If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he. (4) For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness. (5) Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known anything: this hath more rest than the other. (6) Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?
The Preacher here proves, that prosperity, without grace, though lengthened to the greatest period, still only tends to swell the vanity and vexation of it, as the years are lengthened. And what a melancholy thought is it, that the continuance of those carnal powers, for the gratification of the flesh, only serve to lead the heart further from God, rather than bring the heart to God. Reader! nothing short of grace can accomplish this; and therefore, it must undeniably follow, that without grace, nothing can constitute happiness.