Lectures Upon Philippians, Lectures · Chapter 3 · Lecture 69
LECTƲRE LXIX.
PHILIP. 3. Verſe 18.19.
That they are the enemies of the croſſe of Chriſt, whoſe end is damnation, whoſe God is their belly &c.
THus farre we hauehave already proceeded in this firſt reaſon of the Apoſtles which he vſed to moue the Philippians to follow him, and ſuch as he was; for many walke, of whom I hauehave told you often, and now tell you weeping &c.
Now follow the fiue notes whereby the Apoſtle deſcribeth theſe many walkers of whom he had told them often, and now told them weeping. The firſt note whereby he deſcribeth them is, that they are the enemies of the croſſe of Chriſt. Which branch of his reaſon might well ſtand for a ſufficient reaſon with the Philippians to moue them not to walke after theſe, but to follow him, and to walke ſo as they had him for an enſample. Now the Apoſtle calleth them the enemies of the croſſe of Chriſt in two reſpects. 1. Becauſe by vrging the neceſſitie of circumciſion, and the workes of the law vntounto righteouſneſſe and ſaluation, they made the croſſe of Chriſt to be of none effect, and aboliſhed the worke of our redemption by the bloud of Chriſt Ieſus. 2. Becauſe they would not ſuffer perſecution for the croſſe of Chriſt, and therefore applied themſelues to the humor of the Iewes, and preached vntounto them circumciſion, and the law. For thus both in doctrine, detracting from the merits of Chriſt his croſſe, and redemption by his bloud; and likewiſe in life, following after carnall ſecuritie, and auoyding perſecution for Chriſt crucified, they ſhewed themſelues to be enemies vntounto the croſſe of Chriſt.
Hence then I obſerue who they be that be the enemies of the croſſe of Chriſt, namely they that in their doctrine detract from the merits of Chriſt his croſſe, and the worke of our redemption by the bloud of Chriſt Ieſus finiſhed vponupon the croſſe; and they likewiſe that in their life follow after carnall delicacie, and flie perſecution for the croſſe of Chriſt, for Chriſt crucified: euen both theſe ſorts of men are enemies vntounto the croſſe of Chriſt. For touching the firſt ſort of men, muſt not they needs be counted the enemies of the croſſe of Chriſt, that in their doctrine make the croſſe of Chriſt to be of none effect? And doe not they in their doctrine make the croſſe of Chriſt to be of none effect, that teach righteouſnes, redemption, or ſaluation to be any otherwiſe then by the onelyonly merits of Chriſt his croſſe, and faith in his bloud? The Apoſtle ſaith, if righteouſneſſe be by the Law, that is,Gal. 2.21. if we may be made righteous by any worke which we can doe according to the law, by the feare of God, the louelove of God, the louelove of our neighbour, or any thing commanded in the morall law of God, then Chriſt died without a cauſe, and in vaine. For to this end, as the Apoſtle ſheweth,Rom. 8.3.4. God ſent his Sonne in the ſimilitude of ſinfull fleſh, and for ſinne condemned ſinne in the fleſh, that the righteouſneſſe of the Law might be fulfilled in vsus. Where the meaning is, that therefore Chriſt was ſent to fulfill all righteouſneſſe in our fleſh, and to die for vsus, becauſe we were vnable to fulfill the law to be made righteous by it, or to ſaue our ſoules from death. For if we had beene able to purchaſe righteouſnes by our owne workes, or to ſaue our ſoules from death, then what needed Chriſt to hauehave come in the fleſh, or to hauehave died for vsus? It had beene in vaine, and vnprofitable. They then that teach righteouſneſſe to be by the law, or any thing that we can doe, they make the death of Chriſt, and his reſurrection, his victorie, his kingdome, his glory, himſelfe vnprofitable, and of none effect, and ſo are enemies of the croſſe of Chriſt. So againe, the Apoſtle ſaith, yee are aboliſhed from Chriſt, whoſoeuer are iuſtified by the law, Gal. 5.4.yee are fallen from grace. Where the meaning is, that they are vtterly voide of Chriſt, and not in the kingdome of grace, they aboliſh righteouſneſſe, redemption, and ſaluation by Chriſt and hauehave no part in the death and reſurrection of Chriſt, that ſeeke to be made righteous, or to purchaſe ſaluation by the works of the law. Whereupon againe it followeth, that they that teach righteouſneſſe or ſaluation to be by the law, mak… Chriſt vnprofitable, and aboliſh the merit of our redemptio… by his bloud, and ſo in their doctrine are enemies vntounto th… croſſe of Chriſt.
Will yee then know who they are that are the enemies o… the croſſe of Chriſt at this day that yee may not follow them▪ or walke as they doe? Marke then who they are that in thei… doctrine are iniurious to the croſſe of Chriſt. Who are they that teach, that we are iuſtified by our owne works done according to the law, and not by the alone righteouſneſſe of Chriſt Ieſus which he finiſhed vponupon his croſſe? Who are they that teach that our ſinnes are forgiuen by bulls, and pardons, and pilgrimages, and not by the alone bloud of Chriſt Ieſus? Who are they that teach propitiatorie ſacrifices for the quicke and the dead, other then that one ſacrifice of Chriſt Ieſus once offered vponupon the croſſe, whereby he hath obtained eternall redemption for vsus? Who are they that teach invocation vntounto, and interceſſion by Saints or Angels, or any other then him that by his owne bloud hath entred in once vntounto the holy place, and is ſet at the right hand of God to make continuall interceſſion for vsus? Marke who they be that be ſuch, and ſee whether that they be not the enemies of the croſſe of Chriſt, whether any be ſo iniurious vntounto the croſſe of Chriſt as they be. O but ſome will ſay that theſe whom I now note be the onelyonly friends of the croſſe of Chriſt. For doe not they worſhip the croſſe of Chriſt euen with holy worſhip? Doe not they ſet it in their temples, & in the high waies, and in eueryevery place bow downe vntounto it? Doe not they adorne it with gold, and ſiluer, and all coſtly precious ſtones? Doe not their great ones cauſe it in all celebritie and pompe to be caried before them? Doe they not at all times, when they come out of their houſes, when they come into the Churches, when they addreſſe themſelues almoſt vntounto any thing ſigne themſelues with the ſigne of the croſſe in honor of the croſſe of Chriſt? True it is, they whom I note doe thus, and yet theſe be they that be the enemies of the croſſe of Chriſt. For to doe thus, and with theſe fooliſh outward ſemblances and may-games to deceiue the world, is not to glory in the croſſe of Chriſt, or to be a friend of the croſſe of Chriſt; but to teach Chriſt Ieſus purely and ſincerely, to giuegive vntounto Chriſt crucified the full and whole honor of our redemption, iuſtification, and ſaluation which they doe not, this is to be a true friend of the croſſe of Chriſt: for this is to beleeue and know Chriſt crucified. There was a time indeed when the croſſe of Chriſt was moſt odious and opprobrious, and when to preach or beleeue in Chriſt crucified was moſt ridiculous. And if theſe croſſe and groſſe idolaters had liued then, it may well be thought that they would hauehave beene croſſe and groſſe perſecutors. But now when we glory in nothing more than to know Chriſt and him crucified, in ſuch pompous ſort and vaine geſticulations to celebrate the croſſe, and to detract from the merits of Chriſt crucified, is to be iniurious vntounto the croſſe of Chriſt, to be an enemie of the croſſe of Chriſt. Yea what elſe is ſuch adoration and worſhip of the croſſe as they vſe, but moſt groſſe and impious idolatry? Take heede therefore of ſuch: marke well who they be. Many ſuch there be: but take heede and beware of them; for they are the enemies &c.
Another ſort of men likewiſe there are enemies vntounto the croſſe of Chriſt, and thoſe are ſuch as in their life follow after carnall delicacies, and flie perſecution for the croſſe of Chriſt, for Chriſt crucified. Of ſuch the Apoſtle ſpeaketh, where he ſaith, As many as deſire to make a faire ſhew in the fleſh, Gal. 6.12.they conſtraine you to be circumciſed, only becauſe they would not ſuffer perſecution for the croſſe of Chriſt. In which place the Apoſtle ſheweth the cauſe why the falſe teachers preached and vrged circumciſion and the Law. And this it was: The Iewes ſtill obiected both vntounto our Sauiour Chriſt, and vntounto his Apoſtles that they taught things contrary to the Law, and to the ordinances of Moſes: for ſo wee ſee it was in the accuſation of our Sauiour before his arraignment, that hee moued the people,Luc. 23.5. teaching throughout all Iudea, they meant ſtrange doctrine, beginning at Galile euen to this place. It was likewiſe in the accuſation of Stephen when he was ſtoned to death,Act. 6.14. that hee preached that Ieſus of Nazaret ſhould change the ordinances which Moſes gaue them. And for this they were ready to kill Paul, 21.28.that hee taught as they ſaid all men eueryevery where againſt the Law. The falſe teachers therefore ſeeing that the Iewes ſtood vponupon Moſes and the Law, and that they perſecuted them that preached Chriſt ſincerely euen to the death, ioyned in their preaching of Chriſt circumciſion, and the Law vntounto Chriſt, that ſo applying themſelues vntounto the humour of the Iewes, they might auoid perſecution for the croſſe of Chriſt, or for preaching ſincerely Chriſt crucified. And theſe are they that the Apoſtle cals here the enemies of the croſſe of Chriſt, becauſe to pleaſe the humour of the Iewes, to liue at eaſe and pleaſure, and to auoid perſecution, they made marchandiſe of the word of God, and preached Chriſt not ſincerely, but ſo as they might keepe themſelues without gunſhot of any danger.
Will yee then know what other enemies there bee of the croſſe of Chriſt at this day, that yee may beware alſo to walke as they doe? Marke then who they are that to auoid the danger which often followeth vponupon the preaching of Chriſt purely, fit themſelues vntounto the humours of men, and ſo preach that they may pleaſe, or at leaſt not diſpleaſe. Who are they that turne with eueryevery winde, and rather then they will hazard life, goods, or name, will iumpe in religion iuſt with the King of what religion ſoeuer he be? Who are they that to auoid it may be only ſuppoſed dangers, doe betray the truth of Chriſt Ieſus, ſparing to ſpeake ſuch things as they ought, and ſpeaking ſuch things as they ought not? Who are they whoſe care and labour it is a great deale more to ſpeake ſafely, as they thinke, then to ſpeake ſincerely? Many ſuch carnall Goſpellers there be, of whom that of our Sauiour Chriſt is truly affirmed,Mat. 12.30. He that is not with me, is againſt me; and he that gathereth not with mee, ſcattereth. Marke them who they bee, and take heed and beware of them. Walke not after their example, for they are the enemies of the croſſe of Chriſt, prouiding for their owne ſecuritie whatſoeuer become of the truth of Chriſt Ieſus.
The ſecond thing which the Apoſtle noteth in theſe many walkers of whom he had told them often, and now told them weeping, is, that their end or reward for a recompence of ſuch their walking is damnation, or deſtruction, if God ſhall not grant them grace vntounto repentance for ſuch their euill walking. Which branch of the Apoſtles reaſon in effect vrgeth thus much, that if the Philippians feared the end of thoſe walkers, they ſhould alſo feare to walke as they did, and rather walke ſo as they had him for an enſample. And indeed this end, as alſo the other properties after ſpecified, rightly agree vntounto thoſe enemies of the croſſe of Chriſt before mentioned. Hence then I obſerue what the end is of thoſe that are enemies vntounto the croſſe of Chriſt, that make their God their bellie, that ſeeke the praiſe of men, but not of God, that minde earthly things, ſo that their delight and affections are ſet thereon, and generally of ſuch vngodly walkers as walke cleane otherwiſe then wee hauehave Chriſt and his holy Apoſtles and bleſſed ſeruants for an enſample: their end is, as here the Apoſtle ſaith, damnation, vnleſſe the Lord grant them grace vntounto repentance. A ſentence which albeit I feare to pronounce, yet when and where the holy Ghoſt leadeth me thereunto, I muſt ſpeake, that the godly may ſtand in awe, and not ſinne, and that the vngodly of the earth may tremble, and either reforme the wickedneſſe of their wayes, or elſe through the iuſt iudgement of God may ſmite their knees one againſt another, and be drencht vp in deſperation. This then to be the end of ſuch the holy Ghoſt eueryevery where witneſſeth. Ʋpon the vngodly, ſaith the Prophet, the Lord ſhall raine ſnares, fire and brimſtone, Pſal. 11.7.ſtorme and tempeſt, this ſhall be their portion to drinke. Tophet, ſaith Eſay, Eſa. 30.33.is prepared of old, it is euen prepared for the King, if he be wicked, it is made deepe and large, the burning thereof is fire and much wood, the breath of the Lord like a riuer of brimſtone doth kindle it. And in a viſion Iohn ſaw the beaſt taken, Apoc. 19.20and with him that falſe Prophet that wrought miracles before him, whereby hee deceiued them that receiued the beaſts marke, and them that worſhipped his image. And both theſe were caſt aliue into a lake of fire, burning with brimſtone. All which places, and many others which might be alleadged to this purpoſe, doe euidently ſhew what the end is of the wicked and vngodly of the earth, bee they Prince or ſubiect, Paſtor or people, ſeducers or ſeduced. Their end is, they ſhall be rooted out at the laſt, and turned into hell, vnleſſe by true and vnfained repentance they preuent that iudgement, the ſentence whereof can neuer bee reuerſed.
Whoſe end then yee feare, it behoueth you carefully to looke vntounto it that yee walke not after their example. Conſider well what hath beene ſaid touching the enemies of the croſſe of Chriſt, and marke well what ſhal… be ſaid touching thoſe whoſe God is their bellie, whoſe glory is to their ſhame, which minde earthly things. If by that which hath beene ſaid yee can deſcrie who they be that be the enemies of the croſſe of Chriſt, or if that which ſhall be ſaid ſhall any way deſigne who they be whoſe God is their bellie, whoſe glory is to their ſhame, which minde earthly things, take heede and beware that yee walke not as they doe. For of this be ye ſure, that the end of ſuch is damnation and deſtruction. And if the Cities about Sodome and Gomorrha ſuffered the vengeance of eternall fire as well as Sodome and Gomorrha, Iudg. 7.becauſe they in like manner as Sodome and Gomorrha did, committed and followed ſtrange fleſh, then aſſure your ſelues that if yee ſhall walke as they that are enemies to the croſſe of Chriſt, whoſe God is their bellie, &c. ye ſhall alſo drinke of the ſame cup that they ſhall drinke of, euen of the wine of Gods wrath. Take heede therefore leſt at any time any of you be deceiued by them, and walke not in their ſteps if yee will not bee partakers of their iudgements.
The third thing which the Apoſtle noteth in theſe inordinate walkers, is, that their God is their bellie: whereby the Apoſtle ſignifieth that they preached not Chriſt ſincerely and purely for Chriſt his ſake, but that they principally reſpected in the preaching of Chriſt their profit, their pleaſure, their eaſe, being louers of pleaſures, of profit, of eaſe, more then louers of God; and therefore their bellie, that is, their profit, their pleaſure, their eaſe, might well bee called their God, that being each mans God which hee loueth and liketh beſt. And this branch alſo of the Apoſtles reaſon might well ſtand for a ſufficient argument with the Philippians to moue them not to walke after theſe, but to follow him, and to walke ſo as they had him for an enſample. Hence then I obſerue another note of falſe teachers, after whoſe example wee may not walke: if their God be their bellie, ſo that they care more to ſerue their owne bellies then the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, they are falſe teachers, and we may not follow them. This note of falſe teachers our Apoſtle alſo giues in his epiſtle to the Romans, where hauing exhorted the Romans to beware of falſe Apoſtles and teachers, he giues them this note to know them by, They that are ſuch, ſaith he, ſerue not the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, but their owne bellies, that is, they ſeeke their owne gaine, and preach Chriſt with reference to pleaſe others, and to ſeeke their owne eaſe, profit, and pleaſure. The Apoſtle giues likewiſe the ſame note of them,2 Pet. 2.14 3. where he ſaith that they hauehave hearts exerciſed with couetouſneſſe, through couetouſneſſe making marchandize of mens ſoules. Such a one was Balaam, of whom the Apoſtle Peter there ſaith, that he loued the wages of vnrighteouſneſſe. Eſa. 56.11.Such were thoſe whom Eſay called greedie dogs which could neuer hauehave enough. And ſuch were thoſe of whom the Apoſtle ſaid before, that they ſought their owne, Phil. 2 21.and not that which was Ieſus Chriſts.
Will yee then know who they are at this day that by this note may be deſcried to be falſe teachers, that knowing them ye may not follow them, nor walke as they doe? Marke then who they are that ſerue their owne bellies more then the Lord Ieſus Chriſt. Who are they that through couetouſneſſe would make marchandize of your ſoules, and ſpeake euill of the way of truth? Who are they that for money ſet on ſale the forgiueneſſe of ſinnes, and the kingdome of heauen? Who are they that vnderunder colour of long praiers deuoure widowes houſes? that for ſuch and ſuch lands, or ſummes of money, or releefe to ſuch and ſuch places, will promiſe ſo many praiers for ſo many dayes or yeeres for you or your friends? Who are they that to maintaine their triple Crowne maintaine alſo the wicked Stewes? Who are they that make gaine godlineſſe, and doe all that euer they doe in deed and in truth for the maintenance of their ſtate, and of their bellies? It is eaſily knowne who they be, and it is as eaſily hereby diſcerned that they are falſe teachers whoſoeuer they be. Take heed then and beware of them: follow them not, neither walke as they doe; for howſoeuer they hauehave God in their mouthes, yet ſound their hearts, and trace them in the paths wherein they walke, it wil… be found that their God is their bellie, if either that bee thei… God which they louelove beſt, or that be their bellie which they meaſure by their pleaſure, profit, and eaſe.
But doe they alone make their belly their God? Doe not all they that more ſeeke their owne then that which is Ieſus Chriſts make their bellie their God? Or are there not many carnall Goſpellers that doe ſo? How many are there that intrude themſelues into this holy calling, not with any purpoſe to worke in the Lord his vineyard, but onelyonly to feede vponupon the portion of the Leuites? How many are there that withdraw their ſhoulders from the burthen as much and as often as they can, and take as little paines in this worke as they can, ſeeking more their owne eaſe then that which is Ieſus Chriſts? How many are there that being bewitched with the louelove, and troubled with the cares of the world, are ſo carefully occupied about the things of this life that they intend not the worke of the miniſterie, ſeeking more their owne profit than that which is Ieſus Chriſts? how many are there that preach Chriſt rather through ſtrife and enuie than of good will, rather in hope of preferment for their paines, than of any deſire to gaine them that heare them vntounto Chriſt, rather in any other reſpect almoſt, than in an holly zeale of the glory of our God? Surely many ſuch carnall Goſpellers there be whoſe God is indeede their belly, which like vntounto the ſonnes of Eli ſo turne aſide after the louelove of their bellies, and of their pleaſures, that either they forget, or elſe care not for the law of their God. But take heede and beware of them: for yee may not walke as they doe.
Yea, generally they make their God their belly that either ſerue their bellies when they ſhould ſerue their God, or care more for the feeding of the bellie than for the knowledge of God, or ſo ſerue God as he doth ſerue their bellies. Looke then well amongſt you that none of you be ſuch, as are then a looking to your profits, or pleaſures, or other things of this life when ye ſhould be looking vntounto the ſeruice of your God; that none of you be ſuch as care more for the things of this life, than for the knowledge of Gods wil out of his holy word; that none of you be ſuch as meaſure your ſeruice vntounto the Lord by his miniſtring vntounto you ſuch things as are needfull for the maintenance of this life: for ſuch do make their God their bellie, either caring more for the things of this life than for God, or elſe only ſo caring for God as they are occaſioned by the things of this life. A foule and groſſe Idolatrie to make our bellie our God. And therefore let vsus take heede that neither we commit ſuch Idolatrie, nor follow the example of ſuch as commit ſuch Idolatrie.
The fourth thing which the Apoſtle noteth in theſe inordinate walkers is, that their glorie is to their ſhame. Whereby the Apoſtle ſignifieth that the vaine glorie and eſtimation which they ſought after amongſt men, neglecting the true glorie of Chriſt Ieſus, ſhould turne to their confuſion and ſhame. Which branch alſo of the Apoſtles reaſon might well ſerue for a ſufficient reaſon to moue the Philippians not to follow the example of theſe, but to follow him, and ſuch as walked ſo as they had him for an enſample. Hence then I obſerue another note of falſe teachers and inordinate walkers, which is, vainely to ſeeke after glorie and eſtimation amongſt men, neglecting the glorie of God, after whoſe example we may not walke, for that their glorie ſhall be turned into ſhame.Ioh. 5.44. How can ye beleeue which receiue honour one of another (ſaith our Sauiour) and ſeeke not the honour that commeth of God alone? In which place is ſhewed, that this vaine ſeeking after honour and glorie amongſt men is the very root of infidelity. And therfore it is ſaid of certaine chiefe rulers that in a generalitie beleeued in Chriſt becauſe of the miracles which he did, but not indeede truely beleeue, that they did not confeſſe Chriſt. And the reaſon is added, for they loued the praiſe of men more than the praiſe of God. Ioh. 12.43.So that the ambitious ſeeking of praiſe amongſt men, is the very bane in all ſorts of men both of faith, and of eueryevery fruit thereof. And a iuſt thing it is with God that they which ſeeke the praiſe of men, and not of God hauehave their praiſe with men, but not with God, and that with God their glorie be turned into ſhame.
Will ye then know who by this note may be deſcried at this day to be falſe teachers, that knowing them ye may not follow them, nor walke as they doe. Marke who they are that ſeeke honor and glorie amongſt men, but ſeeke not the honour that commeth of God alone: who is it that exalteth himſelfe againſt all that is called God, or that is worſhipped, ſit as God in the temple of God, and ſhewing himſelfe that he is God? Who is it that is araied with purple and skarlet, and guilded with gold and precious ſtones, and pearles, and hath a cup of gold in her hand full of abominations, and filthineſſe of her fornication where with ſhe make all the Nations of the earth drunke? Who is it that glorifieth her ſelfe, and liueth in pleaſure, and ſaith in her heart, I ſit being a Queene, and am no widdow, and ſhall ſee no mourning? And what ſhall become of all this pompe and glorie?Apoc. 18.8. her plagues ſhall come at one day, death, and ſorrow, and famine, and ſhe ſhall be burnt with fire; for ſtrong is the Lord God which ſhall condemne her. Take heede then and beware how ye follow this beaſt, or them that hauehave receiued the beaſts marke. Their glorie which they ſeeke with men they hauehave, but their glory ſhall be turned into confuſion and ſhame.
And I wiſh that they were the men alone that ſeeke the praiſe of men, but not of God. But are there not many carnall Goſpellers that may be branded with that marke? Are there not many that in a vaine affectation of their owne praiſe more then Gods, ſtudie rather to ſpeake vntounto the eare then vntounto the heart? Are there not many whoſe preaching ſtandeth rather in the inticing ſpeech of mans wiſdome, then in plaine euidence of the ſpirit and of power? If there be any that ſo vainly hunt after glory, ſurely their glory ſhall vaniſh as ſmoake and ſhall wither as the greene hearbe. Take heed therefore and beware of them: for ye may not walke as they doe.
The laſt thing which the Apoſtle noteth in them, is, that they minde earthly things, whereby the Apoſtle ſignifieth that their ſtudie, and delight, and all their affections were ſe… on houſes, wealth, friends, commodities, and the things wh…ch are on earth, and not on the things which are aboue. Another note of falſe teachers, and inordinate walkers. Marke then and ſee who they are that are ſuch, and walke not as they doe, but follow the bleſſed Apoſtle, and ſuch as walke ſo as he did.