Matthew Poole and continuators on Philippians 3:16

16 Nevertheless whereto we have already attained , let us walk by the same rule , let us mind the same thing .

However let us, or we ought to walk in obedience to Christ, love to him and each other, according to the light we have already received, trusting he would make known his mind more clearly to us; our using the light we have well, is the ready way to have more: it behoves us then to live suitably to that degree of the knowledge of Christ we have attain'd, 1 Ioh. 2, 3, 4, 5. but still within our lines with regard to the same rule.

Whether in this Metaphorical allusion the Apostle do borrow his phrase from Architects, Souldiers, or Racers, is not much material. Be sure he had an Eye to that same rule was well known to them, and by which he regulated himself, and therefore it was such a Canon as really had a divine stamp upon it, that very Canon in exact conformity whereunto, God's Israel might be sure of the best peace, Gal. 6.16. Phil. 4.7. The unerring word of God exemplified, in the condescending love of Christ, whom he had proposs'd to their imitation in whom he was found, and the fellowship of whose sufferings, he desired to know more perfectly being heavenly minded, in opposition to those who became enemies to his Cross, v. 19, 20. with Gal. 6.14, 15. The rule of Faith, love, and a Christian life, or heavenly Conversation, which he doth elsewhere call a walking in the spirit, and according to the Spirit in opposition to walking in and after the flesh, Rom. 8.1, 5. Gal. 5.16.

In like manner all of us who are spiritual, grown Christians, should be so affected, being of one accord, one mind, and one judgment in imitation of Christ, so far that the adult, or better grown Christians, should not despise the weak or less grown, neither should they judge the adult, but in the fundamental Articles, those main principles of the Christian institution wherein we all agree, in that common Salvation towards which we all press, agreeable to the Analogy of faith, we should still be perfecting holiness in the fear of God, by the same rule of faith, and loving and mutual condescension, by the unity of our judgments in the main business of Religion, the concord of our affections, the concurrence of our ends, our consent and delight in the same truth: we should declare to the Church of God, in our differences Christ is not divided, but in the variety of perswasions in lesser matters (not fundamental) the purity, holiness and peace of the Church is still preserved, c. 2.14. The main principles attain'd wherein dissenting parties agree, being the measure of all other doctrines, to hold nothing inconsistent with the Majesty or truth of the foundation, to walk circumspectly, and in order, according to that wherein is an harmony, not to break our rank, or leave our station contrary to received prescripts, wherein every Christian is to ex[illegible: 1 letter]cerise a judgment of discerning for himself, Rom. 14.23. and not impose on each other (as that sort of Christian-Iews who did compell the Christian-Gentiles, Gal. 2.14, 15, &c.) superadding no preter-Evangelical Doctrine, Gal. 1.8, 9. to live godly, agreeable to known truths, to serve God soberly and prudently (with due moderation) in our places consonantly to the measure of the Rule God hath distributed to us, 2 Cor. 10.13. holding the truths wherein we agree in love, unity, and constancy. It being more reasonable that the many truths wherein we agree, should cause us to join in love which is a Christian duty, rather than the few opinions wherein we disagree should cause a breach in affection, which is an humane infirmity.

Marginal references: Rom. 12▪ 16. & 15.5.