NOTES.
(a) P. 42. — ' See what be is by bis diseases and sicknesses, say tbey of Calvin, who, as Beza writes of him, was much aflflicted that way.' Beza speaks very toucli- ingly of the last illness of the great Reformer, who, as another has observed, seemed to forget in his over-studioiisness that he had a body as well as a soul to care for.
(6) P. 49. — '" And hold sucli in reputation." Others read it, "make much of such."' The original is xce/ t-cuj TOiovTOug e\iTifj.ov; £%£'"£ = ' and such, e.ff., as Epaphrodi- tus, bold in honour.'
(c) P. 51. — ' Be therefore of Tbeodosius bis mind, value thyself according to thy measure in grace and assurance of salvation.' Many similar sayings are put into the mouth of this famous Emperor by the Puritans ; but it seems impossible to trace their authorities. Consult Long's exhaustive Memoir, sub voce, in Dr Smith's Dic- tionary of Greek and Eomau Biography and Mythology. G.
EXPOSITION OF PHILIPPIANS CHAPTER III.
EXPOSITION OF PHILIPPIANS CHAPTER III.
NOTE
For title-page, &c , see Note prefixed to 'The Christian Work,' ante, page 2. This concludes Sibbes's Expositions proper. G.
AN EXPOSITION
OF
THE THIRD CHAPTER OF THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO THE PHILIPPIANS.
Finalhj, 7ny brethren, rejoice in the Lord. — Philip. III. 1.
This cliapter contains a general exhortation to several duties. In this verse you have the manner of doing them — all must be done in rejoicing. From thence he proceeds to back other particular exhortations, with reasons and examples of himself, which we will speak of particularly when we come at them. Now in this verse I will speak first of the compellation, ' brethren ; ' then of the exhortation, ' rejoice ; ' and lastly, of the limitation, * in the Lord.'
1. The appellation, ' brethren.' By this loving compellation he labours to enter into their hearts and affections ; well knowing that exhortations are of the more force, being directed to those that are persuaded of the good affection of the speaker. If exhortation comes from the pride of a man, the pride of a man in the hearers will beat it back, and give entertainment thereunto.
But why are Christians brethren ?
First, They have the same beginning of life from the same Father: as also they have the same common brother, that is, Christ. They have the same womb, the church ; the same food, the word of God. They have the same promises ; they are all heirs, all born to an inheritance.
Furthermore, the word brother is a word of equality and of dignity : of equality — though in personal callings one is superior to other, yet this takes not away the common brotherhood. This should fill up the valleys of men's hearts dejected here, in regard of their mean estates ; as also pull down the mountains of the proud hearts of men, lifted up through these outward things. Kings must not lift up themselves in disdain of others, because all these personal respects end in death ; we carry them not to heaven. And in those respects that we agree in here, as in grace and goodness, we shall continue united for ever. And yet must we honour such as are in eminency, and acknowledge them as men worthy of all respect, and give them dignity according to their places.
But further, this is a name cf dignity. It argues that we are not basely
58 EXPOSITION OF
born, that wc are sons of God and huirs of heaven. Christ after his resur- rection, the hrst term he gives his disciples, ' Tell my brethren,' saith he, ' I go to my Father and their Father.'
This -word is also a word of love ; and therewith the apostle insinuates the affections of the Philippians. Examine therefore thy affections towards the sons of God. If we love and respect them as our own brethren, good is our estate ; if we hate them, our estate cannot be good.
And in the second place, Let not this word be appropriated to some, and not to others, which are notwithstanding of the same number. For one brother cannot make another no brother ; for it is one and the same Father that makes brethren. So long therefore as thou seest anything of Christ in any, break not off thy affection, and disdain not the name of brother to such ; for where the Spirit is, it works in us a resemblance of God ; and where it stamps his image, it makes them brethren.
2. Exhortation, * rejoice.' It is not only an affection, but a duty that we are enjoined. Wherein first observe,
(1.) It is a Christian'' s diitij to rejoice. It is commanded here. Ministers are enjoined to speak comfort to such, Isa. xl. 1, ' Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people ; ' and Christ came to ' bind up the broken in heart,' Isa. Ixi. 1, and the ministers sent to shew men their unrighteousness. Job xxxiii. 23. The spirit that is in such is the spirit of joy ; and therefore joy is reckoned as a fruit of the spirit. Gal. v. 22.
And why should not Christians rejoice ? They are free from the spiritual Egypt, from greatest miseries. Nay, why should not we sing as the Israelites did after their deliverance ? Our enemies and deliverance is far greater than theirs. And we have the greatest prerogatives. We have here an assured hope of eternal perfect happiness hereafter ; we have ' peace with God,' Kom. v. 1. AVe have free access in all our wants to the thi'one of grace ; and we have a God ready to hear all our prayers, and to help us. We have many gifts already received. Christ is already given us. We are in a state of regeneration. And for the time to come, we have promises from God, the God of truth, that nothing shall separate us from Christ. Surely these are great causes of joy in us; and having such things as these, we dishonour them, the giver of them, and ourselves and our pro- fession, if we rejoice not in them.