Philippians 3:14 – Richard Sibbes

[page 143 of volume 5]

I press towards the mark.

Behold an excellent description of a Christian course, borrowed from the exercise of running a race, being a manlike and commendable exercise, fitting men and enabling them for war. The very heathen herein condemns us, whose ordinary chief exercises, what are they but good company, as we call them, continual lying at taverns, to the impoverishing of our estates and weakening our bodies? The kind I condemn not, but the excess is such, as the heathen would be ashamed of; for which they shall even rise up in judgment against us, and condemn us.

But from the simile, we may gather thus much, that Christianity is a race. The beginning of this race is at the beginning of our conversion. It should begin at our baptism. The first thing we should know ought to be God. The race is the performance of good duties, concerning our general calling, and concerning our particular. For the length of our races, some are longer, some shorter, but the end of every man’s race is the end of his life. Some men’s ways are plainer, some rougher. The prize is fulness of joy. The lookers on are heaven, earth, and hell. God is the instituter of this race, and the rewarder. The helpers are Christ, good angels, and the church, which helps by prayer. The hinderers are the devil and his instruments, who hinder us by slanders, persecutions, and the like. For ground of this race in us, we are to know that man is created with understanding, directing him to do things to a good end and scope. Other creatures are carried to their end, as the shaft out of a bow, only man foreseeing his end, apprehends means thereto. His end is to receive reconciliation and union with God, to which he aims by doing some things, suffering others, and resisting others.

And this race is also ordered by laws; for every runner is not crowned. There is a running ill that shall never procure the prize. The laws hereof concern either preparation, or the action itself. For preparation.

1st Direct. First we are to know, that there is a dieting requisite. As those that ran in a race had a care hereof, to use such diet as did strengthen, not cloy, and such apparel as might cover them, not clog them; so ought it to be in our spiritual race, we must cast aside all heavy loads, every weight and sin which doth so easily beset us, as it is Hebrews 12:1. If God cast on us any place or riches, let us use them for a good end, but not make them our end; and therefore with them take up daily examination of ourselves, how we behave ourselves towards these worldly things. It were a madness in a runner, in his race, to take up a burden, and not to think it will be a sore trouble to him; and why do we not think thus in our spiritual race? Cast we off therefore original corruption, and the corruption of our place, time, and calling, which in time will grow unsupportable to us. Let us desire no more than God gives; and what afflictions God sends us, let us take, assuring ourselves they are for our good.

2d Direct. A second law is, to consider the ways that we are to run in, what dangers we are like to meet with. Forecast and resolve against the worst, and withal promise we ourselves God’s assured protection in our worst estate. The want of this is the seminary and ground of all apostasy; when men promise to themselves in Christianity such things as God never promised. Christ therefore promiseth and showeth the worst first. But the devil, to deceive us, keeps the worst out of our eyes, and shows a sort of vain delights and pleasures. But the sting of them, through his subtlety and craft, he suffers us to feel before we see it.

3d Direct. A third law is, that we enter the race betimes. It is the devil’s trick to put off the care of this, telling us we need not yet enter; we are but young, and have many years to live, as they did that hindered the building of the temple. But consider we the uncertainty of life, that we may die suddenly, and that it is just with God to take us away after that manner, if we neglect ourselves and him. And we must know also we shall lose no pleasure nor delight, but we shall find such sweet delights in those ways as we shall with St Augustine be grieved that we enjoyed them no sooner. And besides, those that begin betimes get a great advantage of others, and through continual custom come at length to a habit of religion.

In the next place, we are to take heed of hindrances of us in our preparation; as,

1st Hindrance. First of all, hope of long life, whereby we are besotted, thinking life and death is in our command, that we shall have time enough, and need not so soon enter upon good duties.

2d Hindrance. Secondly, A conceit that when we have once given up our names to Christ, that presently we lid adieu to all delight, mirth, and pleasure; when, alas! we are far deceived. God denies not pleasure to us, but will give us whatsoever is good for us. We shall delight and rejoice, but with a joy spiritual; and we shall see nothing in this world that may any way deserve our delight therein.

3d Hindrance. A third hindrance is a despair of ever going through this race. This settles upon some, strangely making them cast away all care, and desperately trust to Christ’s mercy. This made Cyprian to complain of his corruptions, saying they were bred and brought up with him; and therefore feared they would hardly give place to grace, being but a stranger. While men consider how great and powerful their corruption is, they with the Israelites despair of ever entering into the land of Canaan—these sons of Anak do so terrify them.

But consider we withal that God is above all our corruptions; that he can make of a lion a lamb; and that if we will trust upon him, in his time he will help us, and we shall overcome these giant-like corruptions. Christ he hath conquered them already; and though while we live we cannot wholly overcome them, yet David’s house shall grow stronger and stronger, and Saul’s house weaker, 2 Samuel 3:1. We shall have grace sufficient for us. God will sweeten religion to us, that we shall delight therein; and Christ will not lead us into temptation till he hath fitted us to it by his grace, and then we shall rejoice, as the apostles did, Acts 5:41, that we are accounted worthy to suffer.

Contrary to this humour, some think it so easy a matter to run this race, as they think they cannot be out of it or tired therein, whereas indeed they never yet set foot therein. Let such look to themselves if they be in this race, they shall find it no easy matter.

But thus much concerning rules or laws for preparation to this race. Now there are laws to be observed of those that are in the race; as,

Direct. 1. First, They must resolve to hold on, without discontinuance of their course of good duties; for some, by omitting good duties now and then upon slight occasions, do come, through God’s just sufferance, to leave them off and never take them up again; and thereby, while they are not getting ground by continuing their course, they do lose thereby. Even as watermen rowing against the stream, if they do not row, but rest never so little, the stream carries them back again, and they cannot recover themselves but with great difficulty; so it is in this Christian race. A little interruption of duty causes thrice so much pains to recover our former estate. Therefore we are to take up a holy resolution not to be interrupted in good duties.

2. The next law is, that we must look to gain ground still, to grow from grace to grace. It is the apostle’s aim still to grow better than himself. Contrary to this many forsake their first love. They think themselves wise, but are fools, such as the Lord will spew out of his mouth, as he threatens the Church of Laodicea, Revelation 3:16. And indeed the most men at the best are but civil; and do but provide for their own ease, and can endure any mixture of religion or company; and the ground of this coldness is a self-conceit, whereby men think well of themselves and their estate. Paul, he was of another spirit, ever pressing forward.

3. A third law is, that we do things with all our might; that we run this race with all our earnest endeavour. There is no bodily exercise that profiteth, but it must be with putting forth of our strength. So our Christian actions should shew even outwardly, that we do things as if we intended thereby to honour God indeed; and to this end we are to depend on God by prayer, that he would give us strength and minds to put forth our strength for gaining most honour to his Majesty, and this will bring great assurance and comfort to us in time of need.

4. A fourth rule is, that we are to run this race with a cheerful and speedy course. A dead performance of duties is no part of our race. Yea, as many go to hell by ill performance of good duties, as by committing sins that are scandalously evil; for this resting in the work done is the cause of hardness of heart, and thereby of despair; and at the best never brings any sound comfort at all to us. And therefore we are enjoined to do good duties, and to do them in a good manner. ‘Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of this bread, and drink of this cup,’ 1 Corinthians 11:28; and ‘so run that you may obtain,’ 1 Corinthians 9:24. It is no lingering. We know not how long we shall live, how soon we shall die; and therefore let us make haste to do our work before God takes away time from us, by taking us out of the world. And those especially are to look to this, that have lived long in their own courses, and are but lately reclaimed. They are much behind, and had need make haste. The journey is long, their time but short. And to this end look we not what we have done, and how far we have gone, but look what remains to be done, and know we have done nothing till we have done all.

Quest. But it will be asked, What! may we not think of duties that are past?

Ans. I answer, We may think of them by way of defence, and to give God the glory, and also to encourage us on, but not to rest or solace ourselves on them till we have done all.

Quest. But men may say, What, is there no pause? is there no Sabbath?

Ans. I answer, Yes, when we are dead. ‘Blessed are the dead in the Lord,’ Revelation 14:13. It is they that rest from their labours. Heaven is a sufficient reward for all the pains we can any way take here. Besides, the comforts that we have here are many, which none knows but them that enjoy them. And God hath promised the continual assistance of his blessed Spirit, that shall encourage us and lead us into all truth. Alas! what comfort have we of all that we have done, if we continue not, but sit down and take up our rests here? What good got they that came out of Egypt and died in the wilderness, it may be even in the border of the land of promise, yet never saw it? It will assuredly fall out with us as it did with them, if we harbour any infidelity in our hearts. We shall be cast out, that we shall never see this good land, the spiritual Canaan.

In the next place, take we heed of such hindrances as may make us either slack or intermit this race of ours.

1. As first, We must take heed of idle scruples and temptations. These are no other than as dust cast in the eyes of the runners, and as stones that gall their feet. Interpret them to be the subtleties of the devil, and therefore shake them off, and intend thy duty thou art about, and pray for wisdom to discern aright of things. Regard not the golden apples of the profits and pleasures of this life, that lie in thy way to divert thy steps,! and sweep off evermore the dirt of these worldly cares, which we gather in our race, and by little and little grow to clog us.

2. In the second place, Beware of sins against conscience. They take away joy, and make our hearts dead. There are many that seeing divers of their sins before them, concerning which they find no peace in themselves, are soon out of breath, and quite out of heart, and so by little and little run into despair, and without hope ever to attain the prize.

3. Thirdly, Take we heed of ill and dull company, that are cold in religion, that cannot away with good religious duties. For as it is in our ordinary travels, good company makes time and way pass away speedily and with comfort; so it is in this race, good and gracious company by exhortation and example do wonderfully encourage us; and ill company contrarily do dishearten us, dissuade us and clog us, and draw us back from every good duty we take in hand. But many men’s conceits are, they need not all this ado; they are well enough, though they be not thus holy; all cannot come to the high pitch of mortification. Surety there is hardly any beginning of grace in such who allow themselves in a dead course; for where the love of God is, it will constrain men to shew their thankful and loving hearts to him, in walking before the Lord with all their might.

4. In the fourth place, Take heed how we suffer our minds to wander in this race. Let us not look at the lookers on. The world and the devil and wicked men, pass not for their censures. We may assure ourselves before we enter this race we shall have no applause from them. Let a slow dull jade come by, like dogs, they let him pass, none regards; but if another comes by apace, every man runs barking and slandering and backbiting after him; and if they can they will bite too. Shall a man care for such as these? No. We must resolve beforehand to have the world, the devil, and all the enemies he can make to be against us. Let us, therefore, set our eyes only on him that has our reward in his hand, that observes us and is ready to crown us; and let us beg courage and strength from him, and spiritual wisdom how we should perform every action; with what intention or remission of heart and affection; how to sanctify his name in the performance of the duties of our callings; how to make every action, yea, our recreations, a furtherance in this our Christian race.

Secondly, Let us daily search and try our hearts and ways. See how we profit or go hack, how we grow like or unlike Christ; particularly, examine we how the pomp of the world seems to us, whether base or contemptible? If so, then the further we are run in this Christian race. For as in objects of sight, the further we are from them the less they seem to us, and the nearer we are to them they appear the greater, so it is in the object of our minds. Doth heaven appear full and beautiful to us? It is a sign we are near to it, and we are come a good way in our race. But contrarily, if it be mean and of no esteem or account, it is far from us; we are at the most but coming towards it.

Secondly, Examine what doth take up daily the powers of our souls and affections. Do we delight in the best things, and with Mary choose ‘the better part,’ which shall not he taken away from us? Luke 10:42. Or contrarily, are our delights here below, and our rest set up here? Then we have our reward here, and the prize is not prepared for us, but God will spew us out for our coldness. And, therefore, if we find coldness creeping on us, let us take heed of it. It is a dangerous estate. God cannot endure it. For while we allow of good things, but shew not intension of spirit in the performance of them, we do even judge them, and tell the world they be things not worthy of our pains and endeavours. Let us, therefore, not allow of this coldness, though it be in us, but strive against it. Meditate of such things as may inflame us, and pray against it.

For the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

‘I press forth.’ It is a word of vehemency, signifying to set forth his utmost bent and endeavour, both of the inward man and of the outward; and all is to heaven. So as a Christian’s aim is always to Jerusalem, his looks is that way; his tongue speaks the language thereof; his carriage will tell he seeks another city, Hebrews 11:14. But for these words, observe there is first a ‘prize.’ Secondly, ‘it is a prize of a calling.’ Thirdly, this calling is ‘high.’ Fourthly, this calling we have here in part.

Concerning this word ‘prize,’ it is a metaphor taken from the reward of victory gotten in some exercise. God hereby brings heaven down to us. Because we cannot go to it, he insinuates into our affections by pleasing things, and teaches faith by sense.

Use 1. And therefore, we must not rest in these borrowed words, but ever know that the thing that is described goes beyond the description by any earthly similitude.

Doct. From the thing observe that God hath reserved a happy estate for such Christians as are elected to run in this race, that are fitted to it, and that are preserved to it.

Use 2. And this should teach us to magnify God’s goodness; that whereas by nature death with his pale horse and hell should follow us, now the course is altered. A holy life in God’s commandments is given to us here, and then glory shall be heaped upon us. God hath begotten us to a lively hope, but hath passed by the angels, and left them without hope of recovery.

Doct. Secondly, observe this happy prize is to be given after running. God keeps this order to exercise his graces in us, that we might be a means to gain others, and that we might value happiness the more. If we did not suffer hero, we could not taste heaven so sweetly; after labour sleep and rest is sweet. And it is fitting that we should be followers of Christ, to fill up the measure of his sufferings. He did first run, and then was crowned. And this order we must keep if we mean ever to be with him.

Use. And let us he comforted herein, though the race he long and painful, yet there is an end. It will not continue for ever, and with the end there comes a prize. The world runs in a mass here and there; they have their reward, and their happiness will end soon; but a Christian’s happiness will never end.

Doct. In the next place observe, that it is expedient and useful to have an eye to this prize. It made Paul, and it will make us run cheerfully; and God tells us of it, to the end we may fix the eyes of our minds upon it, Colossians 3:23. Whatsoever we do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, knowing of the Lord we shall receive the reward of the inheritance.

Quest. But some may say, If it be an inheritance to us, how is it then propounded as a prize to us?

Ans. I answer, It is both a reward and an inheritance. It is an inheritance because it is given to adopted sons. It is a reward after labour, not for labour; so as running is the way to a crown, not the cause of it.

Quest. But the papists say, we have it by faith. Why then is it a prize or reward? Why or how can it be a prize or reward, and yet ours by belief?

Ans. I answer, Encouragement and this prize are not given to works, as works, but as works by faith; for by it we run and overcome all trials and troubles. Reward is due to perseverance, but perseverance cannot be without faith.

But for the matter ’in hand, I say it is expedient to look to the prize, that we be not carried away with temptations on the right hand or on the left; and therefore let us not look on them. Moses’s eye was so fixed on this prize, as he set light by all the pleasures of his life, Hebrews 11:25, 26. The eye of faith in a Christian is stronger than that of sense, yet let us take these cautions: First, that we know ourselves sons, and that we come to this prize by inheritance. And secondly, that we love not God so much for his goodness to us, as for that goodness which is in him. For a Christian aims first at God’s glory, then at his own good. And so he loves God for being goodness itself, then for being good to him. And yet a Christian in order comes first to see God’s goodness to him, and therefore loves him; and then he arises higher to the love of God, even for that he is goodness, and henceforth admires and adores his fulness, for else to love God because God loves us is mercenary.

Use 1. We are therefore to think of this happy estate; and as children, though at first we know not what belongs to inheritances and rewards, yet the elder we grow in Christianity, the more let us search into these things, and see what is laid up for us. It is an invaluable prize that will free us from all evil, of company, of enemies, of Satan’s annoyances, of hindrances, of sin, from all occasions without us and inclinations within us, from sickness of body and troubles of mind. It is a Sabbath after six days’ work. It is beyond all earthly crowns, The runners here envy not one another, nay, they help and further one another, and are glad of one another’s forwardness. All are heirs, all happy, all shall be crowned, and with an incorruptible crown, an inheritance that fadeth not, but is undefiled; and such an one as is kept for us, 1 Peter 1:4. It is not like the crowns of leaves that soon fade. No. We shall ever be in the presence of the Son of righteousness, where we shall have a continual spring.

Use 2. But to proceed in the next place: This is a prize of calling. We must be called to it. Who can take a calling on him, unless God calls him? And who can be enabled but those that he enables? This calling of his is the beginning of his golden chain of salvation. He calls us from a cursed estate to a happy communion; from death and bondage under the devil, to be kings and princes. And this is done by outward means, and inward work of the Spirit. This calling is a powerful calling, enabling them to come that are called.

And hereby we may try whether we have any title to heaven or not.

Sign 1. For, first, if we be effectually called, it supposeth we are chosen, called, and singled out from others of the world; and therefore all swearers, and those that are given to drunkenness and profaneness, they are not called nor singled; they remain as they were. For this singling out is the first part of the execution of God’s decree of election. And whom God calls, he qualifies. Princes they may call men to places, but they cannot qualify them. But God, when he calls Saul to be a king, he gives him a king’s heart; so if we he called to this heavenly kingdom, we shall have holy and kingly hearts and minds given us.

Sign 2. Secondly, Men’s tongues will shew what calling they are of in their discourse. A Christian will remember he is a Christian, and will walk worthy of his calling; and with Nehemiah he will reason, ‘Shall such a man as I do thus?’ Nehemiah 6:11; speak thus? think such vile sinful thoughts? And those that are not of this carriage shew no great religion in them. And just it is with God to give such over to a great measure in sin.

Sign 3. Thirdly, This calling is to glory; and therefore he that is called, he will think of heaven, and magnify and admire God’s goodness to him. What thing is man, Lord, that thou shouldst he mindful of him? and therefore those that admire the pomp and glory of this world, it is a sign their calling is worldly, and that they are called by the world.

Sign 4. Fourthly, If a man be called by God, he shall find a spiritual answering within himself to God’s call. If God say, ‘Thou art my son,’ the heart answereth, ‘Thou art my God.’ ‘Behold I come quickly,’ saith Christ; ‘Even so come, Lord .Jesus,’ saith the Christian heart. And therefore a rebellious disposition shows that God’s Spirit is not there.

Thirdly, This calling of ours is a high calling. It is from heaven to heaven. It is from a heavenly spirit, by spiritual means, to Christ in heaven, to saints, to spiritual employments and privileges.

Use 1. Hence, therefore, we may learn who are the greatest men. Sensual men think those in outward place the greatest men of all other. Alas! they are nothing to a prince of heaven. He is a spouse to Christ; shall judge all the world, and triumph over Satan. All other callings end in the dust with our bodies. Kings shall rise as peasants, and it may be in a worse estate than many of the meanest. There is no difference in death. All other callings are by men, from men to men, to earthly purposes. Let us make, therefore, a difference, and know whence our calling is, that we may be thankful; and whither it is, that we may be joyful.

Use 2. We may also, in the next place, hence gather, who are of the highest spirits. It is a Christian, and only he. He overlooks all these base things. His way, his mind, is ever upwards; and with Paul, he thinks all ‘dross and dung’ that is here. It is the disposition of the world to mind high matters. Here in religion are the true aspiring thoughts; as if men will be covetous of honour, here is the right honour, and these are the honourable persons. ‘Who honour me, I will honour,’ saith God. Only a Christian is partaker of his desire; other men desire high matters. God knows to what end, but they leave them in the dust. But when a Christian dies, he is then partaker of his desires in fulness.

Quest. But it will be questioned, Does a Christian ever know he is called?

Ans. I answer, Sometimes a Christian staggers a little, either being not an experienced Christian, or through sight of corruptions and temptations. But setting these aside, a Christian knows his calling, and will live by his rules. For it is not only a calling, but it works a disposition. And, therefore, if we find it not, attend we on the means of the gospel, which is called the kingdom of heaven, and it will bring us into a good estate, and shew us our estate also, which being once made known to us, we may assure ourselves it will remain with us for ever; which also may be gathered from this, that it is a high calling. For nothing can break any one link of that chain made by God, and demonstrated in the 8th of the Romans.

But to proceed. This is the calling of God; for by nature we are dead, and it can be none but God that revives the dead. God, together with the voice of his ministers, sends his quickening Spirit; giving ears to hear, and understandings to understand.

Again, We are not only dead, but in thraldom under the dent. It must needs be one that is stronger than this strong man, that must dispossess us of him. This calling is God’s calling in Christ, and that is first as our head. God looks on us as we are in him; and he elects us as in Christ. For from eternity he appointed so many to be members of Christ, as he meant to save. We are called and justified in Christ. He must be ours before his obedience be ours. We are sanctified in Christ. We must be in him as branches in the vine, partaking in the quickening; sap and juice of his grace; and when we are glorified, we must be glorified as being of his members. Then we are called by Christ, who is the author of this holy calling; and, lastly, we are called through Christ as our mediator. And thus chiefly is it meant here, not through works, as the papists will have it. No. Christ is the author and finisher of our faith, Hebrews 12:2. In him are we crowned, as the body is said to be crowned when the head is. Let us therefore cherish this communion with Christ by all means, for thereby we shall communicate with him of his fulness.