Lectures Upon Philippians, Lectures · Chapter 1 · Lecture 14
LECTƲRE XIV.
Verſe 15. Some preach Chriſt euen through enuie and ſtrife, and ſome alſo of good will.
16. The one part preacheth Chriſt of contention and not purely ſuppoſing to adde afflictions to my bands.
17. But the other of louelove, knowing that I am ſet for the defence of the Goſpell.
18. What then? yet Chriſt is preached all manner of wayes, whether it be vnderunder a pretence, or ſincerely, I therin ioy: yea and will ioy.
NOw followeth the amplification of the latter effect and fruit of the Apoſtles bands, which was the third thing noted in the former part of the Apoſtles narration, ſet downe in theſe words, Some preach Chriſt &c. In which words the Apoſtle ſheweth that of thoſe brethren in the Lord which through his conſtancie in his bands, were emboldened to preach Chriſt more frankly then before, all of them did not preach Chriſt with the ſame minde, nor vponupon the ſame motiue, nor for the ſame end, but ſome with a corrupt minde, moued through enuy and ſtrife, and to the end to adde more afflictions to the Apoſtles bands; and others of a good minde, moued through louelove, and to the end that with the Apoſtle they might defend the goſpell. So that here is ſet downe a diſtribution of ſuch as preached Chriſt, according to the diuerſitie of the mindes wherewith, of the motiues wherevpon, and of the ends wherefore they preached Chriſt. The diſtribution is this, that ſome preached Chriſt ſincerely, and others not ſincerely, ſet downe ver. 15. The minde wherewith, the motiues wherevpon, the end wherefore the worſe ſort preached Chriſt is ſet downe verſ. 15.16. Likewiſe the minde wherewith, the motiues wherevpon, & the end wherefore the better ſort preached Chriſt, is ſet downe verſ. 15.17. Touching their mindes, the better ſort preached Chriſt of good will, and a good minde toward the Apoſtle, and toward the Goſpell; but the worſe ſort preached Chriſt not purely, but of a corrupt and bad minde toward the Apoſtle. Touching their motiues, the better ſort preached Chriſt euen vponupon louelove towards the Apoſtle, and towards the Goſpell; but the worſe ſort preached Chriſt vponupon enuie toward the Apoſtle, and to ſtirre ſtrife and contention in the Church among the brethren. Touching their ends, the better ſort preached Chriſt to helpe the Apoſtle in the defence of the goſpell, knowing that he was appointed of God for the defence of the goſpel; but the worſe ſort preached Chriſt to adde more affliction to his bands, thinking by the contentions which they raiſed in the Church, both to greeue him, and to exaſperate Nero againſt him. Thus I reſolue the order and meaning of theſe words.
The thing which hence I obſerue is, the great difference of ſuch as preach Chriſt in the Church of God. For not to ſpeake of ſuch as ſet abroche falſe doctrine in the Church, whereby either the foundation of our faith is either pluckt downe, or ſhaken, or the Church is burdened with …aine traditions and commandments of men, which are not …fter God: as the Apoſtle in his day, ſo we in our day, may …ee that of thoſe that preach Chriſt truly and ſoundly for …octrine, ſome preach Chriſt as they ſhould, and others …therwiſe then they ſhould, ſome may be called good, and …thers bad preachers of Chriſt. Which difference of Prea…hers, as then it did, ſo now it doth come to paſſe through …he diuerſitie partly of the mindes wherewith they preach, …artly of the motiues which cauſe them to preach, and part…y of the ends wherefore they doe preach. For in ſome it is …ery cleare, that they preach the glad tidings of your ſalua…on vntounto you of a very good minde towards God, towards …ou, and towards the goſpell of Chriſt Ieſus, only deſiring …nd that from the ground of their hearts, the glory of God, …e ſaluation of your ſoules, and the growth of the goſpell …f Chriſt Ieſus. But in others, it is greatly to be feared, that …ey preach Chriſt of a naughty and bad minde, affecting …ther their owne glory then the glory of God, ſeeking ra…er their owne things then the things which are Ieſus …hriſts, hunting after yours rather then you, minding any …ing elſe rather then the growth of the goſpell of Chriſt …ſus. Againe, in ſome it is very cleare, that the motiues …awing them to preach Chriſt, is a ſincere and holy louelove …th towards you, that they may preſent you holy and vn…ameable before God in that day, and in the meane time …ay reioyce ouer your faith, louelove, and holy obedience, and …ewiſe towards the truth, that the truth by them may bee …owne in all places. But in others it is greatly to be fea…d, that their comming to preach Chriſt is vponupon ſpitefull …uie towards the faithfull ſeruants of Chriſt Ieſus, malig…ng the gifts and graces of Gods holy ſpirit in them, vponupon …ontentious humor, caſting vp and downe the firebrands … ſchiſmes, ſtrifes, and debates to ſet the Church on fire; or …on eueryevery other inordinate affection, rather then vponupon …e. Againe, in ſome it is very cleare, that the end of their comming to preach Chriſt is to glorifie the Lord, to beget children in the faith, to comfort the humbled and afflicted ſoule, to build vp the ruined walles of Sion, and to turne them that belong vntounto the Lord vntounto righteouſneſſe, that they may receiue forgiueneſſe of ſinnes, and inheritance among them which are ſanctified by faith in Chriſt Ieſus. But in others it is greatly to bee feared, that the end of their comming to preach Chriſt, is to grieue the ſoule which the Lord would not hauehave greeued, to caſt dunge in the faces of their brethren, to adde affliction vntounto them that already are afflicted, and vnderunder the name of the Church, to wound the Church euen with a deadly wound. I wiſh indeede euen from my very heart roote, that all that preach Chriſt in our Church at this day were of the better ſort, and that our day might hauehave this exception from the Apoſtles day. And I doe aſſure my ſelfe that there were neuer moe in our Church, then at this day there are, which preach Chriſt of a pure and good minde, vponupon a ſincere and holy louelove towards the Church, and towards the truth, to gaine men vntounto the Church, and to ground men in the truth. Neither doe I, or dare I pronounce of any but that he ſo preacheth Chriſt. But as I ſaid, it may greatly be feared, that in this our day there are ſuch as doe not ſo preach Chriſt. For as the Apoſtle reaſoneth, whereas there are among you enuying, 1 Cor. 3.3.and ſtrife, and diuiſions, are yee not carnall, and walke as men? So doe I reaſon touching this point: whereas there are amongſt vsus, ſuch as are euer obſcuring the lights of our Church, euer girding at them whoſe graces ha… beene and are moſt eminent in the Church, euer croſſing and thwarting the things moſt behouefull for the Church, euer ſnarling and catching at eueryevery aduantage they ca… take, euer caſting firebrands of ſchiſmes and contentions i… the Church, are there not that preach Chriſt vponupon enu… and ſtrife, and not purely, but of purpoſe to greeue? As I wiſh there were no ſuch diuerſitie among them that preach Chriſt, ſo this diuerſitie for me might hauehave beene buried i… ſilence, if this ſcripture had not forced me to ſo much as … hauehave ſpoke.
The vſe which I make hereof is, for the Miniſter and …eacher of the goſpell, who hence may take good notes, …hereby he may know whether he be a good miniſter and …eacher of the goſpell. The firſt note whereby hee may …low this is, if hee ſpeake the worde; for it is not the wiſe…me of man, or the traditions of the Church, or the ſophi…ie of the Schooles; but it is the word of the euer-liuing …od that he muſt ſpeake, if he be a good miniſter and prea…er of the goſpell; as it is written, If any man ſpeake, 1 Pet. 4.10let him …eake as the word of God. Whereby is implyed, that if hee …eake not ſo, he ſpeaketh not as he ought.
The ſecond note whereby hee may know this, is if hee …eake the word franckely and boldly, for it is not for the …ord his Ambaſſador to be babiſh, or bleatiſh, or for feare … keepe backe any part of the Lord his counſaile; but as …hn vntounto Herod, ſo he muſt ſpeake boldly vntounto the faces of …e greateſt, and feare not the face of any man, as it is writ…n, Cry aloud and ſpare not, lift vp thy voice like a trumpet, Iſ. 58.1.…d ſhew my people their tranſgreſſion, and to the houſe of Iacob …eir ſinne: whereby he implieth that this is moſt requiſite … the Lord his Prophet and Miniſter, that he boldly do the …ill of him that hath ſent him, whether he be to plucke vp, … to roote out, or to deſtroy, and throw downe, or what …ſe ſoeuer.
The third note whereby he may know this is, if he ſpeake …e word boldly, and of a good minde. For it is not enough …at he ſpeake the word, and ſpeake it boldly, but if he will …pproue himſelfe for a good Miniſter and Preacher of the Goſpell, he muſt alſo ſpeake out of a good minde towards God to glorifie him, towards them that heare him to ſaue …em, and towards the truth of Chriſt Ieſus to make it …owne in all places, as it is written,1 Tim. 3.9. that they ſhould hauehave …he myſterie of the faith in a pure conſcience, or in a ſincere …nd good minde.
The fourth note whereby hee may know this is, if hee …peake the word vponupon a ſincere and holy louelove. For this al…o is requiſite, that he preach the word not vponupon ſtrife and contention to moue brawles and ſtirres in the Church, b… vponupon louelove towards him, who hath commanded to feede … ſheepe and his lambes; vponupon louelove towards the ſheepe … Chriſt, that they wander not as ſheepe without a ſhepherd, and vponupon louelove towards the word, that it be not hid as vnde… a buſhell, if hee be a good Miniſter and Preacher of the word.
The laſt note whereby he may know this is, if he ſpeake the wo d to the end that God may be glorified, his Church builded, and his Goſpell defended If I ſay, he finde theſe notes in himſelfe, hereby hee ſhall know that he is a good Miniſter and Preacher of the word. Otherwiſe if he ſpeake not the word, but the deuiſes of his owne braine, or ſpeake the word coldly and fearefully fearing mens perſons; or ſpeake the word of a corrupt and naughty minde, or vponupon an enuious and contentious humor, or to greeue the godly, and hinder good things, let him know that he is not a good Miniſter and Preacher of the word. Let eueryevery man therefore that is ſet apart vntounto this worke, examine himſelfe of theſe things, and ſo let him iudge of himſelfe, and where be hee findes a fault in himſelfe, let him mend that which is amiſſe.
Now if any man ſhall here except and ſay; how then? If the caſe thus ſtand among the Preachers of the word, that ſome of them preach Chriſt euen through enuie and ſtrife, not of a pure and good minde, but rather to vex the ſoule of the righteous, then to build the Church of God; how ſhall we brooke to heare ſuch, how ſhall we louelove or like ſuch, how ſhall we take ioy or comfort in ſuch? Wherevnto, 1. I anſwer out of the rule of charitie, that becauſe we know not who doe ſo preach Chriſt, therefore we are to preſume the beſt of them whom we heare. The Lord only knoweth the hearts of men, and the purpoſes and intents of their hearts. Who art thou then that iudgeſt? he ſtandeth or falleth to his owne maſter. 2. I anſwer out of the Apoſtle i… this place, that if Chriſt Ieſus be truely and ſoundly preached, we are to take great ioy and comfort therein, and willingly & gladly to heare them that deliuer the truth ſound… with what minde ſoeuer, and to what end ſoeuer it is, that …y doe ſpeake the word That is for them to looke vntounto, … for vsus to ioy in the other. Hence then I obſerue that, that …iſter and preacher of the word is gladly and ioyfully to …eard that preacheth Chriſt, and the doctrine of the go…l ſoundly and truely, with what minde ſoeuer, vponupon …t motiue ſoeuer, or to what end ſoeuer he preach Chriſt … his goſpell. To which purpoſe alſo,Mat. 23.3. is that of our Saui…, where he willeth to hearken vntounto the Scribes and Pha…es, ſitting in Moſes ſeate: whereby he meaneth, that the …ctrine which the Scribes and Phariſies deliuered faithful… …ut of Moſes, was gladly to bee receaued, howſoeuer in …ir actions and liues, they were iuſtly to be noted. And … reaſon is, becauſe the word is the Lords which they …g, with what minde ſoeuer they bring it, or how vitious …ad ſoeuer they bee that bring it. And tell, I pray you, …ch of you would much looke at the minde or affection …he meſſenger towards you, or other qualities in him, …ch ſhould bring you a bill ſigned from the Prince, for …e penſion or liuing for you? If he ſhould faithfully deli… the bill from the Prince vntounto you, would ye not ioyful… …eceaue it? How much more gladly then, and ioyfully …ght yee to receaue the word of the Lord, wherein is your … when it is faithfully deliuered from the Prince of Hea… and Earth, with whatſoeuer minde and affection the …niſter thereof deliuer it? If Chriſt crucified be preached, …e holy word of life be truely and ſoundly deliuered, this …uld ſo warme our hearts, and glad our ſoules, that other …ngs whatſoeuer ſhould not greatly trouble vsus.
This then, firſt, ſerueth for the confutation of their er…r, that cut themſelues from vsus, ſo that they neither will …re the word of vsus, nor communicate in the Sacrament …h vsus, becauſe of ſome defects in our Church, becauſe of …e blemiſhes in vsus. For, I demaund, is the word of truth …ely taught with vsus, are the Sacraments rightly admini…d with vsus, doe we labour amongſt our people with vncorrupt doctrine? Then ſurely, if there were the ſame mi… in them that was in the Apoſtle, they would ſo reioyce … this, that they would brooke all things the better for th… If we be defiled in our minds, or in our liues, eueryevery thin… that we touch is likewiſe defiled. What? to you? Nay, but to vsus. The word that we preach ſhall ſaue you, and th… Sacraments which wee adminiſter ſhall profite you, ho… fruitfull or vnfruitfull ſoeuer they be vntounto vsus.
Secondly, this ſerueth for the reproofe of them, that … cutting themſelues from vsus yet, cannot brooke to heare th… word of ſuch of vsus, as they thinke hauehave gauled them, an… ſpoken the word with an hard minde towards them. F… thus commonly it is ſaid, he is a good Preacher, he deliue… good and ſound doctrine, he teacheth the word faithfull… but in his Sermons I ſee hee ſaith many things vponupon a ſtomacke againſt mee, with a minde to girde mee, and of p… poſe to note and brand me before all the people, and the… fore I cānot brooke to heare him, I take no comfort in t… hearing of him. But Paul was of another minde; for thoug… there were that preached Chriſt of a badde minde towar… him, through enuie and ſtrife touching him, and of pu… poſe to adde affliction to his bands, yet that Chriſt was pre… ched, that gladed him, that reioyced his heart. And … would it each of vsus, if we were ſo ſingly and ſincerely af… cted towards the goſpell, as hee was; whatſoeuer minde th… Preacher carried towards vsus, yet would we moſt gladly an… ioyfully heare the word at his mouth. It were indeede b… of all, if they that ſpeake the word, were as in doctrine, … in life vncorrupt, and that they ſpake of a good minde alwaies, and vponupon louelove. But if they preach Chriſt ſoundly and truely, we are not ſo much to be troubled what their affection, or what their life be. If perſecution ſhould come, then wee would bee glad if wee might heare the word preached, and not curiouſly looke with what minde it were deliuered. Seeing the word, and the worth and price thereo… is the ſame, now let vsus with the Apoſtle, reioyce and be gla… if Chriſt bee preached, whether it bee vnderunder a pretence o… ſincere…y.