Nor in this world neither; no evil befalls them; what may be thought to be so is for their good; though they know and are conscious of the evil of sin, and commit it, yet not willingly, and with love to it, and so as to make it the work of their lives; but lament it, repent of it, and forsake it, and do not feel the evil of punishment for it; yea, such enjoy much good; have much communion with God; large discoveries of his love; dwell in him, and shall at last dwell with him in the heavenly city; (see John 14:21,23 1 John 3:22,24 Revelation 22:14); and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment ; he knows not only what is his duty to do, both with respect to God and men, to a temporal prince or the King eternal; but he knows also the most fit and convenient time of doing it; and lays hold on every opportunity that offers, and which may be called “redeeming time”, ( Galatians 6:10 Ephesians 5:16); and he knows the right manner in which it should be performed, with all the agreeable circumstances of it, which he carefully observes; or he knows the judgment that will be passed, or the punishment that will be inflicted on delinquents, either by God or men; and therefore is careful to keep the commandment, and avoid it: and especially he remembers there is a judgment to come, when everything will be brought to an account; and, though he does not know the precise day and hour, yet he knows there will be such a time; so some render it, “the time of judgment” f197 : the Targum is, “and the time of prayer, and of judgment, and of truth, is known by the heart of the wise.”

Matthew Henry Commentary

Eccl. 8:1-5 None of the rich, the powerful, the honourable, or the accomplished of the sons of men, are so excellent, useful, or happy, a the wise man. Who else can interpret the words of God, or teach arigh from his truths and dispensations? What madness must it be for weak an dependent creatures to rebel against the Almighty! What numbers for wrong judgments, and bring misery on themselves, in this life and tha to come!

Eccl. 8:6-8 God has, in wisdom, kept away from us the knowledge of future events, that we may be always ready for changes. We must all die, no flight or hiding-place can save us, nor are there any weapon of effectual resistance. Ninety thousand die every day, upwards of sixty every minute, and one every moment. How solemn the thought! O that men were wise, that they understood these things, that they woul consider their latter end! The believer alone is prepared to meet the solemn summons. Wickedness, by which men often escape human justice cannot secure from death.

Eccl. 8:9-13 Solomon observed, that many a time one man rules ove another to his hurt, and that prosperity hardens them in their wickedness. Sinners herein deceive themselves. Vengeance comes slowly but it comes surely. A good man's days have some substance; he lives to a good purpose: a wicked man's days are all as a shadow, empty an worthless. Let us pray that we may view eternal things as near, real and all-important.

Eccl. 8:14-17 Faith alone can establish the heart in this mixed scene where the righteous often suffer, and the wicked prosper. Solomo commended joy, and holy security of mind, arising from confidence i God, because a man has no better thing under the sun, though a good ma has much better things above the sun, than soberly and thankfully to use the things of this life according to his rank. He would not have u try to give a reason for what God does. But, leaving the Lord to clea up all difficulties in his own time, we may cheerfully enjoy the comforts, and bear up under the trials of life; while peace of conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost will abide in us through all outward changes, and when flesh and heart shall fail __________________________________________________________________

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