Eccles. 3 Every thing hath its time; in which, to enjoy it, and therewith do good to others, is our good, Eccles. 3:1–13. God doth all according to his decree that we should fear him, and there is nothing new, Eccles. 3:14–15. The vanity of unjust judgment; God is the great Judge of all, Eccles.

A season; a certain thee appointed by God for its being and continuance, which no human wit or providence can prevent or alter. And by virtue of this appointment or decree of God, all the vicissitudes and changes which happen in the world, whether comforts or calamities, do come to pass; which is…

A time to die; a certain period unknown to man, but fixed by God, in which a man must unavoidably die; of which see Job 14:5, John 13:1. A time to plant; wherein God inclines a man’s heart to planting.

A time to kill; when a man shall die a violent death, either by chance, as Ex. 21:13, or by the sentence of the magistrate, or by the hands of murderers. A time to heal; when he who seemed to be mortally wounded shall be healed and restored.

A time to weep; when men shall have just occasion for weeping and mourning.

A time to cast away stones; which were brought together in order to the building of a wall or house, but are now cast away, either because the man who gathered them hath changed his mind, and desists from his project, or by other causes or accidents.

A time to lose; when men shall lose their estates, either by God’s providence, or by their own choice. A time to cast away; when a man shall cast away his goods voluntarily, as in a storm to save his life, as Jonah 1:5, Acts 27:18–19; or out of love and obedience to God, as Matt. 10:37, Matt.

A time to rend; when men shall rend their garments, as they did in great and sudden griefs, as Gen. 37:29, Joel 2:13. A time to keep silence; wherein men will or shall be silent, either through grief, as Job 2:12–13, or by sickness or weakness, or because God denies a man ability to utter his mind.

A time to love; when God will stir up the affection of love, or give occasion for the exercise or discovery of it to others.

Seeing then all actions and events in the world are out of man’s power, and no man can at any time do or enjoy any thing at his pleasure, but only what and when God pleaseth, as hath been now shown in many particulars, and it is as true and certain in all others, hence it follows that all men’s…

I have seen, I have diligently observed and considered upon this occasion, the travail, or the occupation or business, men’s various employments, and the differing successes of them, which God hath given to the sons of men; either, 1.

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: this seems to be added as an apology for God’s providence, notwithstanding all the contrary events and confusions which are in the world. He (i.e.

I know, by clear reason, and my own long and certain experience, that there is no good, no other satisfaction or felicity which a man can enjoy, in them, in creatures or worldly enjoyments. To do good; either, 1. To himself, as it is fully expressed, Ps. 49:18. Or, 2.

That every man should eat and drink, i.e. hath power or a heart to use what God hath given him, as it is expressed, Eccles. 6:2. It is the gift of God; of which See Poole “Eccles. 2:24”.

Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever; all God’s counsels or decrees are eternal and unchangeable, and his providence works effectually, so as men cannot resist or hinder it.

That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; things past, present, and to come, are all of the same nature, and all ordered in the same manner by one constant counsel and settled course in all parts and ages of the world.

This is mentioned, either, 1. As another vanity, to wit, the vanity of honour and power, which is so oft an instrument of injustice and oppression. Or rather, 2.

I said in mine heart, mine heart was sorely grieved at this disorder, but I quieted it with this consideration, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked; absolving and saving the just, and condemning the wicked. A time, fixed by God’s unalterable decree.

I said in my heart; and further I considered with myself. Concerning the estate of the sons of men; concerning their condition and deportment in this present world. That God might manifest them; God suffers these horrible disorders among men, expressed Eccles.

Befalleth beasts; they are subject to the same diseases, pains, and casualties. So dieth the other; as certainly, and no less painfully. One breath; one breath of life, which is in their nostrils; one and the same living soul, by which the beasts perform the same vital and animal operations.

All go unto one place; to the earth, as it is expressed, Eccles. 3:21, out of which they were both taken. All turn to dust again; which is meant only of their bodies, as it is explained, Eccles. 12:7.

It might be objected, that the conditions of men and beasts are vastly differing, because man’s spirit goeth upward to God, Eccles. 12:7, but the spirit of a beast goeth downward, together with its body, and perisheth with it.

There is nothing better, to wit, for a man’s present satisfaction, and the happiness of this life, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; that he comfortably enjoy what God hath given him, and not disquiet himself with cares about future events.