Matthew Poole and continuators on Ecclesiastes 3:17

17 I said in mine heart , God shall judg the righteous and the wicked : for there is a time there , for every purpose, and for every work .

Mine Heart was sorely grieved at this disorder, but I quieted it with this consideration.

Absolving and saving the just, and condemning the wicked.

Fixed by God's unalterable Decree. He implies that as this life is the Sinners time in which he doth whatsoever seemeth good in his own Eyes, so God will have his time to reckon with them, and rectifie all these disorders.

In the presence or at the Judgment Seat of God, which is easily understood out of the foregoing words, the relative being put for the antecedent, as it is Numb. 7. 89. Esth. 9. 25. Iob 1. 21. Psal. 14. 5. & 114. 2. Or it may be rendred, then, as this Particle is used Psal. 14. 5. Hos. 2. 15. and as it is usual in other Authors for Adverbs of place to be put for Adverbs of time.

For the examining and judging not onely all mens practices or open actions, but also all their secret Thoughts and Purposes, all the evil which they either did, or designed, or desired, or endeavoured to do. The design of this Verse is partly to strike a terrour into oppressing Potentates, and partly to satisfy the doubts, and support the Spirits of good men who are oppressed in this life.

Marginal references: Ver. 1.