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 XƲ.

PHILIP. I.

Verse 19. For I know that this shall turne to my saluation through your prayer, and by the helpe of the spirit of Iesus Christ.

20. As I feruently looke for and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all confidence as alwaies, so now Christ shall bee magnified in my bodie, whether it be by life or by death.

NOw followeth the latter part of the Apostles narration, wherein hee tells the Philippi∣ans, what successe he hoped his bands, and the practises of those brethren which ima∣gined mischiefe against him, should haue. And the summe of it is, that he certainely ••oped and knew that his bands, and all the practises of the ••icked against him should turne to his saluation, and to ••heir good and comfort by his comming againe vnto them; ••irst then, the Apostle setteth down the proposition or main ••oynt for his hope hereafter, in these words, For I know, &c. Secondly, he setteth downe the meanes whereby this shall ••ome to passe, namely, through the prayer of the Philippi∣ans, by the helpe of the spirit of Iesus Christ, and according ••o his owne faith and hope, in these words, Through your ••rayer, &c. And thirdly, he explicateth what saluatiō he ho∣peth for, and assureth himselfe of by these meanes; as first, the saluation of his soule, in that by these means he hopeth, ••hat in nothing he shall be ashamed, but that with all con¦fidence Christ shall be magnified in his bodie, whether it be by life or by death, in these words, That in nothing, &c. And secondly, the saluatiō, or deliuerance of his bodie out of prison, to their good & comfort, in vers. 25. & 26. For the

meaning in general thē of these words, it is as if the Apostle had thus said, they by preaching Christ, suppose to adde af∣fliction to my bands, that when Nero shall heare that so ma∣ny preach Christ, and that so much strife is among them; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as the chiefe man, and maintainer of that way, may either be forced to desist from preaching of Christ, and so bring a shame on my selfe, or else may be put to death. But I know that this which they practise against me, shall through your prayer, and by the helpe of Gods spirit, and according to my certaine expectation & hope, turne to my saluation, e∣uen to the saluation of my soule, because of my confident constancie in the defence of the Gospell, whether it bee by life, or by death, and to the saluation and deliuerance of my bodie out of prison, so that neither shall I bee put to shame for leauing the defence of the Gospell, nor put to death for standing in the defence of the Gospell. This I take to be the order and meaning of these words in generall. Now it wi•••• be needfull that yet a little more perticularly we sift and ex∣amine the meaning of them, For I know, &c.

These words, ye see, containe in them a reason of some∣thing that went before. Before the Apostle had said, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ be preached, whether it be vnder a pretence, or sin∣cerely, I therein ioy, yea, and will ioy. Will ioy? why? F•••• I know that this, &c. I know, how? euen by the reuelatiō of the spirit, and by warrant out of the word. What did he know. I know, saith he, that this, this? what? euen that this chaine wherewith I am bound, and this practise of some brethre•• in the Lord, to bring me to shame, by leauing the defence o•• the gospell, or to bring me to death if I stand in the defence of the Gospell. I know, saith he, that this shall turne to my sal∣uation. Now, what is meant by saluation, all doe not agree. Some thinke, hee meaneth thereby his bodily deliuerance out of prison, as the word is often vsed for a bodily deliue∣rance: as, where it is said of Moses, That he supposed that be brethren would haue vnderstood, that God by his hand would haue giuen thē deliuerance, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as here it is said, and ofte•• elsewhere. Others thinke hee meaneth the saluation of h••••

soule in the day of Christ, as the word is most of all vsed ••••t, I thinke the Apostle may be vnderstoode to speake of ••••th, whether we consider the opposition betweene 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, ••••d 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or the matter of the Philippians prayer. For, ••••at was the affliction which they supposed to adde vnto 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bands? Euen this, that he, as the chiefe, by the threats 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Nero, should be forced to leaue the defence of the gospel, ••his shame, and the hazard of his soule; or, if hee should ••••nd in the defence of the Gospell, should be deliuered vn∣•••• death. Now in opposition to this he saith, that whatsoe¦••••r they supposed hee knoweth, that this, euen this their ••••actise against his constancie, or his life, should turne to his ••••luation, euen the saluation of his soule, through his con∣••••ncie in the defence of the Gospell, so that in nothing hee ••ould be ashamed, &c. And likewise, to the saluation and ••eliuerance of his body out of prison, quite otherwise then ••••ey had intended. And againe, the Philippians prayer no ••oubt was for both these, euen that hee might abide con∣••••ant, so that in nothing he might be ashamed, and that hee ••ight be deliuered from the mouth of the Lyon. And for ••hese causes, I vnderstand saluation in this place both of ••oule and bodie, in such sort as hath beene said. I know that ••his shall turne to my saluation. How? by what meanes? first, ••hrough their prayer, praying for his constancie, and deli¦••arance. Secondly, By the helpe of the spirit of Iesus Christ, which should be giuen vnto his seruant to helpe him euery way against all practises. And thirdly, according to his fer∣••ent desire, for so the word is translated, or according to his ••arnest expectation and hope, whereof he should surely not ••e deceaued. I know, saith hee, that by these meanes, this ••hall turne to my saluation. How, to his saluation by these meanes? that is, in that thus it should come to passe, that in nothing pertaining to the defence of the Gospell he should bee ashamed, but that with all confidence and liberty to speake in the defence thereof, as alwaies; so now, where hee strengtheneth his hope by his experience, Christ should be magnified and honoured in his body, whether hee should

liue by preaching the gospell, or should die by sealing it with his bloud. Wherevpon he signifieth his owne indifferency to either, life, or death, and the conueniencie of his life in respect of them, and then he tells them how this shall turne to his saluation, in the deliuerance of his bodie out of pri∣son. And thus much for the opening of the meaning of these words in particular, which as yee see is somewhat in∣tricate and obscure. Now let vs see what notes we may ga∣ther hence for our farther vse and instruction.

The first thing which I note is in the maine proposition, in that the Apostle saith, that he knoweth that this casting of him into prison, and this practising against him being in prison, shall turne to his saluation, not onely of his bodie, by deliuerance out of prison; but of his soule because of his constancie in the defence of the Gospell. Whence I obserue, what fruit the godly may assure themselues shall follow vpon their sufferings and wrongs, euen their salua∣tion in the day of Christ Iesus. For though the Apostle might know this some other way then now the godly can, euen by the reuelation of the spirit, as no doubt he did know of his deliuerance out of prison, yet may the godly thus farre goe with the Apostle, and say, I know that my sufferings and wrongs shall turne to my saluation in the day of Christ Iesus. But how shall they know this, or assure themselues of this? Euen because the Holy Ghost hath said, that all things worke together for the best vnto them that loue God. In which place, amongst many other argu∣ments for the comfort of the godly against afflictions and troubles, he vseth this drawne from the prouidence of God, who so wisely ordereth and disposeth all things, that eue•• the crosses and afflictions of his children worke for the good of his children, euen their best good, their saluation. Be it then tribulation, persecution, famine, nakednes, sword, imprisonment, or what crosse soeuer that doe presse vs, we know that all things, euen all crosses and calamities worke together for the best vnto them that loue God; so that if we loue God, we neede not shrinke at all these, or any such

like, but certainely know that they shall turne to our salua∣••ion. More plaine it may be to this purpose will be thought ••hat of the Apostle, where he saith, that if we suffer with Christ we shall also be glorified with Christ: and againe, if we suffer with Christ, we shall also reigne with Christ. Where it i•• to be noted, that the Apostle saith, this is a sure word, this is a true saying, that if we suffer with him, we shall also reigne with him. This then is a promise of the Lord vnto his children that loue him, that if they suffer with him for his sake, and his Gospels, they shall also reigne with him, and be glorifi¦ed with him. So that either the godly must doubt of the Lord his promises, all which are yea and amen, most certaine and sure; or else the godly may assure themselues that their sufferings and their wrongs shall turne to their salua∣tion in the day of Christ Iesus. For what better assurance then that which is grounded on the Lords promise? Or what plainer promises can there be, then these of the Apo∣stle in these places, or rather of the Holy Ghost by the Apo∣stle? And therefore the Apostle saith in another place, that ••t is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them which trouble others, and to them that are troubled, rest, when the Lord Iesus shall shew himselfe from heauen with his mighty Angels, and shall come to be glorified in his Saints. It is a righ∣teous thing with God: righteous indeed for his iustice sake, to recompense tribulation to them that trouble others; and righteous for his promise sake, to recompense rest to them that are troubled. Because then God is righteous, and kee∣peth promise for euer, therfore the godly may assure them∣selues, that their sufferings and wrongs shall turne to their saluation in the day of Christ Iesus.

Here then is a notable consolation for all the godly in Christ Iesus against all crosses, persecutions, and troubles whatsoeuer. As Christ was to suffer many things, and so to enter into his kingdome; so the godly in Christ Iesus, are through many tribulations to enter into the kingdome of God. But the comfort is, that they shall all turne vnto their saluation in the day of Christ Iesus, when they shall be for

euer in the presence of the throne of God, and serue him day and night in his Temple, when they shall hunger no more, nor thirst any more, nor the sunne shall light on them, nor any heat; when he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them, and the Lambe which is in the middest of the throne shall gouerne them, and wipe all teares from their eyes, as the Lambe himselfe wit∣nesseth touching them that haue suffered tribulation, and wa∣shed their long robes in the bloud of the Lambe. The flesh I know will suggest and say, in the meane while our case is hard, no man with vs, euery mans hand against vs, we hun∣ger and thirst, we are reuiled and persecuted, we are cast into prison, and made the talke and wonder of the world, we are driuen to many hard shifts, and put to shreude plunges. But what of all this, when wee know that these shall turne to our saluation? Be they what they will, how great they will, how lasting they will, yet they are but light, and but for a moment, in respect of that farre most excellent and eternall weight of glory which they cause vnto vs, as our Apostle witnesseth, where he saith, that our light affliction which is but for a moment, causeth vnto vs a farre most excellent, and an eternall weight of glory. Here is the fruit and conse∣quent of our affliction, glory; our affliction causeth vnto vs glory: and here is both the smallnes and the shortnes of our affliction, in comparison of that glory which shall be reueiled; be it neuer so great and heauy, it is but small and light in comparison of that farre most excellent glory; be ••t neuer so long and lasting, it is but for a moment, in com∣parison of that eternall weight of glory laid vp for vs in the heauens. Howsoeuer therefore when we suffer any crosse, persecution, or trouble, these things for the time be grie∣uou•• & vnpleasant vnto vs, as no chastizing for the present see∣meth to be ioyous but greeuous, yet seeing they bring the quiet fruit of righteousnes vnto them that are thereby exercised, seeing they cause vnto vs a farre most excellent, and an eternall weight of glory; seeing they shall turne to our saluation, let vs be of good comfort, whatsoeuer in this kinde doth befall vs. And let vs, as the Apostle willeth, runne with patience the race

that is set before vs, looking vnto Iesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the ioy that was set before him endured the ••rosse, and despised the shame, and is set at the right hand of the ••hrone of God. And whatsoeuer our sufferings be, let it be with vs as it was with the Apostle, that with him we may say, as the sufferings of Christ abound in vs, so our consolation aboundeth through Christ.

Againe, here is a good ground and warrant for vs against ••hat vncomfortable doctrine of doubting of our saluation. For, if we may assure our selues that our sufferings and our wrongs shall turne to our saluation, then may wee assure our selues of our saluation. Yea but it will be said, what an argument and reason is this, Paul might, therefore wee may? I say, it is a good one, because vpon the same ground that he might, we may. Yea, but he might know this by the reuelation of the spirit, which now we are not to looke for. True: but he might also know this out of the holy scripture, where the Lord hath passed his promise for this, and so we may: & on the same promise whereon he might build his knowledge and assurance, on the same may we, and all the faithfull children of God build our knowledge and assurance, the promise being made vnto all that loue God, and are in Christ Iesus. Many doubts indeed we haue, and full of distrustfulnesse we are oftentimes euen the best of vs: but yet yee see that vpon good ground of Gods promise, by the example of our Apostle, we may assure our selues of our saluation, if as the Apostle did, so we doe be∣long vnto Christ Iesus, at least if we suffer persecution, and trouble for his sake; for so farre this place will go, that if we suffer persecution and trouble for Christ his sake, then we may assure our selues of our saluation, because we may assure our selues, that our sufferings and troubles shall turne to our saluation. Suffer not your selues therefore, to be de∣ceiued by those vncomfortable teachers of doubting, which teach that not any man, to whom it is not reuealed by the spirit in particular, can be sure of his saluation, but onely in an vncertaine hope. As this place doth shew, that such of

the godly as suffer persecution and trouble may assure themselues that their troubles shall turne to their saluation, and so consequently may assure themselues of their salua∣tion; so many other places doe euidently conuince, that so many as are in Christ Iesus, may and ought to assure them∣selues of their saluation. But I haue diuers times heretofore spoken of this point more at large. Let vs now therefore proceede.

If any man therefore here aske how and by what meanes it could come to passe, that this the Apostles imprisonment, and this practising against him in his imprisonment could turne to his saluation, himselfe in the next words shewes the meanes to be, the Philippians praier, the helpe of Gods spi∣rit, and his owne hearty and earnest expectation and hope, I know &c. through your praier &c. Of which three, two, namely their praier, and his hearty expectation and hope were indeede meanes, but the third, namely the spirit of Ie∣sus Christ was the author, which by and according to these meanes turned his sufferings and wrongs to his saluation. Howbeit in a generall signification of meanes, we may say, that hee knew that by and according to these meanes this that he suffered, & that they practised against him should turne to his saluation. Whence I obserue how according to the promise, the sufferings and wrongs of Gods children turne to their saluation, namely by the helpe of God•• spi∣rit, through the praier of the Church, according to the•• faith and hope that are troubled and afflicted. For through the praier of the Church, the spi••it of Iesus Christ which dwelt in him in all fulnesse is giuen vnto the godly to helpe them in their troubles, and he according to their faith and hope in him, if they put their trust in him, helpeth them, & turneth their sufferings and their wrongs vnto the best, as it is written, The Lord is neere to all that call vpon him, to all that call vpon him faithfully; the Lord is neere in the day of trouble to helpe, and to turne all to the best: but vnto whom is hee thus neere? Euen vnto them that call vpon him: what to all that call vpon him? Nay to all that call

vpon him in faith and in truth, beleeuing in him, and put∣••ing their trust in him. And that vnto such he is neere to ••uch purpose, euen through the praier of the Saints, and of ••he Church, may appeare by the storie of Peters imprison∣ment, who being in prison, and earnest praier being made of the Church vnto God for him, was deliuered by an An∣gell out of prison. Thus the Lord by his spirit worketh for his children through the praier of the Saints, and according to their faith and hope in him. So that thus we are to re∣solue, all afflictions and troubles worke for the best, and turne vnto saluation: but vnto whom? and how? vnto such as Paul, vnto the elect of God, the redeemed of Christ, the sanctified by Gods spirit, the members of Christ his Church, by the helpe of the spirit, through the ministery and praiers of the Church, and according to their faith and hope in Christ Iesus.

First then here can be no hope, nor shall be any helpe vnto such as either are out of the Church, or are in the Church, but not of the Church. For albeit such may haue sufferings and wrongs, yet shall they not turne to their sal∣uation. Neither can they turne vnto saluation, because they are not for Christ his sake or the Gospels, to which kinde onely the promise is made. Nay vnto such alients from the couenant of promise, their troubles in this life are but the beginnings of that fearefull iudgement which in flaming fire is reserued for them against that great day.

Secondly, hence we learne that euen vnto the godly in Christ Iesus, their sufferings and wrongs turne to their sal∣uation, not for any their merits, or through the vertue of their sufferings, but through the praiers of the Saints &c. If we thinke vpon merit, we may well thinke that our Apo∣stle might as well haue stood vpon merit, as the best that liue could: nay in sufferings and wrongs he was more a∣bundant then the best that liues is, as that place to the Co∣rinthians sheweth. Yet he stands not vpon them, but that his troubles turne to his saluation, he imputes it to the praier of the Church, & to the help of Gods spirit, according to the

faith and hope which God had wrought in him by his spi∣rit, and by his example teacheth vs so to doe. Nay, hee vt∣terly disclaimeth all merit of saluation by affliction, and by his example teacheth vs so to do, where he saith, I count that the afflictions of this present time are not worthie of the glorie which shall bee shewed vnto vs. Whence it is plaine, that be∣cause there is no proportion betweene the sufferings of this life, and the reward of eternall glorie, Therefore the suffe∣rings of this life, doe not merit the reward of eternall glory. Whatsoeuer therefore any merit-monger shall tell you, tou∣ching the merit of our sufferings, trust it not. For it is not for our merits by them that they turne to our saluation, but through your prayer, and by the helpe of the spirit of Iesus Christ.

Now, to speake somewhat more in perticular of the meanes. First, I note, that the Apostle saith, that he know∣eth that this shall turne to his saluation, through the Philip∣pians prayer. Whence I obserue the power and efficacie of the prayers of the Church, powred out for the afflicted members of Christ Iesus, which is, that through the pray∣ers of the Church their troubles turne to their saluation. The prayer of a righteous man, saith Iames, auaileth much, if it be feruent. Here is a condition requisite in prayer, if it bee powerfull with GOD, that it bee feruent, and pro∣ceede from an holie zeale: and beeing such, it a∣uaileth much, and hath great power with the Lord, as to saue the sicke, to stay, or to bring raine, &c. as it is in that place. Now, if the prayer of one righteous man bee of such power with the Lord, how much more the prayer of the Church? Againe, If yee abide in me, saith our Sauiour, and my words abide in you, aske what yee will, and it shall bee done vnto you. And againe, Whatsoeuer ye shal aske the father in my name, hee will giue it you. And againe, Whatsoeuer yee shall aske in prayer, if ye belieue, ye shall receaue it. From all which places I note, that the prayers which shall haue power with God; first, they must bee the prayers of the righteous, of them that are engraffed into Christ, of them in whome the

word of Christ dwelleth. And secondly, they must be fer∣••ent, they must be made in Christ his name, they must bee ••ade in faith: and then wee being such, and our prayers ••eing such, whatsoeuer we shall aske, be it for our selues, or ••e it for others, we shall receaue it. And if the prayers of e∣••ery such shall haue such power with God, much more shal ••he praiers of the Church haue such power with God. And ••herefore, ye see how often the Apostle requesteth the prai∣••rs of the Church for him, as Ephes. 6.18. Colossi. 4.3. ••. Thes. 3.1. And in his Epistle to Philemon, there hee pro∣••esseth as here he doth, that he trusteth through their pray∣••rs to be giuen vnto them by deliuerance out of his bands, ••herein commending himselfe to their prayers.

A good lesson for vs, to stirre vs vp vnto publique and priuate prayer, both for our selues, and for others, seeing they are so powerfull with God, as to bring his blessings and graces both vpon our selues, and vpon others. And this les∣son is as needfull as it is good, especially in this our day, wherein there is such neglect both of publique and priuate prayer vnto the Lord. Priuate praier so rare, that if it be v∣sed by any, it is noted by many, and they straight way cen∣sured, as thinking themselues more holy then other men. And publique prayer so little regarded by some, that verie seldome they are present with the congregation in publique prayer. I cannot stand of it. Only, I say, he that neglecteth the meanes vnto grace, he shall neuer finde grace.

Secondly, hence I obserue a dutie of the Church in pub∣lique prayer, which is, to pray for the afflicted members of Christ Iesu••: for the Apostle in saying, that he knew that this should turne to his saluation through their praiers, ther∣in stirreth them to pray for him. And see the points where∣in the Church is to commend them in their prayers vnto God. As first, that the Lord may turne their affliction and trouble to their saluation. Secondly, that hee will helpe them by his holy spirit in euerie needefull time of trouble. Thirdly, that they may so stand in the defence of the truth of Christ Iesus, that in nothing they may bee ashamed.

Fourthly, that the Lord will strentghen them with strong faith and hope in him. Fiftly, that Christ may be glorified in their body, whether it bee by life, or death. Thus the Church should pray, and thus the afflicted should desire the Church to pray.

Notes

• Act. 7.25.
• Rom. 8.19.
• Rom. 8.28.
• Rom. 8.7. 2 Tim 2.12.
• 2 Thess. 1.6.7.10.
• Apoc. 7.15.16
• 17
• 14.
• 2 Cor. 4.17.
• Heb. 12.1.
• 1.
• 2.
• 2 Cor. 1.5.
• Ps. 145.18.
• Act. 12.5.
• 2 Cor 11.
• Rom. 8.18.
• Iam. 5.16.
• Ioh. 15.7.
• 16.23.
• Mat. 21 22.