That when you see him ar/ain you may rejoice.
The Philippians hereby had a double cause of joy. First, sight of their pastor whom they loved. Seeing friends is more comfortable than all ways of hearing from them ; and the joys of heaven are commended to us by the beatifical vision we hear of these joys here. But when we see them, then is our joy accomplished. The second cause of joy was in this, that now they slaould see Epaphroditus, as given them anew and sent from God ; whose love, mercy, goodness, and power is more clearly seen in delivering men from danger than in preserving of men from falling into danger. It is more honour to God, and more comfort to men. For the Philippians received him as a token of God's love to them, and as an effect of their prayers. Let us take notice of the enlargement of God's love to u^ in delivering and enlarging any of our friends to us free from afflictions.
And I may he the less sorroirful.
The apostle was, and we must be sorrowful in this world ; but some- times more, sometimes less. For a Christian's estate is ever full of ebbs and floods. But of this I spake formerly.
YERSE 29.
lieceive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness.
Our apostle first entreats them generally * to receive him ; ' then he shews the manner, ' in the Lord with gladness ; ' thence he gi'ounds a general, ' make much of such.' But it may be urged — the apostle might have spared this exhortation, for no doubt but the Philippians being glad to see him would receive him. It is true ; but this is not all : they must
OF THE PBOVIDENCE OF GOD. 49
receive him in the Lord,' as a man of God ; as a man sent you from God ; as a messenger of Christ ; and receive him with a holy affection.
Doct. A Christian must do all things in the Lord : marry in the Lord ; love in the Lord ; sahite in the Lord. All matters, both of necessity and courtesy, must be in the Lord. A Christian must ' live in the Lord,' and he must ' die in the Lord.'
Reason. The reason is, for that a Christian in all looks to God. What- soever befalls him he receives, whatsoever he does, he does in the Lord, looking only to him, and depending on him. Carnal men contrarily do all things carnally : marries, loves, salutes carnally ; he lives carnally, dies carnally. But the Christian's life is ever to die and behold Christ in all things ; in all estates ; in all his thoughts, words, and deeds ; in life, in death. Let this acquaint us with the manner of a Christian's life and estate, and with the language of the Holy Ghost.
And hold such in reputation.
Others read it, ' make much of such' (i). The sense is the same with the former. ' Esteem of such as they are ; ' esteem of such ministers that are faithful as he is ; of such Christians as he is ; such excellent Christians as he. So as the words have a double reference, as to both his general and particular calling. For his particular calling of the ministry, see how he is formerly commended ; that he was painful* and careful, and neglected his own life. Ministers, if they be such, they must be had in repute and esteem. If they be not of the best sort, surely they are of the worst. Angels and good men, none better than the good ; none worse than them if they turn. But especially ministers, if they be not good, they are un- savoury as salt ; f neither good for.„the ground, nor yet for the dunghill.
Reason. The reason of this is, for by such as these ai'e God conveys greatest good to men. He builds by them, he plants by them. They are watchmen, husbandmen, they are God's labourers ; nay, they are his angels, discovering to the church the secrets of God's counsel. The}' are as Job saith, but as ' one among a thousand.' Such surely as these are worthy of all respects.
Obj. But it will be objected, they are ever opposite to us, they cross men.
Ans. Even then when tJiey are most opposite they are to he esteemed the more, for they are ' the light of the world.' Their office is to discover the works of darkness. They are husbandmen to break up the fallow grounds of our hearts ; and it is our part to embrace them in doing their duties. For it is a note of a wicked man to count such as these troublers. It was Ahab's speech to Elijah, 1 Kings xviii. 17. God's children loves them and reverences them when they are most sharp ; for they know that they themselves do want such reproofs to check their corruptions ; they wish their corruptions might be ripped up thoroughly. This is impossible that carnal men should allow of this. They have beloved sins. When they are met with they are touched to the quick, no marvel therefore if they repine. A true Christian will acknowledge and esteem the meanest part of them blessed and beautiful. The carnal man may esteem ministers indeed, but such as cry ' Peace, peace, when there is no peace,' Jer. vi. 14 ; and surely such a prophet is a fit pi'ophet for such a people. But let the true Christian love and reverence those that are 'the messengers of peace, and esteem of them by so much the more, by how much their degree in