But, in our present state, this is in reality a benefit ; for, if it were not so, we should be ready to take up our rest in this world, instead of seeking " that which remaineth for us" in the world to come. Troubles serve to bring us nigh to God for the supports and consolations which we stand in need of. And shall we complain of that which brings us near to him, and proves an occasion of richer communications from him ? No, verily : we should taste love, and love only, in our diver- sified afflictions ; and look to God as sending them " for our profit, that by means of them we may be made partakers of his holiness," and meet for his glory.]
3. Diligent in our pursuit of better things — [In heavenly things there are no drawbacks, except those which are caused by our own defects in seeking after them. There is no vanity in love to God, or love to man : and the more we labour after them, and delight ourselves in them, the happier we shall be. Could we but give ourselves wholly to these things, we should find in them a very heaven upon earth. To every one of you, then, I would recommend that prayer of David, " Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, and quicken thou me in thy way^."]
e Ps. cxix. 37.
Eccl. i. 14, 15. / have see?i all the ivories which are done under the sun; and behold, allis vanity and vexation of spirit. That which is crooked cannot be made straight; and that which is wanting, cannot be numbered.
THE Book of Ecclesiastes is generally supposed to have been written by Solomon, after he had re- pented of his manifold transgressions : and it is pleasing to view it in this hght : for, if it be not so, we have no record whatever of his penitence. But in this view its declarations are doubly interesting : as inspired by God, they are of Divine authority; and, as resulting from actual experience, they carry a much deeper conviction with them to our minds. Had one of the fishermen of Galilee spoken so strongly re- specting the vanity of the world, we might have said that he had never had any opportunity of knowing experimentally what attractions the world possessed: but Solomon had an ampler range for enjoyment than