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Matthew Poole and continuators on Ecclesiastes 1:8

Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Browse this work.

Ecclesiastes1:8

8 All things are full of labour , man cannot utter it : the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing .

Not onely the Sun, and Winds, and Rivers, which I have mentioned, but all other Creatures.

Both subjectively, as they are in continual restlesness and change, never abiding in the same state or place; and efficiently, as they cause great and sore labour to men, in getting, and keeping, and enjoying of them, yea even in the study of them, as is noted hereafter.

The labour is inexpressibly and unconceivably great.

As there are many things in the World troublesome and vexatious to mens senses and minds, so even those things which are comfortable and acceptable to them are not satisfactory, but men are constantly desiring some longer continuance or fuller enjoyment of them, or variety in them, and they never say, It is enough, I desire no more. The Eye and Ear are here synedochically put for all the senses, because these are most Spiritual and refined, most curious and inquisitive, most capable of receiving satisfaction, because they are exercised with more ease and pleasure than the other senses, whose satisfactions are oft attended with greater weariness, and manifold dangers, and inconveniences.

Matthew Poole and continuators, Annotations upon the Holy Bible, Ecclesiastes 1:8. Public domain.

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