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Ecc_5:15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.
Ver. 15. As he came forth of his mother’s womb,] q.d., If riches leave not us while we live, yet we are sure to leave them when we die. {a} Look how a false harlot leaves her lover when arrested for debt, and follows other customers; so is it here. And as dogs, though they go along with us in company, yet at parting they run every one to his own master. So do these to the world, when we come to leave the world. Death, as a porter, stands at the gate, and strips us of all our thick clay wherewith we are laden. {See Trapp on "Ecc_2:22"}
To go as he came.] Like an unwelcome guest, or an unprofitable servant, a cipher, and excrement. Oh live, live, live, saith a reverend man, {b} quickly, much, long; so you are welcome to the world: else you are but hissed and kicked off this stage of the world, as Phocas was by Heraclius; nay, many {as Job_27:23} who were buried before half dead, &c.
And shall take nothing of hls labour.] Ne obolum quo naulum Charonti solvant. Some have had great store of gold and silver buried with them, and others would needs be buried in a monk’s cowl, out of a superstitious conceit of speeding the better in another world; but it hath profited them nothing at all. {Ecc_9:10}
{a} Haud ullas portabis opes Acherontis ad undas: Nudas ab inferna stulte vehere rate. - Propert.
{b} "Abner’s funeral," by Dr Harris.