The Pulpit Commentary — Ecclesiastes — Section 196

course is to be atpproved, than he will hear and think of nothing else! Is liberty good? Then away with all restraints I le self-denial good? Then away with all pleasures I Is the Bible the best of books? Then let no other volume be opened I Is our own country to be preferred to all beside'/ Then let no credit be allowed to foreigners for anything they may do I II. THIS TENDENOY TO EXTREMES IS OWING TO THE DOMINANOE OF FEELING. Calm reason would check such a tendency; but the voice of reason is silenced by passion or prejudice. Impulsive natures are hurried into unreasoning and extravagant opinions and habits of conduct. The momentum of a powerful emotion is very great; it may urge men onwards to an extent unexpected and dangerous, Whilst under the guidance of sober reason, feeling may be the motive power to virtue and usefulness; but when uncontrolled it may hurry into folly and disaster. JIJ. YIELDING TO THIS TENDENCY OCCASIONS THE LOSS OF SELF-RESPECT AND OF BOOIAL INFLUENCE. The man of extremes must, in his cooler moments of reflection, admit to himse·Jf that he has acted the part of an irrational being. And he certainly gains among his acquaintances the reputation of a fanatic; and even when he has sound and sober counsel to give, little heed is taken of his judgment. JV. MODERATION 18 USUALLY THE WISEST AND JUSTEST PRil<CIPLE OF HUMAN CONDUCT, A great moralist taught the ancient Greeks that the ethical virtues liR between extremes, and adduced many very striking instances of his law. Bravery lie~ between foolhardiness and cowardice; liberality between profusion and niggardliness, etc. That a very insufficient theory of morals was provided by this doctrine of "the mean" would universally be admitted. Yet no account of virtue can be satisfactory which does not point out the importance of guarding against those extremes of conduct into which men are liable to be hurried by the gusts of passion that sweep over their nature. Who has not learned by experience that broad, unqualified assertions are usually false, and that violent, one-sided courses of action are in most cases harmful and regrettable? 'lhere is wisdom in the old adage which boys learn in their Latin grammar, In medio tutissimw ibis.-T. Vers. 20, 29.-Peifection is not on earth. It would be a mistake to attribute these statements to anythlng peculiar in the experience and circumstances of the nuthor of this book. The most attentive and candid observers of human nature will attest the truth of these very decidedjudgments. Christians are sometimes accnsed of exaggerating human sinfulness, in order to prepare for the reception of the special doctrines of Christianity; but they are not so accused by observers whoso opportunities have been wide and varied, and who have the sagacity to interpret human conduct. I. TnE NATURE OF BIN. It is deflection from a Divine standard, departure from the Divine way, abuse of Divine provision, renunciation of Divine purpose. II. THE W."lVERBALlTY OF BIN. This is both the teaching of Scripture o.nd the lesson of all experience in every land and in every age. III. TnE EXOEPTION TO BIN. 'l'he Divine Man, Jesus Christ, alone among the sons of men, was faultless and perfect. IV. 'l'nE BPinlTUAL LESSONS TAUG!lT DY THE PREVALENCE OF BIN. 1. The dutv of humility, contrition, and repentance. 2. The value of the redemption and salvation which in the gospel Divine wisdom aud compassion have provided as the one universal remedy for the one universal evil that alliicts mankind.-T. Vere. 25-28.-Bad women a curse to society. It is generally considered that in this language we have the conclusion reached by Solomon, and thnt his polygamy was largely the explanation of t!ie very unfavourable opinion which he formed of the other sex. A monarch who takes to himself hundreds of wives o.nd concubines is scarcely likely to see much of the best side of woman's nature and life. AuJ if nmrriage i~ divinely intendeJ to draw out the unselfish, affectionate, and devoted qualities of feminine nature, such a purpose could not be more effectually frustrated than by an arrangement which assigns to a so-called wife an infinitesimal portion of a husband'~ time, attention, interest, and love. For this reason it is not fair to take the sweepin~ statement of this passage as expressing a universal and unquestionable truth. What i~ laid of the bitterness of the wickeu woman, and _of the mischief sho does in society, 184 ECCLESIASTES; OR, T~ PREACHER. [orr. vn. 1-29,