An expositon of all St. Pauls epistles together with an explanation of those other epistles of the apostles St. James, Peter, John & Jude : wherein the sense of every chapter and verse is analytically unfolded and the text enlightened. / David Dickson ...

The Second Part.

Vers. 12. Not as though I had already attaianed, ei∣ther were already perfect, but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehen∣ded of Christ Iesus.

The second part of the Chapter follows, wherein the Apostle exhorts them, that imitating himself and other faithful Ministers, they would make proficiency in holi∣ness, to which end hee useth seven Arguments. And in this place hee proposeth himself for an example to them, by removing an objection. Some one might say, O blessed Paul, who hath renounced all things, that hee might know Christ, and gain him, and who is now made so conformable to Christ, that there is nothing wanting to him, but the reward of immortality: Hee an∣swers that this is not the meaning of his words: as if hee should have said, I do not speak this as if I had attained the perfection of Holiness, or were already perfected, but I follow after the prize of perfection. Whence Argum. 1. I am not absolute or compleat in happiness, but I follow after perfection: Therefore yee that are likewise im∣perfect should do the same thing that I do.

That I may apprehend] Argum. 2. I am apprehen∣ded by Christ in effectual vocation, to this very end, that being converted, I may profit in Faith and Holiness, un∣til I bee compleated; and to this end I follow after this mark, that I may apprehend it: Therefore you also should do as I do.

Vers. 13. Brethren, I count not my self to have appre∣hended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14. I press toward the mark, for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus.

15. Let us therefore, as many as bee perfect, bee thus minded: and if in any thing yee bee otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Argum. 3. Out of a sense of my imperfection in holi∣ness, I do not regard or call to mind the progress which I have already made, but with as much eagerness as I can I run the race which is set before mee, that I may at length attain the prize in the end of this life, and the reward of life eternal, to which God from above hath called mee in Christ: All yee therefore, even who are full grown, and who have hitherto made, or think that yee have made the greatest proficiencies, whether with others or your selves, do yee think and indeavour the same thing that I do; that is, having forsaken all car∣nal confidence, glorying in Christs Righteousness alone, by virtue of him, seek after proficiency in holiness: that yee may at length come unto the blessed resurre∣ction.

And if in any] Argum. 4. If yee being seduced by false Apostles, think otherwise of Christian perfection. I hope God who converted you unto the Faith of the Gospel, will also reveal this truth unto you, and either will cause that yee may bee of my opinion touching the

Righteousness of Christ, and his virtue for your encrease in Holiness, or else will manifest unto you, how dange∣rous and evil it is for you to take up another opinion dif∣ferent from my Doctrine: Therefore you, &c.

Vers: 16. Nevertheless, whereto wee have already attained, let us walk by the same Rule, let us mind the same thing.

Hee limits his hope touching the saving revelation of the truth, whereupon hee speaks unto those that are de∣sirous of truth and peace, inciting them by a special ex∣hortation to constancy and agreement in that truth wherein they did already agree, touching grace and sal∣vation by Christ according to the Rule of Scripture, not daring to hope well of any but such as followed that Rule; as if hee had said, Let us, who are lovers of Truth and Peace, and who embrace the Scripture as the onely rule of saving Truth, persevere in that which by Gods goodness wee have attained unto, and walking accor∣ding to this Rule, let us bee of the same mind: but let us leave the rest to God and his Discipline, which is set down in Scripture.

Vers. 17. Brethren, bee yee followers together of mee, and mark them which walk so, as yee have us for an ensample.

Argum. 5. Besides mee you have other servants of God which tread the same way that I do in the matter of doctrine and conversation, who teach nothing but Faith in Christ, and holiness to bee obtained by him: Therefore follow yee those examples.

Vers. 18. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Argum. 6. There are many Teachers, false Apostles, and false Brethren, who are enemies to the Cross of Christ, that is, who teach that sins may bee expiated, and men saved, otherwise than by the Cross of Christ a∣lone, and who will not profess the truth of Christ where there is any danger of the Cross, or of persecution: Therefore do yee the more diligently observe and imi∣tate the manner of my doctrine and life, and of other such Pastors like mee.

Told you often] Hee confirms this Argument touching their shunning of Impostors (who did draw men from the Righteousness and Holiness, which is by the Cross of Christ) with seven Reasons.

Reas. 1. Because this is not the first time, But I have often formerly fore-warned you of the comming of these vile fellows.

Weeping] Reas. 2. Because now weeping I advise you to beware of them, seriously grieving that such men have crept into the Church, and are received by some for true Teachers.

Enemies] Reas. 3. Because they are Christs enemies in this very thing, that they are enemies to the virtue of Christs sufferings: and who will not bear the Cross of Christ for the defence of the Truth.

Vers. 19. Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

Whose end] Reas. 4. Because those Impostors shall perish, and as many as follow their waies: Therefore shun them.

Belly] Reas. 5. Because they are servants and lovers of their own belly, that is, they care neither for God, nor the salvation of men, but onely their own gluttony and pleasures.

Glory] Reas. 6. Because that glory which they seek among men by their riches, prosperity, and carnal pre∣rogatives, shall bee their disgrace.

Earthly things] Reas. 7. Because they onely savour earthly things, as riches, honours, friends, gluttony, pleasures, and such like: Therefore yee that desire a spiritual and heavenly life must shun them.

Vers. 20. For our conversation is in Heaven, from whence also wee look for the Saviour, the Lord Ie∣sus Christ,

Argum. 7. Our condition is very heavenly, who trusting onely in the grace and virtue of Christ, strive for profi∣ciency in holiness: Wee are true Inhabitants of Hea∣ven, and therein wee are conversant in mind and affe∣ction, where wee shall sometime bee glorified: There∣fore follow our example. But the happiness of true Be∣leevers is declared in these four things. (1) That wee have right unto the heavenly City, wherein wee are now conversant in mind and affection, as Citizens of the Kingdome which is above. (2) That knowing Christ is corporally and locally in Heaven, wee expect him to come from thence at the last day, not as a Judge, who will condemn us, but as our Saviour, who will perfectly accomplish our salvation.

Vers. 21. Who shall change our vile bodie, that it may bee fashioned like unto his glorious body, ac∣cording to the working whereby hee is able even to subdue all things.

(3) That though our bodies are now corruptible, vile and miserable, yet Christ will hereafter throughly change them, as to the condition which they are now in, and free them from corruption.

Fashioned] That (4] Christ will make our bodies conformable unto his glorious body, that as Christs bo∣dy continues the same, as to substance and lineaments, as it was in the earth, but is changed in qualities; so our bodies also shall remain the same in substance, and be∣ing freed from their base, shall bee adorned with glorious qualities.

According to the working] Hee confirms the certainty of this future condition from Christs power and efficacy, whereby hee can destroy death and the grave, and sub∣ject all creatures unto himself, and therefore is able to endow our bodies with what qualities hee please.