John Trapp on Ecclesiastes 7:3

Verſ. 3. Sorrow is better than laughter] Here (as likewiſe in the two former verſes) is a collation, and praelation, Sorrow or indignation conceived for ſin, is better than laughter, i. e. carnal and prophane mitth. This is [non-Latin text not transcribed], as Nazianzen ſpeaks in another caſe, a Paradox to the world, but ſuch as may ſooner and better bee proved than thoſe Paradoxes of the antient Stoicks. The world is a perfect ſtranger to the truth of this ſacred poſition, as being all ſet upon the merry Pin, and having ſo far baniſhed ſadneſs, as that they are no leſs enemies to ſeriouſneſs, than the old Romans were to the name of the Tarquins. Theſe Philiſtins cannot ſee how out of this Eater can come Meat, and out of this Strong, Sweet; how any man ſhould reaſonably perſwade them to turn their laughter into mourning, and joy into heavineſs, James 4.9. A pound of grief, ſay they, will not pay an ounce of debt, a little mirth is worth a great deal of ſorrow; there is nothing better than for a man to eat and drink, and laugh himſelf fat: Spiritus Calvinianus, Spiritus Melancholicus (a Popiſh Proverb) to bee preciſe and godly, is to bid adue to all mirth and jollity, and to ſpend his daies in heavineſs and horrour. This is the judgement of the mad world, ever beſide it ſelf in point of Salvation. But what ſaith our Preacher, who had the experience of both, and could beſt tell? Sorrow is better, for it makes the heart better; It betters the better part; and is therefore compared to fire, that purgeth out the droſs of ſin, to water, that waſheth out the dreggs of ſin, yea, to eye-water, ſharp, but ſoveraign. By waſhing in theſe troubled waters, the conſcience is cured, and Gods Naamans cleanſed. By feeding upon this bitter-ſweet root, Gods penitentiaries are fenced againſt the temptations of Satan, the corruption of their own hearts, and the allurements of this preſent evil world. Theſe tears drive away the Devil much better than Holy-water, as they called it; they quench Hell flames, and as April ſhowers, they bring on a man the May-flowers, both of grace, 1 Pet. 5.5. and of glory, Jer. 4.14. What an ill match therefore make our Mirth-mongers, that purchaſe laughter many times with ſhame, loſs, miſery, beggery, rottenneſs of body, diſtreſs, damnation, that hunt after it to Hell, and light a candle at the Devil for lightſomeneſs of heart, by haunting Ale-houſes, Brothel-houſes, conventicles of good fellowſhip, ſinful and unſeaſonable ſports, and other vain fooleries, in the froth whereof is bred and fed that worm that never dies? A man is neareſt danger, when hee is moſt merry, ſaid Mr. Greenham. And, God caſt not man out of Paradiſe, (ſaith another Reverend Man) that hee might here build him another; but that, as that bird of Paradiſe, hee might alwaies bee upon the wing, and if at any time taken, never leave groaning and grieving till hee bee delivered. This will bring him a Paradiſe of ſweeteſt peace, and make much for the lengthening of his tranquillity and conſolation, Dan. 4.27. Oh how ſweet a thing is it, at the feet of Jeſus, to ſtand weeping, to water them with tears, to dry them with ſighs, and to kiſs them with our mouths! Onely thoſe that have made their eyes a fountain to waſh Chriſts feet in, may look to have Chriſts heart a fountain to bathe their ſouls in.