Lectures Upon Philippians, Lectures · Chapter 3 · Lecture 62
LECTƲRE LXII.
PHILIP. 3. Verſ. 13.14.
Brethren, I count not my ſelfe that I hauehave attained to it; but one thing I doe, I forget that which is behinde &c.
NOw to omit other notes which hence happily might be made, ye ſee that this of our Apoſtle here is in ſubſtance the very ſame with the former member of the former verſe. Brethren I count not &c. The ſubſtance of which ſpeech is an acknowledgement of his want of perfe…tion in the knowledge of Chriſt, and of the vertue of his …eſurrection &c. whereby he might attaine to the glorious reſurrection of the dead. But why doth the Apoſtle againe …ome vntounto the ſame point, why doth he againe in culcate his …mperfection in the knowledge of Chriſt, and of the vertue …f his reſurrection? It was no doubt to beat out of the Phi…ppians their conceit of perfection in the knowledge of Chriſt, …nd to let them ſee what a matter of moment it was to ac…nowledge their want of perfection in the knowledge of Chriſt. So the faithfull people of God to beate out all truſt …n themſelues, and to ſhew how much they thought it did concerne them ſo to doe, cry and ſay, not vntounto vsus, and againe,Pſal. 115.1 not …nto vsus ô Lord, but vntounto thy name giuegive the praiſe. So the Prophet to beat out that ſtupidity and blockiſh careleſneſſe which …en hauehave of the goodneſſe and wonderfull workes of the Lord, and to let them ſee how much it behoueth them to obſerue the louing kindneſſe of the Lord, ſaith,Pſal. 107. O that men would …raiſe the Lord for his goodneſſe, and declare the wonders that hee …ath for the children of men; And againe, O that men would praiſe …he Lord &c. and ſo foure ſeuerall times in that Pſalme.
Hence then I obſerue, that the children of God are at no …and to entertaine any conceit of any perfection in themſelues …ither in the knowledge of Chriſt, or in obedience vntounto his will, but by all meanes to caſt downe eueryevery ſuch imagination, and meekely to acknowledge their imperfection.1 Cor. 8. It was the fault of the Corinthians, that they had ſuch a conceit of their perfection in the knowledge of Chriſt, that preſuming there upon they durſt to be preſent at idolatrous ſacrifices, and to eate of things ſacrificed vntounto Idols. They, they knew Chriſt well enough: they knew that there was but one God, and that an Idoll was nothing: they knew that they had a chriſtian libertie in things indifferent, and therefore they would vſe it at all times, and in all places. And it was the fault of the Phariſes, often reproued in them by our Sauiour, that they had ſuch an opinion of their owne holineſſe and righteouſneſſe that they deſpiſed other, as appeareth by that parable of the Phariſie, and the Publicane. And it is a fault plainely condemned by our Sauiour where he ſaith,Luc. 18.9. that he came not to call the righteous but the ſinners to repentance. Where hee calleth them righteous that truſted in themſelues that they were righteous;Mat. 9.13. them he came not to call: they were whole, they needed not the Phyſition; they were perfect, they needed none to ſupply their want.Eſa. 5.21. And a woe is pronounced vntounto them that are wiſe in their owne eyes, and prudent in their owne ſight; i. That pleaſe themſelues in their owne wiſedome, and in their owne knowledge, as if they had all knowledge and all vnderſtanding. It is not then for the children of God to flatter themſelues with any conceit of any perfection in themſelues either in knowledge, or in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe, or any ſuch thing. For beſides that all ſuch conceit is ſo condemned as wee hauehave ſhewed, ſee the inconueniences which followes … which makes it to be condemned. For 1. whom it poſſeſſeth it makes them to preſume of that which they hauehave aboue that is meete, ſo that in confidence thereof they doe many things which they ſhould not. Which appeareth both by the example of the Corinthians of whom wee ſpake euen now, whom the conceit of their knowledge ſo puffed vp that thereupon they preſumed to be preſent at idolatrous ſacrifices, and to eate of things ſacrificed vntounto idolls: and it is likewiſe apparant by the example of all theſe Heretiques which at all times hauehave troubled the Church. For whence elſe did ſpring all their hereſies, but from this that they in an opinion of their own knowledge would not ſubmit themſelues vntounto the iudgement of the Church, but broched ſuch vntruths as ſeemed vntounto them to be truths. 2. It makes them that they ſeeke not …hat which they ſhould hauehave, and that they diſdaine to bee taught, as appeareth plainely by the Phariſies. For they becauſe of that opinion which they had of their owne righteouſneſſe neuer ſought the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt; and they diſdained to be taught either of Chriſt, or of any others. Inſomuch that when he that was borne blinde ſhewed plainely by the miracle which Chriſt had wrought on him that he was God, they ſaid vntounto him, thou art altogether borne in ſinnes, Joh. 9.34.and doſt thou teach vsus? And hereupon it is I take it that Salomon ſaith of ſuch men: Seeſt thou a man wiſe in his owne conceite? Pro. 26.12.…here is more hope of a foole then of him. More hope of a foole …hen of him? Why? becauſe the foole will rather be wonne to hearken vntounto inſtruction, and to receiue vnderſtanding then will he. And therefore we ſee that when many of the common people came vntounto Chriſt, and belieued in him, Ioh. 7.31.48.49.none of the chiefe Rulers, or of the Phariſes belieued in him: doth any of the Rulers, or of the Phariſes belieue in him? but this people which know not the Law are curſed. I doubt not but that many moe inconueniences doe follow this conceit of perfection in knowledge, or righteouſneſſe, or any ſuch thing. But by this which hath beene ſpoken it may appeare how vnmeete it is for the children of God to grow to any ſuch conceit or opinion of themſelues.
This may teach vsus to caſt downe eueryevery imagination of any ſuch conceited perfection, and meekely to acknowledge our wants and imperfections. For this is it that is pleaſing and acceptable vntounto God, as it is written,1 Pet. 5.5. God reſiſteth the proud and highly conceited, and giueth grace to the humble, that are meane and weake in their owne eies: And this is it which makes the way vntounto perfection both in knowledge, and in righteouſneſſe, as it is written, I ſaid, I will confeſſe my ſinnes vntounto the Lord, Pſal. 32.6.and ſo thou forgaueſt the wickedneſſe of my ſinne: Lo, how the acknowledgement of our vnrighteouſneſſe brings on the cloke of righteouſneſſe: and ſo the begging of wiſedome and knowledge in a feeling of the want of theſe things, is that which doth obtaine wiſdome and knowledge,Iam. 1.5. as it is written, If any man lacke wiſdome, let him aske of God, which giueth to all men liberally, and reproacheth no men, and it ſhall be giuen him. Which albeit it be firſt and principally meant of wiſdome to endure patiently afflictions, yet may it well be vnderſtood of all wiſdome and knowledge generally, the want whereof who ſo feeleth, and asketh it, he receiueth it: for who is he that receiueth knowledge, and righteouſneſſe, and eueryevery good thing? Hee that asketh;Matt. 7.7. for ſo it is written, Aske, and it ſhall be giuen you: for whoſoeuer asketh receiueth. Firſt asking, and then receiuing: firſt wee muſt become beggars, and then God giueth. Now who is he that asketh and beggeth, but hee that feeleth his wants and imperfections? The whole (as wee noted before) neuer ſeekes the Phyſitian; and hee that thinkes hee hath enough of any thing, doth neuer aske after more. It is the acknowledgement of our wants and imperfections that makes vsus runne to the Lord, and aske, and begge of him that wee want, and asking wee receiue, acknowledging our wants hee ſupplies our wants, and ſo by opening our imperfections a way is made for vsus vntounto perfection.
I wiſh wee had all of vsus learned to caſt downe eueryevery imagination of conceited perfection in the knowledge of Chriſt, and to acknowledge in the ſpirit of meekneſſe that wee hauehave not yet attained vntounto ſuch perfection, but that we might well in ſome things ſubmit our iudgements vntounto others. Amongſt the Prophets and Preachers of the word this were to be wiſhed, that in the practiſe of this leſſon wee would be precedents vntounto others, that wee would beat downe eueryevery high conceit of knowledge in our ſelues, that wee would ſubmit our ſelues, and that wee ſpeake vntounto the iudgement of the Prophets, that wee would not eaſily and haſtily broach abroad eueryevery thing that wee ſeeme vntounto our ſelues to know, that wee would not preſume to vnderſtand aboue that is meet to vnderſtand, that wee would not by our knowledge deſtroy the faith, or wound the weake conſcience of any, and that wee would not ſet on ſale as it were our knowledge vntounto the vaine curioſitie of an… itching humour whatſoeuer. Pittie it were that wee ſhould wedde our ſelues in liking of any opinion whereof it may …uſtly be doubted whether it be ſound, that wee ſhould count … a diſparagement vntounto vsus to yeeld in any thing that wee hauehave …ken a liking vntounto, that wee ſhould ſtriue by our skill and …nowledge to defend eueryevery thing that wee hauehave ſaid, becauſe …ee hauehave ſaid it, and thinke our ſelues able to defend it. If any …ans knowledge thus puffe him vp, he knoweth nothing yet …s he ought to know: but, as it is written,Rom. 1.22. they that profeſſe …hemſelues thus to be wiſe, they become fooles. Yea it were to …e wiſhed that generally we would ſuppreſſe this great conceit …at wee hauehave of our knowledge of Chriſt: for what doe wee …ay? Knowledge, knowledge, neuer more knowledge of Chriſt: wee know enough; men neuer knew more, and neuer …ued worſe. But ſee how wee deceiue our ſelues. Did men …euer liue worſe? This is an argument that men neuer knew …ſſe: for he that ſaith I know him, 1 Ioh. 2.4.and keepeth not his commande…ents, is a lier, and the truth is not in him. To know Chriſt is …ot to be able to talke of Chriſt, and to hauehave this contempla…ue and knowing knowledge, whereby wee are able to diſ…ourſe what the Scriptures doe witneſſe of him: but to know …im is to hauehave ſuch a feeling and ſweet experience of him, and …is mercies vntounto vsus in our owne ſoules, as that it both workes … vsus all godly comfort, and ſtirres vsus vp vntounto all holy obedi…nce. See then, yee that ſay, neuer more knowledge, but ne…er worſe liuing. There hath beene (I doubt not) as bad li…ing, and as little knowledge as now there is. But ſee whether …ny more knowledge now then needs. Our want of obedi…nce argues our want of knowledge. Wee hauehave not yet attai…ed to perfection in either, but wee had need to mend both. …nd if wee will grow in obedience, let vsus caſt away all imagi…ation of knowledge enough, and let vsus grow daily more and …ore in the knowledge of our Lord and Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt …n a word, conceit of perfection in the knowledge of Chriſt …akes vsus preſume too much of that wee hauehave, and makes that …ee ſeeke not that we ſhould hauehave: therefore let vsus caſt downe …uery imagination of any ſuch conceited perfection, and let …s meekely acknowledge our wants and imperfections. And …et this ſuffice to bee ſpoken touching this firſt member, wherein the Apoſtle repeateth his acknowledgement of h… want of perfection in the knowledge of Chriſt, and of the vertue of his reſurrection.
But one thing I doe, &c.] In theſe words the Apoſtle repeateth the ſignification of his inceſſant and earneſt following after that perfection which before hee ſaid he had not yet attained vntounto; which was the latter member of the former verſe. The manner of ſpeech which here he vſeth is borrowed from the qualities of them that runne in a race. And hee remembreth three eſpeciall qualities of runners, whereby he maketh proofe of his inceſſant and earneſt following after the perfection of the knowledge of Chriſt. The firſt is, that they neuer looke backe to marke how much ground they hauehave already runne: the ſecond is, that they ſtill keepe their eyes vponupon the marke that is before them, and ſtill runne towards it: the third is, that they ſtill remember for what priſe they runne, and therefore ſo runne that they may obtaine the priſe. In all which qualities the Apoſtle profeſſeth that hee matched the beſt runners in his Chriſtian race: for as runners neuer looke behinde them, ſo hee ſaith that he did not onelyonly neuer looke backe at the things behinde him, but hee quite forgot all th… was paſt, ſo farre was he from thinking of any merit for ought that he had done, were it neuer ſo good. Againe, as runnes hauehave alwayes their eye vponupon the marke before them, and ſtill runne towards it, ſo hee ſaith that hee did endeuour himſelfe vntounto that which was before, ſtill labouring as if he would eueryevery foot ſtretch out his armes to catch hold of the marke, and that he ſtill followed toward the marke, neuer intermitting his courſe, but if he fell, vp againe, and to it. Laſtly, as runners make haſte vntounto the marke for the priſe that they may obtaine, ſo hee ſaith that hee ceaſed not running towards the marke for the priſe of immortalitie with Chriſt in the heauens by God which had called him in Chriſt Ieſus. So that yea ſe… the Apoſtle here ſignifieth his moſt eagre purſuit without intermiſſion after perfection in the knowledge of Chriſt, which only he ſhould hauehave in the heauens, when after his race in th… life ended he ſhould raigne with him for euer and euer. No… let vsus ſee what wee may hence obſerue for our inſtruction … our Chriſtian race vntounto perfection, and immortalitie in the …eauens.
And firſt it is not vnworthy the noting, that the Apoſtle …aſſing from the one member vntounto the other, ſaith, But one …ing I doe: whereby he implieth thus much, that hauing not …ee attained vntounto perfection, hee thought it a very neceſſary …hing for him to follow after it with all diligence, and without …ll intermiſſion. One thing I doe, and that one thing I count …eceſſary. What is that? I forget that which is behinde, &c. …o know Chriſt perfectly that is my labour, and the priſe for …hich I runne. Whence I obſerue that there is one thing ne…eſſary for all Chriſtians, which is, that acknowledging our …ant of perfection in the knowledge of Chriſt, we ſtill runne …orward from perfection to perfection, till we become perfect …h…n in Chriſt Ieſus. For this wee muſt know, that our whole …ife is a way and race wherein we muſt walke and runne from …mperfection towards perfection, and that in the whole race …f our life it is not for vsus to looke backe, or to ſtand ſtill, but one thing is neceſſary, euen that wee ſtill runne towards per…ection, which is the marke ſet only at our races end. The neceſſitie of this one thing our Sauiour ſhewed, when he ſaid vn…o Martha, Martha, Martha, Luk. 10.41.42.39.thou art carefull and troubled about many things: but one thing is needfull; Mary hath choſen the better part. Why? What had Mary choſen? She troubled not her ſelfe with other matters, but ſhe ſate her downe at Ieſus feet, and heard his preaching. Mary ſate downe, and Martha ranne vp and downe, being cumbred about much ſeruing: but yet Mary ranne in the Chriſtian race when ſhee ſate her downe at Ieſus feet, and heard his preaching. Shee followed after the knowledge of Chriſt, and of that our Sauiour ſaid, that one thing was needfull.
But how needfull this one thing is, not many of vsus conſider. Many Marthaes, but not many Maries. Many of vsus are troubled about many things: wee hauehave many irons in the fire, much buſineſſe to occupie our heads withall, many gueſts to looke vntounto, a great familie to care for, indeed ſo much we hauehave to doe, that if Ieſus be preaching in his Miniſter, wee cannot come to heare him. Not many of vsus that with Mary will leaue all our other buſineſſe if Ieſus bee preaching in his Miniſter, and come and heare him For to note this by the way, yee may not imagine that Mary was any idle huſwife, or that ſhee ſequeſtred her ſelfe wholly from all things of the world, and gaue her ſelfe only to reading, and hearing of the word preached; but this was her commendation, that when Ieſus came vntounto their houſe, and being come beganne to preach, ſhee would not loſe the opportunitie, but ſtraightway left all her other buſineſſe, and ſate her downe at Ieſus feet, and heard his preaching. And this was the one thing that was needfull, that when he was preaching, ſhee ſhould come and heare him, Other things ſhee might doe at other times, but now ſhee was to doe this. But not many of vsus conſider this: for when Ieſus comes into our houſes almoſt in his Miniſters preaching, ſo that if wee will but come out of our doores to heare him, wee may ſit downe at his feet, and heare his preaching, yet wee cannot attend it; either wee hauehave no leiſure, or elſe wee hauehave no liſt. Some of vsus looke backe vntounto the things of the world, others of vsus ſtand, and louelove to ſtand in the market all the day idle, others of vsus thinke that wee hauehave runne well, and that we may now well breathe, at leaſt a while; but the ſmalleſt ſome of vsus runne ſtill forward, and grow from grace to grace. Well, let vsus at length with our Apoſtle count our ſelues that wee hauehave not attained to that wee ſhould, and this one thing which is needfull let vsus doe, let vsus forget that which is behinde.
I forget, &c.] Here I note the Apoſtles running in his Chriſtian race after that one thing which was needfull, whereunto he had not yet attained, and therein the manner how be did runne in his Chriſtian race. Like a good runner he ranne and neuer looked behinde him, nay he forgat that which was behinde, he neuer minded or thought of any thing that was behinde him, of any thing that he had done. Yea indeed, forgat hee all both the good and the bad things which hee had done?Pſal. 51.3. Gal. 1.13. Dauid did not ſo: for he ſaid that his ſinne was euer before him; yea and himſelfe often ſpeakes of his perſecution of the Church. True indeed, and good it is that wee ſhould not forget our ſinnes againſt our God: for the remembrance of our ſinnes is both good to humble vsus, and to repreſent vntounto vsus Gods mercies towards vsus. It was not then the ſinnes …hich he had done which he forgat, but he forgat euen all the …od things that he had done, leſt by taking too great plea…re in the remembrance of them, hee ſhould not follow ſo …rd towards the marke as he ought. Yea but if hee forgat all …e good things that he had done, how doth hee ſo often re…ember them in diuers his epiſtles? I hauehave, ſaith he,Rom 15.17 whereof may reioyce in Chriſt Ieſus in thoſe things which pertaine to God. …nd then hee ſpeakes of the obedience of the Gentiles by his …iniſterie, and of his diligence in preaching where Chriſt had …ot beene named, &c. And againe:1 Cor. 15.10. His grace (ſaith he) in mee …s not in vaine, but I laboured more abundantly then they all. …nd in his latter epiſtle he ſhewed himſelfe ſo little forgetfull … them,2 Cor. 11. that he makes a large bedrowle of ſuch things as hee …d ſuffered for Chriſt his ſake. True indeed, he forgat them …ot, when the remembrance of them did make for the glory …f Chriſt Ieſus, or the neceſſary defence o… his miniſterie and …poſtleſhip: but he forgat them in reſpect of any ſuch vſe as …e falſe teachers taught to make of ſuch things. Hee was not …oud of them, he challenged no perfection by them, he repo…d no confidence in them, he did not thinke of any merit by …em, but in theſe reſpects he quite forgat them, leſt by ſuch …membrance of them he ſhould be hindered in the race that …e was running. Thus then yee how ſee how the Apoſtle running … his race did forget that which was behinde.
And hence I obſerue, that in the Chriſtian race which wee …e to runne, wee are not to looke backe on the pleaſures of …e fleſh, or the things of the world, or any good that we hauehave …one, to repoſe any confidence therein, but wee are quite to …orget eueryevery thing which any way may hinder vsus in our race …owards the marke that is ſet before vsus. For as our Sauiour …ith, No man that putteth his hand to the plough, …and looketh …cke, is apt to the kingdome of God. Remember Lots wife: ſhee …rned backe, and was turned into a pillar of ſalt. Remember the …hildren of Iſrael: Num. 1they turned backe in their hearts after the …eſh-pots of Egypt, and they were ouerthrowne in the wilder…eſſe. Are yee ſo fooliſh, ſaith the Apoſtle to the Galatians, G…that …fter yee hauehave begunne in the ſpirit, yee would now be made perf ct by the fleſh? 2 Pet. 2.20 21.It had beene better (ſaith Peter) not to hauehave knowne the way of righteouſneſſe, then after wee hauehave knowne it to turn… away from the holy commandement. The reaſon is giuen by the ſame Apoſtle: For if after wee hauehave eſcaped from the filthineſſe of the world through the knowledge of the Lord, and of the Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt, wee be yet againe tangled therein, and ouercome, the latter end is worſe then the beginning. Being then in the race of the ſpirit, we may not looke backe vntounto the fleſh; and hauing taſted of the good word of God, we may not turne away from the holy commandement, leſt a worſe thing come vntounto vsus. Now then will yee know who they are that looke backe, and turne aſide out of the right way wherein they ſhould walke? Surely all they that ſet their affections on the things which are on the earth, and not on the things which are aboue: for hauing giuen our names vntounto God in our Baptiſme, we hauehave renounced the luſt of the fleſh, the luſt of the eyes, the pride of life, the things of the world, the deuill, and all his workes. If then wee ſhall ſuffer our ſelues to be ſnared with any of theſe, wee looke backe: yea if wee louelove father or mother, if wee louelove wife or children more then Chriſt, wee looke backe: ye… … wee repoſe any confidence in any good that we hauehave done, or in any croſſe that wee hauehave ſuffered, wee looke backe, wee doe not forget that which is behinde: for ſo ſaith our Sauiour, He that loueth father or mother, Matt. 10.37.ſonne or daughter more then mee, i… not worthy of mee. Not worthy of him? Why? Becauſe when he ſhould looke forward vntounto Chriſt, hee lookes backe vntounto theſe.Rom 9.32. And the Apoſtle ſaith that Iſrael attained not vntounto the Law of righteouſneſſe, becauſe they ſought it not by faith, but as it were by the workes of the Law; that is, becauſe they looked not ſtraight forward with the eyes of faith vntounto Ieſus the author and finiſher of our faith, but looked backe vponupon the merits of their workes to be made righteous thereby. They repoſed the confidence of their righteouſneſſe in the workes of the Law, and therein looked backe vntounto the Law, when they ſhould hauehave looked forward by faith vntounto Chriſt. So that if wee repoſe any confidence in our workes, like ill runners wee look… backe.
What ſhall wee ſay then vntounto thoſe merit-mongers that looke to gaine heauen by the merit of their workes? They …ke pleaſure in ſuch workes as they hauehave done; they are as …uch in louelove with them as euer Samſon was with Delilah, Iudg. 16.they … their life in the lappe of their workes, and reioyce in them in the crowne of their life. Iudge then how they runne in …e Chriſtian race, whether they hauehave forgotten all behinde …em, whether they looke not backe vntounto that which is be…nde. You will eaſily iudge, and ye will eaſily ſee, that becauſe …ey ſleepe on the knees of their workes, as of their Delilah, …d lay their life in the lappe of their workes, they are very …e to be betraied into the hands of their cruell enemies, the …euill and his Angels, and to hauehave farre leſſe comfort of their …e then euer had Samſon.
What ſhall we ſay likewiſe vntounto thoſe that with Demas em…ace this preſent world, and incline their hearts vntounto coue…uſneſſe, which is idolatrie? VntoUnto thoſe that liue at eaſe in …on, and eat, and drinke, and fill themſelues with pleaſures, …retching themſelues vponupon their beds, riſing vp to play, ſing…g to the ſound of the Viole, inuenting to themſelues inſtru…ents of muſicke, and in a word ſo liuing as if they thought …at either now they muſt take their pleaſure, or elſe they …uſt neuer hauehave it? Are not all theſe badde runners? HaueHave …heſe forgotten that which is behinde? Doe they not looke …acke? The point is eaſily anſwered, it is a cleere caſe. Yea …any bad runners there are in the Chriſtian race, euen ſo ma…y as there are lookers backe vntounto honour, wealth, pleaſure, …rofit, eaſe, fauour, and whatſoeuer the world eſteemeth of. As for vsus, men and brethren, let vsus ſo runne that wee may ob…aine: and therefore let vsus caſt away eueryevery thing that preſſeth …owne, and the ſinne that hangeth ſo faſt on, let vsus abandon …uery thing which may hinder vsus in our race, let vsus not looke …acke vntounto honours, riches, pleaſures, profits, or the like, which may cauſe vsus either to turne backe, or to ſtand ſtill, but …et vsus with the Apoſtle forget that which is behinde, and en…euour our ſelues vntounto that which is before.