Four useful discourses viz. ... /Four usefull discourses viz. ... /

Phil. 1. 21. For to me to Live, is Christ; and to Die is Gain.

This blessed Apostle Paul, had in the Course of his Life, many things befell him that seem to be very Cross, much Opposition, great were his Sufferings, even unto Bonds: And much hard Usage he had, not only from open Enemies, but from false Brethren, whose Spirits were full of Envy against him: And who can stand before Envy? They were vexed to see how his Ministry prevailed in the Hearts of People; to see what great Esteem he had, how precious his Name was among the Saints: They knew not what course to take to Darken him, and therefore among others, some of them would set upon Preaching Christ as well as he, and see what they could do that way; they would be as forward as he. Well, saith Paul, all this makes for my Good, and I rejoice in it, so be it I may be any occasion that Christ may be Preached, whether of Goodwill, or Envy: I am glad Christ is made known by this, and this shall turn (saith he) to my Salvation, to the ⟨p. 105⟩Glory that I expect from Christ, and with Christ: That shall be furthered by it, so long (saith he) as Christ is Honoured, I shall never be ashamed: No matter what becomes of my Body, of my Life, so that Christ may be Magnified in my Body, whether it be by Life, or by Death: For to me to Live is Christ, and to Die is Gain. And this is the Coherence of the Words.

THis blessed Apostle Paul, had in the Course of his Life, many things befel him that seem to be very Cross, much Opposition, great were his Sufferings, even unto Bonds: And much hard Usage he had, not only from open Enemies, but from false Brethren, whose Spirits were full of Envy against him: And who can stand before Envy? They were vexed to see how his Ministery prevailed in the Hearts of People; to see what great Esteem he had, how precious his Name was among the Saints: They knew not what course to take to Darken him, and therefore among others, some of them would set upon Preaching Christ as well as he, and see what they could do that way; they would be as forward as he. Well, saith Paul, all this makes for my Good, and I rejoyce in it, so be it I may be any occasion that Christ may be Preached, whether of Goodwill, or Envy: I am glad Christ is made known by this, and this shall turn (saith he) to my Salvation, to the