N01377:13
The believers gain by death
The believers gain by death: opened and applied in a sermon. Wherein is showed, who are they that live to Christ, and how death will be gainful to all that do so. Upon the death of a valuable relative. / By I. Mather, D.D. ; [Six lines of quotations]The believers gain by death: opened and applyed in a sermon. Wherein is shewed, who are they that live to Christ, and how death will be gainful to all that do so. Upon the death of a valuable relative. / By I. Mather, D.D. ; [Six lines of quotations]
Boston: printed by B.G for S. Gerrish, 1713
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
The Believers Gain by DEATH.
Philippians I. 21. For me to Live is Christ, and to Die is Gain.
THE Apostle in this Chapter speaks of the sufferings & dangers which he was exposed unto on the account of his Preaching the Gospel of Christ. His Enemies were resolved if possible, either to cause him to cease Preaching Christ, or to take his Life from him. He had an holy confidence that he should be saved from what his Enemies designed against him. ⟨p. 2⟩For which he mentions two reasons, in the 19. verse of this Chapter. (1.) In that the Lords People were Praying for him; and he was persuaded that God would hear their Prayers in his behalf. (2.) Because of a supply from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. That Spirit would supply him with Grace, which would make him courageous and constant in professing the Truth against all the Opposition of his Adversaries. I know that this shall turn to my Salvation, through your Prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. He moreover declares, that as to himself, he was not much concerned what should happen to him, whether Life or Death, Considering that if he lived longer, Christ would be magnified by his Life, and if he should die a Martyr in the cause of Christ, Christ would be magnified by his Death, and he himself should be a gainer thereby; as he intimates in this with ⟨p. 3⟩the preceding verse. The latter part of this verse is a consequent from the former part. Wherefore the Doctrine to be insisted on, is,
THE Apostle in this Chapter speaks of the sufferings & dangers which he was exposed unto on the account of his Preaching the Gospel of Christ. His Enemies were resolved if possible, either to cause him to cease Preaching Christ, or to take his Life from him. He had an holy confidence that he should be saved from what his Enemies designed against him.