LECTURES, if EXPLANATORY AND PRACTICAL, EPISTLE OF ST PAUL PHILIPPIANS. INTENDED CHIEFLY FOR THE USE OF FAMILIES. MANTON EASTBURN, M. A , RECTOR OF THE CHURCH OF THE ASCEN8I0K, HEW \OV.K., NEW YORK: G. & C & H. CAR V [Li. M DCCC XXXJII. Entered according to the Act of Congress, m the year 1833, by G. & C. & H. CARVILL, in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the United States, for the Soutiiern District of New York. KI.BIOHT & VAN NOROEN, PKINl'. TO THE PA RISHf ONERS OF THE CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION, NEW YORK, THE FOLLOWING LECTURES, ORIOINALLy DELIVERED IN THEIR PRESENCE, ARE, WITH FERVENT PRAYERS FOR THEIR ETERHAI. WELFARE, INSCRIBED BV IHErR ArFKOTIONATE FRIKNn AND MINISTEK, THE A U T H O R P R E F A C E. The Lectures contained in this Volume were com- posed in the winter of 1829-30; and delivered, during the same period, on successive Sunday mornings, from the pulpit of Ascension Church, New York. The writer has been led to believe, that they might be found useful beyond the limited sphere of his own parochial cure ; and the reasons wiiich have induced him to offer them to the public, he would, in a few words, state. Notwithstanding the great variety of books in existence, designed for religious family readings it will, perhaps, be allowed, that more are yet to be desired. The object contemplated in such works is one of so useful a character, as to justify constant Vi PREFACE? additions to the number of those already in circu- lation. In one particular respect, the following pages may possibly be found convenient for domes- tic use. It is the custom with many, on the recur- ring occasions of Sunday evening family wor- ship, to take advantage of the greater leisure then enjoyed, by adding to the ordinary quantity of scriptural reading. In committing these Lectures to the press, no addition has been made to their original length, as delivered from the pulpit : by their brevity, therefore, they avoid a danger which should always be carefully guarded against, — that of fatiguing, instead of interesting, the assembled domestic circle; and thus defeating the grand object of spiritual edification. Whatever may be thought, however, of the suit- ableness of the present Volume to occasions like those referred to, the author has thought that he might serve the cause of Christ, by placing in the hands of the members of families a work, devoted to the practical illustration of the wo7'd of God. In this age of wild speculation on religious subjects, every attempt to lead the mind to that pure and PREFACE. VIJ undefiled fountain of truth, which is contained in the Bible, seems, whatever may be its merits in other respects, to be of itself a commendable endea- vor. As the object proposed, in the first delivery of these Lectures, was general usefulness, and as they are now published with the same design, the reader will find the present work to be wholly of a practical character. Criticism is made use of no further than was absolutely necessary, for the pur- pose of elucidating phraseology, or of unfolding tlie beauties of a passage in a more impressive aspect to the mind. In regard to that particular portion of Scripture, which forms the subject of these explanatory Lec- tures, it seems hardly necessary to speak. For tenderness, simplicity, and beauty, the Epistle to the Philippians stands preeminent. But, besides this, in the course of the four Chapters of which it is composed, it affords, to him who is illustrating it, an opportunity of enforcing not only all the fun- da,mental points of Christian faith, but also a great variety of precepts in relation to a believer's daily practice. Vlll PREFACE. While the writer is most ardently attached to that branch of the Church of Christ, with which he accounts it his happiness and privilege to be united, he believes, at the same time, that nothing will be found in the present Volume, to which all cannot cordially subscribe, who '^ love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity." He has kept constantly in view those distinguishing features of practical and experimental religion, in which all Christians agree ; and has thus rendered his work suitable for general circulation. He can only, in conclusion, commend this humble attempt to advance the Redeemer's kingdom, to the blessing of that divine Master, whom he has been called to serve in the ministry of the gospeL New York, May, 1833. CONTENTS LECTURE I. CHAPTER I. 1—0.— Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and dea- cons: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I tliank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now : Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will per- form it until the day of Jesus Christ. ------ page 1 LECTURE II. CHAPTER I. 7 — II. — Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart ; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are ])artakers of my grace. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment ; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto tne glory and praise of God, .... page 14 LECTURE III. CHAPTER I. 12— IS.— But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened imto me have fallen out ratiier unto the furtherance of the gospel ; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak tlie word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will. The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add afflic- tion to my bonds : But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then ? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached ; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. page 27 LECTURE IV, CHAPTER I. 19— 24.— For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and tlie sup])ly of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as'always, so now also, Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be bv life, or by death. For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the Hesh, this is the fruit of uiy labor: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ ; whicli is far better ; Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. P'lg^ 41 2 CONTENTS. LECTURE V. CHAPTER I. 25— 30.— And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith ; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ ; that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel ; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries : which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake ; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. .... P^ge 55 LECTURE VI. CHAPTER n. 1 — 4. — If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any com- fort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if an)' bowels and mercies. Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory ; but in lowli- ness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others, page 69 LECTURE VII. CHAPTER II. 5 — 11. — Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God : But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men : And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and liecame obedient imto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth ; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. page 82 LECTURE VIII. CHAPTER II. 12 — 16. — Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings : That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world ; Holding forth the word of hfe; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. .--..--.. page 96 LECTURE IX. CHAPTER II. 17 — 23. — Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and ser- vice of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timo- thcus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which arc Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that as a son with the father, he hath served with CONTENTS. XI me in the gospel. Him therefore I liope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. page 1 10 LECTURE X. CHAPTER II. 24—30. — But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death : but God had mercy on him ; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness ; and hold such in reputation. Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto deaths not regarding his life to supply your lack of service toward me. page 123 LECTURE XI. CHAPTER III. 1—3.— Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil-workers, beware of the concision. For we arc the circumcision, wliich worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. . . . - page 1 37 LECTURE XII. CHAPTER III. 4— 9.— Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more : Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews ; as touching the law, a Pharisee ; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church ; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless,and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord , for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them Ijut dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of tlie law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. page 151 LECTURE XIII. CHAPTER III. 10— 14.— That I may know him, and the power of his resur- rection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death ; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect : but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended : but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ... page 165 LECTURE XIV. CHAPTER III. 15 — 19. — Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded : and if any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, lot us n)ind the same thing. Brethren, be followers Xll CONTENTS together of me, and mark them which walk so as yo have us for an cnsam- plc. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ : Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) page 178 LECTURE XV. CHAPTER III. 20. 21. IV. 1—3.— For our conversation is in heaven ; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ; Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and ciown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I entreat thee also, true yoke-fellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow-labourers, whose names are in the book of life. . . . - . page 192 LECTURE XVI. CHAPTER IV. 4 — 9. — Rejoice in the Lord always : and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing ; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, what- soever things are honest, ivhatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things arc of good report ; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do : and the God of peace shall be with you. - - page 206 LECTURE XVII. CHAPTER IV. 10— 16.— But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again ; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound : every where, and in all things, 1 am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengthencth me. Not- withstanding, ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now, ye Philippians, know also, that in the beginning of the gospel when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. page 220 LECTU RE X VIII. CHAPTER IV, 17— 23.— Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound : I am full, hav- ing received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Cesar's household. The g-race of our Lord Jesus Christ be with yon all, Amen. page 234 LECTURE I. CHAPTER I. 1—6. Paul and T^motheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons : Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Always in every j^Tayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now ; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. When the Apostle began the composition of tliis letter to the believers of Philippi, he was under the influence of that most afTecting recollection, that he had been the instrument, under Providence, of their conversion " from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God." While St. Paul was at Troas, he beheld in the night, as we are informed in the sixteenth chapter of the Acts, the vision of a man of Mace- donia ; who, in a supplicating voice, cried, " Come over into Macedonia, and help us." The summons was immediately obeyed ; the gospel was proclaimed, in all its grace and ful- ness, to the inhabitants of that unenlightened region ; and among those who, at Philippi, were brought to a knowledge 2 LECTURES ON THE [LECT. I. of the way of life, we find the two instances of the jailer and of Lydia particularly recorded in history. It may well be sup- posed, that the Apostle ever afterwards looked upon this church which his own hands had planted, with feelings of peculiar tenderness and affection. The Philippians were his children in the Lord ; and the emotions with which the faithful minis- ter of Christ Jesus thinks of those, whom God has given him as the recompense of his labors, and the seals of his apostle- ship, are more clearly to be felt than described. It was with such associations that the mind of St. Paul was crowded, when, embracing the opportunity afforded by the departure of Epaphroditus from Rome to Philippi, he penned this inte- \ resting communication. The great Apostle Avas now in im- prisonment for the gospel of Christ. The Philippians, anxious to alleviate, as far as possible, the sufferings of their spiritual father, had sent the person just named, with a supply of mo- ney for his relief: and now that the messenger of their bounty was about to return, he determined to acknowledge their goodness ; to express his interest in their eternal welfare ; and to offer them such counsel and admonitions, as might, by the blessing of God, animate them to run with new faith and patience the " race that was set before them." The Epistle opens, according to the customary apostolic method, with an invocation of spiritual blessings.—" Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and dea- cons : Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ." You perceive that, in this com- mencing salutation, the name of Timothy is associated with that of the Apostle ; a circumstance which may seem strange. CHAP. I. 1-6.1 EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS. 3 when taken in connexion with the fact, that St. Paul was the single composer of this letter to the Philippian church. The reason, however, for this union will readily be seen, by turning to that portion of the Acts, which describes the first preaching of the gospel to the inhabitants of Philippi.* It appears, from the narrative there given, that Timothy was one of those who assisted the Apostle, in proclaiming in that city the glad tidings of salvation. It is also intimated, in another part of the apostolic history,t that he was one of St. Paul's com- panions on a subsequent visit to that same region ; so that the name of Timothy must have become endeared to these primitive converts, by many soothing and grateful recollec- tions of his personal ministry. It is on account of his former intimacy, therefore, with those beUevers to whom the Apostle was writing, that this excellent servant of Christ, now at Rome, was united with the author in these expressions of love and friendship. Their words of greeting are addressed not only to the Philippian Christians in general, but also, as you observe, to their " bishops," or, spiritual overseers, '' and deacons ;" who had, in all probability, merited this especial commemoration, by their activity in raising for the imprisoned Apostle the needful supplies. In regard to the form in which this opening benediction is expressed, it is precisely the same with that which is used in most of the other New Testament Epistles ; and for its beautiful simplicity, its affection, and the comprehensiveness of its meaning, it certainly deserves a passing consideration. " Grace be unto you ;" or, in other words, may the favor of God, and all the varied gifts and blessings of the gospel, be multiplied to you in rich abundance : * Acts, xvi. t AciSj XX. 4 LECTURES ON THE [LECT. 1. " and peace," that is, the divine contentment, happiness, and joy, which flow from a state of reconciliation with the Father — a sense of inward tranquillity — that rest of the believing heart, " which passeth all understanding." It is also worthy of your attention, that these spiritual privileges are described as pro- ceeding " from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ :" and the Apostle hereby points out, my brethren, the only source from which pardon and acceptance are derived to sinful and ruined man. The King of heaven bestows these benefits, singly through the atoning sacrifice and merits of his " dear Son ;" this Mediator is the exclusive channel by which they can descend ; and. apart from his precious death, there is no possession of the divine favor, and no covenant union with God as a pacified Parent and Friend. — And now, let me re- quest you, after this brief explanation of the Apostle's first salutatory verses, to bestow a moment's meditation upon the nature of that affectionate prayer which they contain. St. Paul, about to convey to his absent friends some expression of his regard, begins with an ardent wish and supplication in respect to them : and what are these blessings which he im- plores ? Does he ask the Author of all mercy to vouchsafe to them the temporal comforts of life ? Does he desire that their corn, and wine, and oil, may be increased? Such benefits he considered, undoubtedly, as having their proper value, upon the principle which he himself has, in another place, set forth ; that " every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving."* So im- measurably superior, however, he had learned to deem those eternal blessings, which the cross of the Redeemer had pur- ♦ I. Tim. iv. 4. CHAP. I. 1— C] EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS. 5 chased for men, that every thing of a merely earthly nature seems insignificant in his eye. He rises above the transitory privileges of« a present world ; he scarcely considers them as worth a petition ; and when he would invoke from heaven, upon these distant Philippians, the choicest of gifts, the en- joyment of God's favor through Christ presents itself as the single object to be valued and desired. Learn here, therefore, the true estimate of temporal possessions ; and be instructed, as you read the benediction, " Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ." The Apostle, having thus, according to his usual method, opened his communication with expressions of good-will and affection, proceeds to state to these Philippians the grati- tude and pleasure, with which he beheld their steadfast walk in the faith and holiness of the gospel. This interesting idea is contained in the third, fourth, and fifth verses ; and is thus expressed. "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day," that is, from the period of your conversion, " until now." By the expression " fellowship in the gospel," is to be understood the continued participation of the Philippian converts, from the time when they first became disciples, in the graces and heavenly character of the religion of Jesus: ac- cording to the use of the term by the same Apostle, in his First Epistle to the Corinthians, where he observes, '• God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord ;"* or, in other words, through whose infinite mercy ye were made partakers of that gospel of salvation, * I. Cor. i. 9. 6 LECTURES ON THE [LECT. I. of which our adorable fsaviour is the Author and the Finisher. The whole meaning, therefore, of St. Paul, in the verses before us, may be thus briefly stated. You never enter into my thoughts, my dearly beloved friends, without calling forth ascriptions of devoutest praise to the God of all mercy : and, as often as, bending my knees before the throne of grace, I offer up my petitions for your present and eternal welfare, I am overwhelmed with delight at the thought, that, through divine grace, you have thus far persevered in the way of life ; neither seduced by the corrupt opinions and principles of men — nor reverting to the idolatry from which you have escaped — nor abandoning the cross of the Lord Jesus amidst the vio- lence of persecution. — It is worthy of remark, my brethren, how frequently the Apostle, on other occasions, is found rejoic- ing at the increase of believers in the knowledge and prac- tice of the gospel. Thus, in his Epistle to the Romans, "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world."* And again in his letter to the Colossians, he declares, " We give thanks to God and the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints."t In this expression of his joy, however, at the spiritual walk and conversation of the Philippians, there is an unusual warmth of feeling ; and this arose from the touching circumstance, that they were bretlii-en to whom he had once preached, in his own person, the unsearchable riches of the kingdom. The in- spired Apostle, therefore, was gladdened at the spectacle of their faith and consistency, not merely from that anxiety which * Rom. i. 8. t Col. i. 3. 4. CHAP. I. 1— G.] EPI8TLE TO lllE PIULlPl'lAN!^. fj he felt, in general, for the everlasting salvation of men, but because they were his own children, begotten in the gospel of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Considered in this view, as the declaration of St. Paul's affectionate interest in the objects of his former ministry, the language now under consideration suggests one or two reflections, of an affecting and profitable character. And 1. Is there not something, my beloved hearers, cal- culated most powerfully to impress your hearts, in the view here exhibited of that solicitude, ivith which every faithful tninister of Christ watches the j)rogress of his spiritual fold 7 — Let me direct your attention, once more, to the repre- sentation of the Apostle before us. He hears of the mem- bers of this distant church, among whom he had once " gone preaching the kingdom of God,"* that they are still pressing onward to the mark, for the prize of their high calling. And what is the effect of these tidngs ? His heart overflows with gladness ; and, in the rapture of his emotions, he sends up- ward to heaven, whenever these children of his care cross his recollection, ejaculations of thankfulness and joy. Now the great Apostle of the Gentiles has furnished, in this state- ment of his own experience, an example of what all feel, who have been truly called by a gracious Providence to " the work of the ministry." The highest comfort and pleasuie which a faithful ambassador of Christ enjoys, is to observe that any of those among whom he labors are indeed " walking in truth ;"t and the spectacle of a people separated from the world, warmed with the love of Christ, and marching onward with undeviating step to a better country, fills him with emo- * Acts, XX. 25. 1 1. John, v. 4. A g LECTURES ON THE [LECT. I. tions which none of this world's objects ever can enkindle. Permit me, then, to present this truth to those within the con- gregation before me, " who profess and call themselves Chris- tians," as an incitement to perseverance in the hfe of God, and to higher attainments in holiness. Are there some among you, my friends and brethren, who, through divine grace, have for- saken the corruptions that are in the world ; and who, having been led by the mercies, and by the chastisements of Provi- dence, to Uve near to the Author of all peace and happiness, are humbly seeking to " walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing," to be " fruitful in every good work," and to " in- crease in the knowledge of God ?"* Let it be some encourage- ment to your future labors after a closer walk with the Lord, and a more entire consecration to his service, to reflect that he who watches for your souls, as one that must give account, is marking your steady career ; that he is in secret blessing the Fountain of all good, for those measures of grace to which you have as yet attained ; and, in prospect of your growing ripeness for heaven, daily " rejoices with joy unspeakable, and full of glory." The believer, it is true, proposes to himself the love and favor of God, as the grand stimulus to animate him on his pilgrimage ; but, notwithstanding this, we are warrant- ed, by the example of the Apostle before us, in holding it forth as a legitimate encouragement to his perseverance, that he beneath whose ministrations he is sitting, smiles with new joy, at every fresh accession of faith, and love and holiness, among those to whom he " publisheth salvation." There is another reflection suggested by the words of St. Paul now under consideration, upon which I may profitably, * Col. i. 10 CHAP. I. 1-6.] El'ISTLE TO THE PHiLII'PIAN?-". Q for a few moments, fix your thoughts. The Apostle, you perceive, while expressing to these believers of Philippi his in- terest in their welfare, makes incidental mention of the fact, that that church of his own planting formed one of the sub- jects of his constant 'prayers. Turn again to the inspired writer's language. " Always," he declares, " in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy :" and, while ex- hibiting this habitual remembrance before God of the people of his ministry, as a sample of the practice of every sincere shepherd, allow me to offer the circumstance to the medita- tion of those before me, who are Uving without an interest in that gospel of mercy, which is so repeatedly presented to their acceptance. My brethren, there are some amongst you who come, at the commencement of every successive week, within the sound of the message of salvation ; who hsten to its affec- tionate invitations : who hear its threatened judgments : and, after each of these appeals, go forth again to bury themselves in the pursuits of Ufe — to mingle in its engrossing pleasures — and, amidst visible things, to banish God and the Saviour from all influence over the heart, and from all place within the memory. To such " forgetful hearers,"* it may, perhaps, not be unprofitable to urge the impressive statement just presented ; and to say, that, amidst all your heedlessness of the way of life, and your devotion to those things whose end is death, there is one who bears you on his petitions to the throne of mercy ; who prays daily for your spiritual illumination ; who thinks, with sighs and tears, for those who, in the blindness of their imaghiatious, never think fur themselves. This in- dividual who thus implores in retirement for your salvation, * Juniea, i. 25. IQ LECTUKEiS ON TJIE [LECT. I. is he wliuj by the appointment of Providence, proclaims to you in public, within these sacred walls, the message of love ; and there is something in this consideration, so calculated to appeal to all the better feelings of the sinner's heart, that I cannot refrain from pressing it upon your contemplation. Where, among those that, in this sanctuary, statedly listen to the preached word, is the person who, unmindful of these truths, is given up in heart and practice to the vain pageantry of hfe? Be melted at the thought, that he who ministers to you in holy things is, with every day's succession, en- treating the Lord of heaven, that, of his mercy, he will turn you from these ensnaring idols, to serve the living and true God. Where is the attendant upon these means of grace, who, when he retires from them into the world, is led away by the absorbing quest of gain? Think of him, whose voice utters your name in secret before the Hearer of prayer ; and let the recollection lead you, through divine grace, to give your whole heart to Christ ; to embrace the gospel, and to bow, as a willing captive, to the obedience of the truth. Where is the profane despiser of those solemn representations, which are un- folded by the messengers of Jesus, and in the pages of his word ? My dear hearer, even you are not forgotten in our daily supplications ; we ask that your eyes may be opened, to see the wondrous things of the gospel ; and the tenderness of such a thought may, perhaps, one day, subdue your callous heart beneath the influences of the Spirit of God. Call to mind, amidst the cares and the frivolities of life, the fact, that he who invites you to Christ from this watch-tower of Sion, is petitioning for your rescue in the intercessions of the closet. Let it bring you to thought. Let it arrest your wandering _4 CHAP. I. 1-6.) EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS. J J Steps. Let it win you to that Fountain of living waters, whom you have been forsaking to hew out for yourselves " broken cisterns, that can hold no water."* After this kind expression of his thankfulness, for the spi- ritual attainments of these his children in the Lord, St. Paul proceeds, in the last verse of the portion under review, to state an additional reason for his grateful joy on their account. — It is derived from the humble, but firm persuasion, that the same grace which, in past days, had brought them to a knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, and had kept them thus far in the way of life, would carry them to the end in safety ; and would bless their earnest prayers after the faith and holi- ness of the gospel. "Being confident," the Apostle declares, " of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ," that is, until the termination of life ; for the Apostle here uses the period of the last judgment instead of the hour of death, from a desire, manifested in various other portions of his writings, to keep ever before the view that day of irreversible retribution for the wicked, and of signal triumph for the believer. The idea, then, which St. Paul intends to convey, in the declaration before us, is simply this : that, in view of the all-sufficient grace of the Redeemer, he felt cheered with the prospect of their future destiny ; that he could safely leave them in the guidance of Christ's sanctifying Spirit ; and was persuaded, that nothing would, or could be wanting, on the part of Him " from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do pro- ceed," to perfect their growth in grace, and fit them for his kingdom of glory. The words before us, therefore, are, as you * Jer. ii. 13. 12 LECTURES ON THE [LECT. I perceive, a lively tesdniony, such as all the true servants of the Lord Jesus delight to render, to that divine strength which is made perfect in the sinner's weakness: and, considered in this view, they are similar to that declaration of the same Apostle, in one of his epistles to Timothy, " For I know whom I have helieved ; and I am persuaded, that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."* Having thus explained the meaning of the Apostle's decla- ration, I cannot bring to a better conclusion the present liec- ture, than by fixing your minds upon the important truth here stated :*that it is the free, unmerited, and exclusive grace of God, which begins the renewed life of the Christian, carries it onward in its progress, and finally conducts it to " the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." My beloved brethren, it is to the last degree needful, that, in order to be kept in a state of humble gratitude, and self-renouncing dependence upon the strength of Jesus, you should have constantly in remembrance this salutary doctrine : for it is the tendency of the human mind to be continually losing the impression, and to turn inward for support and confidence upon its own beg- garly resources. Are there any, then, within these courts of the liOrd this morning, who, through mercy, have been led from the world and its courses into the paths of peace and happiness ? Acknowledge the power that has brought you hither; confess, with the full and entire feeling of the Apostle, "By the grace of God T am what I nm;"t and turn upward to the same heavenly fountain, and to this alone, for strength in days to come. Is there here present the solicitous inquirer after the way of life ; one who is walking in darkness, and * II. Tim. 1. 12. + I. Cor. xv. 10. CHAP. I. 1— G.J EPISTLE TO THE PHIUPPIANS. J3 can see no light ; and who, disappointed in his own impotent endeavors, is ready to faint under the struggle? My dear hearer, learn, first of all, the lesson here tauglit in God's holy word. Cease from all expectation in yourselves : look above, and there only: and with bended knees, and supplicating voice, put forth the cry, " Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me !" Such is the wholesome inference to be drawn from these words of inspiration. May the Lord give us all the grace to apply it ; and drive us to the footstool of .Tesus with the Apostle's exclamation, "Ijord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." 14 LECTURES ON THE LECTURE II. CHAPTER I. 7—11. Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart ; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the de fence and confirniatioii of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judg- ment ; That ye may approve things that are excellent ; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ ; Be- ing filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. The Apostle, having expressed to the Philippian beUevers, as you have aheady seen, his thankfulness for their spiritual at- tainments ; and the joy with which he thought of them, and offered up his petitions on their behalf at the throne of grace ; proceeds, in the portion now to be considered, to state his rea- son for this estimate of their character : to renew his profes- sions of regard : and, in addition to all this, to convey to them the assurance of his prayers for their growth " in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Let us follow the inspired writer through the interesting and in- structive verses, which are here presented for our consideration. EPISTLE TO THE PHIl.lPX'IANS. 15 After having declared to the PhUippians, in such uniesei ved and fervent language, his sense of the genuineness of their Christian profession, St. Paul adds very naturally, in the seventh verse, a brief view of the evidence they had afforded of their sin- cerity. He thus expresses himself. " Even as it is meet," or reasonable, " for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart ; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace." He intends, in these v^ords, to say, that those to whom he was writing stood deservedly high in his esteem, because they had endeared themselves to his affections by one irresisti- ble proof of their Christian love; namely, that, during all his trials for the gospel's sake, his imprisonment, his labors for the establishment of divine truth in the hearts of men, they had ever manifested a sympathetic interest in the difficulties of his ministerial course. This meaning of the language before us will be more clearly perceived, by attending, for a moment, to some of the terms used by the Apostle. He here speaks, you perceive, of his " bonds ;" referring evidently to the con- finement he was then enduring in the capital of the Roman empire. In addition to this affliction, he mentions his obsta- cles and hardships " in the defence and confirmation of the gospel ;" alluding to his public preaching of the doctrines of the cross, in the face of cavilling philosophers, and persecuting men in power. In respect to these two kinds of suffering, the maintenance of Christ's truth amidst enemies, and the loss of personal liberty, he declares that the members of the Phihp- pian church were "all partakers of his grace." The word *' grace " is used, in several place?, by St. Paul, in the sense of his office as a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, in 16 LECTURES ON THE [LECT. II. the Epistle to the Romans, he observes, "Nevertheless, bretliren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as put- ting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gen- tiles."* So, likewise, in the Epistle to the Ephesians, " Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearcha- ble riches of Christ."t When he declares, therefore, that of this his calling as an ambassador of heaven the Philippians were " partakers," he obviously means, that, by their anxiety respecting him when deprived of freedom, and their sympathy with his feelings while in the discharge of his arduous duties, they were actually sharers, in common with himself, of the numerous trials and discouragements of his ministerial office. It appears, then, that when the Apostle, in the verses to which your attention was invited in the last Lecture, exulted in the Christian graces of these fellow-disciples, it was not without reasonable grounds. Through the various griefs to which he had been exposed, their hearts had always been with him ; they had given him their daily prayers ; in all his afflic- tions for the conversion of souls, they had been equally af- flicted. Such was the spirit that distinguished these primitive converts ; and it seems proper here to pause, and hold up to your contemplation this delightful example of the ChristiaiCs sympathy ^ with the trials of God's tninistering servatiis. There cannot be imagined a more lovely feature of the be- liever's renewed character, than that affectionate interest with which he enters into the conflicts and labors of the appointed ♦ Rom. XV. 15. 16. * Eph. iii. 8. CHAP. I. 7— 11 ] EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS. ^ 17 heralds of salvation : and |>aiticulaily of him who, in the course of Providence, is his own spiritual guide to a world of immortality and glory. And yet, my brethren, if it is in this feeling that we perceive one of the necessary fruits of divine grace within the heart, how defective must we consider the re- ligious condition of a vast proportion of those, who name the name of Christ, sit in our sanctuaries as God's people, and, in profession, are invested with the character, and influenced by the views of Christians ! It is not that there is any want among the majority of professed believers, of that kindly soli- citude, which is ready to mourn with the Christian minister in his merely liuman sorrows. Of this active tenderness and friendship, there is as great an abundance now, as in the days of the suffering Apostle : but it is in respect of that higher and spiritual feeling, which follows the messenger of Christ through his path of daily discouragement — which sighs over his fruitless endeavors to win souls to Christ — and which, in view of these peculiar trials to which he is subjected, leads the Christian disciple to aid him with the secret and anxious co- operation of his wishes, and his prayers — it is by the absence of this species of sympathy among the assemblies of God's pro- fessing people, that he who preaches Jesus to a guilty world is made to feel that he is toiling in solitude ! " The minister who is placed over you in the Lord," observes the eloquent and pious Mr. Jay,* " has his trials as a man ; and he has his trials as a Christian ; and in addition to both these, he has trials peculiar to his office. Could he have foreseen all at the beginning, he would have been disheartened at the entrance. * Chiistian Contemplated, Lecture iv. Jg LKUTURE.S ON THE [I.ECT. II. Never successful according to his wislies, and sometimes appa- rently useless, he is often ready to lay down his commission at his Master's feet ; to say, ' I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain.' " My brethren, are there not some of you, who think not of these tilings ? who view the duties of the ministerial ofiice, precisely as you re- gard those of any ordinary and worldly avocation ? who never dream of the conflicts which we wage with the corrupt, and impenitent, and immovable heart? and are, in conse- quence, never led to offer up one petition on our behalf, to that Source of grace and strength which can alone give us the victory ? But if so, you are wanting in one of the cha- racteristic marks of Christ's real disciple. " Examine your- selves, whether ye be in the faith ; prove your own selves."* The inspired Apostle proceeds, in the next verse, merely to repeat, in another and stronger form, the assurance of his af- fection for these Christian brethren. He appeals to the great Searcher of hearts for the truth of his professions. " For God is my record," or rather, is my witness, " how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ." The term " bowels " here employed by St. Paul, to express his attach- ment to the Philippian believers, is one of frequent use in the Scriptures ; and signifies strong and ardent love. Thus Za- charias, in that song of his which is recorded by St. Luke,t speaks of " the tender mercy of our God," which, literally ren- dered, would be, " the bowels of mercy of our God." When the Apostle, then, says that he was drawn towards these brethren in the Lord, "in the bowels of Jesus Christ," he * II. Cor. xiii. 5. t Luke, i. 76. <'H\P. r. 7-11.] EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS. 19 means thereby, that he entertained a feeling in regard to them similar to that affection which our divine Master exhibited, for a guilty and ruined world. The whole verse, accordingly, has been thus aptly rendered by an eminent critic,* " For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the tender af- fections of Jesus Christ." I need not dwell upon the declara- tion before us any longer than by remarking, in how interest- ing a manner it exemplifies a Christian's love for those, who are united in the Ijonds of a common faith. You observe the universality of the Apostle's expression of regard. He felt an attachment to each and all of them, without exception ; and, however various they might be in rank, and intellectual cha- racter, and human attainments, looked upon them as one in the love and service of the Lord Jesus Christ. And such, my brethren, is the feeling of Christ's real disciples toward each other, in every age and clime. It is not to be expected, neither is it necessary, that the believer should feel equal emotions of friendship and regard, for all that love the Lord Jesus in sin- cerity. One servant of God is cultivated by education, and another is destitute of this superior refinement ; one is favored by Providence with many intellectual gifts, another has none of these interesting endowments ; and between these two per- sons it would be unreasonable to look for that extent of attach- ment, which can only be founded upon congeniality of mind, and the possession of equal advantages and blessings. Yet, notwithstanding, the Christian does experience, with re- spect to all his fellow-believers, a strong and peculiar species of affection. It is not so much a human, as a heavenly feel- ing : it is the tender love of brethren in Christ : it is the union * Wakefield's New Testament. / 20 LErniRES ON THE [I.ECT. II. of those who have been redeemed by the same precious blood ; who are gathered into the same fold ; who, at the table of a Sa- viour's commemorated death, "eat of the same spiritual meat, and drink of the same spiritual drink."* This yearning of the heart towards the possessors of like hopes, and of a common Master, is one of the indications of a divine renewal, by the power of the Holy Ghost. Let us all bear this truth in re- membrance ; and diligently inquire whether, with St. John, we can exclaim, " We know (hat we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren."! With this expression of love for his distant friends at Phi- lippi, St. Paul joins a fervent prayer for their increase in all the graces and attainments of the life of God. This desire of his soul is contained in the three remaining verses of the jwrtion under review : and is in exact harmony with the spirit which he manifests, on other occasions than the present. He always exhibits the religion of Christ as a principle, which when im- planted within the believer, should be continually carrying him onward to higher degrees of holiness. Thus, for the Christians of Colosse he prays, that they might be " fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of Go