The ARGUMEN T. SOLOMON again feçking Happiness, enquires if; Wealth and Greatness can produce it: begins with the Magnificence of Gardens and Buildings, the Luxury of Mufic and Feafting; and proceeds to the Hopes and Defires of Love. In two Epifodes are fhewn the Follies and Troubles of that Poften. SOLOMON fill disappointed, falls under pimptations of Libertinism and Idolatry; recovers bis Iught, reasons aright, and concludes, that as to the Purfuit of Pleasure, and fenfual Delight, ALL IS VANITY AND VEXATION OF SPIRIT. TEXTS chiefly alluded to in this Book. I said in my own Heart, go to now, I will prove thee with Mirth; therefore enjoy Pleasure. ECCLESIASTES, Chap. II. Verf. 1. I made me great Works, I builded me Houses, I planted me Vineyards. Verf. 4. I made me Gardens and Orchards; and I planted Trees in them of all kind of Fruits. Verf. 5. I made me Pools of Water, to water therewith the Wood that bringeth forth Trees. Verf. 6. Then I looked on all the Works that my Hands had wrought, and on the Labour that I had laboured to do: And behold, all was Vanity, and Vexation of Spirit; and there was no Profit under the Sun. Verf. 11. I gat me Men-Singers and Women-Singers, and the Delights of the Sons of Men, as Mufical Inftruments, and that of all Sorts. Verf. 8. I fought in mine Heart to give my felf unto Wine (yet acquainting mine Heart with Wisdom) and to lay hold on Folly, 'till I might fee what was that Good for the Sons of Men, which they should do under Heaven, all the Days of their Life. Verf. 3. Then I said in my Heart, as it happeneth unto the Fool, so it happeneth even unto Me; and why was I then more Wife? Then I faid in my Heart, that this alfo is Vanity. Verf. 15. Therefore I hated Life, is grievous unto me. because the Work that is wrought under the Sun Chap. II. Verf. 27. Dead Flies cause the Oyntment to fend forth a stinking Savour: so doth the little Folly him that is in Reputation for Wisdom and Honour. Chap. X. Verf. 1. The Memory of the Juft is bleffed, but the Memory of the Wicked fhall rot. PROVERBS, Chap. X. Verse. 7. |