Lectures Upon Philippians, Lectures · Chapter 1 · Lecture 15
LECTƲRE XƲ.
PHILIP. I.
Verſe 19. For I know that this ſhall turne to my ſaluation through your prayer, and by the helpe of the ſpirit of Ieſus Chriſt.
20. As I feruently looke for and hope, that in nothing I ſhall be aſhamed, but that with all confidence as alwaies, ſo now Chriſt ſhall bee magnified in my bodie, whether it be by life or by death.
NOw followeth the latter part of the Apoſtles narration, wherein hee tells the Philippians, what ſucceſſe he hoped his bands, and the practiſes of thoſe brethren which imagined miſchiefe againſt him, ſhould hauehave. And the ſumme of it is, that he certainely …oped and knew that his bands, and all the practiſes of the …icked againſt him ſhould turne to his ſaluation, and to …heir good and comfort by his comming againe vntounto them; …irſt then, the Apoſtle ſetteth down the propoſition or main …oynt for his hope hereafter, in theſe words, For I know, &c. Secondly, he ſetteth downe the meanes whereby this ſhall …ome to paſſe, namely, through the prayer of the Philippians, by the helpe of the ſpirit of Ieſus Chriſt, and according …o his owne faith and hope, in theſe words, Through your …rayer, &c. And thirdly, he explicateth what ſaluatiō he hopeth for, and aſſureth himſelfe of by theſe meanes; as firſt, the ſaluation of his ſoule, in that by theſe means he hopeth, …hat in nothing he ſhall be aſhamed, but that with all confidence Chriſt ſhall be magnified in his bodie, whether it be by life or by death, in theſe words, That in nothing, &c. And ſecondly, the ſaluatiō, or deliuerance of his bodie out of priſon, to their good & comfort, in verſ. 25. & 26. For the meaning in general thē of theſe words, it is as if the Apoſtle had thus ſaid, they by preaching Chriſt, ſuppoſe to adde affliction to my bands, that when Nero ſhall heare that ſo many preach Chriſt, and that ſo much ſtrife is among them; … as the chiefe man, and maintainer of that way, may either be forced to deſiſt from preaching of Chriſt, and ſo bring a ſhame on my ſelfe, or elſe may be put to death. But I know that this which they practiſe againſt me, ſhall through your prayer, and by the helpe of Gods ſpirit, and according to my certaine expectation & hope, turne to my ſaluation, euen to the ſaluation of my ſoule, becauſe of my confident conſtancie in the defence of the Goſpell, whether it bee by life, or by death, and to the ſaluation and deliuerance of my bodie out of priſon, ſo that neither ſhall I bee put to ſhame for leauing the defence of the Goſpell, nor put to death for ſtanding in the defence of the Goſpell. This I take to be the order and meaning of theſe words in generall. Now it wi… be needfull that yet a little more perticularly we ſift and examine the meaning of them, For I know, &c.
Theſe words, ye ſee, containe in them a reaſon of ſomething that went before. Before the Apoſtle had ſaid, … Chriſt be preached, whether it be vnderunder a pretence, or ſincerely, I therein ioy, yea, and will ioy. Will ioy? why? F… I know that this, &c. I know, how? euen by the reuelatiō of the ſpirit, and by warrant out of the word. What did he know. I know, ſaith he, that this, this? what? euen that this chaine wherewith I am bound, and this practiſe of ſome brethre… in the Lord, to bring me to ſhame, by leauing the defence o… the goſpell, or to bring me to death if I ſtand in the defence of the Goſpell. I know, ſaith he, that this ſhall turne to my ſaluation. Now, what is meant by ſaluation, all doe not agree. Some thinke, hee meaneth thereby his bodily deliuerance out of priſon, as the word is often vſed for a bodily deliuerance:Act. 7.25. as, where it is ſaid of Moſes, That he ſuppoſed that be brethren would hauehave vnderſtood, that God by his hand would hauehave giuen thē deliuerance, foreign, as here it is ſaid, and ofte… elſewhere. Others thinke hee meaneth the ſaluation of h… ſoule in the day of Chriſt, as the word is moſt of all vſed …t, I thinke the Apoſtle may be vnderſtoode to ſpeake of …th, whether we conſider the oppoſition betweene foreign, …d foreign, or the matter of the Philippians prayer. For, …at was the affliction which they ſuppoſed to adde vntounto … bands? Euen this, that he, as the chiefe, by the threats … Nero, ſhould be forced to leaue the defence of the goſpel, …his ſhame, and the hazard of his ſoule; or, if hee ſhould …nd in the defence of the Goſpell, ſhould be deliuered vn… death. Now in oppoſition to this he ſaith, that whatſoe…r they ſuppoſed hee knoweth, that this, euen this their …actiſe againſt his conſtancie, or his life, ſhould turne to his …luation, euen the ſaluation of his ſoule, through his con…ncie in the defence of the Goſpell, ſo that in nothing hee …ould be aſhamed, &c. And likewiſe, to the ſaluation and …eliuerance of his body out of priſon, quite otherwiſe then …ey had intended. And againe, the Philippians prayer no …oubt was for both theſe, euen that hee might abide con…ant, ſo that in nothing he might be aſhamed, and that hee …ight be deliuered from the mouth of the Lyon. And for …heſe cauſes, I vnderſtand ſaluation in this place both of …oule and bodie, in ſuch ſort as hath beene ſaid. I know that …his ſhall turne to my ſaluation. How? by what meanes? firſt, …hrough their prayer, praying for his conſtancie, and deli…arance. Secondly, By the helpe of the ſpirit of Ieſus Chriſt, which ſhould be giuen vntounto his ſeruant to helpe him eueryevery way againſt all practiſes. And thirdly,Rom. 8.19. according to his fer…ent deſire, for ſo the word is tranſlated, or according to his …arneſt expectation and hope, whereof he ſhould ſurely not …e deceaued. I know, ſaith hee, that by theſe meanes, this …hall turne to my ſaluation. How, to his ſaluation by theſe meanes? that is, in that thus it ſhould come to paſſe, that in nothing pertaining to the defence of the Goſpell he ſhould bee aſhamed, but that with all confidence and liberty to ſpeake in the defence thereof, as alwaies; ſo now, where hee ſtrengtheneth his hope by his experience, Chriſt ſhould be magnified and honoured in his body, whether hee ſhould liue by preaching the goſpell, or ſhould die by ſealing it with his bloud. Wherevpon he ſignifieth his owne indifferency to either, life, or death, and the conueniencie of his life in reſpect of them, and then he tells them how this ſhall turne to his ſaluation, in the deliuerance of his bodie out of priſon. And thus much for the opening of the meaning of theſe words in particular, which as yee ſee is ſomewhat intricate and obſcure. Now let vsus ſee what notes we may gather hence for our farther vſe and inſtruction.
The firſt thing which I note is in the maine propoſition, in that the Apoſtle ſaith, that he knoweth that this caſting of him into priſon, and this practiſing againſt him being in priſon, ſhall turne to his ſaluation, not onelyonly of his bodie, by deliuerance out of priſon; but of his ſoule becauſe of his conſtancie in the defence of the Goſpell. Whence I obſerue, what fruit the godly may aſſure themſelues ſhall follow vponupon their ſufferings and wrongs, euen their ſaluation in the day of Chriſt Ieſus. For though the Apoſtle might know this ſome other way then now the godly can, euen by the reuelation of the ſpirit, as no doubt he did know of his deliuerance out of priſon, yet may the godly thus farre goe with the Apoſtle, and ſay, I know that my ſufferings and wrongs ſhall turne to my ſaluation in the day of Chriſt Ieſus. But how ſhall they know this, or aſſure themſelues of this? Euen becauſe the Holy Ghoſt hath ſaid,Rom. 8.28. that all things worke together for the beſt vntounto them that louelove God. In which place, amongſt many other arguments for the comfort of the godly againſt afflictions and troubles, he vſeth this drawne from the prouidence of God, who ſo wiſely ordereth and diſpoſeth all things, that eue… the croſſes and afflictions of his children worke for the good of his children, euen their beſt good, their ſaluation. Be it then tribulation, perſecution, famine, nakednes, ſword, impriſonment, or what croſſe ſoeuer that doe preſſe vsus, we know that all things, euen all croſſes and calamities worke together for the beſt vntounto them that louelove God; ſo that if we louelove God, we neede not ſhrinke at all theſe, or any ſuch like, but certainely know that they ſhall turne to our ſalua…ion. More plaine it may be to this purpoſe will be thought …hat of the Apoſtle, where he ſaith,Rom. 8.7. 2 Tim 2.12. that if we ſuffer with Chriſt we ſhall alſo be glorified with Chriſt: and againe, if we ſuffer with Chriſt, we ſhall alſo reigne with Chriſt. Where it i… to be noted, that the Apoſtle ſaith, this is a ſure word, this is a true ſaying, that if we ſuffer with him, we ſhall alſo reigne with him. This then is a promiſe of the Lord vntounto his children that louelove him, that if they ſuffer with him for his ſake, and his Goſpels, they ſhall alſo reigne with him, and be glorified with him. So that either the godly muſt doubt of the Lord his promiſes, all which are yea and amen, moſt certaine and ſure; or elſe the godly may aſſure themſelues that their ſufferings and their wrongs ſhall turne to their ſaluation in the day of Chriſt Ieſus. For what better aſſurance then that which is grounded on the Lords promiſe? Or what plainer promiſes can there be, then theſe of the Apoſtle in theſe places, or rather of the Holy Ghoſt by the Apoſtle? And therefore the Apoſtle ſaith in another place, that …t is a righteous thing with God to recompenſe tribulation to them which trouble others, and to them that are troubled, reſt, 2 Theſſ. 1.6.7.10.when the Lord Ieſus ſhall ſhew himſelfe from heauen with his mighty Angels, and ſhall come to be glorified in his Saints. It is a righteous thing with God: righteous indeed for his iuſtice ſake, to recompenſe tribulation to them that trouble others; and righteous for his promiſe ſake, to recompenſe reſt to them that are troubled. Becauſe then God is righteous, and keepeth promiſe for euer, therfore the godly may aſſure themſelues, that their ſufferings and wrongs ſhall turne to their ſaluation in the day of Chriſt Ieſus.
Here then is a notable conſolation for all the godly in Chriſt Ieſus againſt all croſſes, perſecutions, and troubles whatſoeuer. As Chriſt was to ſuffer many things, and ſo to enter into his kingdome; ſo the godly in Chriſt Ieſus, are through many tribulations to enter into the kingdome of God. But the comfort is, that they ſhall all turne vntounto their ſaluation in the day of Chriſt Ieſus, when they ſhall be for euer in the preſence of the throne of God, Apoc. 7.15.16and ſerue him day and night in his Temple, when they ſhall hunger no more, nor thirſt any more, nor the ſunne ſhall light on them, nor any heat; when he that ſitteth on the throne ſhall dwell among them, 17and the Lambe which is in the middeſt of the throne ſhall gouerne them, and wipe all teares from their eyes, as the Lambe himſelfe witneſſeth touching them that hauehave ſuffered tribulation, and waſhed their long robes in the bloud of the Lambe. 14.The fleſh I know will ſuggeſt and ſay, in the meane while our caſe is hard, no man with vsus, eueryevery mans hand againſt vsus, we hunger and thirſt, we are reuiled and perſecuted, we are caſt into priſon, and made the talke and wonder of the world, we are driuen to many hard ſhifts, and put to ſhreude plunges. But what of all this, when wee know that theſe ſhall turne to our ſaluation? Be they what they will, how great they will, how laſting they will, yet they are but light, and but for a moment, in reſpect of that farre moſt excellent and eternall weight of glory which they cauſe vntounto vsus, as our Apoſtle witneſſeth, where he ſaith, that our light affliction which is but for a moment, 2 Cor. 4.17.cauſeth vntounto vsus a farre moſt excellent, and an eternall weight of glory. Here is the fruit and conſequent of our affliction, glory; our affliction cauſeth vntounto vsus glory: and here is both the ſmallnes and the ſhortnes of our affliction, in compariſon of that glory which ſhall be reueiled; be it neuer ſo great and heauy, it is but ſmall and light in compariſon of that farre moſt excellent glory; be …t neuer ſo long and laſting, it is but for a moment, in compariſon of that eternall weight of glory laid vp for vsus in the heauens. Howſoeuer therefore when we ſuffer any croſſe, perſecution, or trouble, theſe things for the time be grieuou… & vnpleaſant vntounto vsus, as no chaſtizing for the preſent ſeemeth to be ioyous but greeuous, Heb. 12.1.yet ſeeing they bring the quiet fruit of righteouſnes vntounto them that are thereby exerciſed, ſeeing they cauſe vntounto vsus a farre moſt excellent, and an eternall weight of glory; ſeeing they ſhall turne to our ſaluation, let vsus be of good comfort, whatſoeuer in this kinde doth befall vsus. And let vsus, 1.as the Apoſtle willeth, runne with patience the race that is ſet before vsus, looking vntounto Ieſus the author and finiſher of our faith, 2.who for the ioy that was ſet before him endured the …roſſe, and deſpiſed the ſhame, and is ſet at the right hand of the …hrone of God. And whatſoeuer our ſufferings be, let it be with vsus as it was with the Apoſtle, that with him we may ſay, as the ſufferings of Chriſt abound in vsus, 2 Cor. 1.5.ſo our conſolation aboundeth through Chriſt.
Againe, here is a good ground and warrant for vsus againſt …hat vncomfortable doctrine of doubting of our ſaluation. For, if we may aſſure our ſelues that our ſufferings and our wrongs ſhall turne to our ſaluation, then may wee aſſure our ſelues of our ſaluation. Yea but it will be ſaid, what an argument and reaſon is this, Paul might, therefore wee may? I ſay, it is a good one, becauſe vponupon the ſame ground that he might, we may. Yea, but he might know this by the reuelation of the ſpirit, which now we are not to looke for. True: but he might alſo know this out of the holy ſcripture, where the Lord hath paſſed his promiſe for this, and ſo we may: & on the ſame promiſe whereon he might build his knowledge and aſſurance, on the ſame may we, and all the faithfull children of God build our knowledge and aſſurance, the promiſe being made vntounto all that louelove God, and are in Chriſt Ieſus. Many doubts indeed we hauehave, and full of diſtruſtfulneſſe we are oftentimes euen the beſt of vsus: but yet yee ſee that vponupon good ground of Gods promiſe, by the example of our Apoſtle, we may aſſure our ſelues of our ſaluation, if as the Apoſtle did, ſo we doe belong vntounto Chriſt Ieſus, at leaſt if we ſuffer perſecution, and trouble for his ſake; for ſo farre this place will go, that if we ſuffer perſecution and trouble for Chriſt his ſake, then we may aſſure our ſelues of our ſaluation, becauſe we may aſſure our ſelues, that our ſufferings and troubles ſhall turne to our ſaluation. Suffer not your ſelues therefore, to be deceiued by thoſe vncomfortable teachers of doubting, which teach that not any man, to whom it is not reuealed by the ſpirit in particular, can be ſure of his ſaluation, but onelyonly in an vncertaine hope. As this place doth ſhew, that ſuch of the godly as ſuffer perſecution and trouble may aſſure themſelues that their troubles ſhall turne to their ſaluation, and ſo conſequently may aſſure themſelues of their ſaluation; ſo many other places doe euidently conuince, that ſo many as are in Chriſt Ieſus, may and ought to aſſure themſelues of their ſaluation. But I hauehave diuers times heretofore ſpoken of this point more at large. Let vsus now therefore proceede.
If any man therefore here aske how and by what meanes it could come to paſſe, that this the Apoſtles impriſonment, and this practiſing againſt him in his impriſonment could turne to his ſaluation, himſelfe in the next words ſhewes the meanes to be, the Philippians praier, the helpe of Gods ſpirit, and his owne hearty and earneſt expectation and hope, I know &c. through your praier &c. Of which three, two, namely their praier, and his hearty expectation and hope were indeede meanes, but the third, namely the ſpirit of Ieſus Chriſt was the author, which by and according to theſe meanes turned his ſufferings and wrongs to his ſaluation. Howbeit in a generall ſignification of meanes, we may ſay, that hee knew that by and according to theſe meanes this that he ſuffered, & that they practiſed againſt him ſhould turne to his ſaluation. Whence I obſerue how according to the promiſe, the ſufferings and wrongs of Gods children turne to their ſaluation, namely by the helpe of God… ſpirit, through the praier of the Church, according to the… faith and hope that are troubled and afflicted. For through the praier of the Church, the ſpi…it of Ieſus Chriſt which dwelt in him in all fulneſſe is giuen vntounto the godly to helpe them in their troubles, and he according to their faith and hope in him, if they put their truſt in him, helpeth them, & turneth their ſufferings and their wrongs vntounto the beſt, as it is written,Pſ. 145.18. The Lord is neere to all that call vponupon him, to all that call vponupon him faithfully; the Lord is neere in the day of trouble to helpe, and to turne all to the beſt: but vntounto whom is hee thus neere? Euen vntounto them that call vponupon him: what to all that call vponupon him? Nay to all that call vponupon him in faith and in truth, beleeuing in him, and put…ing their truſt in him. And that vntounto ſuch he is neere to …uch purpoſe, euen through the praier of the Saints, and of …he Church, may appeare by the ſtorie of Peters impriſonment, who being in priſon,Act. 12.5. and earneſt praier being made of the Church vntounto God for him, was deliuered by an Angell out of priſon. Thus the Lord by his ſpirit worketh for his children through the praier of the Saints, and according to their faith and hope in him. So that thus we are to reſolue, all afflictions and troubles worke for the beſt, and turne vntounto ſaluation: but vntounto whom? and how? vntounto ſuch as Paul, vntounto the elect of God, the redeemed of Chriſt, the ſanctified by Gods ſpirit, the members of Chriſt his Church, by the helpe of the ſpirit, through the miniſtery and praiers of the Church, and according to their faith and hope in Chriſt Ieſus.
Firſt then here can be no hope, nor ſhall be any helpe vntounto ſuch as either are out of the Church, or are in the Church, but not of the Church. For albeit ſuch may hauehave ſufferings and wrongs, yet ſhall they not turne to their ſaluation. Neither can they turne vntounto ſaluation, becauſe they are not for Chriſt his ſake or the Goſpels, to which kinde onelyonly the promiſe is made. Nay vntounto ſuch alients from the couenant of promiſe, their troubles in this life are but the beginnings of that fearefull iudgement which in flaming fire is reſerued for them againſt that great day.
Secondly, hence we learne that euen vntounto the godly in Chriſt Ieſus, their ſufferings and wrongs turne to their ſaluation, not for any their merits, or through the vertue of their ſufferings, but through the praiers of the Saints &c. If we thinke vponupon merit, we may well thinke that our Apoſtle might as well hauehave ſtood vponupon merit, as the beſt that liue could: nay in ſufferings and wrongs he was more abundant then the beſt that liues is, as that place to the Corinthians ſheweth. Yet he ſtands not vponupon them, but that his troubles turne to his ſaluation,2 Cor 11. he imputes it to the praier of the Church, & to the help of Gods ſpirit, according to the faith and hope which God had wrought in him by his ſpirit, and by his example teacheth vsus ſo to doe. Nay, hee vtterly diſclaimeth all merit of ſaluation by affliction, and by his example teacheth vsus ſo to do, where he ſaith, I count that the afflictions of this preſent time are not worthie of the glorie which ſhall bee ſhewed vntounto vsus. Rom. 8.18.Whence it is plaine, that becauſe there is no proportion betweene the ſufferings of this life, and the reward of eternall glorie, Therefore the ſufferings of this life, doe not merit the reward of eternall glory. Whatſoeuer therefore any merit-monger ſhall tell you, touching the merit of our ſufferings, truſt it not. For it is not for our merits by them that they turne to our ſaluation, but through your prayer, and by the helpe of the ſpirit of Ieſus Chriſt.
Now, to ſpeake ſomewhat more in perticular of the meanes. Firſt, I note, that the Apoſtle ſaith, that he knoweth that this ſhall turne to his ſaluation, through the Philippians prayer. Whence I obſerue the power and efficacie of the prayers of the Church, powred out for the afflicted members of Chriſt Ieſus, which is, that through the prayers of the Church their troubles turne to their ſaluation. The prayer of a righteous man, Iam. 5.16.ſaith Iames, auaileth much, if it be feruent. Here is a condition requiſite in prayer, if it bee powerfull with GOD, that it bee feruent, and proceede from an holie zeale: and beeing ſuch, it auaileth much, and hath great power with the Lord, as to ſaue the ſicke, to ſtay, or to bring raine, &c. as it is in that place.Ioh. 15.7. Now, if the prayer of one righteous man bee of ſuch power with the Lord, how much more the prayer of the Church?16.23. Againe, If yee abide in me, ſaith our Sauiour, and my words abide in you, aske what yee will, and it ſhall bee done vntounto you. Mat. 21 22.And againe, Whatſoeuer ye ſhal aske the father in my name, hee will giuegive it you. And againe, Whatſoeuer yee ſhall aske in prayer, if ye belieue, ye ſhall receaue it. From all which places I note, that the prayers which ſhall hauehave power with God; firſt, they muſt bee the prayers of the righteous, of them that are engraffed into Chriſt, of them in whome the word of Chriſt dwelleth. And ſecondly, they muſt be fer…ent, they muſt be made in Chriſt his name, they muſt bee …ade in faith: and then wee being ſuch, and our prayers …eing ſuch, whatſoeuer we ſhall aske, be it for our ſelues, or …e it for others, we ſhall receaue it. And if the prayers of e…ery ſuch ſhall hauehave ſuch power with God, much more ſhal …he praiers of the Church hauehave ſuch power with God. And …herefore, ye ſee how often the Apoſtle requeſteth the prai…rs of the Church for him, as Epheſ. 6.18. Coloſſi. 4.3. …. Theſ. 3.1. And in his Epiſtle to Philemon, there hee pro…eſſeth as here he doth, that he truſteth through their pray…rs to be giuen vntounto them by deliuerance out of his bands, …herein commending himſelfe to their prayers.
A good leſſon for vsus, to ſtirre vsus vp vntounto publique and priuate prayer, both for our ſelues, and for others, ſeeing they are ſo powerfull with God, as to bring his bleſſings and graces both vponupon our ſelues, and vponupon others. And this leſſon is as needfull as it is good, eſpecially in this our day, wherein there is ſuch neglect both of publique and priuate prayer vntounto the Lord. Priuate praier ſo rare, that if it be vſed by any, it is noted by many, and they ſtraight way cenſured, as thinking themſelues more holy then other men. And publique prayer ſo little regarded by ſome, that verie ſeldome they are preſent with the congregation in publique prayer. I cannot ſtand of it. Only, I ſay, he that neglecteth the meanes vntounto grace, he ſhall neuer finde grace.
Secondly, hence I obſerue a dutie of the Church in publique prayer, which is, to pray for the afflicted members of Chriſt Ieſu…: for the Apoſtle in ſaying, that he knew that this ſhould turne to his ſaluation through their praiers, therin ſtirreth them to pray for him. And ſee the points wherein the Church is to commend them in their prayers vntounto God. As firſt, that the Lord may turne their affliction and trouble to their ſaluation. Secondly, that hee will helpe them by his holy ſpirit in euerie needefull time of trouble. Thirdly, that they may ſo ſtand in the defence of the truth of Chriſt Ieſus, that in nothing they may bee aſhamed. Fourthly, that the Lord will ſtrentghen them with ſtrong faith and hope in him. Fiftly, that Chriſt may be glorified in their body, whether it bee by life, or death. Thus the Church ſhould pray, and thus the afflicted ſhould deſire the Church to pray.