Wesley Corpus

Chapter III Solomon proves, that we ought to make use of what God has given us, by shewing the mutability of all human affairs, ver. 1 - 10. The immutability and unsearchableness of the Divine counsels, ver. 11 - 15. The vanity of honour and power, often an instrument of oppression, for which God will judge the oppressors, ver. 16, 17. Whose condition in this world is no better than that of brutes, ver. 18 - 21. Therefore live well, ver. 22. A season - A certain time appointed by God for its being and continuance, which no human wit or providence can alter. And by virtue of this appointment of God, all vicissitudes which happen in the world, whether comforts or calamities, come to pass. Which is here added to prove the principal proposition, That all things below are vain, and happiness is not to be found in them, because of their great uncertainty, and mutability, and transitoriness, and because they are so much out of the reach and power of men, and wholly in the disposal of God. Purpose - Not only natural, but even the voluntary actions of men, are ordered and disposed by God. But it must be considered, that he does not here speak of a time allowed by God, wherein all the following things may lawfully be done, but only of a time fixed by God, in which they are actually done. To die - And as there is a time to die, so there is a time to rise again, a set time when they that lie in the grave shall be remembered. To kill - When men die a violent death. To heal - When he who seemed to be mortally wounded is healed. To weep - When men have just occasion for weeping. Stones - Which were brought together in order to the building of a wall or house. To embrace - When persons perform all friendly offices one to another. To life - When men lose their estates, either by God's providence, or by their own choice. To cast away - When a man casts away his goods voluntarily, as in a storm, to save his life, or out of love and obedience to God. To rent - When men rend their garments, as they did in great and sudden griefs.