parts and abilities that are in them do not produce carnal emulation or envy Numb 11. 29. nor flattering commendations of the men themselves Job 32. 21. but furnisheth us with matter of thanksgiving unto God Thus Paul doth evidence his affection to those Colossians We give thanks to God 3. God is the Father of Jesus Christ not only as God by an eternall generation and communication of his whole essence unto him in a way unspeakable Ps. 2. v. 7. but even also as man through vertue of the personal union of the two natures in Christ and in a special way which doth far excell all other wayes whereby he is a father to other men and angels Luke 1. 32 thus God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ are one for the particle and is exegetick of the same thing and not copulative of things different 4. In all our performances we should eye God with a respect had to Jesus Christ seeing the Father is well pleased only in him both with our persons and duties Matth. 3. 17. for in giving thanks he eyeth God with a relation to Christ We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 5. Then is the fittest time to give thanks to God for favours bestowed when our hearts are somewhat elevated to God and our affections somewhat warmed in the duty of prayer and the duties of prayer and praise do mutually contribute for the help one of another thus the Apostle gave thanks alwayes praying for them that is alwayes when he prayed for them for so are the words to be ordered and not praying alwayes as if he had been constantly praying for them Vers. 4. Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which ye have to all the saints He declareth the reasons of his thanksgiving to wit those spirituall graces which were eminent in them of which he instanceth two and doth illustrate them from their principall object faith in Christ and love to all the saints Doct. 1. Where there is saving grace in any there is sufficient ground of rejoycing in God for them whatever be their case otherwayes and where this is not there is little besides but matter of grief all other things without this being but a curse and snare unto them Tit. 1. 15. So Paul giveth thanks having heard of their faith and love 2. Of those spirituall favours the injoyment whereof is a ground of thanksgiving faith is among the first for thereby we are united unto and have communion with Christ Eph. 3. 17. hereby we are justified Rom. 5. 1. and our hearts purified Acts 15. 9. and all our performances accepted Heb. 11. 4. So he thanketh God for their faith in the first place 3. Though there be no Scripture-truth unto which being once made known the grace of faith giveth not a firm assent Acts 24. 14. yet Jesus Christ and those truths which speak of him are the principall object of saving and justifying faith and therefore it is called faith in Jesus Christ. 4. There is a necessary connexion betwixt the graces of faith and love the former without the latter being dead Jam. 2. 17. and the latter without the former being not reall but in appearance onely or at the best but a morall vertue and no saving-grace Matth. 5. 20. so they are here conjoyned of your faith in Jesus Christ and your love 5. Though Christians are bound to love all men even their enemies Matth. 5. 44. yet seeing God is to be loved chiefly and all others but in subordination to him Matth. 22. 38 39. it followeth that those are to have most of our love who resemble God most therefore the love of those Colossians was chiefly towards the saints 6. We are to lay out our love upon Saints as they are Saints for the reality or appearance of good in them and not for other by-respects only or mainly as of kindred friendship or favours bestowed by them Matth. 5. 46. neither are we to with-draw our affection from any such because of their infirmities their differing from us in opinion or personall injuries received from them 2 Cor. 12. 15. for so their love was to all the saints none being excepted Vers. 5. For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel He sheweth the cause moving them to persevere in those graces to wit the hoped-for reward of glory preserved for them in Heaven and made known unto them yea and the hope whereof was wrought in them Rom. 10. 17. by the word of truth that is the Gospel Doct. 1. The believers portion is not given him in hand he hath it onely in hope for it is called their hope a thing only hoped for 2. The believers portion is laid up for him and safely kept for his use and that in a most sure place to wit in Heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt nor thieves do break through and steal which is said up to wit safely as a parent would hide a treasure for the use of his childe so doth the word signifie which is laid up for you in Heaven 3. As there is little to be expected and hoped for on earth by a man who will live godlily except temptations and crosses 2 Tim. 3. 12. so he eying of this rich reward of glory laid up in Heaven is a strong incouragement to persevere in faith love and other graces and it is lawful for Christians to have an eye to this reward as a motive to duty providing 1. it be not looked at as a thing to be merited by their obedience Rom. 6. 23. Nor 2. As the onely or chief motive 2 Cor. 5. 14. thus they were incouraged not from any thing earthly but from the hope which was laid up for them in Heaven Doct. 4. That ever Heaven and glory should be injoyed by any of lost mankinde was a thing that Nature's light could never have dreamed of except God himself had made it known by his Word thus he mentioneth the hearing of this rich reward by the Word preached as the mean whereby it was made known unto them whereof ye heard in the Word 5. It is the word preached which the Lord doth ordinarily blesse as his instrument for begetting saving faith and the hope of glory in us the word not onely propounding and making known to the understanding the object of those graces which was before hid but the Lord also at or after the hearing of this Word infusing them into the heart Acts 16. 14. Thus he mentioneth the hearing of it as the mean also whereby the saving hope of this reward was wrought in them whereof ye heard before in the word 6. Though the whole Word of God be true Ps. 19. 9. as being the word of him who cannot lie Tit. 1. 2. yet the Word of the Gospel is eminently the Word of Truth as having Christ for its main subject
trial 3. That they might be kept from being occasions of stumbling unto others ver 10. And 4. That they might abound in good works undertaken and gone about in the strength of Christ and tending to Gods glory as their main scope vers 11. Doct. 1. That a Christian may be throughly fitted to judge of things controverted there is more required than notional light in the brain to wit Practice according to what he already knoweth and some experimental knowledge and taste of divine Truths in his own heart for the Apostle with knowledge requireth abounding in love and sense that so they might try those things which differ See Heb. 5. 14. 2. Such knowledge as enableth a man to discern betwixt Truth and Error right and wrong is then worthy to be sought after when sincerity in choosing what is right and rejecting of what is wrong is joyned with it for he conjoyneth those two Ye may discern things that differ and be sincere 3. It should be one of our main desires whatever be our wrestlings with corruption within our selves that yet it may not break forth to the offence of others So Paul prayeth that they may be without offence 4. No shorter term ought to be assigned unto our growth and daily progress in holiness than the day of our death for then and not till then shall grace be compleated Heb 12. 23. Thus he prayeth they may abound more and more unto the day of Christ that is Either the day of every mans death so called because of the particular sentence or judgment which is passed by Christ upon every man immediatly after death Luke 12. 20. and 23. 43. or the day of Christs second coming 1 Thess. 5. 2. And this he will have the term-day of their endeavour to continue sincere and without offence because the final and open acquittance of the Elect from sin and misery shall be reserved until then Matth. 25. 33 34. 5. It is not sufficient for Christians to walk without offence by abstaining from what is grosly evil but they must also set about the doing of what is good being filled with the fruits of righteousness 6. It is not the doing of one good work or of some few which will sufficiently evidence a man to be righteous except he aim at the constant practice of everything which is good for that is to be filled with the fruits of righteousness or with good works whereby the sincerity of our righteousnesse is tried as the tree by the fruits Luke 6. 44 45. 7. That a work be truly good or a fruit of righteousnesse it is necessary that the work be done by one who is in Christ by faith and by vertue of strength drawn from Christ for these fruits required are by Jesus Christ that is by strength drawn from him which presupposeth the person to be ingrafted in him Job 15. 4. 8. It is necessary also for a good work That the doer of it have Gods glory for his main scope and not vain glory credit or any by-respect otherwise he is an empty vine bringing forth fruit unto himself Hos. 10. 1. So they are to be unto the glory and praise of God Vers. 12. But I would ye should understand Brethren that the things which hapned unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the Gospel In the second part of this Chapter lest they should have stumbled at his present suffering and feared lest thereby the Gospel should have been totally extinct he sheweth first That the Gospel had received much advantage already by all those sad things which had befallen him Doct. 1. It is the duty of Christ's Ministers as to forecast what may prove a stumbling-block in the way of the Lords People to retard them in their christian course So by all means to endeavour the removal of it Thus Paul wisely foreseeth and carefully laboureth to remove that offence and discouragement which Christians were apt to take from his sufferings But I would ye should understand c. 2. So wise and powerful is God in working that what is intended by adversaries to obscure his glory and to mar his work He maketh it tend to the further clearing of the one and promoving of the other which holdeth chiefly in the sufferings of his servants for Truth whereby the Lord hath promoved the Gospel frequently as much as by their preaching So Paul's sufferings had fallen out to the furtherance of the Gospel 3. That Truth is a gainer by our saddest sufferings is sufficient reason for contentment under them for Paul resteth satisfied and would have others satisfied also with this That all his sufferings had fallen out to the furtherance of the Gospel 4. The observing of the advantage that cometh to the Gospel by the suffering of the Saints for Christ's Truth serveth greatly to remove the scandal of the crosse for this end would the Apostle have them to understand that what had befallen him was for the furtherance of the Gospel Vers. 13. So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the Palace and in all other places He giveth two evidences that advantage had come to the Gospel by his sufferings First his bonds or the Gospel which was the cause of his bonds was made famous in Nero's Court and els-where whileas every one almost enquiring after the cause of his sufferings did learn somewhat of Christ and the Gospel by that mean Doct. 1. That the Gospel getteth entry in the Houses of Kings and great men is a great advantage and furtherance to it for this he reckoneth as one advantage even that the Gospel by his bonds was manifest in all the Palace 2. An occasional report and general fame of Christ and the Gospel may through the blessing of God accompanying it take some by the Heart to whom that report doth come for by the very occasional mentioning of the Gospel as the cause of Paul's sufferings some were made to enquire and learn so much of it as made them fall in love with it else he would not have thought the manifesting of his â—onds had tended to the furtherance of the Gospel Vers. 14. And many of the Brethren in the Lord waxing confident by my bonds are much more bold to speak the Word without fear A second evidence is That contrary to the expectation of enemies who concluded that Paul one of the chief Apostles being put in bonds at Rome no Minister should have the courage ever to preach again many Ministers of Jesus Christ having heard of his constancy under sufferings were encouraged to shake off fear and preach Christ more boldly than ever Doct. 1. The Gospel and glad tydings of Salvation through Jesus Christ is the most excellent word that ever sounded in a lost sinners ear Therefore it is called The Word by way of excellency as if there were no other word besides worthy of the name 2. This tendeth much to the furtherance of the Gospel when Preachers of it are men of
courage not fearing their own personal sufferings if so they may get Christ advanced and the Gospel published for this is given as an evidence of the furtherance of the Gospel even their speaking of the Word without fear 3. The observation of God's upholding others under sharp sufferings should make us couragious in avowing that Truth for which they suffer as knowing God who helped them will not be inlacking to us if we be put to suffer for the same cause for the Brethren in the Lord waxed confident by his bonds 4. As among all Christians so chiefly among Ministers there is a relation of fraternity in Christ whereby they are tied to walk as Brethren by loving one another 1 John 4. 21. admonishing one another Lev. 19. 17. standing for the just credit one of another Jam. 4. 11. and working to the hand one of another for carrying on the work of their Lord Christ 2 Cor. 6. 1. Hence they are called Brethren in the Lord. Vers. 15. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife and some also of good will 16. The one preach Christ of contention not sincerely supposing to adde affliction to my bonds 17. But the other of love knowing that I am set for the defence of the Gospel Because it might have been objected That many of those fore-mentioned Preachers of whom he boasted were but naughty men and small friends to Paul He answereth first granting many indeed did preach Christ from a spirit of envy against Paul to out-strip him and of contention and strife hereby raising a sinful emulation amongst the Ministery while every one laboured who should have maniest to applaud him and from a malicious purpose and desire to procure harder usage for Paul if not his death being now in bonds supposing the more the Gospel was preached Nero would be the more incensed against him Yet herein he comforteth himself that all the Preachers were not of that stamp there being many besides them who preached Christ from love and good-will toward Christ and Paul his prisoner aiming sincerely at the good of the Gospel for the defence whereof he was now in bonds Doct. 1. They may preach Christ unto others who are but hollow-hearted men themselves for so were those who preached Christ even of envy and strife 2. Such is the power of unmortified corruption that it will make a mans most excellent gifts and the exercise of them in the choicest duties of divine worship subservient to his basest lusts for some even preached Christ out of envy and strife 3. The Lord taketh notice not only of the matter which Ministers do preach whether it be Truth or Error but also of the manner how the ends for which and the motives from which they preach even whether they preach Christ from envy and contention or from love and good-will for here Paul taketh notice of it 4. An immoderate sinful desire after applause together with the lust of envy because of the gifts and estimation of others is a sin whereof those who preach Christ are sometime guiltie for here some preach Christ out of envy 5. The Ministers of Jesus Christ had need to resist the very first motions of the fore-mentioned evil seeing where it is once rooted in the heart it will make a man prostitute his parts and gifts yea the very preaching of Christ to the service of it So those of whom the Text speaketh having once given way to a spirit of sinful emulation against Paul they rest not until they even preach Christ out of envy 6. Where there are self-seeking men in the Ministery making a trade of their excellent preaching and other exercises of their gifts and parts mainly to get themselves much thought of and others vilipended unity cannot long continue in the Church of Christ but such spirits before they fail of their intent will rather trample upon the Churches peace for those two are conjoyned they preached Christ out of envy and strife 7. Though a man preach Truth and exalt Christ in preaching Truth yet if he do it from a spirit of envy to get others decryed and himself extolled he is but an unsincere rotten-hearted hypocrite notwithstanding of all his preaching in Gods sight for those men preached Truth else Paul ver 18. would not have rejoyced in their preaching yet seeing they preached of envy they are spoken of as unsincere and unfaithful Preachers who preached not sincerely 8. Envie and sinful emulation because of the parts and esteem of others is a cruel and unsatiable lust thirsting after the very blood of those against whom they have emulation for those men who envied Paul would gladly have added affliction to his bonds and have stirred up Nero by occasion of their preaching to have taken his life 9. Though some that preach Christ are but hollow-hearted men yet all are not so and the sincerity of those that are honest is sufficient comfort against those discouragements which might arise from those who are otherwise for though some preached Christ out of envy yet Paul comforted himself in this that others preached of good-will 10. This is prais-worthy in a Minister when he is stirred up to preach from love to Truth good will to the work and to Christ whose work it is endeavouring what in him lieth to encourage all even the meanest who have their hand at the Work for that is here commended even to preach Christ of good will and love to wit love to Christ to Truth and unto Paul 11. An honest heart will respect those much whom love to Truth hath brought to any suffering or hardship for therefore did those honest Ministers preach from good will unto Paul knowing he was set or did lie to wit in prison for the defence of the Gospel 12. The sufferings of the Saints for the Gospel are real preachings and are speaking apologieâ— and defences for the power and truth of the Gospel I am set saith Paul for an apologie of the Gospel as the word is in the original Vers. 18. What then notwithstanding every way whether in pretence or in truth Christ is preached and I therein do rejoyce He giveth a second answer unto that which might have been objected to wit Whatever they aimed at in their preaching yet Jesus Christ was made known by them and this made him glad Doct. 1. The blessing of the Word preached doth not depend upon the honestie and saving grace of the Preacher A gracelesse Minister may through Gods blessing upon his own Truth be an instrument of much good unto others for they who preached Christ in pretence only pretending love to Christ but really seeking their own applause were surely doing good unto some else Paul would never have rejoyced so much that Christ was preached by them 2. The apparent diminution of our own esteem and credit ought not to be much regarded if high esteem of Christ be upon the growing hand Paul regarded it not notwithstanding saith he that is though they seek to
Gospel that is for the doctrine of faith held forth in the Gospel 4. It concerneth Gods people much to be throughly one among themselves in this conflict for truth against error therefore doth he presse them so much to be one while he saith that ye stand fast in one spirit with one minde striving together where every word expresseth a part of this unity to wit union in spirit or judgment and opinion union in minde or affection and union in design and endeavour while they strive together Vers. 28. And in nothing terrified by your adversaries which is to them an evident token of perdition but to you of salvation and that of God The second branch of living like the Gospel which also explaineth the first is a spirit of courage under sufferings from the enemies of truth which he presseth from the consideration of two things which they might read in their couragious sufferings to wit namely that their so doing portended destruction to enemies and salvation to themselves Doct. 1. As the people of God have alwayes some to be their adversaries for truth so they may attain to such a high pitch of courage that the utmost of adversaries malice and rage will not terrifie them to wit so as to drive them from their duty or to make them take any sinfull course for their own safety Nehem. 6. ver 11. Therefore are they exhorted to it as a thing attainable that they be in nothing terrified 2. Faithlesse fears and saintings of spirit because of the boasts and threats of adversaries are exceedingly unsutable for those who live under the Gospel for this is one part of that conversation which becometh the Gospel to be in nothing terrified by adversaries 3. The more of sufferings for truth the people of God are made to under-go and the more there be of Christian courage and holy contempt of enemies rage and boasts under sufferings there is the more evidence of delivery unto the Church and of ruine here and hereafter to her enemies which is to them an evident token of perdition 4. Christian courage under sufferings for Christ and his truth which alwayes pre-supposeth faith in Christ ver 29. though it be not meritorious of heaven yet it evidenceth our right unto it but to you of salvation 5. It is of Gods free grace and from his speciall disposing that crosses and sufferings for truth which in themselves look like displeasure and wrath from the Lord should contribute any thing unto the salvation of the sufferer or be a promising evidence of it this much is meant by the last words and that of God Vers. 29. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ not onely to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake Here is another argument exciting them unto Christian courage under sufferings for truth to wit That nothing was required of them but what was given unto them for as grace to believe in Christ so grace to suffer couragiously for Christ was a part of Christs purchase for them and for his sake to be gifted over unto them Doct. 1. To believe in Jesus Christ or to suffer christianly for him goeth beyond the reach of naturall strength It is an honourable gift and that freely given for it is given unto you to believe and suffer saith he 2. All favours especially saving graces are given unto us in behalf of Christ as being purchased for us by his merit Isa. 53. ver 5. and applyed unto us through vertue of his intercession Heb. 7. ver 25. for it is given in behalf of Christ. 3. Faith in Christ must go before Christian suffering for Christ so that to suffer for him is of greater importance and in some respects more honourable than simply to believe in him for he not only saith it is given to believe in the first place and then to suffer but there is a gradation in his speech from the lesse to the more not onely to believe but also to suffer 4. This may incourage very cowards to be stout under Christian-sufferings that grace to suffer and all things necessary to make us suffer aright are purchased unto our hand and freely given unto us in behalf of Christ for this is the force of the Argument contained in this verse for unto you it is given c. 5. Then are sufferings truly Christian and an evidence of salvation when as the sufferer is first a believer so his sufferings are for Christs sake that is for his truth as the cause for which 1. Pet. 3. ver 14. and from love to him as the motive from which they suffer 1. Cor. 13. 3. For his sake Vers. 30. Having the same conflict which ye saw in me and now hear to 〈…〉 e in me He giveth a third reason to inforce the same duty to wit That their sharpest sufferings would put them in no other condition then that wherein he himself was as partly they saw when he was at Philippi see Act. 16. ver 19. c. and partly they had heard by the relation of others since Doct. 1. Christian-courage under sufferings for truth will not be kept up without a battell and conflict what from a fainting discouraged spirit within Heb. 12. 12. what from the rage of persecutors Act. 9. 1. and Gods hiding of his face without Psal. 44. ver 24. So Paul speaking of his sufferings calleth them an agonie or conflict having the same conflict 2. The Lord may for wise reasons leave his most precious servants to wrestle under a suffering case for a long time together for Paul was a sufferer at Philippi and continueth to be so when he is at Rome a long time after that what ye saw in me and now hear to be in me 3. This may adde no small incouragement under sufferings for truth that nothing befalleth us but what is common to men yea to the chiefest of Christs servants and Ministers for this is Paul's scope to incourage those Philippians because he himself was in the same case with them Having the same conflict which ye now hear to be in me CHAP. II. IN the first part of this Chapter the Apostle exhorteth them with much vehemencie to union and humility ver 1 2. And disswadeth from contention and vainglory ver 3. and self-self-love v. 4. First from Christs example v. 5. whose divine glory before his Incarnation is set forth v. 6. his Incarnation and state of humiliation v. 7 8. and his exaltation v. 9 10 11. Secondly from their by-past obedience v. 12 13. After which he repeateth the dehortation v. 14. inforcing it from the advantages which were to follow v. 15 16. the last whereof to wit his joy ought in reason to have much weight with them v. 17 18. In the second part he comforteth them first by a promise of sending Timotheus v. 19. whom he commendeth unto them to v. 24. Secondly by the expression of his hope that he himself should see them shortly v. 24. And thirdly
by sending their own Minister Epaphroditus unto them presently v. 25. and that upon severall weighty reasons v. 26 27 28. from which he exhorteth them to receive him with all due respect v. 29. and because he had with great pains attended him at their direction v. 30. Vers. 1. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of the Spirit if any bowels and mercies 2. Fulfil ye my joy that ye be like-minded having the same love being of one accord of one mind THe Apostle being to presse unity and love useth a most vehement exhortation and a kind of rhetorical adjuration That if they had ever found by the means of his Ministery or did expect to find any of those consolations which are to be had in Christ If they had ever enjoyed or expected to enjoy any comfort of mutual love and concord among themselves If they had ever found any fellowship with God by co 〈…〉 on of influence from his Spirit or if they would no◠〈◊〉 that fellowship for the time to come If they â—ad any pity or compassion upon him a prisoner for Christ He obtesteth them by all those and as they would give proof of all those so they would compleat the begun joy which he had in them by their unity and concord among themselves which he setteth forth in four diverse expressions to be distinguished thus The first that ye be like-minded signifieth in general their unity in judgment love affection and action which is sub-divided in the three particulars following The second having the same love expresseth unity of will and mutual affections The third unity of design and endeavours The fourth unity in judgment and opinion Doct. 1. The most famous and prais-worthy Churches have their own failings and infirmities So this Church though highly commended Chap. 1. yet hath had their own differences and alienation of minds renting of affections and carnal emulations flowing from their differences as appeareth from this vehement exhortation to concord and unity 2. As unity and concord is necessary in it self and at all times Hence the Apostle doth so earnestly presse them unto it So it is most necessary and comfortable especially in suffering-times Therefore the Apostle having spoken in the close of the former Chapter of those sufferings which they were to undergo for Christ and Truth inferreth as a conclusion from thence this exhortation unto unity If there be therefore c. 3. As they who have received any spiritual good from Jesus Christ by the Ministerie of the Word ought to have those in high respect whom the Lord hath made instrumental for their good and to evidence that respect unto them chiefly when they are in a suffering case So the servants of Jesus Christ ought to improve any personal respect or weight which they have with people for working of them up towards that wherein their spiritual good doth consist for Paul obtesteth them by all that good for the working whereof in them his ministery had been instrumental as also by that compassionate and tender respect which they did owe unto him being now in bonds that they would tender his joy and comfort and chiefly that they would evidence their respect unto him by seeking after unity and concord which was more for their own good then his and is here mainly pressed-after by him the fulfilling of his joy being sought-after onely as a mean to that end and as an argument to perswade the thing pressed If there be any consolation in Christ c. if any bowels and mercies fulfill ye my joy that ye be like-minded saith he 4. So necessary is unity and concord among the people of God that the enjoyment of Christ's presence and of spiritual consolation flowing from it the reaping of any spirituall advantage by the communion and love of the Saints the entertaining of fellowship with God through the operation of his Spirit in us do in a great part depend upon it our own differences carnal emulations renting of affections crosse and contrary actings do in a great measure obstruct all those by making Christ withdraw his presence 2 Cor. 13. 11. and one of us coldrife and uselesse unto another Gal. 5. 15. and by grieving the Spirit of God Eph. 4. 30. compared with 31. Hence the Apostle obtesteth them by all those that 〈◊〉 would fulfill his joy by being one among themselves and so insinuateth a necessary connexion betwixt their unity and enjoying of these things while he saith If there be therefore c. ver 1. Fulfil ye my joy in being like-minded ver 2. 5. The utmost endeavours of men and devils to sad the hearts of Christs faithfull servants cannot altogether mar their joy Fulfil ye my joy saith he which importeth he had some joy already 6. The success of the Gospel among the Churches of Christ will be matter of joy unto a publick spirited Christian even in the midst of all his particular crosses and sufferings for the fruits oâ— the Gospel among these Philippians spoken of chap. 1. gave occasion to this begun joy unto Paul amidst his personal sufferings which he doth here obtest them to fulfill Fulfill ye my joy 7. However a Church do otherwise flowrish in gifts graces and all kind of sympathy with Christian sufferers as this Church did chap. 1. v. 6 7. yet so long as they live in strife and contention among themselves they give not so much matter of joy unto a true lover of Jesus Christ by the former but they give as much matter of grief by the latter Hence he bids them fulfil his joy by being like-minded There would be alwaies a mixture of sadnesse and defect in his joy notwithstanding the many good things which they already had if this were not 8. That unity and concord among societies and especially among the Churches of Christ may be solid and lasting there would be an union of will and affections without laying them out on contrary and crosse objects an union of designs and endeavours without mutual counterminings which followeth upon the former and there would be an union in opinion and matter of judgment as the fountain of the other two this is it he presseth first generally being like-minded and then particularly in the other three expressions having the same love being of one accord of one mind Vers. 3. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory but in lowlinesse of mind let each esteem other better then themselves He disswadeth them from two vices destructive to unity to wit contention and vain-glory and exhorteth them to humility or lowlinesse of minde a grace whereby a man thinketh meanly of himself and highly of others Doct. 1. A contentious spirit which maketh it a man's element to differ from others and to carry on his point by out-wearying of others with jangling and strife is a notable unfriend to unity and so to be eschewed by all who would be esteemed lovers of peace Hence
able even to subdue all things unto himself 14. There is nothing within the reach of divine omnipotency which shall be left unessayed rather than the Believers glory both in soul and body should remain uncompleated for which he saith whereby he is able it is supposed that if it be within the compasse of divine ability it shall be done CHAP. IV. IN the first part of this chapter Paul exhorteth the Philippians unto some christian vertues to wit To constancy v. i. to concord v. 2 3. to rejoyce in the Lord v. 4. to moderation of minde v. 5. to beware of anxious heart-cutting diffident care and to give themselves to prayer and praises v. 6. for so they should have much of Gods peace v. 7. and generally to every thing which was praise-worthy v. 8. which he inforceth from his own example and the fruit which should follow hereupon v. 9. In the second part he commendeth them for their benevolence towards him in his strait excusing the delay v. 10. and cleareth himself from dejectednesse of spirit under want v. 11 12 13. and yet showeth their gratuity was acceptable v. 14. which he amplifieth by mentioning their liberality towards him in former times v. 15 16. and purgeth himself from an indirect intention to excite them to the bestowing of more v. 17. shewing what he had already received did abundantly satisfie him v. 18. for which their gratuity he promiseth unto them a recompence from God v. 19. In the third part he concludeth the Epistle first with a doxology v. 20. Secondly with some mutual salutations v. 21 22. And thirdly with his usual farewell-wish v. 23. Vers. 1. Therefore my Brethren dearly beloved and longed for my joy and crown so stand fast in the Lord my dearly beloved FRom what Paul hath said in the former chapter he inferreth a vehement exhortation inforced by a number of affectionate compellations That they would remain constant in the doctrine and practice of the Gospel so as they had done hitherto and as he had presently prescribed chap. 3. Doct. 1. So ready are we to weary in well-doing Gal. 5. 7. so unwearied is the Tempter in his assaulting of us what by reiterating old tentations what by presenting us with new ones 1 Pet. 5. 8. That even those who for a long time have given great proof of their constancy both in profession of Truth and practice of Duties are not so far beyond the reach of backsliding but they stand in need of frequent and vehement exhortations to make them stand on their guard against it So Paul exhorteth those Philippians to constancy notwithstanding they had already given large proof of it so stand fast in the Lord. 2. The faith of glory and rich reward which is laid up to those who persevere unto the end is a strong motive unto constancy and perseverance so from what the Apostle spake in the close of chap. 3. of that glorious change to be wrought upon the bodies of Believers he inferreth So stand fast 3. As a peoples profiting by the Ministery of the Word ought to indear them unto a faithful Pastor so a Minister may without imputation of flattery make it known unto the people and that in the most pathetick way how much they are esteemed of by him that hereby he may excite them to further progresse And this use only should be made by people of the approbation of their faithful discerning Pastors or of any other whose approbation they think worthy to put a price upon Thus the Apostle here gives them a number of affectionate compellations all of them breathing forth his respect and love unto them such as Brethren as being professors of the same faith dearly beloved being such as for their piety had much room in his heart and longed for his absence from whom was his burden my joy the remembrance of whom made him sing under all his sufferings and my crown they were as an ornament unto him his glory and diadem being gained to Christ by his Ministery and having remained constant when others had fallen away Vers. 2. I beseech Euodias and beseech Syntiche that they be of the same minde in the Lord. 3. And I intreat thee also true yoke-fellow help those women which laboured with me in the Gospel with Clement also and with other my fellow-labourers whose names are in the book of life He speaketh to two women who being of some note in that Church did in some things as appeareth relating to Religion differ as well the one from the other as both of them from the Doctrine publickly professed in that Church Them he exhorteth that laying aside their contention and strife they would endeavour peace and unity betwixt themselves such as God would approve of ver 2. And because divisions of that kinde are not easily composed he exhorteth some one of his once-fellow-labourers in that Church to contribute his endeavours for helping them to union because they had been useful to him in their stations while he was preaching the Gospel and planting a Church at Philippi with one Clement and some other private Christians all which in charity he did judge to be truly gracious and in the number of Gods Elect Children Doct. 1. It is the duty of Pastors to instruct exhort rebuke and comfort not only the whole Church in general but also particular persons by name as occasion offereth and their necessity requireth so doth Paul I beseech Euodias and beseech Syntiche 2. Difference of judgment among professors in things relating to Religion is of dangerous consequence as being an occasion of strife and discord of alienation of heart and affections 2 Cor. 12. 20. as causing hurtfull diversions from that which should be our main work to wast our precious time and the edge of our spirits upon things lesse necessary 1 Tim. 1. 4. Paul looks upon this difference as worthy to be taken notice of even by an Apostle I beseech saith he 3. It is very casual for such differences to fall in among professors who have been other wise pious and useful in the Lords work thus Euodias and Syntiche who helped Paul in the Gospel falleth at ods among themselves I beseech Euodias c. 4. Peace and unity in the Church and among all the members of the Church is a thing much to be studied for and sought after I beseech they be of the same minde 5. But by all means it would be seen to That the composing of the Churches differences be an union in the Lord and such as he will approve of so he beseecheth them to be of one minde but in the Lord. 6. We ought to make use of our familiarity with and interest in others to set them upon imployments honourable unto God and profitable unto the Church of Christ and the true members thereof so far as their station will permit and their abilities can reach so Paul maketh use of his intirenesse with one above the rest whom he calleth his true-yokefellow
glory so the saving graces of God's Spirit are things above as coming from above James 3. 17. and elevating the heart of him who hath them above things earthly to entertain communion with God here that he may live above with God for ever Phil. 3. 20 21. Thus they are said to be above seek the things which are above 4. Heaven and saving graces which lead to it are to be sought and diligently sought seek the things which are above The word signifieth a diligent search and is applyed to those who are vehemently desirous to have that which they seek 1. Pet. 5. -8. Mark 12. 12. 5. That Heaven and things heavenly may be thus sought diligently we must know somewhat of the worth which is in them and from knowledge put a price upon them Set your affection on things above The word rendered affection here in the Originall comprehendeth the operations of the understanding will and affections So it is to know them from knowledge to affect them and so to seek them 6. Things earthly and things heavenly are in two contrary ballances so that the more of the heart is given to the one the other getteth the lesse for he opposeth those two Set your affection on things above not on things on earth 7. Though we may use the world and things worldly yea and seek them moderatly that so we may have the use of them 1 Tim. 5. 8. yet they are to be sought in subordination and not in opposition to things heavenly They must not be sought as our last end and furthest shot Psal. 49. 11. not by unlawfull means Eph. 4. 28. or with neglect of God's worship Matth. 6. 33. not so but to reverence and submit to God when he crosseth and disappointeth us in them Job 1. 21. for in this sense he commands Set your affection on things above not on things on earth 8. Not onely are reall Believers risen with Christ First judicially Christ's resurrection as all his other actions wherein he sustained our person being imputed to us so as to obtain what was purchased by them See chap. 2. v. 20. doct 1. And secondly in their own persons all Believers being really and personally quickened and raised from the death of sin to newnesse of life by vertue of Christ's resurrection Rom. 6. 4. as that whereby he evidenced his purchasing of holiness for them by his death which he doth afterward bestow upon them But besides all the Members of the visible Church are in some sense risen with him in so far as they are actually tyed by their professing and interest in him 1 Joh. 2. 6. and by the Covenant sealed in their Baptism Rom. 6. 2 3. to make use of the vertue purchased by his resurrection for raising of them up from the death of sin to the life of grace for he supponeth they are risen with Christ If ye be therefore risen with Christ. 9. From this it followeth that all within the visible Church whether regenerate or unregenerate are to make use of this consideration of their being raised with Christ as a strong argument to make them seek after Heaven and endeavor holinesse of life the latter sort being ingaged to make use of the power of his resurrection for this end having Heaven and holinesse purchased for them if they will but by faith slee unto him the former sort having an actual right unto those things already as being judicially risen with him and the begun life of holinesse bestowed upon them by vertue of his resurrection and more of that vertue for compleating of what remaineth in readinesse to be communicated unto them if they will but imploy it by faith for from this ground he inforceth holinesse If ye be therefore risen with Christ seek those things c. 10. Jesus Christ in his Humane Nature is now in Heaven and not upon earth else the Apostle's argument would not hold to seek things which are above because he is there 11. The love which Christians do bear unto Christ ought to be such that the very place where he is ought to be lovely for his sake their affections being wholly set upon it and upon those things which are in it and slow from it or tend towards it for so he reasoneth Set your affection on things above where Christ is I 2. The great glory which Christ our Head injoyeth in Heaven together with the power and authority put upon him for the Churches good especially for bestowing of grace and glory Acts 5. 3 is a strong incouragement to make the Members of the Church and chiefly reall Believers set about the study of holinesse for this glory and power of his is signified by his sitting at the right hand of God Eph. 1. 20 21 22 23. and from this he reasoneth that they should seek those things which are above whereby he compriseth all those duties wherein holinesse consists even from this that Christ is sitting there at the right hand of God Vers. 3. For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God 4. When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory He giveth further reasons to inforce the exhortation First they were spiritually dead to sin and by consequence to those earthly things so as not to place their happiness in them or to be sinfully eager in seeking after them 2. Though their spirituall life whereof they were partakers by their rising with Christ was for the time hid under crosses and infirmities yet it was surely kept for them by God in Christ v. 3. and should hereafter gloriously appear in Christ's second coming v. 4. Doct. 1. Reall Believers are spiritually dead not in sin Eph. 2. 1. but to sin Rom. 6. 11. the dominion and reign of sin being shaken off Rom. 6. 14. and its strength much weakened by the power of grace Gal. 5. 17. though not totally subdued Rom. 7. 18. and Christ having undertaken to subdue it wholly in them Eph. 5. 27. And all the members of the Church though not as yet real Believers have ingaged themselves to imploy the strength of Jesus Christ for the subduing of sin whence in some sense to wit judicially by obligation they may also be said to be dead for the Apostle supponeth of all of them every one in his own way that they were thus dead for ye are dead saith he 2. The consideration of this that we are thus dead to sin is a strong argument for the not-inslaving of our affections to things earthly for that would argue sin to be yet reigning and were an adding of fuell to sin for keeping of it alive after we have under-taken to be its death It 's used as an argument here to that purpose for ye are dead 3. The spirituall life of grace here and of glory hereafter is a life desirable and onely worthy of the name of life our naturall life being but short uncertain and common to us with devils