The Preacher exhorteth to bountiful almsgiving. 1 Cast thy bread upon the thine hand: for thou knowest waters for thou shalt find it not whether shall prosper, either after many days. this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. 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 way of 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. 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. 10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity. LECTURE 1085. 6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not Of giving and enjoying, with a view to the future judgment. In treating of the way to enjoy as much of happiness as this vain transitory life can yield, it was not likely that the inspired preacher would omit to mention almsgiving; the pleasure of doing good to others, with that which belongs to ourselves. Accordingly we find him here exhorting us to give largely, and to give freely. And we may apply to our own conduct the reasons here assigned for large and free almsgiving. "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days." What we give, however freely we give it, will be returned to our advantage; for it is regarded as lent unto the Lord. And we are assured in the book of Proverbs, that He will not fail to repay it. See Prov. 19. 17. “Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth." This would be a reason with many against giving. If evil days are apprehended, they would rather be inclined to hoard for their own use. But when trouble comes, they are likely to lose all that they have laid by for themselves. Whereas that which they have lent unto the Lord is in safe keeping. No evil that may happen on earth can rob them of treasure in heaven. In the giving of abundance we have a pattern in the clouds, which when full of rain, part with it for the refreshment of the earth, and in the falling of trees, which prove a benefit to those in whose neighbourhood they fall. And if we are tempted to withhold our bounty until quite sure that it will not be misplaced, we may profitably remark, that "he that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap." Such hesitation would prevent our enjoying the fruits of the earth. We cannot be sure of weather beforehand. We can no more account for the changes of wind and clouds, than we can explain the formation and growth of a child that is unborn. Therefore we ought to sow in due season, be the weather what it may; taking the best opportunity that the wind and clouds admit of. And in like manner we ought to give alms largely without hesitation, taking the best means in our power to prevent the abuse of our almsgiving, but not waiting and giving nothing until we feel quite sure that our alms will not be abused. "Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun: 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." This also is probably mentioned as an argument for our giving largely and freely. However much we enjoy life and all its blessings, let us remember life will not last always. After the days of youth and health follow those of old age and decay. And it might be truly said to those who lived before Christ's coming, and before there was ground to look for his second coming speedily, that after this life ended the days of darkness will be many. All that happened after death would be vanity, as far as concerned those who were lying in the grave. They could have no pleasure and no profit in the goods which they left behind them when they died. And therefore it would be their wisdom, their gain, their pleasure, their best way to enjoy their goods, to give them away largely whilst yet alive. And to the like purpose seems to be the exhortation following: "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. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh for childhood and youth are vanity." That is to say, there is a judgment to come; enjoy youth thankfully, but enjoy it as one who must give account of thy enjoyments. God delights to see thee happy. He has filled the spirits of the young with joy, and He is well pleased to witness their gladness of heart; provided they put away evil as well as sorrow, sin no less than sadness. For youth also, remember, is but transitory, like life itself; youth and its joyous spirits, as well as life and its many pleasures, as well as wealth, and all the good things which it procures, are talents, for the due use of which all must hereafter give account to God. The Preacher exhorteth to remember God in youth. 1 Remember now thy Creator 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 shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low; 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 7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. 8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity. 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 acceptable 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. LECTURE 1086. The wisdom of serving God all our life long. Give In this concluding chapter, the Preacher lays down another great principle of happy living, "Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth." Live a holy life from the beginning. to God, not that which costs you nothing, not merely the years when you can no longer enjoy the world, but the prime of your health and strength. This is the way to be happy whilst young, and to be happy as long as life endures. But alas, how few act on this advice! How many refuse to think of God, and of his word and will, until the years come when they are forced to own, "I have no pleasure in them;" With both body and mind worn out in the service of another master, they at length bethink themselves of Him who made them; and offer to become his servants, when they have no strength left for doing his work. This is when their faculties are so dimmed by age, that it is with them as though there were neither sun nor daylight, moon nor stars; but only clouds and rain one after another. Then are they as a house whose keepers tremble, and the strong men bow themselves down; a house left to desolation and decay; in which there are none who grind corn for food, none to look out of the windows, or to go out of the doors. Then are they awakened by the slightest noise, and yet insensible to the sweetest sounds, easily alarmed, grey headed, like the almond tree in blossom, unequal to the slightest burden, incapable of the most faint desire, bound to their long home, with the mourners in the streets ready to make lamentation. Then is the silver cord loosed, and the golden bowl broken, the cord and bowl of health and life. And the human frame, that masterpiece of art divine, then becomes like a pitcher broken at the fountain, or a wheel broken at the cistern. For, "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." And yet it is not till then that very many of mankind would begin to think of their Creator, and to prepare for appearing in his presence! Most vain of all vanities! Most foolish of all foolishness! Well might the Preacher seek for figures the most expressive, wherewith to denounce this folly, for words the most acceptable wherewith to recommend that early piety, which is our true wisdom! May his sayings be as goads to stir us up to a life holy and religious from first to last! And like nails firmly driven home, may these rules of happy living be fastened in our memories, by the preaching of our living ministers, under direction of the one Shepherd of our souls! Amongst the multitude of guides who offer to direct us, to whom should we go but to Him, who has the words of eternal life? See John 6. 68. In what book but his Scriptures should we study how to be happy both here and hereafter? And if, according to the Preacher, this is "the conclusion of the whole matter," that we should fear God, and do his will, out of regard to a future judgment, where can we find, in the Old Testament, any thing more like to this description of "the everlasting Gospel," given us by an angel in the New: "Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come?" Rev. 14. 6, 7. God give us grace so to fear his judgments as not to incur his displeasure! God grant that we may so love Him, and so obey his will, that we may have no room to fear, but only to hope, to love, and to rejoice, henceforth for evermore! 650 THE SONG OF SOLOMON 1. 1-17. The Bride and Bridegroom address each other. 1 The song of songs, which is Solomon's. 2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. 3 Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. 4 Draw me, we will run after thee the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee. 5 I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. 6 Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept. 7 Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions? 10 Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold. 11 We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver. 12 While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof. 13 A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts. 14 My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi. 15 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes. 16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green. 17 The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir. LECTURE 1087. As Christ has loved the church, so ought we to love Him. The Psalms of David were usually composed in reference to events in his own life, and at the same time were so written as to signify matters relating to the life and kingdom of Christ. like manner "The song of Solomon" seems to relate in the first instance to his marriage with Pharaoh's daughter, and yet to point in a prophetic sense to the spiritual marriage and unity which is between Christ and his Church. We cannot indeed speak positively on this subject, because we do not find the song of Solomon applied to Christ in the New Testament, as the Psalms of David often are. But we have many reasons for thinking it most highly probable. First, Solomon was himself a type of Christ. For the promises www |