THE ARGUMENT OF
KIng Salomon a divine Preacher, whereof this Book is called Ecclesiastes, exhorteth all such as have learned the principles of good life, to contemn this world: because all things therein are vain, and insufficient to give repose to man's soul: showing that true felicity, which all men desire, consisteth not in natural knowledge, gotten by wit and industry, nor in worldly pleasures, much less in carnal; nor in riches; nor in authority or dominion; nor in any other temporal thing, as diverse diversly think: but only in the true service of God, by flying from sin, and doing good works, as in the meritorious cause, and essentially in the clear vision of God: the proper end, for which man was created. And so this Book containeth three principal parts. First this divine preacher confuteth all their opinions, that imagine a false felicity in human, worldly, or temporal things: to the beginning of the 7th chapter. In the rest of that chapter and three following, he teacheth that true felicity consisteth in the eternal fruition of God: and is procured by declining from vices and embracing virtues. In the two last chapters he exhorteth all to begin speedily to serve God, and to persevere therein to the end of this life.