Commentary on Ecclesiastes

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. This rule I have endeavored to comply with, in the fol lowing little work now presented to the public. With what success, must be referred to competent judges. I can only say, that in honestly endeavoring to follow it, I have found no serious occasion for stumbling or offence at the book. Here, as in every work of this nature, the animus auctorz's must be sought after, and if possible dis covered. That is, or should be, our guide. If the writer did not design to give us a mere preceptive and ethical treatise, but to pkilosoplzize on the vanity of human life, and to consider the many objections against a wise and holy Providence, which arise from the miseries of men, and the unequal distribution of prosperity and adversity among them - if such was his design, how can it be strange that he has brought to view many of these objec tions, in order that the reader may see them, and see the manner in which they are answered? The objections should, in such a case, be taken for what they are, viz., for objections or doubts that naturally arise in a mind on which gospel light has not shined; and the answers to them are to be thoroughly investigated. Paul has pur sued a similar course in some of his epistles; and this.

This rule I have endeavored to comply with, in the fol lowing little work now presented to the public. With what success, must be referred to competent judges. I can only say, that in honestly endeavoring to follow it, I have found no serious occasion for stumbling or offence at the book. Here, as in every work of this nature, the animus auctorz's must be sought after, and if possible dis covered. That is, or should be, our guide. If the writer did not design to give us a mere preceptive and ethical treatise, but to pkilosoplzize on the vanity of human life, and to consider the many objections against a wise and holy Providence, which arise from the miseries of men, and the unequal distribution of prosperity and adversity among them — if such was his design, how can it be strange that he has brought to view many of these objec tions, in order that the reader may see them, and see the manner in which they are answered? The objections should, in such a case, be taken for what they are, viz., for objections or doubts that naturally arise in a mind on which gospel light has not shined; and the answers to them are to be thoroughly investigated. Paul has pur sued a similar course in some of his epistles; and this.