Exposition of Philippians 3, Part 46
VERS. 19. And whose glorie is in their shame.
A Second part of the inward disposition shewing, that they glorie in that which brought shame to them for circumcision was a ceremonie given to the Church when it was but in the infancie, and for them that were borne in the strength of the Church, being well growne, to glorie in such beggerly rudiments was shamefull; in the words, first consider the affection, second the object or end: for the word implyes both: and in the first consider the sinne, then the cure.
The sinne that is reproved in them, is vaine-glorie; that is, glorying in a thing not to bee gloried in, and it is grounded upon pride, which is a desire of excellencie in vaine things, and it is for the most part in vaine injuditious men, who ordinarily doe glorie in things that tend to shame. These Philippians saw that Paul was now committed, the doctrine hee taught they thought was not good enough, they would be wiser than he, and of deeper reach.
And thus even within the p…le of the Church, what a scandall is it that men should glorie in a gracelesse grace of swearing? filling up rotten discourse, with new devised othes. And others glorie in their foolish (conceipted) gallant apparell, which was for no other end, but principally to cover shame, is not this to glorie in shame? And much more those, that blaming (as it were God) for making them no fairer, will mend the workmanship of God by painting: these while they seeke to keepe outward blemishes from the eyes of men, doe discover to the whole world, that they have a spotted rotten heart within them.
And indeed, its too common for men illbred up, to thinke admirably of themselves, when all their courses are meere vanitie: He is the onelyonly man of accompt, that cannot put up a crosse word without bloud: is not this to glorie in shame? when as its the glory of a man to passe by an offence, and they are the best men, that can overcome themselves. And as helpers on of this vaine boasting, we have a generation of ignorant unsetled understandings, that admire at such shamelesse boasters, and so are causes of strengthening such in their vain-glory, such are flatterers of great men: let them remember what is denounced against such, woe be to them that call evill good, and good evill.
In the next place, shame is not onelyonly the object of vaine glorie, but the end: they that are vaine-glorious, shall bee brought to shame at length: thus is it sayd of Babylon in Esay, and mysticall Babylon in the Revelations: Though she say I sit as a Queene, and shall seen… mourning, yet stall her plagues come in one day, death, and destruction, and mournlng. Isa. 47.9. & 51.19. Revel. 18.8.
For God hath knit vaine-glory and shame, a punishment proportionable and fitting to the sinne, and striking the offender most neere even to the heart and thus did God meete with Achitophel, Absalom & Haman they sought vain-glory, and their ends were shamefull, & such shall be the end of all such, as boast that they can doe mischiefe like Doeg: Psa. 52. And the righteous shall see, and feare, & laugh at them.
For use to our selves, therefore let us take heed of this sinne. For by nature, the best of us are subject to it, we are all inclinable either to glory in such things as we should not, or to receive glory from such things as wee ought not, or else to glorie after an inordinate manner, and in that measure we glorie amisse, in that measure wee consult shame to our selves: glory we may, but it must bee well grounded, and in a right manner.
And to the attaining thereto, we must first labour for a sound knowledge of God, and for a sound dependance upon him in all things, and also labour for to see our owne estate, and our many wants. for wanting this knowledge, men glorie in merits while they live, but when they die they grow ashamed of their courses, and blinde judgement, for while they live, they judge of themselves by their owne conceipt of themselves, which is grounded either by comparing of themselves with those that are worse than themselves, as the Pharisee, that thanked God he was not as the Publican: or else upon the conceipt that shallow persons have of them.
But these are not rules for us to follow,Remedies against vaine-glory. look rather what sayes the humbled conscience, what sayes Gods Word and his Iustice, and take example of the Apostles and holy men of God, that gloried in the Lord reconciled to us in Christ, who is made to us wisedome, sanctification, and redemption. 1 Cor. 30.31. Rejoyce that our names are written in heaven. Luke 10.20. Rejoyce that we understand and know God to be …ust and mercifull. Ier. 9.23.24. Glorie in the testimonie of a good conscience, that we are true Christians, though but weake: 2 Cor. 1.12.
Secondly, we should be content with the judgement and approbation of God, and hearken to the admonitions of his Ministers, and care not for the censures of the world.
Thirdly, take wee heed of the first beginnings and motions of sinne: at the first they are ever modest, the worst man that ever was, was not shamelesse in sinne at the beginning, but giving way to sinne by little and little, loses all shame, and causes at last corruption in judgement, and justifying a mans selfe in wicked courses; pleasures, riches, and such things, they are like a vizard, onelyonly an outside of beautie, or like one that vaunteth himselfe hee can act the person of a King, but is in himselfe a bondslave: they act their parts here on this worldly Stage for an houre, and leave all their followers in eternall bondage forever. Therefore let us not bee ashamed for Christs cause, but stand out, labour for sinceritie now, and wee shall have glorie hereafter, which as the light, shall increase, when as the candle of the wicked shall be put out.