Lectures Upon Philippians, Lectures · Chapter 1 · Lecture 23
LECTƲRE XXIII.
PHILIP. 1.
Verſe 29. For vntounto you it is giuen for Chriſt, that not onelyonly yee ſhould beleeue in him, but alſo ſuffer for his ſake.
30. Hauing the ſame fight which yee ſaw in mee, and now heare to be in mee.
YEa, but how and whence is it that perſecution betokeneth perdition to the aduerſaries, and ſaluation vntounto vsus? It is of God, as our Apoſtle in the next words ſaith. And this is the third motiue or reaſon which the Apoſtle vſeth, to perſwade the Philippians not to feare the aduerſaries, becauſe it is of God that perſecution is perdition to the aduerſaries, and ſaluation vntounto them. Whence I obſerue, that it is of God that tribulation is recompenced vntounto them that trouble vsus, and ſaluation vntounto vsus which are troubled. This alſo our Apoſtle plainly witneſſeth in another place, where he ſaith,2 Theſſ. 1.6.7. It is a righteous thing with God, to recompence tribulation to them …hat trouble you, and to you which are troubled, reſt with vsus, &c. Where not only this is manifeſtly ſet downe, that God recompenceth tribulation to the troublers, and reſt to the …roubled; but withall, that it is a righteous thing wi…h God ſo to doe. A righteous thing indeed with God, in reſpect of his iuſtice to the one, and a righteous thing in reſpect of his promiſe vntounto the other: for in reſpect of his iuſtice, it is a righteous thing with him to recompence tribulation to them that trouble his Saints, becauſe they deſerue to hauehave vengeance rendred vntounto them in flaming fire; according to that of the Apoſtle,Rom. 6.23. The wages of ſinne, that which is due in iuſtice vntounto ſinne, is death, and damnation; and iudgement mercileſſe,Iam. 2.13. due in iuſtice vntounto him that ſheweth no mercy, and therefore doubtleſſe vntounto him that without all mercy rageth and perſecuteth. And in reſpect of his promiſe, it is a righteous thing with him to recompence reſt vntounto them that are troubled, becauſe he hath promiſed the kingdome of heauen to them that ſuffer perſecution for righteouſnes ſake,Mat. 5.10 ſaying, Bleſſed are they which ſuffer perſecution for righteouſneſſe ſake, for theirs is the kingdome of heauen: and againe, If wee ſuffer, 2 Tim. 2.12wee ſhall alſo raigne with Chriſt. That perſecution then cauſeth perdition to the aduerſaries, and ſaluation vntounto vsus, it is of God, who in iuſtice rendreth vntounto them as they hauehave deſerued, and for his promiſe ſake rendreth vntounto vsus as he hath promiſed.
For this yee muſt here note and vnderſtand, that perſecutions, afflictions, ſufferings, and wrongs by aduerſaries, are in themſelues, and in their owne nature, puniſhments of ſinne, as is alſo death; and hereby God in iuſtice might puniſh our ſinnes and our iniquities: for if hee ſhould bring vponupon vsus the bloudy perſecutions of ſuch Tyrants as were Nero, Domitian, and the reſt of thoſe cruell perſecutors in the Primitiue Church, he might thus plague vsus for our offences, and himſelfe be iuſt in all his wayes, and holy in all his workes. But vntounto vsus his beloued ones, and his redeemed, theſe things are not that which in themſelues and in their owne nature they are, and which in Gods iuſtice they might be vntounto vsus, euen puniſhments of our ſinnes, but onelyonly fatherly corrections, and louing chaſtiſements, whereby in mercy God exerciſeth vsus, repreſſeth ſinne in vsus, and bowlteth the branne of corruption out of vsus here in the body of this fleſh. And as vntounto vsus in mercy death is made of God not that which in it owne nature it is, a puniſhment of ſinne, but an entrance and paſſage vntounto life; ſo in mercy hath hee promiſed, that afflictions, perſecutions, and the like, ſhall be vntounto vsus, not that which in their owne nature are the beginnings of greater miſeries, but fore-runners of our ſaluation in the day of Chriſt Ieſus. It is not then of the nature of ſuffering perſecution, yee ſee, but it is of God, that perſecution betokeneth vntounto vsus ſaluation, that ſaluation is recompenced vntounto vsus which are troubled. He in mercy hath promiſed that ſo it ſhall be, and therefore ſo it ſhall be, and it is a righteous thing with him that it be ſo.
The vſe which our Apoſtle here teacheth vsus to make hereof, is as of the former, not to feare perſecution by the aduerſaries, which oppoſe themſelues againſt the truth, and againſt vsus for the truths ſake: for ſeeing God turneth their perſecution, and rage againſt vsus, to their perdition, and to our ſaluation, why ſhould wee feare them? Whatſoeuer therefore they practiſe againſt vsus, let vsus reſt and repoſe our ſelues in our God: He ſhall ſtretch out his hand vponupon the furiouſnes of our enemies, but his right hand ſhall ſaue vsus: he ſhall recompenſe the aduerſaries their wickednes, and deſtroy them in their owne malice; but hee ſhall wipe all teares from our eyes, and after wee hauehave drunke of the brooke in the way, lift vp our head aboue all our aduerſaries.
Againe, is it of God that perſecution cauſeth vntounto vsus ſaluation? This then may farther teach vsus, that by ſuffering perſecution we doe not merit ſaluation. For if it be of merit that our ſufferings bring ſaluation vntounto vsus, then it is not of God, but the cauſe is in our ſelues: and if it be of God, then is it not of merit, nor is the cauſe of our ſaluation in our ſelues. Not according to the workes which we doe, or ſufferings which we ſuffer, but according to his mercy he ſaueth vsus: for neither hauehave we wherein to reioyce by works, nor are any ſufferings of this preſent time worthy of that glory which ſhall be ſhewed vntounto vsus, nor is there any other name vnderunder heauen whereby we may be ſaued, but onelyonly by the name of Chriſt Ieſus. He that reioyceth therefore let him reioyce in the Lord, of whom it is that our perſecutions and ſufferings worke vntounto our ſaluation. And let this bee ſpoken of this third motiue or reaſon, whereby yee ſee that we are not to feare the aduerſaries, becauſe God recompenſeth their perſecution vntounto them with perditi…n, and vntounto vsus with ſaluation.
It followeth; For vntounto you it is giuen &c.] Theſe words are both a proofe of that which went immediatly before, and a fourth motiue likewiſe to perſwade the Apoſtles former intendment. Immediatly before he had ſaid, that God in perſecution gaue them a token of their ſaluation. The proofe here is: VntoUnto you it is giuen of God by grace to ſuffer for Chriſt his ſake; therefore in ſuffering God giueth you a token of your ſaluation: or thus, ſufferings for Chriſt are teſtimonies of grace vntounto you of God, therefore they are arguments and tokens of ſaluation vntounto you of God. And as thus theſe words ſerue for proofe of that, ſo are they a notable motiue to perſwade the Philippians not to feare the aduerſaries: for thus out of the Apoſtles words I frame the motiue: Who will be afraid of a ſingular gift of God? but to ſuffer for Chriſt his ſake is a ſingular gift of God to you, therefore yee are not to feare perſecution by the aduerſaries. And that to ſuffer for Chriſt his ſake is a gift of God hee ſheweth à pari, from the like; as to beleeue in Chriſt is the gift of God, ſo to ſuffer for Chriſt, both gifts of God, and vntounto whom the one is giuen, the other may not ſeeme ſtrange. For vntounto you it is giuen, to wit by grace, for ſo the word ſignifieth,foreign. for …hriſt, that is in Chriſt his cauſe, not only that yee ſhould beleeue in him, as others profeſſe they doe; but alſo to ſuffer for his ſake, which many others ſhrinke to doe. Euen both theſe, faith in Chriſt, and perſecution for Chriſt his ſake are the gift and grace of God towards you.
Here then firſt I note that the Apoſtle ſaith, it was giuen by grace vntounto the Philippians to beleeue in Chriſt. Whence I obſerue that faith in Chriſt is the gift of God by grace. Which alſo Chriſt himſelfe teacheth vsus where he ſaith, No man can come vntounto me, except it be giuen him of my Father. Joh. 6.65.Whereby hee meaneth that no man can come vntounto him, that is, can beleeue in him and his Goſpell, except it be giuen him of his Father. For ſo by comming vntounto him diuers times in that chapter is meant beleeuing in him: a… when it is ſaid, He that commeth vntounto me ſhall not hunger, and he that beleeueth in me, which expoundeth the former,35. ſhall neuer thirſt: and againe: Him that commeth vntounto me, I cast not away, which is all one with that,37. He that beleeueth in me ſhall not periſh. So that it is cleare, that when our Sauiour ſaith, that no man can come vntounto him except it be giuen him of the Father, the meaning is, that no man can beleeue in Chriſt, except it be giuen him of God. And to the Hebrues Chriſt Ieſus is called the author and finiſher of our faith. Heb. 12.2.And wherefore was it, that when Chriſt preached, and when his Apoſtles and Diſciples preached, ſome beleeued, and others beleeued not, but becauſe vntounto ſome he gaue grace to beleeue, and not vntounto others? For only they vntounto whom it is giuen of God to beleeue doe beleeue.
But how doth God giuegive this gift vntounto vsus to beleeue in him? Euen by his holy ſpirit,2 Cor. 4.13. therefore called the ſpirit of faith, becauſe God by the inſpiration of his holy ſpirit worketh faith in vsus. But by what meanes doth he worke faith in vsus? Euen by the hearing of the word preached, as it is written, Faith commeth by hearing, Rom. 10.17.and hearing by the word of God. Where the holy Apoſtle ſheweth, that hearing of the word, euen of the word of God is that ordinarie meanes whereby the Lord worketh faith in the hearts of his children. He bleſſeth and ſanctifieth the hearing of his holy word vntounto them, and reacheth it vntounto their hearts by the finger of his holy ſpirit, and ſo they are begotten in the faith of Chriſt Ieſus. Thus Lydia was brought vntounto the fai…h, as Luke witneſſeth where hee ſaith,Act. 16.1. that the Lord op…n…d her heart, ſo that ſhe attended vntounto the things which Paul ſhake, and beleeued. Shee heard the word, the Lord opened her heart, and ſhee beleeued. And thus 3000 ſoules were brought vntounto the faith in one day, of whom it is ſaid, that when they heard the word they were pricked in their hearts, Act. 2.37.and beleeuing they ſaid, Men and brethren what ſhall we doe. They heard the word, they were prickt in their hearts by the ſpirit, they beleeued, and were baptized. So that faith in Chriſt yee ſee is the gift of God, giuen by his ſpirit through the hearing or the word preached:2 Theſſ. 3.2. Tit. 1.1. Non omnibus, non enim omnium eſt fides, ſed tantum electorum: vnde dicitur fides electorum, & hic v… bis donatum est. Not to all men, for all men hauehave not faith: whence it is called, the faith of the elect; and in this place, To you it is giuen.
Is then faith a gift of God by grace? This may teach vsus that it is not in our ſelues, or in our owne power to beleeue if we will, and when we will, neither that for any merit or worth of ours this gift is giuen vntounto vsus: for if it be in our ſelues to beleeue, how then is it the gift of God? And if it be giuen vsus for our owne merit, how then is it the gift of God by grace? If it be giuen vsus, we hauehave it but of him that giueth it, not of our ſelues. If he giuegive it of his owne grace it is ours; but of his grace that giueth it, not of our merit to whom it is giuen. He muſt giuegive it, or elſe we cannot hauehave it, and therefore it is not of our ſelues: and by grace it muſt be had, or elſe can neuer bee had, and therefore not by our owne merit.Jam. 1.17. EueryEvery good giuing is from aboue, therefore faith is giuen of God; therefore it is not in our ſelues to beleeue if we will. And by the grace of God we are that we are, therefore faith whereby wee are the ſonnes of God is by grace,1 Cor. 15.10 therefore not by any merit or worth of our owne.
Againe, is faith the gift of God? This then may teach vsus to powre out our requeſts vntounto God in prayer, and ſupplication for faith in Chriſt Ieſus, for increaſe & confirmation of our faith in Chriſt Ieſus: for if he giuegive it, then we are by prayer to aske it of him, and ſo wee ſhall receaue it; and if he giuegive it by meanes, we are to pray vntounto him that hee will ſo bleſſe thoſe meanes vntounto vsus, that thereby this gift may be giuen vntounto vsus. Let vsus therefore (after the example of the Father of the childe, in whom was the dumbe ſpirit) go vntounto our God, and ſay vntounto him, Lord, I belieue, Mar. 9.24.helpe my vn…eleefe; helpe the wants and weakeneſſe of faith. And after …he example of the Apoſtles, Lord encreaſe our faith. He gi…eth where it wanteth, he encreaſeth where it is, and he con…irmeth where it is weake. Let vsus therefore by prayer goe …nto him, to hauehave the wants of our faith ſupplied, the weakneſſe of our faith ſtrengthened, the leſſe then graine-ſmall …ittleneſſe of our faith encreaſed. He hath ſaid, Aske, and ye …hall receaue, and hee giueth liberally, and reproacheth no man. Let vsus therefore aske in prayer faith of him that giueth it, and aſſuredly he will giuegive liberally, euen that mea…ure wherewith he will be pleaſed.
Againe, doth God giuegive faith by the hearing of the word preached? This then may teach vsus gladly to frequent thoſe places where we may heare the word preached, His power … know is not limitted to this meanes, but that he can (if he will) beget vsus in the faith without theſe meanes. But by this meanes he hath appoynted to giuegive this grace, and ordinarily he giueth this grace by theſe meanes. And yet how careleſſe are we too too many of vsus, of vſing this meanes of hearing the word preached; as if either this gift of faith in Chriſt Ieſus were not giuen by theſe meanes, or wee eſteemed not this gift, and ſo neglected theſe meanes, or were ſtrong enough in the faith, and ſo needed not theſe means? Why ſhould we louelove rather to ſit reading in our houſes, or drinking in our houſes, or idle in our houſes, or to be playing in the ſtreetes, or walking in the fields, or or any otherwiſe occupied, then to come vntounto the houſe of the Lord, and to heare the word preached.
Now the means of begetting & confirming vsus in the faith, are offered vntounto vsus. We know not but the time may come, wherein we may thinke that the Sparrowes and Swallowes are happie, that hauehave their neſts by the Alters of the Lord. Yee that gladly come vntounto the houſe of the Lord, and reioyce in the word of your ſaluation, comfort your ſelues in that yee vſe the meanes whereby God hath appoynted to beget you, and to confirme you in the faith of Chriſt Ieſus, and aſſure your ſelues of his bleſſing vponupon theſe meanes. As for the reſt that louelove darkeneſſe better then light, and vnderunder this or that pretence whatſoeuer, will not come to heare the worde preached; let them feare, for want of faith and a good conſcience in that day, to heare the word, which wil be too fearefull for them to heare, Goe yee curſed, &c. But I proceede to that which followeth.
The ſecond thing which here I note, is that the Apoſtle ſaith, it was giuen by grace vntounto the Philippians to ſuffer for Chriſt his ſake, not ſimply to ſuffer, but to ſuffer for Chriſt his ſake. Whence I obſerue, that perſecution and ſuffering for Chriſt his ſake, is a gift of God by grace. And this our Sauiour himſelfe ſheweth by thoſe his words vntounto Peter, Ioh. 18.11.when he had cut off Malchus his eare, where hee ſaith vntounto him, Put vp thy ſword, ſhall I not drinke of the cup which my father hath giuen me? To ſuffer death was a cup which his father had giuen him to drinke, and ſhould hee refuſe the gift of his Father?Act 5.41. And thus it appeareth, that the Apoſtles thoght, when they reioyced that they were counted worthy to ſuffer rebuke for Chriſt his name. This they thought was their glory, and a ſpeciall guift of God by grace vntounto them, not communicated vntounto others, who could not endure any ſuch ſufferings for Chriſt, but by a ſpeciall guift giuen of god vntounto them, & therfore they reioyced in their ſufferings.
Now here ye muſt vnderſtand that all ſufferings are not ſufferings for Chriſt his ſake, and that all that ſay they ſuffer for Chriſt his ſake do not ſuffer for Chriſt his ſake; for ſuch there are as ſuffer as euill doers; touching which ſort of ſufferers the Apoſtle exhorteth vsus ſaying, Let none of you ſuffer as a murtherer, 1 Pet. 4.15.or as a theefe, or as an euill doer, or as a buſie bodie in other mens matters. And againe, ſuch there are as ſay, they ſuffer for Chriſt his ſake, and his truths ſake, when in truth they ſuffer for troubling the Church with their hereſies, as many Heretiques heretofore, and for treaſon againſt their Prince and Countrie, as ſome in our daie…. Know therefore that two things are required in him that ſuffereth for Chriſt his ſake. The one is, that his aduerſaries perſecute and trouble him not as an euill doer, not for tumults …n the Church by ſchiſme, or hereſie, not for treaſon, or any …auſe that is not good, but euen becauſe of his conſtant …rofeſſion of Chriſt, and of his truth. And therefore the …ufferings of malefactors, of Heretikes, ſchiſmatiques, trai…ors, or others that ſuffer for an euill cauſe, are no ſufferings …or Chriſt his ſake. The other is, that with patience he ſuffer …hatſoeuer he ſuffereth only for Chriſt and his truths ſake, …ithout reſpect of ſhame, gaine, glorie, or any other like …hing in the world. And therefore the ſufferings of ſuch as …uffer becauſe they ſhame to bee counted reuoltors and A…oſtataes, or becauſe they deſire to be honored as Martyrs, …r in any like reſpects, are no ſufferings for Chriſt his ſake. To ſuffer then for Chriſt his ſake, is with patience to endure mockings, ſcourgings, bonds, impriſonments, and death it …elfe, euen for his owne ſake, and for his truths ſake; and …ather then we will depart from him, or preiudice his glorie. And thus to ſuffer for Chriſt his ſake, is a ſingular gift of God by grace, as hath already beene ſhewed; not the afflictions and perſecutions themſelues in themſelues, but …hus to ſuffer them.
Now the Vſe which our Apoſtle teacheth vsus to make hereof is this, not to feare the aduerſaries in any thing. For who would be afraid of a ſingular gift of God? Now to ſuffer for Chriſt his ſake by the aduerſaries is a ſingular gift of God. Let vsus not therefore in any thing feare our aduerſaries, but take good courage againſt them.
Againe, this may ſerue to teach vsus what nouices yet wee are in the ſchoole of Chriſt; for how many of vsus eſteeme it a ſingular gift of God to ſuffer perſecution for Chriſt his ſake? Surely, if we had learned this leſſon well, wee had profited very well in the ſchoole of Chriſt. But when we are taught this leſſon, what doe many of vsus, I hope not many here, but in many places what do many ſay within themſelues? ſurely I feare to remember what they ſay. But doe they not ſay, I bid no ſuch gifts, ſuch gifts be farre from mee, let him beſtow ſuch gifts on his deareſt children, not on me; and ſuch other blaſphemous ſpeeches, which the godly may feare to heare or vtter? And indeed he giueth no ſuch gifts to ſuch▪ But let vsus know, that then we hauehave wel profited in the ſchole of Chriſt when we hauehave well learned this leſſon, that to ſuffer for his Chriſts ſake is a ſingular gift of God; eſpecially when we hauehave ſo learned it, that when it comes to the practiſe, we can ſo account it.
Again, this may teach vsus that it is not in our own power, or ſtrength to ſuffer perſecution for Chriſt his ſake, but this muſt be giuen vsus of God. To will, to doe, to belieue, to ſuffer, all muſt be giuen of God: he muſt beginne, and hee muſt make an end; he muſt be all in all that hee may hauehave the glorie of all.1 Pet. 1.5. If Peter bee left vntounto himſelfe a damſell ſhall be enough to terrifie him, and to make him denie his Lord and Maſter. And therefore hee can tell vsus out of his owne experience, that wee are kept by the power of God through faith vntounto ſaluation. Whether therefore we beliue, or ſuffer for Chriſt his ſake, let vsus know that it is giuen vsus of God, and let him hauehave all the glorie of it.
Another thing yet I obſerue in that the Apoſtle ſaith, vntounto you it is giuen not onelyonly to beleeue, but to ſuffer for Chriſt … ſake: and that is, that to ſuffer for Chriſt his ſake is an argument of faith, and a note of Gods Church and choſen children. For vntounto none is it giuen to ſuffer for Chriſt his ſake but vntounto whom it is firſt giuen to beleeue, and it is for him that is borne after the fleſh to perſecute him that is borne after the ſpirit; as it is written, as then he that was borne afte… the fleſh (ſpeaking of Iſmael) perſecuted him that was born… after the ſpirit, Gal. 4.29.meaning Iſaac, euen ſo is it now. All of them indeed ſtriue not vntounto death, but moſt of them at one time or other are put to it,P… to take vp their croſſe, and only they ſuffer for Chriſt his ſake: for vntounto them it is giuen, and only to them to ſuffer for his ſake.
This then may teach vsus, to brooke the croſſe, when hee laieth it vponupon vsus. For it is no ſtrange thing that the croſſe be laid vponupon the children of the kingdome, and that their faith be tried by troubles. Nay rather it is ſtrange if it bee not ſo. And ther…fore the Apoſtle ſaith, Dearely beloued, …inke it not ſtrange concerning the firie triall which is among you … prooue you, 1 Pet. 4.12.as though ſome ſtrange thing were come vntounto …u, &. If therefore, if it be the will of God that wee ſuffer …r Chriſt his ſake, let vsus cheerefully take vp our croſſe and …llow him, knowing that afflictions and ſufferings are the …arkes of the Lord Ieſus in our body, and that hee will not …ffer vsus to bee tempted aboue that wee be able, &c. It …lloweth.
Hauing the ſame fight] This is the laſt motiue or reaſon …o perſwade the Philippians in nothing to feare the aduer…ries, wherein he preſſeth them with his owne example, …at as they had ſeen him at Philippie in nothing to feare the …duerſaries, and now heard that at Rome hee feared them …ot, ſo they ſhould in nothing feare the aduerſaries. But …ow ſaith the Apoſtle that he had fought, and now did …ght? He fought and ouercame, as Auguſtine ſaith, Non re…ſtendo, ſed patiendo, he changed no blows with the aduerſa…ies, but in his ſufferings he was patient, and conſtant, & nei…her for bonds, nor impriſonment, nor feare of death ſhrunk …om the profeſſion of his hope. This was his fight, and …hus he ouercame.
Hence then, 1. I obſerue, that it is no light matter to en…ure the croſſe for Chriſt his ſake, but it is a fight with the …duerſarie, euen a round trying of the maſterie who ſhall …uercome. Now in this fight the fielde is wonne, and the maſterie got if we patiently & conſtantly endure the croſſe. …et vsus therefore ſtand faſt, that at the laſt we may ſay with …he Apoſtle, I hauehave fought a good fight.
2. Hence I obſerue that the example of Gods Saints, that …aue ſuffered before vsus, ſhould encourage vsus gladly to ſuffer …or Chriſt his ſake. And therfore our Sauiour encourageth, his Diſciples againſt perſecution thus, ſaying, ſo perſecuted …hey the Prophets which were before you: And againe, If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before you: And again Take the Prophets (ſaith Iames) for an example of ſuffering aduerſitie, and of long patience. As therefore we hauehave the holy men of God for an example, let vsus gladly ſuffer for Chriſt his ſake, and in nothing feare the aduerſaries.
3. Hence I obſerue that the Paſtors ought to be vntounto their flockes examples, as of other good things, ſo of patience and conſtancie in ſuffering for Chriſt his ſake.
4▪ That great and long croſſes may lie vponupon them when God loues moſt: as here on Paul: on the Iſraelites 400▪ yeeres in EGYPT: on Abraham in his barenneſſe.
Laus omnis ſoli Deo.