Richard Sibbes on Philippians 3:6

VERS. 6. Concerning zeale, persecuting the Church. WHere zeale is, if it be meant in the largest sense, it is very hot against all opposites, it hath the name from fire, separating Heterogenies, and gathering things Homogeneall: our Apostle was none of those drowsie professours, that would be content to mingle Religions: so as, where there is no opposition there is no zeale: and therefore those that would reconcile religions, false and true, they have not a sparke of zeale, but are key-cold. Againe, Paul well joynes persecution and a Pharisee together ▪ for there was never hypocrite but he was a persecutor. For he, making and grounding his profession on pride, and a desire to be counted holy, when a downe right person esteemes him not, but by his integrity puts the others outward profession out of countenance, presently hee falleth a persecuting; especially if his hypocrisie brings any profit, or gaine. As it was with Demetrius in the Acts. And as it is now with the Romish Church, whose chiefe end is profit, as appeares by their Purgatorie, Indulgences, Pardons, Dispensations, and the like: you shall have as much Masse as you will, and as little preaching. We may observe further, That carnall zeale is persecuting zeale, and the persecuting Church is the false Church. Christs flock never persecutes wolves, it will not indeed indure to bee neare them; but its not cruell against them. The Papists indeed they speake much of their mildnesse and meeknesse, but what is the reason? their hands are bound, Solve leonem, & senties leonem, loose the Lion, and then shall you find he is a Lion.

VERS. 6. Touching the righteousnesse which is in the law blamelesse. THis was a great prerogative. Obj. But how can he be said to be blamelesse as concerning the law, when he was without the law? Rom. 7 9. I answer, its true he was without the law, in respect of the inward man, in respect of sanctified knowledge, love, and feare▪ but in regard of his outward course of life, no man could blame him. Let this be observed by carnall civill men; they may bee blamelesse as concerning outward conversation, and yet without the law. Quest. But if he was blamelesse as concerning the law, how could hee blame himselfe so as hee did? Rom. 7.15. Answ. I answer; St. Paul then had a new esteeme and judgement, hee had a new light which shewed him much corruption, where before he saw none. This meets with weake Christians, that thinke themselves unconverted, and cast-awayes, because they see a great deale of sinne in them. Paul was without blame, now miserable man who shall deliver me. Christians therefore are to bee comforted: and to know that they are not the worse, because they see themselves sinfull daily more and more, but that they are better, as to whom God does dayly bestow the light of his holy spirit, to make them see more clearly into their estates. We know that we see onely the moates where the Sunne shineth, yet cannot we deny but all the ayre is as full as that part which the Sunne inlighteneth. Let not such therefore be discouraged, but let them know, where there is any opposition, there is spirit as well as flesh, and that at length the spirit will have the victory.