Richard Sibbes on Philippians 3:13

VERS. 13. Brethren, I count not my selfe to have apprehended. THe holy Apostle dwels upon the point, that hee might presse it the more, and its good to presse matter of waight: the Apostle shewing that conceipt of perfection to be dangerous, againe tells the Philippians, that he had not that which they boasted of. This pride of our selves, and conceipt, is a sinne that climbes up to heaven, and enters on Gods prerogative, and a sinne that God doth directly set himselfe against: of this compellation, Brethren, I have formerly spoken. I might also touch that doctrine, that the Kingdome of heaven is not perfected in us here, but that it growes by degrees: its at the first, as a graine of mustard seed, there are babes in Christianitie, and old men growne Christians. And the ground hereof, may be partly in the subject, partly in the object. In regard of the subject, for that graces are imperfect in us, the more the soule hath, the more it desires. In regard of the object, for that Christ is so full, that we are not able to receive all his fulnesse: so as there is imperfection in us, and superabundant perfection in him. Paul had a large affection, yet came farre short, this possibilitie of the soule to receive more will bee in us, till we be in heaven, where we shall bee full; and therefore while we are here, wee pray still, thy will bee done, on earth as it is in heaven, and thy Kingdome come, more and more: its a strange conceipt therefore, for any to thinke he may be too good, yet doe these dayly (or should doe) pray for more and more perfection here on earth, although they say they know not what. And another reason why we apprehend Christ not so fully here as wee shall doe hereafter, is, because the manner of making Christ knowne to us, is by revelation. 1 Cor 13. We behold him here but as it were in a glasse, in the glasse of his Word and Sacraments, which cannot represent him to our understanding so cleerely, as hereafter we shall behold him in the beatificall vision. Take heed therefore of a selfe conceipt of perfection: when we begin to be unwilling to grow better, we begin to waxe worse, there is no stay in Christianitie. It is the sight of our imperfection, that makes us strive to perfection, and the more we see into our miserie, the more earnestly we strive on to be freed from it.

VERS. 13. But this one thing I doe, forgetting those things which are behinde, and reaching forth to those things that are before. SEe what is the Apostles unum necessarium, to grow more and more to the fulnesse of the knowledge of Christ. All other things he counts as dung and losse. So as we may hence observe, that the spirit of God in a Christian heart, subjects all things to one Christ. One thing have I desired of the Lord (said David) Make this therefore a rule to difference our estates by. What is the thing wee intend chiefly, is it riches, or pleasures, or honours? this one thing will be the utter overthrow of all religion in us; Christ will be supream, or he will not be: He that loves father or mother more than me, is not worthy of mee, saith Christ of himselfe. There is none so wicked but would be religious, till religion comes to crosse that one thing, their darling sinne. And thus have they base limitations, which must needs prejudice their grow[illegible: 1 letter]h in religion, for where religion is, it will crosse their base affections and lusts. Therefore, whosoever we are that intend to be true Christians indeed, resolve first to preferre the peace of conscience and the fruite of of religion above all, and resolve to abhorre all things that will crosse this one thing of St. Paul.