Exposition of Philippians 3, Part 44
VERS. 19. Whose end is destruction.
THe word signifies a rew…rd, and is translated, and taken often for an end; because reward is given at the end of the worke: and thus is salvation called a reward for goodnesse, because it is given at the end of a holy life. The other word signifies damnation or destruction, which implyes all things tending to, or accompanying the punishment of a wicked life: and the connexion of these words with the former, may be thus framed; hee that is an enemie to the cause of life, is an enemie to life, but those that are enemies to the crosse of Christ, are enemies to the cause of life, and to that which saves them; and therefore they must needs be destroyed: this made the Apostle judge of them thus, and withall be saw they were void of grace, and were incorrigible: and from hence we may inferie,
That wee may in some sort judge of the spirituall estate of men, even while they are alive ▪ for as Astronomers can judge of eclipses, and statesmen of the continuance or danger of the state, and Physitians of the event of diseases, by the course of naturall causes; so in religion, there are predictions on good grounds, what will follow of ill courses, tending to dam nation.
A threefold judgment.But more particularly, there is a three-fold judgement.
First, one by Faith, which (concerning our selves) brings certainty, and so wee are able to judge of our selves.
Secondly, there is a judgement by fruits; comparing mens disposition and state, with their fruits, and so wee say, if men walke riotously, we can inferre, surely he is in no good estate: by their fruits shall you know them, saith Christ.
Thirdly, there is a particular revelation of Gods spirit, this the Prophets and Apostles had, but now we have no such rule; yet by the fruits and course of men, its an easie matter to judge, what the end of those men will be, following those courses; for Gods word is the same now that it was then. Indeed, when wee judge men in things indifferent this is rash, and condemned by the Apostle. Rom. 14.
For Use hereof, let us learne to judge our selves, and know if wee breake wilfully the knowne rules of salvation, we are in a fearfull estate. And we should also submit to the judgement of Gods ministers while we are here, and amend, for else looke assuredly for the sentence of death hereafter, from God himselfe, when there will be no revoking thereof. For though punishment may be deferred a while, yet assuredly it sh…ll not goe well with the wicked (Eccles. 8.13.) at the last.
In the next place observe, There is an end to every way: for it is taken for granted that they have an end, and surely wee will not, nor cannot be alwayes as we are, wee are labourers, and there is a time of payment of our wages. And therefore wee should looke whether our wayes doe tend, there will bee an end of this life, but damnation shall be without end. We should also bee inquisitive to see if wee be out of this way, that we may be reformed, for these worldly pleasures must end in eternall vengeance, and this life is but a way to that end.
And in the third place learne to bee patient, when wee see the wicked runne on in a broad high way, what though they be admired here, and lifted up, they are but condemned persons: and therefore envie them not, seeing we would be loath, upon serious deliberation, to change estates with them. Observe wee further from these words, that God will judge eternally, not onelyonly for grosse scandalous sinnes, in the course of our life, but even for errors in judgement. For wee must judge aright, as well as affect aright, and God hath no service from corrupt judgements. Those that joyne mans merits with Christs merits, they cannot relye on God alone, neither can they rejoyce in Christ, Christ hath but halfe of them: therefore let us keepe the virginitie of our judgements, prostitute them not to lyes, but reserve them chaste and pure to Christ.
And secondly, take we heed how wee converse with such as are of corrupt judgements, they are Gods, and Christs enemies, and will labour to bring us into their wayes, and then assuredly let us looke for their end. Its reason that those with whom we converse here, wee should converse withall hereafter.