Matthew Poole and continuators on Ecclesiastes 6:12

12 For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow ? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun ?

No man certainly knows what is best for him here, whether to be high or low, rich or poor, because those great things which men generally desire and pursue, are very frequently the occasions of Mens utter Ruine, as hath been noted again and again in this Book.

Life itself, which is the foundation of all mens Comforts and Enjoyments here, is a vain, and uncertain, and transitory thing, and therefore all things which depend upon it must needs be so too.

Which, whilest it abides, hath nothing real, and solid, or substantial in it, and doth speedily pass away, and leaves no sign behind it.

And as no man can be happy with these things whilest he liveth and enjoyeth them, so he can have no content in leaving them to others, because he knoweth not either who shall possess them, or how the future owners will use or abuse them, or what mischief they may do by them either to others, or even to themselves.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] the num [illegible: 1+ letters] of the days [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] life of his [illegible: 1 word].; Ps. 102. 11. [illegible: 1+ letters] 109. 23. [illegible: 1+ letters] 144. 4. Ch. 8. 13. Ja[illegible: 1+ letters]. 4. 14.