John Trapp on Ecclesiastes 9:5

Verſ. 5. For the living know that they ſhall dye] Hence that Proverb amongſt us, As ſure as death. Howbeit, that they think little of it to any good purpoſe, appears by that other Proverb, I thought no more of it, than of my dying-day.

But the dead know not any thing] So it ſeemeth to thoſe Atheiſts that deny the immortality of the ſoul, but they ſhall know at death that there is another life beyond this, wherein the righteous ſhall bee comforted,Luk. 16.25 and their knowledge perfected, but the wicked tormented; and with nothing more, than to know that ſuch and ſuch poor ſouls as they would have diſdained to have ſet with the Doggs of their flocks, are now ſitting down with Abraham, Job 30.1 Luk. 13.28 Iſaac and Jacob in the Kingdome of God, and themſelves thruſt out into utter darkneſs,Auguſtin. in tenebras extenebris infeliciter excluſi, infelicius excludendi.

Neither have they any more a reward] What?Pſal. 58.11 not a reward for the righteous? Not a certain fearful looking for of judgement, and fiery indignation which ſhall devour evil-doers? That were ſtrange.Heb. 10.27 But wicked men would fain perſwade themſelves ſo; ut liberius peccent, libenter ignorant, Bern 2 Pet. 2.5. Of theſe things they are willingly ignorant.

For the memory of them is forgotten] This is true in part, but not altogether. Joſeph was forgotten in Egypt, Gideon in Iſrael. Exod. 1 Judg. 9 Joaſh remembred not the kindneſs which Jehoiadah had done to him, but ſlew his ſon, 2 Chron. 24.22. Nevertheleſs, the foundation of God ſtands firm, having this ſeal, the Lord knoweth them that are his;2 Tim. 2 Mal. 3.16. Luk. 10.20 and there is a book of remembrance written before him, for them that fear the Lord, their names are written in Heaven, and the memory of the juſt is bleſſed, Proverbs 10.7. See the Note there.