The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and [that which was] written [was] upright, [even] words of truth.
Ver. 10. The Preacher sought, &c.] He sought and sought, by pains and prayer. He knew the rule, Bene orasse, est bene studuisse, a To have prayed well is to have studied well. By prayer and tears St John got the book opened. Rev 5:4 Luther got much of his insight into God's matters by the same means.
To find out acceptable words.] Verba desiderata; so Cajetan renders it. Verba delectabilia; so Tremellius. Verba expetibilia; so Vatablus. Delectable and desirable words, dainty expressions, that might both please and profit, tickle the ear, and with it take the heart. Such a master of speech was Paul, Act 14:12 who thundered and lightened b in his discourses like another Pericles. Such a one was Apollos, that eloquent preacher, "mighty in the Scriptures," ειπειν δεινοτατος, like another Phocion, a weighty speaker; such were many of the Greek and Latin fathers. Ambrose for one, whom when Augustine heard preach, Veniebant, saith he, in animum meum simul cum verbis quae deligebam, etiam res quas negligebam, There came into my mind, together with the words which I chiefly looked after, the matter which till then I made no reckoning of. Et res et verba. Both deeds and words. Philip Melanchthon could dress his doctrine in dainty terms, and so slide insensibly into the hearts of his hearers. Egit vir eloquens ut intelligenter ut obedienter audiretur, as Augustine c hath it; This eloquent man took pains that he might be heard with understanding, with obedience. The like might be said of Calvin, famous for the purity of his style and the holiness of his matter. Viret, in whose sermons singularem eloquentiam et in commovendis affectibus efficacitatem admirabar, saith Zanchy, d greatly admired at his singular eloquence and skill to work upon the affections by his elaborate discourses.
And that which was written was upright.] A corde ad cor, void of all insincerity and falsehood. Pro 8:8 Seducers come for the most part with pithanology - " by good words and fair speeches they deceive the hearts of the simple." Rom 16:18 But our Preacher's words are of another alloy, not more delicious and toothsome, than sound and wholesome, 2Ti 3:16 proceeding from a right heart, and tending to make men upright, transforming them into the same image, and transfusing them into the divine nature.
a Luther.
b Intonabat. fulgurabat Cicero. - Plutarch.
c De Doct. Christ., lib. iv. cap. 14.
d Zanch. Miscell., Ep. Dedic.