; in another sense, the case is not so. A difference as great, as between earth and heaven, lies between the two. Lift up the veil of visible appearances; and underneath will see how the case stands. you

Go into the temple of God, as the psalmist did, and you will soon discover the vast distinction. The one is in Christ; the other is not. The one is pardoned and accepted in the Beloved; the other is not.

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EAD 'flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.

3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh

by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.

4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

5 There is an evil which I have seen under

the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:

6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.

7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.

10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.

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11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and 'a babbler is no better.

12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.

16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!

17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

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19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.

20 ¶ Curse not the king, no not in thy 10 thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

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(v. 1). Now, this is a very significant maxim. We may view its extensive application in various respects. Take the following, as

some intimation of what it means. A little error spoils a good deal of truth. A little inconsistency mars much of the usefulness of a devoted life. A little sin robs the mind of peace, and ruins the life of the soul. Your utmost caution, therefore, should be exercised against little things. A little spark can burn the dwelling. A little leak can sink the vessel. A little sin can destroy the soul. Dead flies are but little things; but they spoil the ointment, and cause it to send forth a disagreeable savour. What the wise man says of strife, may be said of a great many other things. "Its beginning is as when one letteth out water." (Prov. xvii. 14.) Only a little drop runs over the bank at first. By and bye that little drop becomes a trickling stream. That stream widens, and rushes on with greater force; till, at length, the whole dam is swept away; and the flood rushes on, carrying every thing before it. Beware, then, of these little death flies.

See the case of Eve. One thought, injected into her mind by Satan, led to our grievous fall. Behold Lot. One survey of the fruitful plains of Sodom, and one desire for the little city of Zoar, perilled the safety both of of his body and soul. Consider Moses. One word spoken, unadvisedly with his lips, excluded him from Canaan. View Achan. One covetous look, fixed on the forbidden wedge of gold, and the gaudy Babylonish garment, brought him to an awful death. Behold David. One heedless hour and solitary walk drew him into sin, and entailed the sword on his house for ever. See, also, the same truth in the cases of Judas, Peter, and Simon. One covetous disposition brought the traitor to his awful end. One self-confident feeling led to the repeated denial of Christ. One thought of the heart, let loose through an eager expression, proved the awful state of his heart, as being in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity. Surely, then, it is not without cause we repeat the admonition, Beware of little things. Little things lead to greater. Little temptations lead to great sins. Little sins lead to great condemnation, misery, and ruin. (Gen. iii. 6; xiii. 10; xix. 20;

Numb. xx. 10, 11; Josh. vii. 21; 2 Sam. xi. 2; Matt. xxvi. 14, 33; Acts viii. 18-23.)

In the ways of God aim at the utmost purity. A clean heart, a right spirit, a true faith, a holy life, becomes the pure and precious gospel of Christ. Every thing short of this, or contrary to this pure sincerity, is not only dangerous in itself, and inconsistent with the faith of Christ; but it is ruinous and fatal in its consequences and results. For, as the offensive ointment is rendered useless by the flies of death, and is only fit to be thrown away; so is the inconsistent Christian, or the insincere professor, disapproved in the sight of God; and is in danger of being condemned for ever.

Take heed, then, to your spirit; as well as to your walk and life. Imitate the wise man. His heart is at his right hand. The fool's heart is at his left. The one knows how to use, and how to improve things aright; like a man in the proper exercise of his right hand. The other does not. He is always stumbling, or making mistakes; like a man blundering

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with his left hand. Even the very way of the fool declares his folly; just as the path of the sinner shews his end. The little wisdom which he possibly may have, utterly fails him. Does he flee from sin? Does he seek to escape danger? Does he improve his time? Does he seek Christ and the salvation of his soul? Does he Does he prepare for death, judgment, and eternity? Alas! no. These are forgotten. He is busied with shadows. forgets the substance. And, as he lives, so he dies; without wisdom and without blessing; and so he perishes for ever. And who will not consider these things in time? Who will not seek that true wisdom from above, by which he may not only avoid the danger of disregarding little sins, which are always the beginnings of greater wickedness; but attain that pardon and grace, which would ensure as well present holiness and peace, as everlasting joy and felicity.

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2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.

3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.

4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

5 As thou knowest not what is the of way the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.

7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:

8 But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.

9 ¶ Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

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10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

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ALTHOUGH there are many humiliating and many awakening lessons enforced in this book, there are also many very edifying and encouraging truths set before us. Some of these we have to consider, as they are given in this chapter.

We all know how many things there are, which are always discouraging to the mind in the pursuit of that which is good; but we should never yield to despondency. Want of success, at the present moment, is no proof why your efforts may not be blessed hereafter. Even at the present time, when nothing appears to be effectually done, much good may be working. The seed sown does not spring up, nor does it yield the harvest, immediately. The husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and the latter rain. (James v. 7.) But it is

growing all the while, and tending to the harvest; which will, in due time, assuredly come. So is it, too, in regard to the preaching of the gospel, and the means which may be used for the good of souls. God will bless the word; and, in due time, we shall see the effect.

Our duty is, to use the means. Like the ancient husbandman, sowing his bread corn upon the receding waters, when the river had overflown its banks, as it periodically did; and then leaving it to be trodden into the soil, and so to grow and thrive, until, after many days, it yielded an abundant increase; so must the spiritual husbandman act in the things of God. Use the means. Leave all events with God. Dig the ground. Prepare the soil. Sow the seed. Leave it to the Lord of the harvest, when and how he please, to bring forth fruit for his own glory. Deal out the truth of Christ with a bountiful hand. Let it spread far and wide. Be instant in season; out of season. Let all hear, and all be told, the things which concern their eternal peace. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they shall be alike good (v. 6). If your heart be filled with the love of Christ, like clouds full of rain, it will pour forth that fulness on all around. If, on the contrary, you are guided by appearances, or hindered by discouragements; you will never sow, and, consequently, never reap. Let, then, the bread of life be cast forth upon the troublesome waters of this distracted and sinful earth; and although, to the eye of sense, it may seem to be lost, it will be found, after many days, to the praise and glory of God (v. 1).

How many things should urge you on so to do! Does the tree lie as it falleth? Does death fix the state of man for ever? If men die in their sins, will they not perish in their sins? Is it true, that there is no repentance in the grave; and no salvation without Christ? Do we really believe, that all have sinned; and that the whole world is guilty before God? Are we verily persuaded, that time is rapidly passing away; and that when death comes, it will be too late to knock, when the

door is closed? What a loud call do these considerations afford for diligence! Let men work while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work. (John ix. 4.)

Say not, I do not understand how God carries on his work in the world; or how he can bring such or such things to pass; and, therefore, I am much discouraged to persevere in his ways. Do you know the way of the Spirit? Can you tell how the bones grow in the womb? How, then, can you know the works of God, who maketh them all? Is not light sweet; and to behold the sun, is it not pleasant? But if you live many years, and never come to the light of life, till you understand these things in their natural properties and existence; will not the days of your darkness be many beyond the grave?

Let not youth deceive you. The young must die as well as the old. Though the young man rejoice in his youth, and cheer his heart in the day of his youth, and walk in the way of his heart, and in the sight of his eyes, a dreadful day of judgment will come at last. And then, what will become of those, whether old or young, who have refused wisdom; wasted their time; and lost their souls? Oh! be wise. Put away these earthly sorrows, and this childish vanity. Think of what you are. Think of whither you are going. Think of where you will soon be, in another state, unless you repent and come to a better mind: and seek the Lord while he may be found.

CHAPTER XII.

1 The Creator is to be remembered in due time. 8 The preacher's care to edify. 13 The fear of God is the chief antidote of vanity.

REMEMBER now thy Great in the days

of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:

3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and 'the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,

4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he

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5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets : 6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

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8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.

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9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

10 The preacher sought to find out 3acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much 'study is a weariness of the flesh.

13 ¶'Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of

man.

14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

(1) Or, the grinders fail, because | (3) Heb. words of delight. they grind little. (4) Or, reading. (2) Or, the more wise the preacher (5) Or, The end of the matter, even was, &c. all that hath been heard, is.

THE great object of all instruction is, to make men wise unto salvation. In this matter you never can begin too soon; nor be too anxious to obtain that blessing. Youth is the best time to begin to seek the Lord. Old age may never come. Death may cut you off in your early days. If your survive many years, you may become so enfeebled in mind and body, as to be quite unable to attend to any thing, much less to matters of the weightiest importance; and, above all, to those things which concern your everlasting welfare.

Let us consider this seasonable call to the

VOL. II.

young, and the motives, which are given, for attending to this admonition.

The call is, to remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth (v. 1); and a few considerations will suffice to convince us, that it is a command both reasonable in itself, and highly conducive to our best welfare.

He, that made you, ought surely to be remembered and served. This word, Creator, or, as it is in the original, Creators, may mean much more than the simple act of our original formation. It may mean creation in its widest and largest sense. The formation of man out of the dust, and the creation of that dust out of nothing, was a wonderful work. He, that did it, ought to be remembered. Redemption is a wonderful work. It is the bringing to pass a new state and condition

of things, in regard to man's salvation, as great and marvellous as when, in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Nay, it is even far more so. He, that did this glorious work, ought surely to be remembered by us. The work of the Spirit, in the heart, is the formation of a new creature, in bringing the sinner, through the process of faith and conversion, into that new world of redeeming love and grace, which was effected by the amazing undertaking and the precious death of the blessed Redeemer. The child of wrath becomes the child of God. The brand, fitted for the burning, becomes an heir of God, and a joint-heir through Christ. Surely he, that performs this happy work, ought to be remembered. Here, then, is the whole trinity of the Godhead, and the whole mystery and work of redemption and salvation, brought before us in the injunction to remember our Creators; that is, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, in the days of our youth.

Why are we so to do? What are the motives, by which we are urged to cultivate this sacred remembrance?

Youth is the best season. It is the only sure season. No one knows, for a certainty, that he shall live to be old. Even if he were, and did not remember his Creators in his early days, the best portion of his life would be thrown away. Youthful piety is the fairest and loveliest blossom of mercy and grace. Nothing is so beautiful as early

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