A09472:15
The true gain more in worth then all the goods in the worldThe true gaine more in worth then all the goods in the world
The true gain more in worth then all the goods in the world.The true gaine more in worth then all the goods in the world.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1601Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1601
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Furthermore the sum and substance of the words, is a comparison of things unequal, and it may be formed thus: All things are loss to me for Christ: and Christ is my gain. The first part of the comparison is of Pauls losses, and it is amplified two ways. First he sets down, what things be his loss: and they are of two sorts. Privileges, ⟨p. 5⟩virtues, and works before his conversion when he was a Pharisee: again privileges, virtues, and works after his conversion when he was an Apostle of Christ: the first are mentioned in the 7. v. the latter in the eight. Secondly Paul sets down, how all things are losses to him by a gradation, thus: I count all things loss: I deprive my self of them: I count them dung.
Furthermore the summe and substance of the wordes, is a comparison of things vnequall, and it may be formed thus: All things are losse to me for Christ: and Christ is my gaine. The first part of the comparison is of Pauls losses, and it is amplified two waies. First he sets downe, what things be his losse: and they are of two sorts. Priuiledges, ⟨p. 5⟩vertues, and workes before his conuersion when he was a Pharisie: againe priuiledges, vertues, and workes after his conuersion when he was an Apostle of Christ: the first are mentioned in the 7. v. the latter in the eight. Secondly Paul sets downe, how all things are losses to him by a gradation, thus: I count all things losse: I depriue my selfe of them: I count them dung.
The second part of the comparison is of Pauls Gain. And it is amplified by a contrary gradation, thus: I esteem the knowledge of Christ an excellent thing: I desire to gain Christ: and I desire to be found in him. Of these points in order: and first of Pauls losses before his conversion, in these words: For the things that were vantage to me, I counted loss for Christ. That these things may be well known, let us yet more narrowly search the meaning of these words. The things that were vantage to Paul are of three sorts. First his privileges, that he was borne a Jew, that is, a member of the church: and again, that he was circumcised and