Lectures Upon Philippians, Lectures · Chapter 1 · Lecture 4
LECTƲRE IV.
PHILIP. 1. verſ. 3.4, 5.
Verſe 3. Hauing you in perfit memory.
4. Alwaies in all my prayers for all you, praying with gladneſſe.
5. Becauſe of the fellowſhip which yee hauehave in the goſpell, from the firſt day vntounto now.
NOw farther the Apoſtle ſignifieth this reioycing on the Philippians behalfe, and his louelove towards them, by remembring them in all his prayers vntounto God, and by praying for them with gladneſſe, when he ſaith, that he hath them in perfect memory alwaies in all his prayers &c. It is vſuall with the Apoſtle in his Epiſtles, as to ſignifie his thankſgiuing vntounto God on their behalfe vntounto whom he writeth, ſo to ſignifie his remembrance of them alwaies in his p ayers. But yet here the Apoſtle ſignifieth this his remembrance of them in his prayers in more then an vſuall manner. In the Epiſtle to the Romanes, to the Coloſſians, the former to the Theſſalonians, and to Philemon, he telleth them to whom he writeth, that he maketh mention of them alwaies in his prayers. But here he tells the Philippians that alwaies in his prayers he hath them all in memory, that alwaies in his praiers he hath them all in perfit memory, that alwaies he hath them all in perfit memory in all his prayers, that in all his prayers he remembreth them with gladneſſe, each circumſtance more then other importing his moſt carefull remembrance of them in his praiers vntounto God, that they might continue in that grace wherein they ſtood, in that fellowſhip which they had with other Churches in the goſpell. For therefore thanked he God, and was glad on the Philippians behalfe, becauſe of the fellowſhip which they had in the goſpell from the firſt day vntill then, and therefore he prayed for them that they might continue in that grace, and in that fellowſhip with other Churches in the goſpell.
The firſt thing then which here I note is, that on whoſe behalfe the Apoſtle giues ſuch thanks vntounto God, and is ſo glad, for them alſo he prayeth. Whence I obſerue, that whatſoeuer graces be beſtowed on vsus, ſtill praier is needfull for vsus, both that we pray for our ſelues, and that others pray for vsus. For neither is any grace ſo perfit in any, neither are all graces ſo complete and full in any, but that both he hath neede of perſeuerance and increaſe in that grace wherein he ſtandeth, and to hauehave other grace, ſupplied which he wanteth. Abraham full of bleſſings, yet wanteth a childe, and he muſt pray that he may not goe childleſſe. Iſaac full of bleſſings,Gen. 15.2. yet his wife is barren,25.21. and he muſt pray vntounto the Lord for his wife to make her wombe fruitfull. Iacob full of bleſſings, yet he is in danger of Eſau his brother, and he muſt pray vntounto the Lord,32.11. I pray thee deliuer me out of the hand of my brother, from the hand of Eſau. Neither is any ſo enriched with all graces, but that his requeſts are to bee ſhewed vntounto God in praier and ſupplication for the ſupply of ſome. And as not any are enriched with all graces, ſo not in any is any grace ſo perfit, but that he hath neede to bend the knees of his ſoule vntounto God in humble praier for perſeuerance and increaſe in that grace wherein he ſtandeth. Dauids delight in the law of the Lord, in his ſtatutes, and in his teſtimonies was as great as a mans could be, as himſelfe ſheweth, ſaying, Lord, Pſal. 119.97.what louelove hauehave I vntounto thy law, all the day long is my ſtudie in it. 54.Thy ſtatutes hauehave beene my ſongs in the houſe of my pilgrimage: thy teſtimonies hauehave I claimed as mine heritage for euer; and why? they are the very ioy of my heart. 111.And yet his prayer is, O teach me thy ſtatutes, O cauſe thou me to make much of thy law, incline my heart vntounto thy teſtimonies, and not vntounto couetouſnes: and as he hath done, hee hath left vsus an example ſo to doe, be we neuer ſo zealous of the law of God. The Apoſtles likewiſe it is like, were as ſtrong in the faith as any man is, and yet they praied vntounto the Lord,Luc. 17.5. Lord increaſe our faith, and therein left an example for all the children of God to follow vntill the day of Ieſus Chriſt, be they neuer ſo ſtabliſhed in the faith. Neuer any ſo zealous of Gods glory and holy worſhip, but he had neede euen in reſpect of himſelfe to pray, hallowed be thy name. Neuer any had his converſation ſo much in heauen, but that he had ſtill neede to pray, thy kingdome come. Neuer any mans will ſo conformed vntounto Gods will, but that he had ſtill neede to pray, thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen. Neuer any man ſo filled with plenteouſneſſe, but that hee had ſtill neede to pray, GiueGive vsus this day our daily bread. Neuer any mans ſinnes ſo wholy pardoned, but that in regard of his continuall ſlidings he had ſtill neede to pray, forgiue vsus our treſpaſſes, as we forgiue them that treſpaſſe againſt vsus. Neuer any man ſo freed from tentation, and from the deuill, but that he had ſtill neede to pray, Lead vsus not into tentation, but deliuer vsus from euill. And therefore our bleſſed Sauiour hath appointed this forme to be vſed by all the faithfull, vntounto what degree of perfection ſoeuer they be come euen to the end. So that whatſoeuer graces be beſtowed on vsus, yet ſtill is prayer needfull for vsus. Neither only that we pray for our ſelues, but that others alſo pray for vsus. We are not many of vsus better then was Timothy, that faithfull ſeruant of Ieſus Chriſt: yet for him Paul powred out prayers night and day,2 Tim. 1.3. and no doubt it was needfull for him. We are not the beſt of vsus like vntounto Paul that elect veſſell of Ieſus Chriſt, yet he requeſted the praiers of the faithfull for him, that vtterance might be giuen vntounto him, Eph 6.19.that he might open his mouth boldly to publiſh the ſecret of the goſpell, and that therein he might ſpeake boldly as he ought to ſpeake. He was one that feared not the face of man,20. that kept nothing backe, but deliuered his meſſage alwaies faithfully and boldly: yet for this grace he thought the praiers of the faithfull needful for him, & therefore craueth them not only of the Epheſians, but likewiſe of the Coloſſians in his epiſtle to them.Coloſ. 4.3.
Farre therefore be it from vsus, beloued, to ſay as the manner of ſome is, vntounto any of Gods children, beſtow your praiers where you liſt, I neede not your praiers, I care not for your praiers, pray for your ſelfe, all your praiers will be little enough for your ſelfe, I will pray for my ſelfe. Theſe be the words not of them that abound with grace, but of them that are not taught in the word, nor know how much the prayer of a righteous man auaileth, if it be feruent. Farre likewiſe be it from vsus once to dreame of any ſuch perfection in our ſelues, but that we hauehave ſtill neede to pray, to abound more and more in all grace, and in all things daily more and more to grow vp into him, which is the head, that is Chriſt. For be it our predeſtination, our election, our adoption, our reconciliation, our iuſtification, which are as ſure vntounto all the ſonnes of God as that God is true, yet euen in reſpect of theſe hauehave we neede alwaies to pray that the aſſurance of them may be daily more and more ſealed vntounto our ſpirits by the pledge of Gods ſpirit. Againe, be it our faith, our hope, our louelove, our knowledge, our iudgment, or the like, which are the worke of Gods owne finger in all his children, yet in reſpect of theſe hauehave we neede alwaies to pray for continuall increaſe, and all godly growth in them. Yea be it whatſoeuer grace wherein we are ſo ſtabliſhed that we are ſure we cannot finally fall from it, yet are we ſtill to pray for perſeuerance therein, becauſe he will hauehave all them ſo exerciſed, whom he will confirme vntounto the end. Whatſoeuer graces therefore the Lord hath beſtowed vponupon vsus, yet ſtill let vsus pray vntounto him either for our farther aſſurance and confirmation, or for perſeuerance and increaſe in them. Let vsus pray for our ſelues vntounto the Lord for eueryevery grace needfull for vsus, and let vsus requeſt to be commended by the faithfull in their praiers vntounto God. This is our wreſtling with the God of Iacob, and thus wreſtling wee ſhall ſurely preuaile.Matth. 7.7. for ſo he hath promiſed, and faithfull is hee th… hath promiſed.
The ſecond thing which I note is, that the Apoſtle in his praiers for the Philippians praied for them all: for ſo he ſaith, that he had them in perfect memory alwaies in all his prayers &c. Whence I obſerue, how in our praiers for the Church we ought to be affected towards it, namely, that ſo in our praiers we commend the whole Church vntounto God. For what though in the Church, all bee not knit together in one minde and in one iudgment? what though all be not alike forward in acknowledging and embracing the truth? what though many things bee done in the Church through contention, or vaine glory? The Apoſtle knew well that it was thus in the Church at Philippi, as many euidently appeare by ſundry places in this his Epiſtle: yet in his praiers vntounto God for them, he tooke no ſuch notice of theſe things, as that he did ſeclude any of them out of his praiers vntounto God, but ioyntly he commended them all in his praiers vntounto God Right ſo we, in our praiers for the Church, we ſhould not eaſily take notice of eueryevery contention, of eueryevery defect, of eueryevery thing that may offend in the Church, ſo to ſeclude any out of our praiers vntounto God, but in a Chriſtian affection towards all, and in an holy deſire for all, we ſhould commend the whole Church in our praiers vntounto God. It was ſuch an ordinarie practiſe with our Apoſtle, both to giuegive thanks vntounto God for all them to whom he wrote, and likewiſe to pray for them all, notwithſtanding that many things were amiſſe amongſt them, that we are not to doubt, but that we are ſo to doe as we hauehave the Apoſtle for an enſample. Looke into his Epiſtles, and by the beginning almoſt of all of them, ye ſhall ſee that this was his ordinary practiſe, leauing vsus therein an enſample, that as he did ſo we ſhould do. And the reaſon is plaine: for doth not the Apoſtle in writing his Epiſtles vntounto the Churches, ſtill write as vntounto the beloued of God, and vntounto Saints in Chriſt Ieſus, ſtill entituling the whole Church vntounto which he wrote, vntounto theſe titles without exception of any? Or doth the Apoſtle ſo, and are not we to doe ſo? Or are wee to doe ſo, and not to commend the whole Church in our praiers vntounto God? The reaſon I take it inferreth the point, and commendeth vntounto vsus that generall care of commending the whole Church in our praiers vntounto God.
A good leſſon, and well worthy the learning of many in theſe our daies▪ for as it fareth more priuately and particularly amongſt men, ſo doth it fare more publikely and generally in the Church. Amongſt men ordinarily eueryevery trifling matter is enough to cut off all louelove and friendſhip amongſt vsus, nay to breed great hatreds, and enmities amongſt vsus, nay to ſet vsus at ſuch odds, that rather we will banne and curſe one another, then pray one for another. And if wee differ in iudgement one from another about ſome matters of the Church, then nothing on one part but carnall goſpellers, and time-ſeruers; nothing on another part but ſacrilegious perſons, ſchiſmaticall perſons, troublers of the ſtate, and hypocriticall diſſemblers, nothing but ſlandering and forging things neuer writ or ſpoke, nothing but ſuch vncharitableneſſe, as that it may bee feared that on ſome part there is little praying for the other, vnleſſe it bee to confound them. Neither is it otherwiſe more publiquely and general…y in the Church, if we may iudge by outward appearances. Some parts of the Church vntounto ſome ſeeme to hauehave ſo many defects and blemiſhes, ſo many ſuperſtitious rites and ceremonies that they cannot brooke them, they cannot abide in them, they cannot pray with them, I know not whether they doe pray for them. And of others, other parts of the Church, becauſe of their forme of gouernment, are ſo miſliked, that they cannot with patience heare of them, and therefore it is like do not in all their prayers remember them. But theſe and all ſuch might hence be better leſſoned, and ſuch vncharitableneſſe, if any ſuch be in them, reformed. Let vsus, beloued, be otherwiſe minded. Howſoeuer there be things amiſſe in the Church, let vsus not ſeclude any out of our praiers vntounto God, but let vsus commend in our praiers the whole Church vntounto God. In our praiers vntounto God let vsus abandon all cogitation either of priuate quarrells one with another, or of publike contentions in the Church, and let vsus pray each for other, and all of vsus for the whole Church vntounto the Lord feruently. Let the ſame minde bee in vsus, that was in our Apoſtle, and let vsus alwaies in all our praiers hauehave all the ſaints in Christ Ieſus in perfit memory.
The third thing which here I note is, the thing for which the Apoſtle praied in all his praiers for them; and that was the ſame in ſubſtance with that wherefore hee gaue thanks vntounto God. For as his thankſgiuing vntounto GOD on their behalfe was becauſe of the fellowſhip which they had in the goſpell from the firſt day vntill then; ſo his praiers vntounto God for them were that they might continue in that fellowſhip which they had in the goſpell vntounto the end. Whence I obſerue a very materiall point to be remembred in our praiers vntounto God, both for the whole Church, and for our ſelues; which is continuance in the fellowſhip of the goſpell, that our Church may continue in that fellowſhip which it hath with other reformed Churches in the goſpell, and that we may continue grounded and ſtabliſhed in the truth wherein we ſtand. Here is indeed principall cauſe of proſtrating our ſelues before the throne of grace, and powring out our ſoules in praier vntounto our God, whether we looke vntounto the curſe in the wanting, or vntounto the bleſſing in the enioying of the glorious goſpell of Ieſus Chriſt. For what greater curſe or plague of God could fall vponupon vsus then that our candleſticke ſhould be remoued from vsus, that a famine of the word ſhould be ſent amongſt vsus, that the goſpell of our ſaluation ſhould be tranſlated from vsus to another people? The Lord threatning to bring a fearefull iudgment on the Church of Epheſus, if they ſhould not repent, and returne to their former louelove, ſaith, Remember from whence thou art fallen, and repent, Ap…c. 2.5.and doe the firſt workes; or elſe I will come againſt thee ſhortly, and will remoue thy candleſticke out of his place. What is that? that is, he will remoue his Church from thence, by taking his goſpell from them. Euen as our bleſſed Sauiour alſo threatned the Iewes, ſaying,Matth. 21.43. The kingdome of God ſhall be taken from you, and giuen to a nation which ſhall bring forth the fruits thereof. So the Prophet threatning a heauy iudgement vponupon the rulers of Iſrael, Behold, ſaith he, the daies come, that I will ſend a famine in the land, Am…s 8.11.not a famine of bread, nor a thirſt for water, but of hearing the word of the Lord; which how grieuous a famine, and how heauy a iudgement it is, appeareth by that of Salomon, where he ſaith, that where there is no viſion, Prou. 29.18..i. no ſincere preaching of the word, no ſound fellowſhip in the goſpell, there the people periſheth, euen periſheth both in ſoule and body.
And as the curſe and iudgement is great and grieuous of wanting, ſo is the bleſſing and benefit of hauing this fellowſhip in the goſpell exceeding great and happy. for it is indeed our very life and ſoule,1 Pet 1.3.23.2.2. whereby we are begotten, borne, and nouriſhed vntounto euerlaſting tife, as Peter witneſſeth. It is the lanterne vntounto our feete, and the light vntounto our ſteps to bring vsus to the Citie of the liuing God, the celeſtiall Ieruſalem, Heb. 12.22, 23, 24.and to the company of innumerable Angells, and to the congregation of the first borne which are written in heauen, and to God the iudge of all, and to the ſpirits of iuſt and perfit men, and to Ieſus the mediator of the new teſtament, and to the blood of ſprinkling that ſpeaketh better things then that of Abel. By it we are called out of darknes into light, inſtructed in the way of God perfitly, grounded and ſtabliſhed in the faith, and made wiſe vntounto ſaluation;Rom. 1.16. for it is the power of God vntounto ſaluation vntounto eueryevery one that beleeueth. See then whether here it be not principall cauſe for vsus to pray for our Church, that in it the goſpell of our ſaluation may for euer be freely and ſincerely preached; and for our ſelues that we may continue in that grace wherein we ſtand by the goſpell of our ſaluation. Yes ſurely, if either feare of as great a plague of Gods wrath as can fall vponupon vsus may force vsus to pray, or deſire of as great a bleſſing of God as can befall vsus may perſwade vsus to pray: we hauehave great cauſe euen to powre out our ſoules in prayer and ſupplication vntounto our God, for the bleſſed continuance of that fellowſhip which we hauehave with other Churches in the goſpell, that as now, ſo euer this grace may bee continued vponupon vsus. Yea beloued, if yee ſhall but caſt your eyes abroad into the land, yee ſhall finde that there is great cauſe thus to pray. For how doth Atheiſme and abominable irreligion ſpread it ſelfe, and ouer-ſpread the whole face of the land? Hath it not neſtled it ſelfe on hie, and ſaid within it ſelfe, who ſhall bring me downe to the ground? How doth Papiſme and out-worne Pelagianiſme now ſhoote out the head, and breake out in many places, as if now the day approched wherein they may ſay, ſo, ſo, thus would we hauehave it? How hath cunning policie broken the necke of Chriſtianitie, and now ſo ſwaieth that it carieth all almoſt with it? What neglect and contempt of the word is there in all places? And what elſe are theſe but forerunners of a fearefull iudgement to follow? What elſe doe theſe threaten, but the remouing of our candleſticke from vsus? Beloued, ſhall wee ſee and know theſe things, and ſhall wee not pray? Let vsus pray at euening and at morning, and at midday; let vsus pray and that inſtantly, that this iudgement may neuer fall vponupon vsus, that this light of the goſpell may neuer be put out, but that it may ſhine amongſt vsus, from generation to generation vntill the day of Chriſt Ieſus. The more that the danger is, let vsus pray the more feruently, and let vsus not giuegive our ſelues any reſt, but ſtill pray vntounto the Lord for our continuance which we hauehave with other reformed Churches in the goſpell.
The fourth thing which here I note is, that the Apoſtle thus praied for the Philippians alwaies in all his praiers. Whence I obſerue with what conſtant aſſiduity and carefullneſſe, we ought to pray for our Church, and for our ſelues, that we may continue in the fellowſhip which we hauehave in the goſpell: we ſhould neuer pray but alwaies in our praiers, this praier for our Church and for our ſelues ſhould continually be remembred, that the fellowſhip which we now hauehave with other Churches in the goſpell may for euer be continued vntounto vsus. To pray alwaies,Rom. 12.12. 1 Theſſ. 5.17. Luc. 18.1. and not to faint or giuegive ouer is a thing much commanded by the Holy Ghoſt. Continue in prayer, ſaith our Apoſtle. And againe in another place, Pray continually. And to the ſame purpoſe is that parable of the importunate widow in the goſpell. All which places ſhew vsus the neceſſitie of praier, that whenſoeuer we ſtand in neede we hauehave recourſe vntounto God by praier, ſo the conſtant perſeuerance that is to be vſed in praier, that howſoeuer for ſome time we ſeeme to pray and bee not heard, yet we faint not, nor giuegive ouer, but ſtill pray, and that inſtantly. Now as wee are to pray, and to pray alwaies, ſo alwaies in all our praiers this is to be remembred, that we pray that the Lord his way may be knowne vponupon earth, and his ſauing health among all nations, that the preaching of the goſpell may bee fruitfull vntounto vsus, and vntounto the whole Church, that the word of the Lord may hauehave free paſſage, and be glorified, that we may continue grounded and ſtabliſhed in the faith, as wee hauehave beene taught in Ieſus Chriſt, that we and our whole Church, may continue in the fellowſhip which we hauehave with other Churches in the goſpell. This the example of our Apoſtle teacheth vsus to do, who in that he did for others, left vsus an example what to doe for our ſelues, and for others.
Yea but is not the Lord alwaies more ready to heare then we are to pray, and hath he not ſaid, that whoſoeuer asketh receiueth, that he that ſeeketh findeth, and that to him that knocketh it ſhall be opened? Or if it be ſo, what needeth it alwaies in all our praiers thus to pray as hath beene ſaid? True it is, that whoſoeuer asketh receiueth, and that the Lord is more ready to heare and to grant our requeſts, then we are to pray and call vponupon his name. for commonly he preuenteth vsus with his bleſſings, and whatſoeuer it is that we hauehave by praier, he it is that teacheth vsus to pray for it as we ought. But ſome things we aske often and receiue not, Jam. 4.3.becauſe we aske amiſſe: and ſome things he hath appointed ſo to be granted, if they bee continually asked. And of this ſort is this thing whereof we now ſpeake. Hee will, as it ſhall be for his glory, continue vsus in the fellowſhip which wee hauehave in the goſpell, if wee continue to aske it in faith, and faint not.
This then may teach vsus, of what weight and moment our continuance in the fellowſhip of the goſpell is. It is not a thing which hapneth by fortune, or which humane policie effecteth, but onelyonly it is of God, and therefore alwaies in all our praiers we are to pray vntounto him for it. Let vsus therefore pray vntounto the Lord without ceaſing for this grace; let vsus neuer forget to commenſe this ſuite in our praiers vntounto God, let vsus alwaies pray for it, and not faint.
The fift thing which here I note is, that the Apoſtle praied for the Philippians with gladnes, becauſe of their growth in godlines, and in the knowledge of Ieſus Chriſt by the worke of his miniſtery. Whence I obſerue a neceſſary care which ought to bee in the whole Church, I meane in all them that are taught in the word, and that is, that they ſo profit and increaſe in all knowledge and iudgement, in all godlineſſe and holy conuerſation, that their Paſtors and Teachers may pray for them with gladnes. Such a care it may ſeeme that the Romanes had, vntounto whom the Apoſtle giueth this teſtimonie, that their faith which was publiſhed, and their obedience which was come abroad much gladded him. Rom. 1.8.Such a care it may ſeeme that the Coloſſians had, vntounto whom the Apoſtle giueth this teſtimonie, that though he was abſent in the fleſh, yet was he preſent with them in the ſpirit, reioycing and beholding their order, and their ſtedfaſt faith in Chriſt. And ſuch a care ought all the people of God to hauehave, that they which watch for their ſoules as they that muſt giuegive accounts vntounto God for them, may now pray for them with gladnes, and afterwards giuegive their accounts for them with ioy and not with griefe.
But this care is not common among the people. for where the Paſtor in an holy care for his people praieth for them, he praieth for them in many places with great heauineſſe; with heauineſſe I ſay for their neglect and contempt of the word; with heauineſſe for their ignorance in the things that belong vntounto their peace, and vnwillingneſſe to bee inſtructed therein; with heauineſſe for their vngodly conuerſation, and vnchriſtian walking; with heauineſſe for ſpending his ſtrength in vaine, and for nothing amongſt them. Hee praieth, but his ſoule mourneth, becauſe hee cannot gaine them vntounto Chriſt Ieſus; he praieth, but his ſoule mourneth, becauſe they runne, and needs will runne headlong to the deuill. So litle care commonly there is of profiting by the miniſtery of the word amongſt them that are taught in the word.
Beloued, let it neuer be ſaid ſo of you, but let your care be that they which labor in the word amongſt you may pray for you with gladnes.Jam. 1.21. Lay apart all filthineſſe and ſuperfluity of maliciouſnes, and receiue with meeknes the word that is graffed in you, which is able to ſaue your ſoules. Follow the truth in louelove, and in all things grow vp into him, Eph. 4.15.which is the head, that is Chriſt. Let your conuerſation be ſuch as it becommeth the goſpell of Chriſt, and ſtriue to increaſe in all good things with all godly increaſing: for ſo, and ſo onelyonly ſhall we hauehave cauſe to pray for you with gladneſſe.
Laſtly, in that the Apoſtle hauing taught the Philippians the way of truth, giueth thanks for them, praieth for them, and that with gladneſſe, becauſe of the fellowſhip &c. Hence I obſerue a duty of the Paſtors of the Church, which if time had giuen leaue, and the place had beene ſo conuenient ſhould principally hauehave beene ſtood vponupon, and that is, that the Paſtors are not onelyonly to teach their people with the wholeſome word which cannot be reproued; but they are alſo to pray for them that the word may hauehave a bleſſing among them, that they may grow and increaſe thereby in all knowledge and holineſſe to the Lord; they are to be glad in their ſoules for their profiting in the word of grace, and they are to giuegive thanks vntounto God on their behalfe, when they ſee their order, their ſtedfaſt faith in Chriſt, their growth in godlines, and righteouſnes, and holy converſation. This ſhould be, and might be, and I wiſh it were, and if it be not it is their perill in whom it faileth to be.