In the second place the proper sense and meaning of this portion of Scripture is to be considered. And for this cause, we are to be advertised of sundry things in the words themselves. And first of all, let it be observed, that Paul in the 7. v. saith, in the time past, I have counted all things loss: and in the next verse, in the time present, I do count all ⟨p. 3⟩things loss. The former speech is meant of that time in which he was first called to the knowledge of Christ: the second is spoken of the time, when he had long continued an Apostle of Christ, and writ this epistle to the Philippians. This distinction of times in one and the same word, makes much to the clearing of the doctrine, that shall afterward be delivered. Secondly, whereas in our translation, it is said in the eight verse, For whom I have counted all things loss, the words are too scant, and do not fully express the meaning of the holy Ghost. For the words fully translated, signify, I have made all things loss, or, I have cast away all things, or, I have deprived my self of all things for Christ. And whereas Paul had said before, [I count all things loss,] his meaning is to amplify his own words, by saying, I deprive my self of all things, and judge them dung for Christ. Thirdly, the word translated [Dung] signifieth such things in the entrails of beasts, as being unfit for mans use, are cast to dogs: and by it Paul signifies, that he did not only esteem ⟨p. 4⟩all things as losses, and deprive himself of them, but also cast them away with loathing, in a mind never to seek the recovery of them. Lastly, it must be known, that Paul in these verses useth a similitude borrowed from the merchant man; and it may be framed on this manner. The merchant in hope of a treasure, is content to esteem his commodities no commodities but losses; yea he is further content to cast them out into the sea, and to esteem them as things cast to dogs, that he may obtain his intended treasure: so, saith Paul, do I count all my former prerogatives as loss, and am content to deprive my self of them, yea to loath them as dung, for the obtaining of Christ.
In the second place the proper sense and meaning of this portion of Scripture is to be considered. And for this cause, we are to be aduertised of sundrie things in the wordes themselues. And first of all, let it be obserued, that Paul in the 7. v. saith, in the time past, I haue counted all things losse: and in the next verse, in the time present, I doe count all ⟨p. 3⟩things losse. The former speach is meant of that time in which he was first called to the knowledge of Christ: the second is spoken of the time, when he had long continued an Apostle of Christ, and writte this epistle to the Philippians. This distinction of times in one and the same word, makes much to the cleering of the doctrine, that shall afterward be deliuered. Secondly, whereas in our translation, it is saide in the eight verse, For whome I haue counted all things losse, the words are too skant, and do not fully expresse the meaning of the holy Ghost. For the words fully translated, signifie, I haue made all things losse, or, I haue cast away all things, or, I haue depriued my selfe of all things for Christ. And whereas Paul had said before, [I count all things losse,] his meaning is to amplifie his owne words, by saying, I depriue my selfe of all things, and iudge them dunge for Christ. Thirdly, the word translated [Doung] signifieth such things in the intralls of beasts, as beeing vnfit for mans vse, are cast to dogges: and by it Paul signifies, that he did not onely esteeme ⟨p. 4⟩all things as losses, and depriue himselfe of them, but also cast them away with loathing, in a minde neuer to seeke the recouerie of them. Lastly, it must be knowne, that Paul in these verses vseth a similitude borrowed from the marchant man; and it may be framed on this manner. The marchant in hope of a treasure, is cōtent to esteeme his commodities no commodities but losses; yea he is further content to cast them out into the sea, and to esteeme thē as things cast to dogges, that he may obtaine his intended treasure: so, saith Paul, doe I count all my former prerogatiues as losse, and am content to depriue my selfe of them, yea to loath them as dung, for the obtaining of Christ.
