Lectures upon the vvhole Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians, deliuered in St. Peters Church in Oxford: by the reuerend and faithfull seruant of Christ Henry Airay ... and now published for the vse of Gods Church by C.P. ...

LECTƲRE XII.

PHILIP. I. Verse 11.

Filled with the fruits of righteousnes, which are by Iesus Christ vnto the glory and praise of God.

IT remaineth now that we come vnto the fourth and last end here mentio∣ned, wherefore the Apostle praied that the Philippians might abound more and more in knowledge, and in all iudge∣ment, and that was that they might be fruitfull in all good works, set downe in these words, Filled with the fruits &. In which words I note, 1. the measure of good works, which the Apo¦stle wisheth to be in the Philippians, which is, pressed downe and shaken together, euen that they may be filled with the fruits of righteousnesse. 2. The definition of good works, in that they are called the fruits of righte∣ousnesse. 3. The fountaine whence, or author from whom good works, if indeed they be good works are, and that is Iesus Christ. 4. The end whereunto good works, if indeed they be good works, doe tend, and that

is, vnto the glory and praise of God. So that besides the maine point, which is the Apostles desire that the Philip∣pians might be full of good works, here hence wee may know all the causes of good works. The materiall cause, or matter and substance of good works is hereby known that they are called the fruits of righteousnesse: for this sheweth that the very matter and substance of good works is those good actions which as good fruit grow and spring out of the righteousnes of God in vs. The formall cause, or reason which causeth our works to be good works, is hereby likewise knowne that they are cal∣led the fruits of righteousnesse: for this sheweth that the reason why our works are good works, is because of their conformitie vnto the law of God, because they are done in righteousnes according to the righteous law of God. The efficient cause, or author from whom good works are is hereby knowne, that it is said that they are by Iesus Christ: for this sheweth that Iesus Christ worketh in vs whatsoeuer works are good & agreeable to the righte∣ous law of God. The finall cause, or end of good works wherunto they are to be referred, wherfore they are to be done is hereby knowne, that it is said that they are by Ie∣sus Christ vnto the glory and praise of God: for this sheweth that the end wherefore we are to abound in euery good worke, is the glory and praise of God, that his name thereby may be glorified. These are the things which these words seeme vnto me to conteine. Now let vs see what obseruations we may gather hence for our farther vse and instruction.

The first thing then which here I note, is the rich grace wherewith our Apostle would haue the Philippians to abound, in good works: for he praied that they might abound more and more in knowledge and in all iudgement, as for other ends before spoken of, so for this, that they might be filled with the fruits of righteousnes, that they might abound in euery good worke. My obseruation hence is, that we are not onely to doe the things that are

good, and to worke the works of righteousnes, but we are to abound in euery good worke, to be filled with the fruits of righteousnes. To doe good, and to haue our fruit in holines and righteousnes, is a thing much vrged, and often commanded by the Holy Ghost in the scrip¦tures, and it is so cleare a case that it cannot be denied or shifted, but that we are to do the things that are good, & to worke the works of righteousnes. Yet so cūning are we to deceiue our selues, that if at sometimes we haue done some things well, we thinke we haue obeyed the voice of the Lord herein, though we come far short of being filled w^th the fruits of righteousnes. The Holy Ghost therfore to meet with our foolish wisdom, and to cleare the point, plainely sheweth in many places of the scripture, that as wee are to shew forth good works, so we are to be rich in good works; as we are to liue righteously in this pre∣sent world, so we are to be filled with the fruits of righte∣ousnes, that in our whole spirit, soule, and body through∣out our whole life, the fruits thereof may appeare. We cease not to pray for you, saith the Apostle to the Colossians, and to desire that yee might be filled with knowledge of his will, in all wisdome and spirituall vnderstanding, that ye might walke worthy of the Lord, and please him in all things, being fruitfull in all good works. The words are much like to these of our Apostle: wherein yee see he saith he praied for them vnto the Lord, that they might be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdome and spirituall vnderstan∣ding, to the end that they might walke worthy of him, and please him in all things, and be fruitfull in all good works: giuing them, and in them vs thereby to vnder∣stand, that we are to walke worthy of the Lord, & there∣fore to please him in all things; that we are to please him in all things, and therefore to be fruitfull in all good works, like good trees bringing forth much fruit, vnto the glory and praise of God. Againe, he that abideth in me, saith our Sauiour, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; and herein, saith he, is my father glorified, that ye beare

much fruit. In which place our Sauiour likeneth him selfe vnto the vine, and his disciples and children vnto the branches of the vine. Now how shall wee know that wee are branches of the vine Christ Iesus? If wee beare much fruit in him, if we will glorifie the Fa∣ther, if we will know that we abide in Christ Iesus, and that he abideth in vs, if we will know that we are bran∣ches of the true vine Christ Iesus, wee must not be like vnto the figge tree that bare no fruit but onely leaues, but we must beare fruit, and much fruit, and much fruit in Christ Iesus. It is not here a grape and there a grape, here a cluster and there a cluster that will serue the turne, but we must beare much fruit; neither is it wilde grapes, and fruit in the flesh that we must beare, but wee must beare much fruit in Christ Iesus, we must be rich in the fruits of the spirit, rich in good works. And this was it that was commended in that vertuous woman Tabitha, that shee was full of good works, and almes which shee did. Whose example we may not passe ouer with a bare rea∣ding or hearing of it, without making farther vse of it then to know that it was so; but we must know, that it was written for our learning, to admonish vs, that as she was, so we should be full of good works and almes deeds, of good works in generall, and of almes deeds in particular.

But what is the reason that we should be filled with the fruits of righteousnes? We haue already heard ma∣ny reasons: as that we may please the Lord in all things; for so we doe please him in all things, if we be fruitfull in all good workes. Againe, that wee may glorifie God the Father: for herein is the father glorified if we beare much fruit. Againe, that we may know that we abide in Christ and Christ in vs: for he that abideth in Christ and Christ in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit. Againe, that there may be none vnrighteousnes in vs: for so shall we be free from vnrighteousnes, if we be filled with the fruits of righteousnesse. Againe, because we our selues should be

as good trees, the planting of the Lord, trees of righteousnes, ••s the Prophet speaketh: for so shall we be knowne to be good trees, if we bring forth good fruit, and the more good fruit that we beare, the better trees we shall be. That therefore we may be trees of righteousnesse, wee should be filled with the fruits of righteousnes; that we may be the planting of the Lord, we should bring forth much fruit in the Lord; that we may be as trees planted ••y the water side, we should alwaies bring forth fruit in due season. All times of the yeare our boughes, euen the boughes of our spirit, soule, and bodie should be full of the fruits of the spirit, of the fruits of repentance, of the fruits of holinesse, of the fruits of righteousnes. The trees of the garden haue their seasons to beare their fruit, and in their seasons they doe not alwaies take; but all times are due seasons for our bearing of fruit, and at all times our trees should be so well taken, that their tender ••oughes should be euen loden with fruit.

Here then first beloued take a caueat, to beware of them that tell you that we make no reckoning of good works, that all our preaching is of an idle and dead faith, that we are afraid in our Sermons to make any mention of good works, and that when we mention them, either we condemne them, or speake so coldly of them, as if there were no worth at all in them. Let your owne eares witnesse what we preach vnto you, and whether they do not most vntruly slander vs that thus speake of vs. What more doe we beat vpon and vrge then that yee may be pure, that ye may be without offence vntill the day of Christ, that yee may be filled with the fruits of righte∣ousnesse, and abound in euery good worke? Answere them therfore out of your owne knowledg, & tell them that they are of their father the deuill, who is a lier, and the father thereof. Yee your selues know it, and therefore may boldly speake it.

Secondly, let this be as a spurre to pricke vs forward, and to stirre vs vp to euery good worke. For should we

be filled with the fruits of righteousnes, and abound in euery good worke? How is it then that we are so barren in good works, like vnto the heath in the wildernes that bringeth forth no fruit that is good. Abound in works we doe, but it is in the sinfull works of the flesh, not in good works of the spirit: and full of fruits we are, but it is of the fruits of vnrighteousnes, maliciousnes, cruel∣tie, oppression, and the like, not full of the fruits of righ∣teousnes. If there be here and there a cluster of grapes, as in the gathering after the vintage, if wee doe some things well, though they be nothing in comparison of the euill that we doe, if after we haue runne at ryot a long time, at length we haue some fruit in holinesse, if in the moderation and gouernment of our affections and acti∣ons, we doe more sauour of the spirit then in the com∣mon course of the world men doe, then we thinke well of our good works, and count our selues such as haue well profited in the schoole of Christ. But to vrge vs to be filled with the fruits of righteousnes, to be fruitfull in all good works, to haue our whole conuersation holy, to shew forth the fruits of the spirit, in our whole spirit, soule, and bodie throughout our whole life, this we can∣not brooke, and this is a thing wherein the Preacher may well striue with vs, but wherein he shall not preuaile with vs. For here it is with vs, as it was with the yong man in the Gospell, who soothed vp himselfe as if hee had beene as good a man as liued, till it was said vnto him, If thou wilt be perfit, goe sell that thou hast, and giue it to the poore, and thou shalt haue treasure in heauen; but then he hung downe the head, and went away sorrow∣full: so we, many of vs while it is said, doe that which is good, let your conuersation be honest, haue your fruit in holinesse, we comfort our selues as hauing obserued these things, but when it is said, abound in euery good worke, be yee filled throughout your whole man, and throughout your whole life with the fruits of righteous∣nesse, then we hang downe the head, and all the exhor∣tations

in the world will not preuaile thus farre with vs. That the Lord shall open his hand, and fill vs with plen∣teousnesse in all good things, we can brooke it very well but where is he that is filled with the fruits of righteous∣nesse, to the glory and praise of his name? Some one Tabitha, it may be may be full of good works, but with the rest it is well if they be not as bad as the worst. Let vs beloued now that we know what we should be, striue vnto that which should be. Let vs as we should be, be trees of righteousnes, filled with the fruits of righteous∣nesse. As as we are purged by Christ Iesus to be a pe∣culiar people vnto him, zealous of good works; so let vs abound in euery good worke. Let vs not onely flie that is euill, and doe that is good, but as men sanctified throughout in spirit, soule, and bodie, let our whole life and conuersation be such, as becommeth the Gospell of Christ Iesus. The more fruit we beare, the better trees we are; the more by our fruits we glorifie God the Fa∣ther, the more sure we are that we are branches of the true vine Christ Iesus. Let vs therefore giue all diligence, vse all holy meanes, and pray that we may abound more and more in the knowledge of Gods will, that we may discerne things that differ, that we may be pure, and without offence vntill the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousnesse, and being fruitfull in all good works.

The next thing which here I note is, that the Apostle calleth good works, the fruits of righteousnes. For it is as if he had said, filled with good works which are the fruits of righteousnes, therefore called the fruits of righteous∣nes, because they spring from righteousnes, as the fruit from the tree. The obseruation then hence is, that good works are the fruits of righteousnes. Righteousnes that is the tree, and good works they are the fruit of the tree; so that as first must be the tree, and then the fruit; so first we must be righteous, euen by the righteousnes of God in vs, before we can doe the works that are good. Now

what is our righteousnes before God? Our Apostle tel∣leth vs in the third chapter of this epistle, euen that righ∣teousnesse which is through the faith of Christ; for as Abraham beleeued God, & it was imputed to him for righte∣ousnes so our faith in Christ Iesus who is made of God vnto vs wisdome, and righteousnes, and sanctification, and redem∣ption is accounted vnto vs for righteousnes before God. First then we must beleeue in Christ Iesus, whom God hath set forth to be a reconciliation through faith in his bloud, before we can doe any works acceptable vnto God; and being iustified by faith in Christ, then are our works good and acceptable vnto God. And to this our Apostle giueth testimonie where he saith, Vnto the pure all things are pure, but vnto them that are defiled and vnbelee∣uing, is nothing pure, but euen their mindes and consciences are defiled. In which words, by pure he meaneth them whose hearts are purified by faith in Christ Iesus, as the antithesis in the next clause sheweth, where he expresseth whom he meaneth by impure men, euen vnbeleuing men. Hence then it is plaine, that when once our hearts are purified by faith in Christ Iesus, not onely the things which by the law are counted vncleane are cleane and pure vnto vs, but our works also are good and holy; but till our hearts be purified by faith in Christ Iesus, neither any of the things which by the law are counted pure are pure vnto vs, neither is any worke of ours good, but how good soeuer it be in shew, yet it is indeed abomina∣ble before God. To the like purpose is that of the Apo∣stle, where he saith, that without faith it is impossible to please God: where the Apostle shewing the dignitie and excellencie of faith, amongst other things commendeth it for this, that by it, as Henoch did, we please God; but without faith, saith he, it is vnpossible that any worke of ours whatsoeuer should please God. So that our works if they be good, they are the fruits of righteousnes, euen of the righteousnes which is of God, through the faith of Iesus Christ, otherwise if they spring not from that roote they are not good.

Here then, first learne to beware of them that tell you that our good workes, are that righteousnesse whereby we are iustified before God. Yee see the Apostle tel eth you, that they are the fruites of righteousnesse. Aswell therefore may they tell you, that the fruite of tree is the tree, as that our good workes are our righteousnesse be¦fore God. Let God bee true, and euery man a lier. If hee haue said, that they are the fruites of righteousnesse, then assure we our selues, that they are spirits of error that tell vs that they are our righteousnesse.

Secondly, hence learne to beware of them that tell you, that men not begotten in the faith of Christ Iesus, are able to doe the things that are good and pleasing vn∣to God; for either you must not belieue the holy Apo∣stle, or rather the holy Ghost, speaking by the mouth of the Apostle; or else you must know, that they onely do the things that are good and pleasing vnto God, that are iustified by faith in Christ Iesus: for this the holy A∣postle hath said, That good workes are the fruites of righte∣ousnesse. Either then our good workes must spring and proceed, from the righteousnes of God by faith in Christ Iesus in vs, or else they are not good: so that they onely that are iustified by faith in CHRIST IESVS, doe the things that are good. And therefore they that tell you otherwise, they are led by the same spirit of error tha•• they are who tell you, that by our workes we are iustified before God.

Thirdly, let this teach vs how to examine our workes whether they be good or no. Are they the fruites of righ∣teousnesse? Do they proceed from a true and liuely faith in Christ Iesus? Is the fountaine pure whence they spring, and their end good whereunto they tend? Then bee bolde they are good workes. Otherwise, if there bee no such warrant for them, seeme they neuer so good, yet they are not good. Examine but our works according to this rule, and surely we will not all of vs be found full of good workes.

The third thing which here I note is, that the Apostle saith, that these fruites of righteousnesse wherewith hee would haue the Philippians filled, are by Iesus Christ. Whence I obserue the Author of euery good worke in vs, and that is Christ Iesus, by the grace of his holy spirit: for as the Apostle saith, We are not sufficient of our selues, to thinke any thing as of our selues, but our sufficiencie is of God. Now, if of our selues we be not sufficient to thinke a good thought, but that must onely be suggested by Gods spirit, then how shall wee bee sufficient of our selues to doe any thing that is good? Nay, our Apostle tels vs in the next Chapter, that it is God which workes in vs both the will and the deed, euen of his good pleasure. Nei∣ther thought of the heart, nor affection of the will, nor worke of the hand, but if it be good, it is by the operati∣on of the holy spirit in vs. Nay, take an argument euen from hence; Good workes they are the fruites of righte∣ousnesse. Now doth the fruite of a tree bud or grow by the labour or skill of man. Nay, hee planteth and wate∣reth, but God onely giues the fruite in due season. Right so it is not in man to doe that is good, but if he doe that is good, it is of God. Worke of himselfe he may, and to worke that which is euill hee is too proane of himselfe; but if he worke any thinke that is acceptable vnto God, it is wholly by the spirit of God. And why? That God may be all in all, and that he may haue the glorie of all.

Let this sufficiently warne vs to beware of them, and arme vs against them, that would perswade vs that wee are able of our selues to doe that is good, at least if wee be holpen by grace. If wee thinke, or will, or doe any thing that is good, whatsoeuer fruite of righteousnesse it is that is in vs, it is by Iesus Christ, not of our selues, for then we had wherein to reioyce in our selues, but on∣ly of his good pleasure, that by his good spirit worketh it in vs. This our Apostle telleth vs, and this wee learne from him, and if any man preach vnto vs, or teach vs o∣therwise then this that wee haue receaued, let him bee accursed.

Secondly, let this teach, vs vnto whome all praise is ••ue for whatsoeuer good is in vs. Whatsoeuer good is ••n vs, it is by Iesus Christ. So that our song is alwaies to ••e as the song of the Angels in the Apocalips, Praise, and honour, and glorie, and power be vnto him that sitteth vpon the ••hrone, and to the lambe for euermore. His name is to bee blessed, and the power of his spirit is to bee acknowled∣ged, in whatsoeuer good in whatsoeuer good worke is wrought in vs.

The last thing which here I note is, touching the end of good workes, which as they are by Iesus Christ, as the author and worker of them in vs, so they are to be done to the glorie and praise of his name. Whence I obserue, vnto what end our workes must be done if they be good, and that is vnto the glorie and praise of God. Ye know that of the Apostle, where hee saith, Whether yee eate, or drinke, or whatsoeuer ye doe, doe all to the glorie of God. As also that of our Sauiour, where he saith, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good workes, and glo∣rifie your father which is in heauen. And that of Peter, where he saith, Haue your conuersation honest amōg the Gen∣tiles, that they which speake euill of you, as of euill doers, may by your good workes which they shall see, glorifie God in the day of the visitation. By which, and many other places which might be alleaged to this purpose, it appeareth, that the end whereunto our workes (if they bee good) must bee referred, must be the glorie and praise of God that there∣by he may be glorified, both by vs, and by others which see our good workes.

Here then, first, we learne not to credite any that shall tell vs, that any action of any vnregenerate man can be good. For, what is the end of such men in their actions? Is it the praise and glorie of God? Nay, it is their owne praise, and the praise of men which they seeke after, in all the most glorious things that they doe. But hence wee learne that so our workes are good works, if they be by Iesus Christ, vnto the glorie and praise of God.

Secondly, hence we learne, that the end of our good workes is not to be, that thereby we may merite heauen but that thereby God may bee glorified. Nay, if our workes bee thereby to merite heauen, they cannot be to the glorie and praise of God. For how much so euer is giuen to merite, so much is taken from the glorie of God. Either therefore we must renounce all merite, or else whatsoeuer we say, our workes are not to the glorie of God.

Thirdly, this teacheth vs, whatsoeuer we doe, to do it to the honour and praise of God. Let this therefore bee our end in all that euer wee doe, that thereby God may be glorified: and let vs know that, so onely, that which we doe is good, if we do it to this end.

Notes

• Col. 1.9 10.
• Joh. 15 5.
• 8.
• Act. 9.36.
• Col. 1.10.
• Joh. 15.8.
• 5.
• Esay 61.3.
• Math. 9.
• vers 9.
• Tit. 1.15.
• Heb. 1••.6.
• 2 Cor. 3.5.
• 13.
• Apoc. 5.13.
• 1 Cor. 10.31.
• Matth. 5.16.
• 1 Pet. 2.12.