John Trapp on Ecclesiastes 9:18

Verſ. 18. Wiſdome is better than weapons of war] As David found it in his encounter with Goliah, Gideon in his ſtratagem againſt the Midianites, and our renowned Drake in diſſipating that invincible Armado, which being three years in preparing with incredible coſt, was by his wiſdome within a month overthrown, and confounded with the loſſe of one Engliſh Ship onely, and not an hundred perſons. Romani ſedendo vincunt. This was the glory of the Romans, that they conquered the world by wiſdome, not by weapons.

Ʋnus homo nobis cunctando reſtituit rem.

Plutarch.Not Achilles, but Ʋlyſſes is termed [non-Latin text not transcribed], the ſacker of Cities; Cyneas took more Towns by his policy, than Pyrrhus by his proweſſe.

But one ſinner deſtroyeth much good] Hee may bee as an Achan in the Army, as a Jonas in the Ship, a trouble-town, a common miſchief, a traitor to the State; eſpecially if hee bee an eminent man; as Jeroboam (that ring-leader of rebellion) and Manaſſeh, who made Judah alſo to ſin, 2 King. 21.11. and ſo brought ſuch evil upon them, that whoſoever heard of it, both his ears tingled, verſ. 12. Great mens ſins do more hurt, 1 By Imitation, for Regis ad exemplum, &c. 2 By Imputation, for plectuntur Achivi, the poor people pay for ſuch mens faults, as they did for Davids, 2 Sam. 24. I ſhall cloſe up this Chapter with that memorable paſſage of a Reverend Writer, yet alive; If Englands fears were greater, thy Reformation may ſave it, Jer. 5.1. If our hopes were greater, thy ſin and ſecurity might undo it, Eccleſ. 9.18. One ſinner deſtroies much good. I onely add, how much more a rabble of rebels, conſpiring to provoke God? Sure I am, wee have great cauſe to wiſh for our Country, as Ferus did for the Romiſh Synagogue; I would wee had ſome Moſes, ſaid hee, to take away the evils: Non enim unum tantum vitulum, ſed multos habemus, for wee have not onely one golden Calf, but many amongſt us.