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 III.

PHILIP. 1. vers. 3.4.5.

I thanke my God hauing you in perfect memory. &c.

NOw giue me leaue, before I come to that which followeth, to note one thing far∣ther from the words already handled; and that is, the Apostles often vsing of the name of Iesus Christ in so few words. Out of the abundance of his heart his mouth spake, and still his mouth was filled with Iesus Christ, Iesus Christ, insomuch that three seuerall times still he ingeminates Iesus Christ, Paul and Timothie the seruants of Iesus Christ, to all the saints in Iesus Christ, grace

be with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Iesus Christ. Which argueth that his comfort was in him, that his loue was set on him, and that he was vn∣to him, as the spouse speaketh in the Canticles, the chie∣fest of ten thousand.* 1.1 Hence then I obserue a rule where∣by commonly to discerne what a man is, his speach commonly bewraieth what he is. The worldling his tongue is still talking of the world, the couetous man of his money, the voluptuous man of his pleasure, the proud man of his rich attire, the delicate man of his dainty fare, the pot-companion of his cups, and the like, commonly talke most of the things they like best; and by their talke commonly they may bee discerned what they are. And in this respect as it is with them that set their affections on things which are on earth, so is it with them that set their affections on the things which are aboue. They are still talking of the word of their saluation, of the commandements of the Lord, of the mercies of the Lord, and of the things that be∣long vnto their peace; as Dauid professeth of himselfe saying,* 1.2 My song shall be of mercy and iudgement: with my lips doe I speake of all the iudgements of thy mouth: I talke of thy commandments, and haue respect vnto thy waies: I will talke of thy worship ô Lord, thy glory, thy praise, and wondrous workes, my tongue shall be talking of thy righteous∣nesse all the day long, and I will tell of thy saluation from day to day. But of all other things their delight is, in their hearts to muse, and with their tongues to talke of Iesus Christ. Here their hearts dance for ioy, and the talking hereof is more sweet then hony and the hony-combe vnto their mouthes. Hereon they loue, as it were, to dwell, and their tongues can neuer be satisfied with talk∣ing on him. And why? here is their comfort, here is their hope, here is their loue, here is their crowne of reioy∣cing. Here is their protector in all dangers, their reconci∣ler vnto God, their mediator betweene God and them, their Sauiour from their sinnes, and he that is made of

God vnto them wisdome, and righteousnesse, and sanctification, and redemption. Here is he in whom are hid all the trea∣sures of wisdome and knowledge, of mercy and loue, in whom alone the father is well pleased. And therefore here as men rauisht with ioy, they cry, and cry againe, holy Iesus, sweet Iesus, blessed Iesus: euen as we see the spouse in the Canticles not to leaue her bridegroome Christ Iesus after once shee catch hold of him, but still cries, O fountaine of the gardens, O well of liuing waters,* 1.3 and of the springs of Lebanon My wellbeloued is white and rud∣dy, the chiefest of ten thousand. His head is as fine gold, his locks curled, and blacke as a rauen &c. ad vers. 17. Thus the children of God loue to talke of him whom their soule loueth, and thus commonly a man may discerne who are saints in Christ Iesus. Commonly I say, not euer∣more certainely. For if good speech, and holy talke, and crying Lord, Lord, and often vsing of the name of Iesus Christ were a perpetuall and certaine rule of a good Christian, the dissembling hypocrite would be as good a Christian as the best. And a hard matter it is not to be deceiued sometimes by the hypocrite. But commonly, I say, a mans speach bewraieth what he is, holy, or pro¦fane. The ground of which note is that saying of our Sauiour,* 1.4 that of the abundance of the heart the mouth spea∣keth: and otherwise we cannot iudge whereon the heart thinketh, but by that whereon the tongue runneth.

Hence then learne you, beloued, to make tryall vnto your selues, and to giue tryall vnto others, what yee are Your tongue and talke may tell your selues, and doe tell others, what yee are. What is it whereon your tongues loue most to talke, and wherein yee take most pleasure when yee talke? Is it on the things which are on earth? It may be a token vnto your selues and others that yee are earthly minded. Is it on the things which are aboue? It may be a token vnto your selues and others that your conversation is in heauen. If yee loue Christ Iesus, if yee take comfort in Christ Iesus, your tongues will be talking

of Iesus Christ, and your hearts will reioyce, when your tongues are talking of him. As therefore the Apostle exhorteth the Colossians, so doe I you, Let your speach be gracious alwaies,* 1.5 and powdred with salt. Let the mercies which yee haue in Christ Iesus be so sweet and comforta∣ble vnto you, that your hearts may delight alwaies to muse, and your tongues alwaies to talke of Christ Iesus. Let him be hid in your heart, let him breake out in your tongue, and let him reioyce both the heart and the tongue, that so yee may haue testimonie within your selues, and giue testimonie vnto others, that yee are Saints in Christ Iesus. Now proceede we to that which followeth.

I thanke my God] After the inscription and salutati∣on, now followeth the body of the Epistle it selfe: wherein the principall scope and drift of the Apostle is to confirme the Philippians in the truth wherein they stood, that they might not onely not decrease, but increase in all knowledge, and in all iudgement. In this exordium or beginning of his Epistle, which is from verse 3. to 12. to testifie his loue toward the Philippians, that so they might the rather hearken vnto him; 1. he signifieth his reioycing on their behalfe for the grace of God already bestowed on them. 2. he signifieth his assured hope of Gods farther mercy towards them in performing the good worke which he had begun in them. 3. he prayeth for their perseuerance, & increase in all knowledge and in all godlines. His reioycing on their behalfe he signifi∣eth, 1. in his giuing of thanks vnto God on their be∣halfe. 2. in remembring them in his prayers vnto God. 3. in praying for them with gladnesse. The grace of God already bestowed on them, for which he reioyced in their behalfe, is said to be, 1. their fellowship with other Churches in the gospell. 2. their perseuerance therein from the first day they had receiued the gospell, till now that he wrote vnto them. This is the generall resolution of these words.

Now for the more particular opening of the meaning of them, in that in the beginning of his Epistle, hee thanketh God on the Philippians behalfe, he obserueth his vsuall manner. For so he beginneth almost all his Epi∣stles, as anon we shall heare. In that he saith, that hee thanketh his God, he signifieth his bold, and neere ap∣proch vnto God in giuing thanks, and in praying vnto him. Againe, in that he saith, that he hath them in perfect memory alwaies in all his prayers for them all, he meaneth that as alwaies he thanketh God for them all, so alwaies in all his prayers vnto God he remembreth them. And he addeth that his prayers are alwaies powred out vnto God for them with great ioy and gladnesse of heart. Why? because, as he addeth the reason, of the fellowship which they had receiued in the Gospell. 1. Because they, as other Churches had receiued the gospell, and thereby had fel∣lowship with the Father, and with his sonne Iesus Christ; and because they had continued in the truth from the first day of their conuersion vnto Christ, by his ministery vntill now that he wrote vnto them. This was the cause of his thanksgiuing; and his continuall prayers, wherein he alwaies remembred them, were, that they might continue in that grace, euen in that fellowship which they had receiued in the gospell. It is then briefly as if the Apostle had thus said, I thanke my God alwaies on your behalfe, for that fellowship which you haue with the Father, and the Sonne, with vs, and with other Churches by embracing the Gospell, and for your perseuerance therein from the first day that I, and Silas, and Timotheus preached it vnto you vnto now, and alwaies in all my praiers vnto God I re∣member you, praying for you, with gladnes for the grace al∣ready granted you, that yee may continue and increase in that grace. This I take to be the meaning of these words.

The first thing then which here I note is, the Apostles beginning of his Epistle with thanksgiuing vnto God on the Philippians behalfe. And so he beginneth all his Epi∣stles with thanksgiuing vnto God on their behalfe to

whom he wrote, onely his Epistles to the Galatians, and to Titus, and the former to Timothy excepted. And so Peter beginneth his former Epistle. Whence I obserue, that thanksgiuing vnto God is a seruice principally re∣quisite in a Christian. I exhort, saith the Apostle, that first of all,* 1.6 or aboue all things supplications, prayers, inter∣cessions, and giuing of thanks be made for all men. And in the former to the Thess••lonians, he willeth in all things to ••iue thanks;* 1.7 for that this is the will of God in Christ Iesus. And not any sacrifice is more exactly commanded or described in Leuiticus then the sacrifice of thanksgiuing. Wherevpon,* 1.8 if we looke into the practise of the saints of God, we shall finde that they were neuer slacke in this seruice. Melchisedech after Abrahams victory slack∣ed not this seruice,* 1.9 but gaue thanks vnto the most high God which had deliuered his enemies into his hand. Moses also and the Israelites after their deliuerance from the Aegyptians,* 1.10 and out of the red sea, slacked not this seruice, but sung praises vnto the Lord. So did Debo∣rah, and Barak, and Iehoshaphat, and many others after their victories ouer their enemies. And how often doe we read that, as others of his seruants, so our blessed Sa∣uiour himselfe gaue thanks vnto his father? All which shew clearely how requisite this seruice of thanksgiuing vnto God is, if either we will hearken to the precepts and exhortations of the Holy Ghost, or doe as we haue the saints of God, and our blessed Sauiour for example.

What then? Doth the Lord neede the praises of man, or is he delighted with his giuing of thanks? No, the Lord needeth them not, neither is he delighted ther∣with so much for his owne sake. Yet doth hee require them of vs, and is delighted therewith for our sakes▪ for 1. in giuing of thanks vnto God, we acknowledge that to be from him, for which we giue him thanks. 2. In gi∣uing him thanks, we shew our selues well pleased and content with that spirituall grace or temporall blessing wherefore wee giue him thanks. 3. In giuing him

thanks, we returne what wee can vnto the Lord, with humble confession that we can no more, nor that but by grace. Lastly, in giuing of thanks vnto God, wee pro¦uoke him to bestow farther mercies vpon vs. All which things he requireth of vs, and liketh well in vs. And for these very reasons, besides the former, is thanksgiuing vnto God so requisite a seruice in a Christian.

Yet as requisite a seruice as it is, we faile asmuch in it as in any seruice. It may be, that being in perill, or perse∣cution, or sorrow, or neede, or sicknes, or other like ad∣uersitie we will make our requests knowne vnto God in prayer and supplication, as the occasions are publiquely or priuately. But when the Lord hath heard our pray¦ers, and gr••nted our requests; when he hath done more for vs then we could desire or thinke. What giuing o•• thanks is there vnto God either publiquely or priuately? For instance, now of late when the Lord opened the clouds of heauen, and threatned by raine to depriue vs of that blessing of the fruits of the earth, which he had shewed vnto vs in great plenty and abundance, then we powred out both publique and priuate prayers in our Churches and in our houses, that it would please the Lord to send vs such weather, whereby we might receiue the fruits of the earth in due season. But now that the Lord hath sent vs seasonable weather, and giuen vs good hope of reaping the fruits of the earth in due sea∣son, in what Congregations publiquely, in what house•• priuately is the voice of praise and thanksgiuing heard? I instance onely in this; but as it is in this, so is it in other things Not one of ten that sings the song of praise and thanksgiuing after benefits receiued: it is too harsh a note, we cannot tune it: all, or the most part of vs being liker vnto those nine Lepers that neuer returned backe to giue God praise, then vnto the stranger that returned.* 1.11 Beloued, by vnthankfulnesse we prouoke Gods wrath▪ against vs asmuch as by any sinne; and therefore Paul reckons it vp amongst the most heynous sinnes:* 1.12 but the

sacrifice of thanksgiuing is as pleasant and acceptable vnto God as is any sacrifice; and therefore by Dauid the Lord saith,* 1.13 who so offereth me thanks and praise he ho∣noreth me, euen with most excellent honor. Let vs therefore clense our selues from this sinne of vnthank∣fullnesse,* 1.14 and let, as the Apostle exhorteth, our requests be shewed vnto God in prayer and supplication, with giuing of thanks. The fouler that the sinne of vnthankfulnesse is, let vs the more detest it: and the more requisite that thanksgiuing vnto God is, let vs the more abound there∣in. Let vs follow the counsell of the Apostle, and walke in Christ Iesus, rooted and built in him, and stablished in the faith,* 1.15 as we haue been taught, abounding therein with thanks∣giuing.

The second thing which here I note is, the cause of the Apostles thanksgiuing vnto God, which is, because of the fellowship which they had in the gospell from the first day vntill then; 1. because they as other Churches had receiued the gospell, whereby they had fellowship with the Father, and the Sonne, and because they had continued in the truth from the first day of their conuer∣sion vnto Christ by the worke of his ministerie vnto now that he wrote vnto them. Whence I obserue a principall matter of our thanksgiuing vnto God, a principall cause why we should, vpon the blessing bestowed vpon vs, giue thanks vnto God for it. In all things indeed is matter of our thanksgiuing vnto God. for euery good giuing and euery perfit gift is from aboue,* 1.16 and commeth downe from the father of lights &c. He created vs, formed vs, and made vs, and that in his owne image, in him we liue, moue, and haue our being; he giueth health, wealth, peace, liberty, foode, rayment, he sendeth raine from heauen, and fruitfull seasons, deliuereth in all dangers, comforteth in all trou∣bles, helpeth in all needs, blesseth the worke of our hands, and filleth vs with plenteousnesse of all good things. And for all these we should, and haue great cause from day to day to tell out his praises with gladnes, and

to offer vnto him the sacrifice of praise & thanksgiuing. But yet is a more principall matter behind, which is the fellowship which wee haue with other reformed Chur∣ches in the gospell of Iesus Christ, and the continuance thereof so long time amongst vs, the preaching of the word of our saluation amongst vs, and the blessed in∣crease thereof vnder a most gracious gouernment. Here is indeed principall cause of reioycing, and thanksgiuing. for by our fellowship which we haue with other Chur∣ches in the gospell, we haue fellowship with the Father, and with his sonne Iesus Christ, as Iohn witnesseth, saying, that which we haue seene and heard, to wit the gospell,* 1.17 de∣clare we vnto you, that yee may also haue fellowship with vs, and that our fellowship also may be with the Father, and with his sonne Iesus Christ. By our fellowship in the gospell, we are called out of darknes into his marueilous light, and we which in time past were not a people are now the people of God,* 1.18 and we which in time past were not vnder mercy haue now obteined mercy, as Peter witnesseth. By our fellowship in the gospell, we are borne againe not of mortall seede,* 1.19 but of immortall, and are begotten vnto a liuely hope in Christ Iesus, as the same Peter witnesseth. And by our fellow∣ship in the gospell,* 1.20 we are made wise vnto saluation through the faith which we haue in Christ Iesus, as witnesseth our Apostle. O blessed fellowship in the gospell, whereby we are made wise vnto saluation, whereby we are regene∣rate, and begotten vnto a liuely hope in Christ Iesus, whereby we are called out of darknes into light, and of no people made the people of God, and whereby wee haue fellowship with Christ Iesus, which is the great end of the ministery of the gospell, that we may haue fel∣lowship with him, and walke in the light as he is in the light. Againe, the continuance of our fellowship in the gospell from the first day of her Maiesties most gracious go∣uernment ouer vs vnto now, our pereseuerance in the truth without being remoued away vnto another gos∣pell, which is not another gospell, saue that there be some

which trouble you, and intrude to peruert the gospell of Christ, what a principall blessing is this of our good God vnto vs? Surely these are such blessings, as may well make vs breake out into exclamation with Dauid, and say,* 1.21 What shall I render vnto the Lord for these his great mercies towards me? I will receiue the cup of saluation, and call vpon the name of the Lord. I will offer a sacrifice of thanks-giuing, & will call vpon the name of the Lord. This was Dauids resolution vpon deliuerance from dangers by Saul, and much more vpon such blessings as these haue we iust cause of such resolution, God being princi∣pally in this soft and still voice of the gospell.

Haue we then such principall cause of thanksgiuing vnto our God for the fellowship which wee haue with other Churches in the gospell, and for the continuance of this fellowship from the first day vnto now, euen these forty yeares? This then 1. should teach vs, wil∣lingly and gladly to embrace the gospell of Iesus Christ, when it is brought vnto vs. For if there be such cause of thanksgiuing vnto God for it being had, then surely is there great cause of gladly embracing it, when it may be had. And yet what dullnesse, and slacknes, and cold∣nes herein? In this congregation how is it embraced? I beare you record some of you, that yee doe embrace it willingly and gladly, and I assure my selfe that from your hearts you thanke your God for it. But others there are that seldome or neuer come vnto the hearing of it; others that when they should heare it turne their backs, and depart away from the hearing of it; others that heare it sleepingly, or coldly, so that either it enters not in, or quickly after is choked by the cares of this world. Do these thanke God for the fellowship which they haue with others in the gospell? Nay they haue none, and some of them will haue no fellowship with others there∣in: and therefore vnlesse at length they take hold of the grace that is offered them, they shall haue no fellowship with the Father, or with Iesus Christ his sonne. As for

you, beloued, that gladly embrace the gospell of your saluation, hold on your good course, thirst after it as the Hart doth after the water brooks, frequent the places where yee may heare it, lay it vp in your hearts, that yee may not sinne against the Lord, and let your mouthes be euer filled with praises & thanksgiuing to God for it.

Secondly, this should teach vs to labour by all holy meanes to continue in the grace, and in the truth where∣in we stand vnto the end. For if it should so principally cause in vs thanksgiuing vnto God, then should it also worke in vs all holy desire and labour, to be daily more and more stablished and strengthned in the truth of Christ Iesus, and in our fellowship with other Churches in the gospell. And yet how wauering are we many of vs, and how quickly caried about with euery winde of doctrine by the deceit of men, and with craftinesse whereby they lay in waite to deceiue? If a runnagate Se∣minarie that compasseth sea and land to make one of his profession, and when he is made, makes him twofold more the childe of hell then he himselfe is, a sworne-vassall to that man of sinne, a disloyall traitor to his Prince, an vnnaturall enemy to his country, if such a one I say, shall with fained words creepe into secret cor∣ners amongst vs, and glosingly slander the truth of the gospell of Iesus Christ, and set abroche his owne dam∣nable heresies, how quickly doe we listen vnto them, and are led captiue by them? Howsoeuer it be with vs, it is thus in too too many places. But, beloued, let vs know that whosoeuer transgresseth and abideth not in the do∣ctrine of Christ hath not God.* 1.22 He that continueth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Sonne. If there come any vnto you, and bring not this doctrine,* 1.23 receiue him not to house, neither bid him, God speede. I know they will tell you they bring the doctrine of Christ vnto you; but doe yee as the men of Beraea did,* 1.24 which are much commended for so doing, examine it by the scriptures, and search whether it be so, and yee shall finde it to be

the doctrine of deuills,* 1.25 as the Apostle speaketh, and as euen by that place it will appeare to be. Wherefore, beloued brethren, as now yee haue fellowship with other Chur∣ches in the gospell of Iesus Christ, so continue therein: Let nothing bee able to remoue you from the truth wherein yee stand, but hold fast your good profession vnto the end.

The third thing which here I note is, the Apostles bold, and neere, and ioyfull approch vnto God in his thanksgiuing vnto God, in that he saith, I thanke my God. Whence I obserue the manner of our thanksgiuing vnto God, how we should offer our sacrifice of thanksgiuing vnto him: And that is, 1. with such assurance of Gods loue in his mercies towards vs, as that in our thanksgi∣uing for them we dare boldly as sonnes say, I thanke my God. for so shall our sacrifice of thanksgiuing be accep¦table vnto God, if vpon assurance of his loue we boldly powre out our soules in praise vnto him. And therefore the Apostle to the Hebrewes exhorteth,* 1.26 saying, Let vs go boldly vnto the throne of grace, be it in prayer, or in thanks∣giuing, Let vs goe boldly vnto the throne of grace, praying and giuing thanks vnto God through Iesus Christ our Lord. 2. Our thanksgiuing should be offered with such willing∣nesse and cheerefullnesse from our hearts vnto God, that we might say, I thanke my God. So our Apostle in an other place,* 1.27 I thanke my God, I spake languages more then yee all. How cheerefully he openeth his mouth in praise of his God. And so shall our thanksgiuing be pleasing vnto God, if we offer it from the heart cheerefully; for he loueth a cheerefull giuer, as of almes vnto the poore Saints, so of thanks vnto his name. And how can I goe vnto him with greater cheerefullnesse and thanke him, then when I go vnto him as to my God, and say, I thanke my God? 3. Our thanksgiuing vnto God should be of∣fered vp with such soule-melting passion and affection, that as if we had greater feeling experience in our soules of his goodnes then others, and would be neerer him

then others, we should say, I thanke my God. for such the Lord loueth best as presse the neerest vnto him, and then the sacrifice of praise pleaseth most where the soule is tied the closest vnto his God. These are the things in which the manner how we should offer vp our sacri∣fice of thanksgiuing consisteth, namely in faith and full assurance of Gods loue towards vs, with all willingnesse and cheerefulnesse from our hearts, and with a soule-rauisht affection, as of a more then ordinarie feeling-experience of Gods goodnes towards vs. And this manner I take it may bee obserued from this that the Apostle saith, I thanke my God.

Here then that cold and cursorie forme of thanksgi∣uing which commonly is vsed is vtterly condemned▪ For what doe wee when the Lord hath remembred vs in mercy, and done great things for vs? I doubt not but there are who in their hearts cheerefully, and with their mouthes ioyfully say with the Prophet, thou art my God,* 1.28 and I will thanke thee, thou art my God, and I will praise thee. But a great many of vs like vnto horses and mules which haue no vnderstanding either remember not, or regard not to giue God thanks. A man may see it daily in many of vs, that we come from our beds, and from our meales, as dogs from their kennels, and oxen from their stalls. Others of vs haue certaine words of course, as to say, God be blessed, God be thanked, I praise God, I thanke God, which being good words in themselues, yet are so coldly and cursorily vttered by vs, as that a man may well see they haue their beginning in the lips, and their ending in the ayre, but neuer pierce the heauens. But beloued, if we will haue our voice of thanksgiuing to breake tho∣row the clouds, & to come vnto the highest, we must vse Maries magnificat, and say, My soule doth magnifie the Lord, and my spirit reioyceth in God my Sauiour.* 1.29 As therfore it becommeth vs to be thankfull, so let vs remember in faith and full assurance of Gods loue towards vs to powre out our soules in thanksgiuing vnto him, that so our sa∣crif•••••• may be acceptable vnto him.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cant. 5.10.
• * 1.2

  Ps. 101.1.119.13.15.145 5.35.28.
• * 1.3

  Cant. 4.15.5.10.11.
• * 1.4

  Mat. 12.34.
• * 1.5

  Col. 4.6.
• * 1.6

  1 Tim. 2.1.
• * 1.7

  1 Thess 5.18.
• * 1.8

  Leuit. 7.12.
• * 1.9

  Gen. 14.20.
• * 1.10

  Exod. 15.1.
• * 1.11

  Luc. 17.18.
• * 1.12

  2 Tim. 3.2.
• * 1.13

  Psal. 50.23.
• * 1.14

  Phil. 4.6.
• * 1.15

  Col. 2.6, 7.
• * 1.16

  Jam. 1.17.
• * 1.17

  1 Joh. 1.3.
• * 1.18

  1 Pet. 2.9, 10.
• * 1.19

  1 Pet. 1.3.23.
• * 1.20

  2 Tim. 3.15.
• * 1.21

  Psal. 116.12, 13, 17.
• * 1.22

  2 Ioh. 9.
• * 1.23

  10.
• * 1.24

  Act. 17.11.
• * 1.25

  1 Tim. 4.1.
• * 1.26

  Heb. 4 16.
• * 1.27

  1 Cor. 14.18.
• * 1.28

  Psal. 118.28.
• * 1.29

  Luc. 1.46.