Lectures Upon Philippians, Lectures · Chapter 1 · Lecture 13
LECTƲRE XIII.
PHILIP. I.
Verſe 12. I would yee vnderſtood, brethren, that the things which hauehave come vntounto me, are turned rather to the furthering of the Goſpell.
13. So that my bands in Chriſt are famous throughout all the iudgment hall, & in all other places.
14. Inſomuch, that many of the brethren in the Lord are boldened through my band, and dare more frankly ſpeake the word.
WE hauehave ſpoken of the Apoſtles exordium, or entrance to his Epiſtle, and therein of ſuch things as whereby he teſtified his louelove towards the Philippians, thereby to winne their attention vntounto him, and likewiſe of ſuch obſeruations as that ſcripture offered, together with ſuch vſes and inſtructions thence as ſeemed moſt behouefull for …. Now in the reſt of this chapter is ſet downe the Apo…les narration. Wherein firſt he tells them of his pre…nt ſtate, how at this preſent when he wrote vntounto them …atters ſtood with him, and this he doth from verſ. 12. … 19. Secondly, hee tells them for hereafter what his …ope is, namely, that all ſhall turne to his owne ſaluation, … the furthering of the Goſpell, and to their ioy and …omfort, and this he doth from verſ. 19. to the end of …he chapter. The end and drift of the whole narration …as, to comfort the Philippians, that they ſhould not be …wallowed vp of ouer-much heauineſſe for his bonds, …or therefore ſhrinke from their good profeſſion.
Now touching the former part of the Apoſtles narra…on, wherein he tells them in what ſtate his matters now …reſently were, what effect the bands which he ſuſteined …or Chriſt his ſake and the Goſpels, at that preſent had. …. Therein we hauehave the propoſition of the narration, or …he maine point whereof he ſpeaks. 2. The confirma…on or proofe thereof by two notable effects of his …ands. 3. An amplification of the latter effect, toge…her with an anſwer to an exception which might be ta…en. The propoſition, or maine point of the former …art of the narration is this, that his perſecution and im…riſonment rather furthered then hindered the Goſpell, …et downe verſ. 12. Now this is confirmed and proued, …y two notable fruits and effects of his perſecution and …mpriſonment: the former whereof was this, that by oc…aſion of his bands, Chriſt and his Goſpell were knowne …n Nero his Court, in Rome, and in other places; …nd many brought vntounto the faith of Chriſt Ieſus both …n Nero his Court, and in other places, ſet downe verſ. 13. The latter fruit and effect of his perſecu…ion and impriſonment was this, that through his bands and conſtancie therein, many of the brethren were emboldned more freely and frankly, to profeſſe …nd preach the Goſpell of Chriſt Ieſus then before, ſet downe verſ. 14. ſo that by his bands the Goſpell was both farther diſperſed into many places, and likewiſe more fruitfully embraced in the hearts of many brethren. The amplification of this latter fruit and effect of his bands is by way of diſtribution. For of thoſe brethren, that through his bands were emboldened to preach Chriſt more frankly then before, all of them were not of one minde in preaching Chriſt, but ſome preached Chriſt through enuy and ſtrife, not purely and of a good minde, but to adde affliction vntounto his bands; others preached Chriſt of a good minde towards the Goſpell of Ieſus Chriſt, and of louelove vntounto the Apoſtle, ſet downe verſ. 15.16.17. And becauſe it might be ſaid, that hee had no cauſe to reioyce in that any preached Chriſt not of a ſincere and good minde, he anſwere…h that, and ſaith, that he reioyceth and thinketh he hath good cauſe ſo to doe that Chriſt is preached, be it ſincerely, or not ſincerely, let them looke to that, but he is glad that Chriſt is preached, ſet downe verſ. 18. Thus much for the generall order, and meaning of theſe words in this former part of our Apoſtles narration. Now, let vsus a little more particularly examine the meaning of theſe words, wherein are ſet downe the propoſition, or maine point, and the proofe thereof.
I would yee vnderſtood, brethren, that the things which hauehave come vntounto me] What were thoſe? Euen all thoſe things which befell him in his ſayling towards Rome, at his firſt going thither from Ieruſalem, but eſpecially his bands in his firſt impriſonment at Rome. For this yee muſt vnderſtand, that Paul was twiſe priſoner at Rome: once in the beginning of Nero his reigne, about the ſecond yeare of his reigne; and againe in the latter end of his reigne, about the thirteenth yeare of his reigne. For when being at Ieruſalem he was put from Claudius Lyſias vntounto Felix, and againe from Felix vntounto Feſtus, and ſtill the Iewes hunted after his bloud, at length he was conſtreined to appeale vntounto Caeſar, vntounto the Emperor of Rome, then Nero. Whereupon he was ſent thither, and after many perills and dangers eſcaped by the ſea, he came to Rome, where he was priſoner two yeares at the leaſt, Luke teſtifying ſo much. At which time hee wrote diuers Epiſtles vntounto the Churches, which he had planted in the Eaſt, as vntounto the Galathians, vntounto the Epheſians, vntounto the Coloſſians, vntounto the Theſſalonians, as ſome thinke, and this vntounto the Philippians. But as the Apoſtle hoped that the Lord would, as we read in the next chapter; ſo at this time he did deliuer him from the mouth of that lyon Nero, both he being leſſe cruell now then afterwards he grew to be, and the Lord hauing ordeined that by him many of the Gentiles ſhould heare the Goſpell, vntounto whom it had not as yet been preached. This, as I ſaid, was about the beginning of Nero his reigne. Againe, about the latter end of his reigne he was caſt into priſon at Rome, and then he was indeed deuoured by that lyon,Euſeb. l. 2. c. 25. ſlaine by that cruell tyrant and perſecutor Nero. Whatſoeuer then in this Epiſtle is ſpoken of the Apoſtles bands, yee muſt vnderſtand it meant of his firſt impriſonment at Rome. By the things then which came vntounto him in this place, we muſt vnderſtand his bands in his firſt impriſonment at Rome. Now what of theſe? Theſe (ſaith the Apoſtle) are turned rather to the furthering of the Goſpell, then to the hindering of it, contrary to the hope of the aduerſaries of the Goſpell, which did caſt him into priſon: for they hoped, that his bands would preuaile much to hinder the courſe of the Goſpell; but he tells the Philippians, that the Lord had turned them rather to the fu…thering then to the hindering of the Goſpell. But how could that be? Very well. For ſo his bands in Chriſt, .i. which he ſuſteined for Chriſt his ſake and the Goſpels, were famous throughout all the iudgement hall, .i. throughout all the Emperors Court, and in all other places both of the Citie, and of other Countries. But how were his bands famous in all theſe places? Namely, becauſe by that occaſion the duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page Goſpell came to be knowne, and to be beleeued by many in all theſe places. This was the firſt fruit of his bands, by them the Goſpell was farre diſperſed. Againe, through his bands and conſtancie therein, many of the brethren in the Lord, many Paſtors and Teachers of the Church, were emboldened more frankly and freely to ſpeake the word, .i. to profeſſe and preach the Goſpell, then before they durſt. And this was the ſecond fruit and effect of his bands, by them the Teachers of the word tooke courage, to ſpeake the word more boldly then before they had done. Plaine therefore it was that contrary to the hope of the aduerſaries of the Goſpell, his bands were turned rather to the furthering, then to the hindering of the Goſpell, inaſmuch as by occaſion of his bands both the Goſpell was farther ſpred and diſperſed then before, and likewiſe the Preachers of the Goſpell more incouraged and emboldned to preach the Goſpell then before. Thus much of the ſenſe of the words. Now to the obſeruations.
Here might be noted the Apoſtles carefulnes to take away the ſcandall and offence of his bands, wherewith the Philippians might happily bee troubled, and thereat take offence. And thence might bee obſerued the care which Paſtors ought to hauehave, of taking away whatſoeuer may breed any doubt, or occaſion, any offence amongſt their people. The neglect of which care doth often ſo much harme, that their ſilence in the Church were as tolerable, as their careleſneſſe to remooue all ſcruples and occaſions of offence from the people. But I rather come vntounto the maine poynt here to be noted, which is the Apoſtles aſſeueration, that his bands and impriſonment turned rather to the furthering then to the hindering of the Goſpell, for contrarie to the expectation and hope of thoſe aduerſaries of the Goſpell, that caſt him into priſon.
Whence I obſerue, that the perſecutions & afflictions of the Saints of Chriſt Ieſus, do rather further then hinder the goſpel, rather encreaſe thē diminiſh the Church. Ye know the burdens & afflictions of the children of Iſraell in Egypt, the houſe of their bondage vnderunder Pharaoh, Exod. 1.and the Aegiptians. Come, ſaith Pharaoh, 10.let vsus worke wiſely with the people of the children of Iſraell, leaſt they multiply, and it come to paſſe that if their bee warre, they ioyne themſelues vntounto our enemies, and fight againſt vsus &c. 13.14.Whervpon by cruelty they cauſed the children of Iſrael to ſerue, and made them weary of their liues by ſore labour in clay, and in bricke, and in all worke in the field, with all manner of bondage which they laid vponupon them moſt cruelly.15. Yea and a commandment came from the King vntounto the midwiues, that ſo many ſonnes as were borne to the weomen of the Ebrewes they ſhould kill them. Notable practiſes indeede that they ſhould not multiply. But what ſaith the Holy Ghoſt?12. The more they vexed them, the more they multiplied and grew. The Egyptians they vexed the Iſraelites leſt they ſhould multiply, but the more they vexed them, the more they multiplied: the Egyptians they laid vponupon them all cruell burdens to hinder the growth of the Church there, but the Lord turned that which they did, rather to the increaſing then to the diminiſhing of the Church there.Dan. 3 8. Ye know alſo the great danger of the three children, Shadrach, Meſech, and Abednego in the land of their captiuitie, how greeuouſly the Chaldeans accuſed them vntounto Nebuchadnezzar, for not worſhipping the golden image which he had ſet vp, and how the King in a great furie and rage,20.21. commanded them therefore to be caſt into the middeſt of an hote fiery furnace, which alſo was done as the King commanded. So that now it was like that idolatry ſhould increaſe, and that the worſhip of the true God of Iſrael ſhould decreaſe, becauſe of this cruell execution vponupon theſe three children, for the maintenance of his holy worſhip, and refuſall to worſhip the image. But loe how the Lord turned this to the ſpreading and propagation of his holy worſhip, throughout all the dominions of Nebuchadnezzar. For the Lord hauing wrought a mighty deliuerance for the three children, in ſauing them from the power of the fire,27. ſo that neither an haire of their head was burnt, nor their cotes changed, nor any ſmell of fire was vponupon them, both all the Nobles and great Princes which came to worſhip the golden image, were ſpectators of this great wonder which the true God of Iſrael wrought, and Nebuchadnezzar himſelfe bleſſed the God of Shadrach, 28.Meſhach, and Abednego, for deliuering his ſeruants that yeelded their bodies, rather then they would ſerue or worſhip any God ſaue their owne God;29. and likewiſe made a decree, that none of all his people ſhould dare to ſpeake any blaſphemy againſt the God of Iſrael. Thus the Lord turned their practiſe and deuiſes againſt his holy worſhip, vntounto the propagation of his holy worſhip, ſo that when it ſeemed almoſt to hauehave periſhed it was farther diſperſed. And as this may be ſeene in Moſes and the Prophets, ſo alſo it is clearely ouer-ruled in the new Teſtament. You know the rage of Satan, and his inſtruments againſt our bleſſed Sauiour. from his cradle to his croſſe how did they perſecute him, and all to deſtroy & to aboliſh his kingdom for euer? How was he perſecuted and forced to flie from place to place euen in his infancie? How often was he tempted by the Deuill in the wildernes? How deſpitefully was he intreated by the high Prieſts, the Scribes, and Phariſies, and the reſt of the Iewes? How was he mocked, buffeted, ſpit vponupon, crowned with a crowne of thornes, accuſed, condemned, and crucified betweene two theeues? And when they had taken him and crucified him, then they thought they had made ſure worke for the rooting out of his name, and of his doctrine for euer. But ſo the Lord prouided, that by his croſſe his kingdome was eſtabliſhed, and by his death the life of his Church was preſerued, ſo that his ſufferings and his wrongs were turned to the beſt, and that which they preſumed would hauehave hindered the Goſpell, turned to the furthering of the Goſpell. Not to trouble you with moe proofes to this purpoſe, ye know the perſecutions and afflictions, the bands and impriſonment of our Apoſtle. And when his aduerſaries had now gotten him caſt into priſon, they thought that now he ſhould be ſafe from preaching any more in Chriſt his name, that the reſt when they ſhould heare of him ſhould be daunted, and not dare to preach the Goſpell, and indeed that thus the whole courſe of the Goſpell ſhould moſt certainely be hindered. But ſuch was the Lord his prouidence, that he turned their deuiſes into the imagination of a vaine thing, and that which they thought ſhould hauehave beene to the hindering, he turned rather to the furthering of the Goſpell. For, as himſelfe here witneſſeth, by occaſion of his bands, both the Goſpell was farther propagated, euen vntounto the Emperors Court, into all places of the Citie of Rome, and into many other Countries, in all which places many thereby were brought vntounto the obedience of the faith, and of the Goſpell of Chriſt Ieſus; and likewiſe thereby the Goſpell tooke better ſetling, and deeper rooting in the hearts of many of the Paſtors of the Church, inſomuch that many of them were ſo farre from being danted by his bands, that thereby they were a great deale bolder then before, and durſt more frankly and freely profeſſe and preach the Goſpell then before. So that whether we looke into Moſes, or the Prophets, vntounto Chriſt, or his Apoſtles, ſtill we ſhall finde that …he perſecution, afflictions, and bands of Gods Saints rather further then hinder the Goſpel, rather make for then againſt the increaſe of Chriſt his kingdome vponupon earth, rather help then hurt the Church.
But how comes this to paſſe? The aduerſaries of God… …aints intend no ſuch thing. No indeed, their whole deſire and endeuour in troubling and perſecuting the ſaints of God, is to make hauocke of the Church, and to hinder or aboliſh the Goſpell of Ieſus Chriſt. How then? Is it by the meris of the Saints, by the vertue of their ſufferings, by the force of their bloud which they ſhed for the Goſpell? No, nor ſo: for all their merits are not of that worth, all their ſufferings and deaths hauehave not that vertue, that thereby the Goſpell ſhould be fu…thered, or the Church increaſed. How then comes it to paſſe that the perſecutions and ſufferings of the Saints doe further the Goſpell? 1. By the power of Chriſt. 2. By the example of the Saints conſtancie in their ſufferings. 3. By the freedome of the Goſpell then when the Saints are bound for the Goſpell. For ſuch is the power of Chriſt, that howſoeuer their enemies doe band themſelues againſt his Saints, ſo to worke the ſubuerſion of the Goſpell, and of the truth of Chriſt Ieſus, yet he can at his pleaſure, and doth make their deuiſes to be of none effect, nor onelyonly ſo, but turneth them to a cleane other end then they had imagined. And therefore the Pſalmiſt ſaith, Why doe the heathen rage and the people murmure in vaine? Pſal. 2 1.The kings of the earth band themſelues &c. As if he ſhould hauehave ſaid; The enemies of Chriſt plot and practiſe all that euer they can againſt him, and againſt his truth and goſpell▪ but all in vaine: for the God of heauen ſees them and laughes them to ſcorne, he either fruſtrateth their wicked plots and practiſes, or turnes them to his owne glory. Againe, when men ſee the Saints conſtancie in their ſufferings, how little are they danted with the furie of their aduerſaries? how patiently they ſuffer their bands and perſecutions? how by the mighty power of God aſſiſting them and ſtrengthning them, …hey do euen in their death triumph ouer death, this very example of their conſtancie brings many vntounto the Church, and much furthereth the Goſpell. And h…revpon is that knowne ſaying that the bloud of the Martyrs is the ſeede of the Church. Againe, the word of God is not bound, though the Saints doe ſuffer euen vntounto bands, as the Apoſtle ſaith, I ſuffer trouble as an euill doer euen vntounto bands, 2 Tim. 2.9.but the word of God is not bound. And therefore in their bands for the Goſpel… ſake, they may preach and publiſh the Goſpell ſo much, that their bands may be to the furthering rather then to the hindering of the goſpel; as we read that our Apoſtle in this his impriſonment at Rome for two yeares ſpace preached the kingdome of God, Act. 28 31.and …aught thoſe things which concerned the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, without let: and that he wrote almoſt as many Epiſtles there vntounto the Churches as he wrote elſe at all. And thus yee ſee …oth that the perſecutions of Gods ſaints rather further then hinder the Goſpell, and likewiſe how it commeth to paſſe …hat they doe ſo.
Now the vſe which we are to make hereof is, hence to be comforted in all our perſecutions and troubles which, the wicked raiſe vp againſt vsus. For what though they ſeeke all occaſions againſt vsus, becauſe of the truth which wee pro…eſſe? What though they bring v… before Kings and Ru…ers, Iudges and great Officers, and there vniuſtly accuſe vsus …or arreigne vsus as euill doers for the Goſpels ſake of Chriſt …eſus? What though they p…euaile to get vsus caſt into pri…on, or throwne out of our liuings, or deliuered vntounto death …or the hope of our profeſſion? It may be that they may …aue their will vponupon vsus, and bring their wicked purpoſes …gainſt vsus to paſſe. But what of all this? Is thus the goſpels …urthered? Doth the Lord turne theſe things to the en…argement of his Church? A chip then for all theſe, or all …hat man can doe againſt vsus. Nay herein we ioy and will …oy, that by our ſufferings or deaths the Goſpell is furthe…ed, and the Church enlarged. If together with our bands, …he Goſpell alſo were bound; if together with the torment …r fall of our bodies they could ru…ne & plucke downe the …alles of our Church, then might we well ſhrinke at our ſuf…ering and wrongs; then might we well be vexed in our …oules, for the malicious practiſes of the wicked againſt vsus. But ſeeing the Lord turnes all that they doe vntounto vsus to the …lory of his name, to the furtherance of his Goſpell, and …o the propagation of his Church, howſoeuer they intended …he cleane contrary, we may well reioyce and be glad, when …hey ſay or doe all manner of euill againſt vsus for Chriſt his …ake and the Goſpels. And thus in all our perſecutions and …ufferings we may reſolue, that therein the Lord will doe …hat which ſhall be to the glory of his name, the good of his Church, and the furtherance of his goſpell. If our deliuerance from our enemies, or our ſufferings will make moſt hereunto, then will he deliuer vsus as he did Daniel from the Lyons, the three Children from the hote fierie fornace, and our Apoſtle from this his impriſonment. But if our ſufferings or deaths will make moſt thereunto, then they that hate vsus ſhall hauehave their will ouer vsus as they had ouer Ste… our Apoſtle, in his latter impriſonment, and ouer many bleſſed Martyrs which are dead in the Lord. Bee wee the… deliuered, or not deliuered from the will of our enemies ſtill this is our comfort, that in his gracious prouidēce the Lord turneth all to the furthering of the goſpell: OnelyOnly, let vsus be conſtant in all our troubles, let vsus cleaue ſtedfaſtly vntounto the Lord, and let vsus not louelove our liues vntounto the death, th… men ſeeing our holy conſtancie in our ſufferings, for Chriſt his ſake, and the goſpels, may acknowledge the mightie power of God in ſtrengthening vsus, to endure ſuch ſufferings for the truths ſake, and ſo may bee woone to embrace the ſame truth with vsus. And howſoeuer we be bound yet le… vsus giuegive proofe as much as we can, that the goſpell is not bound. By teaching, and writing, and how elſe we can, let vsus euer in our bands labour to turne many vntounto righteouſneſſe, and to enlarge the Kingdome of Chriſt Ieſus. So ſhall our ſufferings be but as the pounding of ſpice to make our ſmell the ſweeter, or as the preſſing of the Palme tree, to ſpread the goſpell farther. Our enemies maine purpoſes ſhall be diſappoynted, and the name of our great God ſhall be glorified.
Againe, this ſerueth to condemne the faintneſſe and backe-ſliding of manie in their perſecutions and troubles. Much ſeede ſowen in ſtonie ground: Many, that when ſtormes and perſecutions ariſe becauſe of the word, by and by are offended. A calme Sea they can, but a ſtorme they cannot brooke. They can well endure to hauehave Chriſt crucified, preached vntounto them, but if Chrſt come vntounto them with his croſſe, they cannot away with him. Nay, then many faint, and many fall away. What then? Such fainting at the things whereby the Goſpell may be furthered? Such …lling away, for feare of the things whereby the bounds of …e Church may be enlarged? Can your liues or liuely…oodes be more deare vntounto you, then the propagation of …he Church, the furtherance of the Goſpell?Matth. 14. If any man …ome vntounto mee, ſaith our Sauiour Chriſt, and hate not father, …nd mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and ſisters, 26.27.…ea, and his owne life alſo, he cannot be my Diſciſple. And whoſoeuer beareth not his croſſe, and commeth after mee, cannot bee …y diſciple. Where our bleſſed Sauiour teacheth vsus, that if a…y thing in the world, euen our liues be more deare vntounto vsus, …hen his glory, and the encreaſe of his kingdome, then we cannot be his diſciples. If we do not beare our croſſe, whatſoeuer it be that is laid vponupon vsus, we cannot be his diſciples. And withall I adde, that howſoeuer they ſeemed to admire the word, and to kiſſe the Goſpell, yet, if when the winde bloweth, and the ſtorme ariſeth, they ſtart aſide like a broken bowe, ſurely they were neuer borne a new by the immortall ſeede of the word of God; for that endureth for euer, as true in it ſelfe, ſo grounded in him that is begotten thereby, in ſuch ſort, that it is dearer vntounto him than his life. Let them then looke vntounto it, that when ſtormes ariſe, fall away from the hope of their profeſſion. If they faint or ſhrinke, it is more then they ſhould doe, becauſe the Lord may turne their ſufferings to the furtherance of the Goſpell. But if they fall away, it is as if they refuſed to take vp their croſſe, and to follow Chriſt. And whereas their liues ſhould not bee deare vntounto them vntounto the death, for the furthering of the goſpell; their liues, and liuelyhoodes are ſo deare vntounto them, that to ſaue them they hinder the goſpell. Let this be our rule, the Lord turnneth the perſecutions of his Saints to the furthering of the goſpell, therefore in perſecutions and troubles we may not faint, or ſlide backe.
Againe beloued, this may teach you not to doubt of the truth, or to diſlike of the profeſſors of the truth, becauſe they are diſgraced, perſecuted, and cruelly entreated. Yee ſhall not want enough that will inſult ouer them in their troubles, that will tell you they are odious men, and me… vntounto whom ſuch ſufferings and troubles moſt iuſtly do befall, and ſo cunningly will labour to diſcredite the truth which they profeſſe. But be not deceaued; Whatſoeuer of this kinde can bee ſaid, no doubt was ſpoken vponupon Paules bands and troubles, ſo to diſcredite the goſpell which hee preached. And it cannot be but that the world ſhould hate, and perſecute, and reuile the children of the light, becauſe they louelove darkeneſſe better then light. But howſoeuer the world hate them, and whatſoeuer it practiſeth againſt them, the Lord ſhall turne all their ſufferings and their wrongs to the furthering of the goſpell. Let not therefore the perſecutions and troubles of Gods Saints bee any argument againſt the truth, but rather for the truth, and rather let them cauſe vsus to like then to diſlike thē. It is Satans arte to turne their troubles to the ſlaunder of them, and of the truth, but the Lord turneth them to the furtherance of the goſpell, and of their reckoning in the day of Chriſt. And let this be ſpoken touching this, which is the maine poynt principally to be noted in theſe words.
The next thing which I note is, that the Apoſtle in his proofe that his bands were turned rather to the furthering of the goſpell, then the hindering, ſaith, that his bands in Chriſt .i. wch he ſuſtained for Chriſt his ſake were famous throughout all the iudgement Hall, and in all other places. Whereby he meaneth, that by occaſion of his bands Chriſt and his goſpell came to be knowen, and to be belieued, both in the Emperours Court, and in the Citie of Rome, and in many other countries. Which as it ſheweth a notable fruite and effect of the perſecution of gods Saints, namely, the propagation of the goſpell, which falleth in with the former obſeruation. So farther, hence I do obſerue the power of God, to raiſe vp a Church vntounto himſelfe where he will, and by what meanes he will, in Kings courts, in great Cities & Countries where the goſpell is ſcant heard of, or little regarded, there hee can, if hee will, euen by the bands of his Saints, raiſe vp a Church vntounto himſelfe. No place ſo prophane, ſo farre without God in the world, but if …e will hauehave his name there called vponupon, there it ſhall be cal…ed vponupon. Rome at that time (it is likely) was as heatheniſh, … now it is ſuperſtitious. Nero his Court (it is like) was then …s prophane, and as far without God in the world as might …e; and the Countries thereabout, it is like, had not ſo much … heard of Ieſus, nor knew what the goſpell meant. Yet, …ere the Lord would hauehave his Church; and therefore hee …aith vntounto Paul, Be of good courage Paul, Act. 23.11.for as thou haſt teſti…ied of mee in Hieruſalem, ſo muſt thou beare witneſſe alſo at Rome. Here the purpoſe of God was reuealed, and according to this purpoſe he brought Paul to Rome, and euen by his bands there begat Children vntounto himſelfe in Neroes Court, in the Citie of Rome, and in the Countries there a…out. Eliſha may ſend his ſeruant with his ſtaffe, and the Shunamites Sonne not be raiſed, but if the Lord ſend his ſeruant whither he will, a Church ſhall be raiſed to the honour of his name, by what meanes he will, for he can do what he will, and what meanes he liſteth he vſeth to do his will.
Let no man then meaſure the Lord by himſelfe. If hee ſend thee whom he hath called to the worke of his miniſterie, to the Princes Court, or to the great Citie, goe when he ſendeth thee, and feare not thy weakeneſſe, but remember his ſtrength that ſendeth thee. If thou goe thither bound with a chaine for the goſpels ſake, euen by thy chaine thou ſhalt ſo preach vntounto their hearts, that thou ſhalt gaine children in the faith. As it is all one with him to ſaue with many or with few, ſo it is all one with him to gather his church by this or that meanes, which pleaſeth him beſt. Whatſoeuer be thy weakeneſſe, hee will perfect his ſtrength in thy weakeneſſe. OnelyOnly bee of good courage, and thou ſhalt ſee the power of the Lord.
Againe, let no man thinke any place ſo prophane, but that the Lord may hauehave his Church there. Kings Courts are cōmonly not the beſt, pride, pleaſure, eaſe, & abundance of all things commonly choakes the word therein, ſo that it is vnfruitfull. Nay, ſaith Amaziah to Amos, Amos 7.13.propheſie no more at Bethell, for it is the Kings Chappell, and it is the Kings Court. In great Cities likewiſe ſinnes moſt commonly rage and reigne. No lewdneſſe or wickedneſſe ſo grieuous and abhominable, but there it is ſo riſe that it ouerfloweth all: Yet in theſe places the Lord hath his Church, euen thoſe that know him, and belieue in his holy name. Euen in Iezabels Court he hath an Obadiah to hide and feede his Prophets; and in ſinnefull Sodome, hee hath a righteous Lot, whoſe ſoule is daily vexed with their vnlawfull deeds. Farre be it therefore, from vsus, to condemne where the Lord hath not condemned. Who are his he onelyonly knoweth, but that in all places he hath thoſe that are his, we are not to deſpaire, yea, euen at this day in Caeſars Court, and in ſinnefull Rome it ſelfe.
The third thing which I note is, that the Apoſtle ſaith, that many of the brethrē in the Lord were emboldned through his bands, and durſt more franckely ſpeake the word. Whereby hee meaneth, that through his conſtancie in his bands & ſufferings, many Paſtors & teachers were emboldned to profeſſe and preach the goſpell more freely then before. Whence I obſerue another notable fruite and perſecution of Gods Saints, namely, the emboldening of others to the profeſſion of the goſpell more freely. Which, as it ſerueth very notably for the proofe of the maine poynt, that the perſecution of Gods Saints rather furthereth then hindereth the goſpell, ſo may it be a ſtrong conſolation for the children of God againſt the time of perſecution. It may bee that ſome of vsus in the time of the peace of the goſpell, may doubt how wee ſhall ſtand in the time of perſecution, and feare, that when the tryall ſhall come, we ſhall not quit our ſelues like men. But let vsus plucke vp our hearts, and be of good comfort. When wee ſhall ſee the conſtancy of other of Gods Saints in their ſufferings, then ſhall we alſo be emboldened freely to profeſſe the truth of Chriſt Ieſus, the Lord ſhall turne the conſtancie of them in their ſufferings, for the hope of their profeſſion vntounto our encouraging and emboldening to make a good profeſſion. Thus we finde it to be in Ioſeph of Arimathea, of whome it is ſaid,Mat. 27.57 that he had beene the Diſciple of Ieſus before his Paſſion: But he ſhewed it not till then, and then hee went euen to Pylate himſelfe, and profeſſed himſelfe his Diſciple, and begged his bodie, and entombed it. The like we finde to be in Nicodemus, of whome it is ſaid,Ioh. 19.39. that till the death and paſſion of Chriſt Ieſus, he onelyonly came vntounto him by night, for feare of the Iewes: But then he profeſſed himſelfe, and ioyned with Ioſeph of Arimathea, to burie him moſt honourably. By whoſe examples, as alſo by the example of theſe heere mentioned in our Apoſtle, yee ſee how the Lord, by the ſufferings of his Saints, giues that boldnes and courage vntounto others of his children, which neither themſelues felt, nor euer any ſaw in them before. Let vsus not therfore feare how we ſhall ſtand when perſecution commeth, but let vsus depend on the Lord, who alone giueth ſtrength and perſeuerance, and he will ſtrengthen vsus to ſtand.