Lectures Upon Philippians, Lectures · Chapter 4 · Lecture 75
LECTVRE LXXV.
PHILIP. 4.
Verſe 1. Therefore, my brethren, beloued and longed for, my ioy and my crowne, ſo continue in the Lord, ye beloued.
2. I pray Euodias, and beſeech Syntiche, &c.
MAny and notable, and moſt worthy our continuall meditation, hauehave bin the points which we hauehave heard by occaſiō of the things contained in the former Chapter, as touching neceſſary watchfulneſſe againſt falſe teachers, together with certain marks of ſuch, ver. 2.19; touching the true circumciſion of the Spirit, ver. 3; touching the vanitie of all confidence and reioycing in any thing without Chriſt, ver. 4. to 9; touching iuſtification by the alone righteouſnes of Chriſt Ieſus, through faith in his bloud, v. 9; touching ſanctificatiō, by ſome ſence of the knowledge of Chriſt, and of the vertue of his reſurrection in our ſelues, &c. and by an holy acknowledgement of imperfection, and purſuite after perfection, ver. 10. to 15; touching Chriſtian perfection, ver. 15; touching the ſole rule of mans life ver. 16; touching an holy imitation, v. 17; touching euill and vngodly walkers, ver. 18, 19; touching an holy conuerſation, ver 20; touching the expectation of the faithfull for Chriſt his ſecond coming, v. 20; touching the glorification of our vile bodies in the day of Chriſt by the power of Chriſt, ver. 21; ſome of which the Apoſtle purpoſely diſputeth, and others by occaſion he toucheth. For in that Chapter ye may remember that the Apoſtle inſtructeth the Philippians touching circumciſion, and touching iuſtification, and touching ſanctification, becauſe of the falſe teachers which vrged the circumciſion of the fleſh, and iuſtification by workes, and told them that they knew Chriſt well enough. And therfore, firſt he exhorteth them to beware of ſuch falſe teachers: ſecondly he inſtructeth them in the true circumciſion of the Spirit: thirdly he tels them what he in his owne perſon thought of his owne workes, and of all the priuiledges that he had without Chriſt; what he thought of the righteouſnes of Chriſt through faith, what he thought of his knowledge of Chriſt, and how he laboured ſtill after further knowledge of Chriſt, and further perfection then as yet he had attained vntounto: fourthly he exhorteth them to be of the ſame mind with him in theſe things, and all to proceed by one rule of the word: fiftly and laſtly he exhorteth them to follow him and ſuch as he is, for that thoſe other deceiuers that were amongſt them, were both enemies to the truth, and had earthly minds onelyonly; but he and ſuch as walked as he did, had their conuerſation in heauen, from whence they looked for the Sauiour, euen the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, who ſhould change their vile bodie, &c.
Now the Apoſtle in this Chapter concludeth his Epiſtle with certain exhortations, with ſignification of his ioy in the Lord for their liberalitie ſent vntounto him in priſon by their miniſter Epaphroditus, and with diuers ſalutations to them, and from himſelfe and them that were with him. His exhortations are ſome of them generall, and ſome of them particular, as we ſhall ſee in the handling of the former part of this chapter. His firſt exhortation in the firſt verſe, ye ſee is generall, wherein he exhorteth the Philippians in generall vntounto perſeuerance in the faith of Chriſt Ieſus, and the practiſe of an holy life, as they hauehave bene taught, and as hitherto they had done. His ſecond exhortation in the ſecond verſe is particular, wherein he exhorteth two chiefe women amongſt them, as it may ſeeme to vnitie and concord, either betwixt thēſelues, or betwixt them and the Church at Philippi. In the firſt generall exhortation I note, firſt the maner how the Apoſtle comes vntounto his exhortation: ſecondly the kind and louing termes wherein he ſpeaketh vntounto the Philippians before his exhortation: thirdly the exhortation it ſelfe.
Touching the maner how the Apoſtle comes vntounto his exhortation, it is by way of concluſion vponupon that which before he had ſaid, Therefore my brethren, &c. ſo continue &c. And it is as if he had ſaid, Seeing thoſe of the conciſion among you, which vrge circumciſion, and iuſtification by workes, are ſuch euill workers as ye hauehave heard; and ſeeing our conuerſation is in heauen, from whence we looke for the Sauiour, euen the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, who ſhall change, &c. therefore continue ye in the Lord ſo as ye hauehave done, and as I hauehave now taught you to do by example in mine owne perſon, and ſuffer not your ſelues to be ſeduced by them that are enemies to the croſſe of Chriſt, whoſe end is, &c. Thus the Apoſtle by way of concluſion from that which he had ſaid before, inferreth this generall exhortation vntounto perſeuerance and continuance in the Lord.
Now touching the kinde and louing termes wherein hee ſpeakes vntounto the Philippians, ye ſee he calls them his brethren, beloued, and longed for, his ioy, and his crowne. In that he ſaith vntounto them, My brethren, beloued, and longed for, he ſheweth his owne kind affection towards them: and in that he addeth, my ioy and my crowne, he ſignifieth their pietie, wherein he was comforted. To hauehave ſaid vntounto them onelyonly my brethren, as in the beginning of the third Chapter; or only, my beloued, as Chap. 2. ver. 12. had betokened abundantly his affection towards them: but in that, as not content with the one, or both, he addeth alſo a third argument of louelove, he thereby plainly ſheweth, what a large roome they had in his heart. He calleth them his brethren in Chriſt, as begotten by one Spirit vntounto one God in one faith, through one Goſpell of Chriſt Ieſus. He calleth them his beloued, in the beſt bond of louelove, the vnitie of the Spirit, through the embracing of the ſame truth of Chriſt Ieſus. And for that he ſaith, that he longed for them, he ſhewed it in 1. Chap. where he ſaith, that he longed after them all from the very heart roote in Chriſt Ieſus, Phil. 1.8.which was no doubt to ſtrengthen them, and to beſtow vponupon them ſome ſpirituall comfort, becauſe of thoſe falſe teachers that troubled them. How could he more ſhew a kind and louing affection towards them? And as by theſe he ſhewes his affection towards them, ſo by thoſe titles that follow, he ſhewes again on the other ſide, their great pietie and godlineſſe. For therefore doth he call them his ioy, becauſe of their fellowſhip, as himſelfe ſpeaketh, which they had in the Goſpell with other Churches,1.5. from the firſt day that they had receiued the Goſpell vntounto that preſent, which was a ſufficient matter of his reioycing: and therefore doth he call them his crowne, becauſe their conſtancie and perſeuerance was now his glorie among other Churches, and ſhould be the crowne of his reioycing in the day of Chriſt. The ſpeech is borrowed from them that for matters well atchieued, in running, wreſtling, or the like, receiue a crowne of glorie. And it argueth their great profite by his labours, for which he ſhould receiue a crowne. Thus ye ſee what theſe kind termes import, and in what ſence the Apoſtle giueth them vntounto the Philippians.
The third thing which I noted, was the exhortation it ſelf, which is, to continue in the Lord, So continue in the Lord, ye beloued. The words preciſely are, So ſtand in the Lord: but the ſence is very truly giuen, when it is ſaid, So continue in the Lord. For, to ſtand in grace, in faith, in the Spirit, in the Lord, is vſually in the new Teſtament, to continue in grace, in faith, in the Spirit,Rom. 5.2. in the Lord. By Chriſt (ſaith the Apoſtle) we hauehave acceſſe through faith vntounto this grace wherein we ſtand, that is, wherein we continue.1. Cor. 16.13. Phil. 1.27. Stand in the faith, ſaith he in another place, that is, continue in the faith. Let your conuerſation be, ſaith he in the firſt chapter of this Epiſtle, as it becometh the Goſpell of Chriſt, that I may heare of your matters, that ye ſtand in one ſpirit, that is, that ye continue in one ſpirit. And to the Theſſalonians,1. Theſſ. 3.8. Now (ſaith the Apoſtle) are we aliue if ye ſtand in the Lord, that is, if ye continue in the Lord. So in this place, ſo ſtand in the Lord, that is, ſo continue as they that keepe their ſtanding, without ſhrinking, fainting, ſliding, or ſtarting aſide. For the ſpeech is borrowed from them that ſtand vponupon thei… guard or watch, or in their ranke wherein they are ſet. Now wherein would he hauehave them to ſtand and continue? Namely in the Lord, that is, in the knowledge and in the faith of Chriſt Ieſus, rooted and built in him, and ſtabliſhed in the faith. But what meaneth he by this that he ſaith, So continue in the Lord? So, that is, as hitherto ye hauehave done, and as now ye hauehave bene taught by example in mine owne perſon, renouncing all confidence in the fleſh, counting all mans righteouſneſſe by any workes whatſoeuer, but loſſe and dung, and reioycing onelyonly in Chriſt Ieſus; ſo continue and perſeuere in the Lord, rooted and built in him, and ſtabliſhed in the faith, do this ye beloued, in the beſt bond of louelove. And let this be ſpoken touching the points of this generall exhortation, and the meaning of the words. Now let vsus gather hence ſome notes for our further vſe.
The firſt thing which I note, is from the kind and louing termes wherein the Apoſtle writes vntounto the Philippians. He exhorts them vntounto perſeuerance in the knowledge and faith of Chriſt Ieſus; but in ſuch a tender and louing maner, as that therein he bewrays a moſt kind and louing affection towards them, ſaying, my brethren, beloued, and longed for, &c. And ſo in his ſecond exhortation in ver. 2. he prayeth Euodias, and beſeecheth Syntyche; and likewiſe in his third exhortation in verſ. 3. he beſeecheth his faithfull yoke-fellow. Whence I obſerue a neceſſarie dutie for the Miniſter of the Goſpell, which is, to be ſo tenderly affected towards his people, as that in all kind and louing maner he labour to win them vntounto that which is good, and to weane them from that which is euil. His people ſhould not be kept ſtrait in his bowels, but ſhould hauehave a large roome in his heart; ſo that whether he write or ſpeake vntounto them, it may appeare that it is out of his louelove and tender affection towards them. Thus our Apoſtle profeſſeth in plaine ſpeech that he was affected towards the Corinthians, where he ſaith, O Corinthians, our mouth is open vntounto you, our heart is made large, 2. Cor. 6.11.ye are not kept ſtrait in vsus. And this affection both our Apoſtle and the reſt of the Apoſtles bewray alwayes in all their Epiſtles, inſtructing them to whom they wrote, as in the wholeſome word of truth, ſo in all meekneſſe of ſpirit, and mildneſſe of ſpeech,Rom. 12.1. as from a louelove moſt vnfained and Chriſtian. I beſeech you (ſaith our Apoſtle to the Romanes) brethren, by the mercies of God: Iam. 1.19.and in like ſort in all his Epiſtles. Iames: My deare brethren, let eueryevery man be ſwift to heare, ſlow to ſpeake, and ſlow to wrath. 1. Pet. 2.11.Peter: Dearely beloued, I beſeech you, as pilgrims and ſtranger, abſtaine from fleſhly luſts, which fight againſt the ſoule. Iohn: My babes, 1. Ioh. 2.1.my litle children, I write vntounto you, that ye ſin not. And Iude: Ye beloued, Iude 17.remember the words which were ſpoken before of the Apoſtles of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt. Theſe were their bowels of louelove towards their brethren in Chriſt; and in ſuch bowels of louelove ſhould the Miniſters of the Goſpell after their example deale with their people, exhorting them and admoniſhing them with all patience & long ſuffering, and in all louelove vntounto them, leading them forth beſides the waters of comfort, which may ſpring vp in them into euerlaſting life.
It may be that here ſome wil ſay, O we ſhould like this wel if the Miniſters of the Goſpell would do thus; but ſome of them are ſo ſharpe, that they ſeeme to forget that they are Miniſters of the Goſpel, at leaſt they remember not this dutie. Why? becauſe they are ſharpe, and come with a rod? Is it an argument againſt the father of the bodie, that he loues not his child, becauſe he ſometimes reproues him, and ſometimes puniſheth him with the rod? Or is it no argument againſt the father of the bodie, and ſhall it be an argument againſt ſuch fathers as beget you in Chriſt Ieſus through the Goſpell? Againe, did not thoſe holy Apoſtles that came in ſuch a ſpirit of meekneſſe, as we hauehave heard, come alſo ſomtimes with a rod? The proofes are ſo pregnant, that I thinke none will doubt of it, as neither of this, that their coming with a rod was in great louelove. Againe, did not the ſame God that came to Eliah onelyonly in a ſoft and ſtill voice, come vntounto Corah, Dathan and Abiram in the earthquake, and vntounto Nadab and Abihu in the fire? Againe, are there not in our congregations ſome ſuch as had need to be wounded, as well as ſome ſuch as had need to be healed? And if we louelove both, muſt we not bring with vsus both oile and vineger? Both ſharpneſſe and meekneſſe in their due places are needfull, and a wiſe diſcretion in them both is moſt needfull; and in both, the wiſe Miniſter ſheweth forth the bowels of his louelove. Indeed the termes of louelove are different, when we come with a rod, and when we come in the ſpirit of meekneſſe. Wil ye then that we come vntounto you in theſe terms of louelove which our Apoſtle here vſeth, of my brethren, beloued, and longed for?
Here then is alſo a neceſſary dutie for you, that ye be our ioy and our crowne, that ſo vntounto the reſt we may with the Apoſtle adde theſe alſo, my ioy and my crowne. Ye, by receiuing the wholſome word of truth which is able to ſaue your ſoules, and by bringing forth the fruites thereof in a ſober, righteous and godly life in this preſent world, ſhould be the matter of our reioycing ouer you in Chriſt Ieſus. So was the elect Ladie, vntounto whom Iohn wrote his ſecond Epiſtle, as he witneſſeth, ſaying, I reioyced greatly, 2. Ioh 4.that I found of thy children walking in the truth, as we hauehave receiued a commandement of the Father. So was Gaius, vntounto whom Iohn wrote his third Epiſtle, as he witneſſeth, ſaying, I reioyced greatly when the brethren came, 3. Ioh. 3.and teſtified of the truth that is in thee, how thou walkeſt in the truth. I hauehave no greater ioy then this, 4.to heare that my ſonnes walke in veritie. So was Philemon vntounto Paul, as he witneſſeth, ſaying,Philem. 7. We hauehave great ioy and conſolation in thy louelove, becauſe by thee the Saints are comforted. And ſo was Timothy vntounto the ſame Apoſtle, the reioycing of his heart, becauſe he continued in the things which he had learned. So herein ſhould ye fulfill our ioy, that ye ſuffer the word of the Lord to dwell in you plenteouſly, that ye and your children walke in the truth, as ye hauehave bene taught in Chriſt Ieſus; that your faith groweth exceedingly, and that the louelove of eueryevery one of you aboundeth towards another. And as thus ye ſhould be our ioy, ſo ſhould ye alſo be our crowne. Ye, by your faith in Chriſt Ieſus, and by your louelove towards all Saints, and by your growing vp in all things into him which is your head, that is Chriſt, by the worke of our miniſterie, ſhould be our glorie in all places, and the crowne of our reioycing in the day of Chriſt Ieſus. So were the Theſſalonians vntounto this our Apoſtle, as himſelfe witneſſeth, ſaying, What is our hope, or ioy, or crowne of reioycing? 1. Theſſ. 2.19.are not you euen it in the preſence of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt at his coming? Yes, ye are our glorie and ioy. And why ſo?20. Euen becauſe of their effectuall faith, and diligent louelove, and patient hope in the Lord, whereof hee ſpake in the firſt chapter. And ſo were theſe Philippians alſo vntounto him, as here he witneſſeth: and why? Euen becauſe he had not runne in vaine, nor laboured in vaine amongeſt them. And ſo ye ſhould ſo abound in all knowledge, and in all iudgement, and be ſo filled with the fruits of righteouſneſſe which are by Ieſus Chriſt vntounto the glorie and praiſe of God, as that ye might be the crowne of our reioycing in the day of Chriſt, that we hauehave not runne in vaine, nor laboured in vaine. Otherwiſe, if the more we louelove you, the leſſe we be loued of you againe; if the more we labour amongſt you and admoniſh you, the more ye harden your hearts and deſpiſe vsus, euen for our workes ſake; if the more carefull we are to informe your vnderſtandings in the truth, the more ye ſtoppe your eares at the voy… of our charming, charme we neuer ſo wiſely; if the more we endeauour to beget you in the faith, and preſent you before God blameleſſe in that day, ye ſtart aſide like a broken bow, and defile your ſelues with eueryevery hatefull ſinne: to be ſhort, if we ſpend our ſtrength in vaine amongſt you, and for nothing, then how can we reioyce in you as in our ioy and our crowne? And if not ſo, then how can we come vntounto you in theſe termes of louelove, my brethren, beloued, my little children, dearely beloued? If ye be not ioyned with vsus in one faith, and in one hope in Chriſt Ieſus, how can we ſpeake vntounto you as vntounto our brethren? If the louelove of God be not in you indeed, how can we ſpeake vntounto you as vntounto our beloued? If ye honor not the Father, nor obey his holy will, how can we ſpeake vntounto you as vntounto little children? If ye deſire not the ſincere milke of the Word, that ye may grow thereby, how ſhall we ſay that we long for you when wee are abſent from you?
That therefore we may alwayes come vntounto you in ſuch termes of louelove as ye deſire, and as heere our Apoſtle doth vntounto the Philippians, let vsus not runne in vaine, not labour in vaine amongſt you; but receiue from vsus with all gladneſſe the word of ſaluation, which is able to ſaue your ſoules. Be diligent to heare, and carefull afterwards to meditate on the things which ye hauehave heard, that as good hearers ye may grow vp in all godly knowledge of Gods will, and in all holie obedience thereunto, and that ye may ſay with the Prophet, O Lord, I hauehave hid thy word within my heart, Pſal. 119.11.that I might not ſin againſt thee. Let the word of Chriſt dwell in you plenteouſly in all wiſedome, Philip 1.9.10that ye may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all iudgement, that ye may diſcerne things that differ one from another, that ye may be pure, &c. Follow after the truth in louelove, and in all things grow vp into him which is the head, … is, Chriſt; that as at this day we greatly reioyce to ſee the forward and willing mindes of many of you to come vntounto the houſe of God, and to heare thoſe things that belong vntounto your peace, ſo our ioy may be fulfilled daily more and more, and ye may be the crowne of …ur reioycing in the preſence of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt at his coming. And if at any time we vſe ſharpeneſſe of ſpeech, know this, that it is for their ſakes that obey not the truth, that we may reclaime them from wandering out of the right way wherein they ſhould walke. And if the hurts of our people may be healed onelyonly by applying gentle medicines, without cutting and launcing their ſores, onelyonly by pouring ſuppling oyle, without pouring vineger into their wounds, let no man thinke that we will vſe ſharpneſſe of ſpeech. In a word, this is our deſire, to preſent you pure and blameleſſe in that day, not hauing ſpot or wrinckle, or any ſuch thing. Be ye filled with knowledge and louelove, and the fruites of righteouſneſſe, that ye may be our ioy and crowne, now, and in the day of Chriſt.
The ſecond thing which I note, is the Apoſtles exhortation, together with the reaſon thereof. His exhortation is, that the Philippians would ſtand and continue without ſhrinking, fainting, ſliding or ſtarting aſide, in the knowledge and faith of Chriſt Ieſus, rooted in him, and ſtabliſhed in the faith, ſo as hitherto they had done, and as now they had bene taught by example in his owne perſon, renouncing all confidence in the fleſh and in things without Chriſt, and reioycing onelyonly in Chriſt Ieſus. The reaſon of this his exhorta…ion vntounto this perſeuerance, is, becauſe he would not hauehave them entangled with thoſe euill workers of the conciſion which minded earthly things, and whoſe end is damnation but would hauehave them followers of him, and ſuch as he is, whoſe conuerſation is in heauen, &c. Therefore ſo continue, &c.
This exhortation then implying a dutie for vsus, hence I obſerue a neceſſarie dutie for all Gods children, which is, perſeuerance and continuance in the faith and truth of Chriſt Ieſus, ſo as we hauehave bene taught out of the Goſpell of Chriſt Ieſus. A dutie much, yet neuer too much vrged, conſidering how many, after they hauehave put their hand vntounto the plough, looke backe; after they hauehave begunne in the Spirit,Iohn 15.4. 1. Cor. 16.13. end in the fleſh. Abide in me (ſaith our Sauiour) and I in you. Stand faſt in the faith, ſaith the Apoſtle to the Corinthians.…. Tim. 3.14. And vntounto Timothie, Continue (ſaith he) thou in the things which thou haſt learned, and art perſwaded thereof, knowing of whom thou haſt learned them. And of all the Apoſtles we reade, that ſtill they exhorted all the Churches euerie where to continue in the grace of God,Acts 11.23.13.43. and with full purpoſe of heart to cleaue ſtedfaſtly vntounto the Lord. For what ſhall it profite vsus to hauehave taſted of the good word of God, and by the hearing of the Goſpell preached, to hauehave come to ſome knowledge of the Lord, and of the Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt, if afterward with the Church of Epheſus wee forſake our firſt louelove, and make not an end of our ſaluation with feare and trembling?Iohn 8.31.32.15.4. If ye continue in my word, (ſaith Chriſt to the Iewes that beleeued in him) ye are verily my Diſciples, and ſhall know the truth, and the truth ſhall make you free. But as the branch cannot beare fruite of it ſelfe, except it abide in the Vine, no more can we, except we abide in Chriſt the Lord. Nay, if we continue not in the Lord, and in the faith and knowledge of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, it is a plaine argument againſt vsus, that whatſoeuer ſhew we make in the fleſh, yet indeed we neuer walked in the truth. So the Apoſtle Saint Iohn plainely argueth,1. John 2.19. where he ſaith, They went ou… from vsus, but they were not of vsus: for if they had bene of vsus, they would hauehave continued with vsus. But this commeth to paſſe, that it might appeare that they are not all of vsus. Where ye ſee that Apoſtataes, and ſuch as fall away from the faith and from the truth of Chriſt Ieſus, are proued plainely to be hypocrites, and neuer indeed to hauehave walked in the truth, by this argumen, tbecauſe they continued not in the truth which they had learned and receiued. As therefore the precept or exhortation both of our Sauiour, and of our Apoſtle, requireth this dutie of vsus, that wee continue in the Lord, and in the faith and knowledge of Ieſus Chriſt; ſo this alſo, that it may appeare that we were truly rooted in Chriſt Ieſus, and that we walked in the truth. And now ſee whether the ſame reaſon do not vrge vsus vntounto this dutie, whereby the Apoſtle, then vrged the Philippians thereunto: for are there not now many that would ſeparate vsus frō Chriſt Ieſus? Are ther not now many euill workers, that teach vsus to repoſe confidence in the merite of our workes, and not to reioyce onelyonly in Chriſt Ieſus? many that teach iuſtification to be by our owne righteouſneſſe, which is of the Law, and not by the alone righteouſneſſe of Chriſt Ieſus through faith? many that teach perfection of ſanctification in this life, otherwiſe then we are taught by the Goſpell of Chriſt Ieſus? many that teach vsus to be otherwiſe minded touching the vantage and merite of workes, touching the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt through faith, …ouching the perfection of ſanctification in this life, then was …his Apoſtle of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt? Yes, many ſuch decei…ers there are, as heretofore we hauehave heard, creeping in e…ery corner, and leading captiue ſimple men and women af…er their owne luſts. And therefore the vrging of this dutie, …uen for that cauſe, is now neceſſarie vntounto vsus, that Chriſti…ns at this day continue in the Lord, and in the faith and …nowledge of Ieſus Chriſt, ſo as they hauehave bene taught out of the writings of the Prophets and Apoſtles, and ſo as they …aue done by the illumination of the Spirit through the mi…iſterie of the word.
A doubt or two will here haply be moued. Firſt, whe…her it be in vsus to continue in the Lord if wee will, or it be …holly and onelyonly from grace, without anie power of our …wne? Whereunto I anſwer,Iohn 6.44. That as no man can come vntounto Chriſt, except the Father draw him, making him, of vnwilling, …illing, by putting his holy Spirit into him; ſo no man can abide and continue in him, but only by the grace of the ſame Spirit.Phil. 2.13. For it is God that worketh in vsus both the will and the deed, euen of his good pleaſure, of his owne free grace, that he may be all in all, and that all the glorie of our ſaluation may be g…uen vntounto him alone. Why then doth the Apoſtle exhort vsus to continue in the Lord, if it be not in our owne power, if we will, being holpen by grace, to continue in the Lord? Which is as if it ſhould be ſaid, If the fruite and increaſe of the earth be wholly the bleſſing of the Lord, then why doth the husbandman manure and till his ground, and beſtow ſuch paines and trauell therein? Or, as if it ſhould be ſaid, If faith be wholly the gift of God, then why are we ſo called vponupon to come and heare the word preached? For as he giueth corne, and wine, and oile, and all things elſe needfull for this life, but yet by ſuch meanes as he hath ordained thereunto; and againe, as faith is the gift of God alone, but yet giuen vsus by the meanes of hearing the word preached:1. Cor. 1.8. ſo the Lord which confirmeth vsus vntounto the end, worketh in vsus this holy gift of perſeuerance and continuing in him, but by ſuch holy admonitions and exhortations as he will hauehave vſed to that purpoſe. For admonitions and exhortations are not therefore vſed, to imply any power in our ſelues to doe the things we are exhorted vntounto, but becauſe they are the meanes whereby God worketh his good graces in vsus. And they do and may rather put vsus in mind of our vnableneſſe, then of our ableneſſe to do the things that we are exhorted; that ſeeing we cannot of our ſelues will or do the things whereunto we are exhorted, as, to come vntounto the Lord, to continue in the Lord, therefore we ſhould flie vntounto him, and pray vntounto him, that he would draw vsus vntounto him, that he would confirme vsus vntounto the end, and that he would frame our wils according to his bleſſed will, that we may by him do what his will is. To continue then in the Lord, is the grace of Gods holy Spirit, and the exhortation thereunto is very needfull, both becauſe it is the meanes whereby the Lord will worke his grace in vsus, and to ſet vsus vntounto the Lord, to beg that of him, which of our ſelues we are no way able to do.
A ſecond doubt alſo may be moued: Whether it can be, that ſuch of Gods children as are in the Lord, ſhould not continue in the Lord? Whereunto I anſwer, that ſuch of Gods children as are graffed in the true oliue, may for ſome while ſeeme like vntounto withered branches, the graces of Gods Spirit may for a time decay in them, and lie ſmothered, ſo that they appeare no more then the fire vnderunder the aſhes or imbers. So we may ſee in Dauid, who hauing committed murder and adulterie, walked on a long time, and was neuer touched with any remorſe for ſuch his grieuous ſinnes, ſo that for the time he might ſeeme to be as a withered branch. So we may ſee in Peter many eclipſes of the graces of Gods Spirit, when he diſſwaded Chriſt his paſſion, when he denied Chriſt his maiſter, and that with an oath, when he fled from his Maiſter, when he diſſembled for feare of them of the circumciſion, and drew Barnabas alſo into the like diſſimulation, &c. So we may ſee in Demas, who for a time left Paul, and embraced this preſent world, and yet afterwards became again a fellow-helper with Paul. In other holy perſons the like may be ſhewed, in whom the graces of God hauehave for a time decayed, and they bene like to withered branches. But they cannot finally fall from grace, but he that hath begun a good worke in them, Phil. 1.6. Ioh. 10.28.will performe it vntill the day of Ieſus Chriſt. For hath not he himſelfe ſaid, I giuegive vntounto them eternall life, and they ſhall neuer periſh, neither ſhall any plucke them out of my band? My Father which gaue them me, 29.is greater then all, and none is able to take them out of my Fathers hand. Hath not he prayed for them whom the Father hath giuen him,Ioh. 17. that they may be one with him, that they may be kept frō euil, that they may be ſanctified through the truth? And doth not Iohn ſay, that whoſoeuer is borne of God ſinneth not; 1. Joh. 3.9.namely that ſinne that is vntounto death, ſo that he fall away finally from God? Men may hauehave taſted of the good word of God, and come to ſome knowledge of the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, and yet fal way: but they that hauehave truly taſted of the powers of the world to come, ſhall be euen as the mount Sion, which may not be remoued, but ſtandeth faſt for euer. Why then doth the Apoſtle exhort vsus to continue in the Lord, if it be ſure that we ſhall continue in the Lord? It is to remoue from vsus carnall ſecuritie, and to teach vsus to depend on the Lord, by whom we continue in his faith, feare and fauour. To conclude this point therefore, as the Apoſtle here ſpeaketh vntounto the Philippians, ſo ſay I vntounto you, Continue in the Lord, euen in the faith and knowledge of Ieſus Chriſt, ſo as ye hauehave bene taught in Chriſt Ieſus. Let it neuer be ſaid to you, as it was to the Galatians, Ye did runne well, who did let you, that ye did not obey the truth? But as ye hauehave begun to louelove and like the truth, ſo continue to walke in the truth, that when Chriſt Ieſus ſhall come in the clouds of heauen, ye may be the crowne of our reioycing, and that ye may alſo appeare with him in glorie.