Eccl. vii. 10. Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days icere better than these"? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.
IN the writings of Solomon we find many maxims, which, if uttered by an miinspired man, would be con- troverted ; but to which, as suggested by inspiration from God, we submit without gainsaying. That which is delivered in the passage before us does not, at first sight, carry its own evidence along with it : but the more it is investigated, the more will it appear to be a dictate of sound wisdom, and worthy of universal accep- tation. That we may derive from it the ftdl benefit which it is calculated to impart, let us consider.
I. What is the inquiry which is here discouraged —
It is not everi/ comparison of existing circumstances with the past, that is here reprobated —
[In many situations we may, with the utmost propriety, institute an inquiry into the reasons of any change which may have taken place. A man, in relation to his own temporal con- cerns, would be very unwise if he neglected to do so. Suppose, for instance, his business, which was formex'ly in a very pro- sperous state, have failed, can we condemn him for inquiring into the occasion of that failure ? Should we not think him worthy of severe blame, if he did not labour to find out the cause of this change in his circumstances ; in order, if possible,
to apply a remedy before it was too late ? Nor is all
inquiry precluded in relation to the concer?is of the natmi. If there have been a plain and visible decline in the national prosperity, all who are affected by it are entitled, with mo- desty, to inquire whence that decline has arisen ; and to express to those who are in authority their sentiments respect- ing it ; and to point out what they conceive to be the most judicious and effectual means of remedying the existing evils
In reference to the C07icerns of the soul, to neglect
such inquiries would be the height of folly and wickedness. Suppose a person to have formerly walked with God, and experienced much of His presence in his soul, and now to have become destitute of all spiritual life and comfort ; should not he ask, " Wherefore were the former days better than these ? " Yes : to examine into this matter is his bounden duty. The Apostle says, " Let a man examine himself:" and the Lord Jesus counsels the Ephesian Church, " when they had left their first love, to remember from whence they had fallen, and to repent, and do their first works ^" So that it is clear, that the prohibition respecting such inquiries is not uni- versal, but must be limited to such occasions as Solomon had more especially in view.]
The comparisons which are here discouraged, are those which are the mere effusions of discontent —
[In every age, discontented men have been forward to make this inquiry ; " What is the cause that the former days were better than these ? " They make no endeavour to ascer- tain the correctness of their sentiments; but, taking for granted that they are right, they demand the reason of so strange a phenomenon. Now it is a curiovis fact, that this is the habit of discontented men in every age. Those who are now advanced in life, can remember, that, in their earh' days, the very same clamour was made by discontented men as at this hour : and,
^ Rev. ii. 5.