Galatians

Christ has purchased a reprieve for these, but a sinner may have a reprieve and yet go to hell (John 5:6). 2. Such as are redeemed by Christ, are redeemed from the world (Galatians 1:4). Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver (or redeem) us from this present evil w…

2. You that have been tempted and come off victors, be full of sympathy, pity tempted souls; show your piety in your pity. Do you see Satan's darts sticking in their sides, do what you can to pull out these darts; communicate your experiences to them; tell them how you broke the…

Sometime immediately by himself and his own voice: as, the extraordinary Prophets in the Old Testament, and the Apostles in the New. So says Saint Paul of himself, he was called to be an Apostle, not of men, nor by men, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, Galatians 1:1. Som…

Lastly, there is a secret enmity between the seed of the wicked, and the seed of the Church: (1 John 3:12) the wicked are of that evil one, the devil; and therefore, must needs hate the godly, who are born of God. So that, when we shall see or hear, that ungodly persons shall in…

And in that hope let us persuade ourselves, that he may quicken our dead hearts, and revive us by his grace. And therefore in that hope, let us raise up ourselves, to use all holy means, of God's Word, Sacraments, and Prayer: which if we carefully and continually do, we shall se…

An angel brings Philip to the Eunuch that he may expound the scriptures to him. Lastly, they reveal the mysteries and the will of God: as to Abraham that he should not kill his son Isaac, to Mary and [reconstructed: Elizabeth] the nativity of John the Baptist, and of Christ our…

First, by giving thanks to God for them and the benefits that God vouchsafed by them to his Church. Thus Paul says that when the churches heard of his conversion, they glorified God for him, or in him (Galatians 1:24). The like is to be done for the saints departed.

If it be said that this place must be understood of Christ's miracles only, I answer that miracles without the doctrine of Christ and knowledge of his sufferings can bring no man to life everlasting. Therefore the place must be understood of the doctrine of Christ and not of his…

And, he mortifies his members on earth (Colossians 3:1-4). He is redeemed from this present evil world (Galatians 1:4). He is dead to sins, and lives to righteousness (1 Peter 2:24).

Answer: That is denied, he died for them as they were sinners, but as within the pale and under the covering of the fair and sweet shadow of eternally choosing love, otherwise, if Christ died for sinners as sinners; he died for all sinners; and for those that are finally obstina…

Take you a man in the estate of nature, and he will say, God be thanked he had always a good mind, and his parents would never say no less of him, but he was always a promising and hopeful child he thanks God; and thus a man will speak that is only well nurtured, he will say, it…

And Paul does the false apostles no wrong when he so vehemently inveighs against them: but he justly condemns them by his Apostolic authority. In like manner when we call the Pope Antichrist, his bishops and his shavelings a cursed generation, we slander them not, but by God's a…

For it is not without cause that he uses such vehement and pithy words. He speaks after the same manner also in the first chapter, saying: If we or an Angel from heaven preach to you otherwise than we have preached to you, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:8). And it is not to be…

Here then our merits, and satisfactions, and all inward justice, is excluded from the justification of a sinner. To this end Paul says, that we are justified freely by the redemption that is in Christ (Romans 3:24); that we are made the justice of God in him (and not in us) (2 C…

To which I answer that we may, and ought. For although we may not be men-pleasers, that is, such as frame and temper our actions, and our speeches, so, as they may always be pleasing to the corrupt humors and wicked affections of men (for then we were not the servants of God) (G…

So Christ took not upon himself the office of the high Priest, but he which advanced him to it, said, You are my son, this day have I begotten you (Psalm 2:7). Moreover, the Prophet defines not of the beginning of time, as if God had then begun to call him from the womb, but it…

For this cause the Prophet commands that such authority be given to the word of God, to the end we may boldly despise the whole world, if they should gainsay it; for by the authority thereof, we may condemn the Angels themselves, if they should fall into such a sin. If an Angel…

26. Woe to you when all men shall applaud you The last woe is intended to correct ambition: for nothing is more common than to seek the applauses of men, or, at least, to be carried away by them; and, in order to guard his disciples against such a course, he points out to them t…

Nothing has a more powerful tendency to withdraw teachers from a faithful and upright dispensation of the word than to pay respect to men; for it is impossible that any one who desires to please men (Galatians 1:10) should truly devote himself to God.

He speaks of the contrary doctrine as fatal and ruinous to the souls of men, in the latter end of the ninth chapter of Romans, and beginning of the tenth. He speaks of it as subversive of the gospel of Christ, and calls it another gospel, and says concerning it, if any one, thou…

This plainly shows, that there is such a thing as a discovery of the divine superlative Glory and Excellency of GOD and CHRIST; and that peculiar to the Saints: and also that 'tis as immediately from GOD, as Light from the Sun: and that 'tis the immediate Effect of his Power and…

What should I speak of James, not the Apostle but the Brother of our Savior, the son-in-law of the Mother of our Lord: who by the Apostles, was ordained Bishop of Jerusalem, as Eusebius, in his 2nd book of Ecclesiastical History, and 1st chapter, out of the 6th of the Hypotypose…

The whole world lis in evil. Gal. 1. 4. Christ gaue himselfe, to deliuer us from this present evil world.

But besides this, there is a sovereign kind of judgment you c[]safed to the Prophets and Apostles, determining absolutely in matters of faith & conscience what is to be done, & what is not; and this is the judgment of God himselfe, whereupon the Apostles might say, It seem[]th g…

What delight does a dead man take in pictures or music? Jesus Christ gave himself to redeem us from this present evil [reconstructed: world] (Galatians 1:4). If we will be saved, we must offer violence to the world.

If they would flatter sinners that flatter themselves in a sinful way, and cry peace to them, to whom the God of heaven does not speak peace, they might avoid a great deal of reproach and censure; but they dare not do it. They are not to make a new law and gospel, but to preach…

And as from moral evil, so from natural evil; from external and internal evil, from all weakness of parts, and from all pains, and sickness, and deformities, from all labors, all incumbrances here in the world; freed from the company, and madness, and opposition, and tyranny, an…

First, self-opinion: We must be willing to lie quietly under the truth, to be convinced, and to be guided by it. Secondly, self-counsels, and self-reasonings, must be denyed; we must take heed of conferring with flesh and blood: as it was the care of Saint Paul, Gal. 1:16 immedi…

By being made a curse, he has delivered us from the curse. 2. Death (Hebrews 2:14-15), and therewith from Satan (Hebrews 2:15; Colossians 1:13), and sin (Romans 6:14; 1 Peter 1:18), with the world (Galatians 1:4), with all the attendances, advantages, and claim of them all (Gala…

Now redemption is the deliverance of any one from bondage, or captivity, and the miseries attending that condition, by the intervention or interposition of a price or ransom paid by the redeemer to him by whose authority the captive was detained. 1. In general it is a deliveranc…

1. To show the ground of eye-service: which is because all their care is to please their master, who is a man: for well they know that man can see but the outward show, or that which is done before his face. 2. To show the heinousness of that sin: for it is tainted with Atheism,…

Thus it appears, that this willful Sinner is condemned for renouncing the only Method of Atonement provided for the Pardon of Sins, which it was one of the chief Glories of the Christian Religion to reveal and establish. Saint Paul also is charged with high Uncharitableness by t…

And thus we shall make the Holy Scripture contradict itself: Or if we endeavor to accommodate and reconcile these seeming oppositions, upon a supposition that Christ in the language of my text preached the Gospel, it can never be done, with fairness and justness of thought, with…

Well then, in regard of the first enemy of our salvation, the Devil, we had need pray earnestly, that we may not be prevailed over by his arts; 'tis God alone that can keep us. Second, the world, that's another evil, which is as it were the Devil's chess-board; we can hardly mov…

But particularly, how will God perform the parts of a Father? 1. In allowing them full leave to come to him in all their necessities, (Galatians 1:6) Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father: there is a Spirit that att…

As long as God has work for us to do, he will maintain life and strength. Galatians 1:15: Who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace. The decree takes date from the womb.

Voluptuousness says, You need not be so strict, and nice, and abridge yourselves of the comforts of the world. Paul says (Galatians 1:16), I conferred not with flesh and blood. Flesh and blood are evil counselors, and under pretense of safety will suggest what is for our ruin.

Well then, 1. Press God about this, not only to grant his word to the Church, but to grant it to you, to your persons; To reveal his Son in me (Galatians 1:16). There is a general benefit, He has shown his word to Jacob, and his statutes to Israel (Psalm 147:19).

We must entirely give up ourselves to the direction of his word. As many as walk according to this rule (Galatians 1:16), we are not to walk as we please. There is a fixed determinate rule, which must be kept with all accurateness and attention; a godly man is very tender of bre…

But such as he were not acquainted with the workings of the Holy Ghost in conversion, and therefore scoff at these things. So (Galatians 1:16): Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood. When our call is clear, there needs no debate.

3. Consult not with the flesh as a friend in the case, when your heart begins to work towards God. Galatians 1:16: "Immediately I consulted not with flesh and blood." It is notable, the word signifies to lay down a burden, to lay down our cares and difficulties in a friend's bos…

(Romans 14:23). He that doubts, is condemned if he eat, because he eats not of faith: for whatever is not of faith, is sin: nor according to the wills of men. (Galatians 1:10). For, do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men?

One eminent place instead of many others is in (Isaiah 53:5): He was wounded for our transgression, he was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed. To this the Apostles bear witness in the New Testament (Galatians…

This is a superstitious zeal, and usually found in men unconverted, whom grace never was wrought in. When was it that Paul was so exceedingly zealous of the traditions of his fathers, as he says (Galatians 1:14), but only when he was in his wretched and unconverted state; as you…

Therefore the Scripture styles them redeemed from [illegible] earth (Revelation 14:3). And he gave himself that he [illegible] deliver us from this present [illegible] world (Galatians 1:4). And again (Revelation 5:9), he was slain and [illegible] bought us [illegible] his blood…

For it [illegible] said, [illegible] Christ be a perfect Savior, and has [illegible] salvation for his, at the hand of divine justice, [illegible] God in justice will not hinder, sin and Satan [illegible] hinder. When the law is satisfied, the prisoner [illegible] be released; C…

It is beyond the compass of all inferior causes that can be conceived, that Paul breathing out threatening against the church, coming in open field in [illegible], and professed rebellion against Christ, should have the Lord Jesus revealed to him, and in him. This, I say, is bey…

4. Take heed of listening to the voice of the flesh. Saint Paul did not confer with flesh and blood (Galatians 1:16). The flesh will give bad counsel; first Saul consulted with the flesh, and afterwards he consulted with the devil, he sends to the witch of Endor; oh says the fle…

Many of Christ's kindred went to hell. Paul is called the servant of the Lord (Romans 1:1), and James is called the brother of the Lord (Galatians 1:19). It is better to be the servant of the Lord than the brother of the Lord.

Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, that is, sinful mortal flesh, as it's expounded in the words following. So, Galatians 1:21. I consulted not with flesh and blood, that is, carnal reason.

First. To me to live is Christ; [in non-Latin alphabet]. We must understand Paul of a spiritual life. To me to live is Christ, that is, Christ is my life; so Greg. Nyssen. Or thus, my life is made up of Christ. As a wicked man's life is made up of sin; so Paul's life was made up…

1. There is life. Faith is principium vivens, it is the vital artery of the soul (Galatians 2:20). The life that I live in the flesh, is by the faith of the Son of God.

The saints of old had it (1 John 2:3): We know that we know him. 2 Timothy 1:12: I know whom I have believed; here was Sensus Fidei, the reflex act of faith; and (Galatians 2:20) Christ has loved me. Here was faith flourishing into assurance.

Galatians 2:20. The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of GOD. The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us.

But he would not break a commandment to gratify any. When God's glory lay at stake, who more resolute than Paul (Galatians 2:5)? The three children were humble; they gave the king his title of honor; but they were not sordidly timorous.

Which shows there are two sorts of corruptions, one of the flesh, the other of the spirit; when we grieve for, and combat with spiritual sin, (as being the root of all gross sins) now the kingdom of grace increases, and spreads its territories in the soul. 4. Then the kingdom of…

Faith has a two-fold act, an adhering and an applying. By the first act we go over to Christ, by the second act we bring Christ over to us (Galatians 2:20). This is the great grace we must set to work (Acts 10:43).

We must walk by faith, and not by sight, says the Apostle, 2. Corinthians 5.7. So says he of himself, Galatians 2.20. I live by the faith in the Son of God: he says not, he hopes to die in that faith, but he lives by it.

Oh then esteem the righteous as most worthy, because of their intrinsic holiness, whereby they outshine their neighbors. The righteous carry Christ about them (Galatians 2:20). Christ lives in me.

For the first — by the privilege of authority I mean a preeminence in regard of estimation, whereby he was had in reverence above the rest of the twelve Apostles. For Cephas with James and John are called pillars and seemed to be great (Galatians 2:6, 9). Again he had the preemi…

Reason 1. The faith whereby we live, is that faith whereby we are justified: but the faith whereby we live spiritually, is a particular faith whereby we apply Christ to ourselves, as Paul says (Galatians 2:20): I live, that is, spiritually, by the faith of the Son of God: which…

Love never that faith that hungers not after the Word, that is supposed to be lively without being ever fed by the Word, that cannot claim either its rise and original, or its growth from the Word; I will not say from this or that word in particular, or at this or that time read…

The point might have also use for confirmation, but we do not follow these. 2. Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows, that is our griefs and sorrows who are his elect, his people, his seed, who flee to him for refuge, and are justified by his knowledge, or by f…

For as the Apostle says (2 Corinthians 6): Behold now is the day of salvation, behold now is the accepted time; and (Hebrews 2:2): If the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward, how shall we escape if we…

It's that which cheers and delights them most, that Christ has stepped in and engaged to do that for them, which neither themselves nor any other person or thing could do. The life (says the Apostle, Galatians 2) that I now live in the flesh, is by the faith of the Son of God, w…

Who has made you to differ, and what have you, but what you have received? It sets you well therefore to be humble, and to put a price upon Christ, as the Apostle does on the same consideration (Galatians 2:20). When he says, Who loved me and gave himself for me — that makes Him…

And (Chapter 4:5): To him that works not, but believes on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness; which place demonstrates this, that an ungodly person, taking hold by faith of Christ's righteousness, may be, and is justified, and absolved, and fr…

(Ephesians 2:8) By grace are you saved, through faith. See more fully to this purpose, (Galatians 2:16) where the Apostle designedly as it were, sets himself to confirm this truth; for speaking of the way, how sinners come to be justified, and as it were entering in the debate,…

Though none of these acts can well be said to be before, or after the other in respect of time. For clearing of this a little more, consider that this resting may be looked on, either passively, or actively; passively, in respect of the believer's acquiescing in Christ, and assu…

We may confirm this either as to the positive part, that by believing a sinner is justified, or as to the negative part, that there is no other way possible whereby a sinner can be justified, but by believing; so that this great effect follows from a sensible sinner's taking hol…

If Abraham were justified by works, he has whereof to glory, but not before God, for what says the Scriptures? Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness, now to him that works is the reward not reckoned of grace but of debt, but to him that works not, but…

3. We seek only the evidence of justification in our holy walking; as the Scripture does, (1 Peter 1:24; Galatians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:18; 1 John 3:14). Countless places say, these that live to Christ, and are new creatures must be in Christ, and justified, (2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Cor…

2. It's a blasphemous comparison to say the gracious good will of God to choose men to glory, and the highest and most matchless love of Christ (John 3:16; John 15:13; Ephesians 5:25-27; Acts 20:28; Titus 3:3-4) is but a common motive to induce us to pray for all men, and such b…

Secondly, we are not to rest in graces or duties; they all cannot satisfy our own consciences, much less God's justice. If righteousness could have come by these, then Christ had died in vain, as Galatians 2 last. What a dishonor were it to Christ that they should share any of t…

And now faith being such a shield, it is of mighty force, and is able to repulse all the fiery darts of the Devil, and all the rest of the enemies of their salvation, so that the servants of God, that know what use they have of their faith, they know they have need of the growth…

Doctrine. A faithful believer is not to hide his eyes from observing the sins and failings of his brethren. If any man see his brother sin a sin, he must observe him, else he cannot see him (Galatians 2:14). When I saw that they walked not uprightly, according to the truth of th…

How then? By the faith of the Son of God (Galatians 2:20). It is one of the most important points that concerns our Christian practice, and therefore I pray you consider it; the life of Christianity is not a life of wisdom and graces, but of faith: if you would have Christ live…

He would see a mighty increase of the grace of God in him, not that he might be more excellent than his neighbors, more eminent in gifts, and so be better than others, or so esteemed; but he desires that all his lusts may be swallowed up, and that the life of Christ might more m…

Secondly, that we have some respect to the Word of God for our warrant. Thirdly, that in all we do, we have respect to the glory of God in all our performances, I live by the faith of the Son of God (Galatians 2:20). The just shall live by his own faith.

(Philippians 2:7) He humbled himself, and became obedient to the death, even the death of the cross; this commends obedience to us. It was an act of love (Galatians 2:20): Who loved me and gave himself for me. (Revelation 1:5) To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in…

Receive no light either of reason, or of the law, or of anything else than of Christ alone. Then you shall be learned indeed, righteous and holy, and shall receive the Holy Spirit, which shall preserve you in the purity of the word and faith: but set Christ aside, and all things…

One, which James this was? Answer: It was James the son of Alpheus: for he lived 14 years after this (Galatians 2:9), whereas James the son of Zebedee lived not so long, because he was put to death by Herod. The second thing is, how James should be the Lord's brother?

In this respect we are said to be crucified with him. Gal 2:19. The second is, in vs, when Christ conuaies the vertue of his death into the hearts of them that are ioyned to him, for the causing and effecting of the death of sinne.

We are therefore to be circumspect and careful, lest we be supplanted. The Apostle admonishes us to take heed lest we be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13), and, that we walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise (Ephesians 5:15), that we walk with a rig…

And so Paul, when he wishes powerfully to exhort believers to consecrate themselves to God, “in newness of life,” (Romans 6:4,) and, “putting off, concerning the former conversation, the old man,” (Ephesians 4:22,) to render to him a “reasonable service,” “beseeches them by the…

The obedience of a Christian, so far as it is truly evangelical, and performed with the Spirit of the Son sent forth into the heart, has all relation to Christ the Mediator, and is but an expression of the soul's believing union to Christ: all evangelical works are works of that…

For indeed, this is that James that had his first residence at Jerusalem, as an ordinary Bishop, whom Paul in his first, and last coming to Jerusalem, found in the City; almost all the Apostles preaching in other places (Galatians 1:19), and that concluded those things, which we…

And when he says that Job would do it to his face, the meaning of it is, that he would do it openly: he will curse you openly, he will curse you boldly, he will not go behind the door to tell tales of you, but he will speak of it before all the world, that you are a cruel God, a…

That is, if things are to be tryed out and determined by the law, no sinner can obtain acquitment; as Paul declares the sense of that place to be, Romansans 3:20. Galatians 2:16. but yet, Fourthly, It may be the sentence of the law is not so fierce and dreadful, but that though…

David expresss his confidence of the love and favor of God unto his own soul hundreds of times. Paul does the same for himself, Galatians 2:20. Christ loved M E and gave himself FOR ME, 2 Timothy 4:8.

Here two points must be considered: I. what faith that is by which men must live in this world; namely, true iustifying faith, the very same by which they are to be saved in the day of the Lord. I live by faith (saith Paul) in the sonne of God, who has loued me, and given himsel…

Your self-righteousness charges God with the greatest folly, as though he has done all things in vain, even so much in vain, that he has done all this to bring about an accomplishment of that which you alone, a little worm, with your poor polluted prayers, and the little pains y…

The graff is intimately united, and closly conjoyned with the stock, the conjunction is so closs, that they become one Tree. There is also a most closs and intimate union between Christ, and the soul that believeth in him. It is emphatically expressed by the Apostle, 1 Cor. 6. 1…

And if we see great Imprudences, and even sinful Irregularities in some that are improved as great Instruments to carry on the Work, it will not prove it not to be the Work of God. The Apostle Peter himself, that was a great and eminently holy and inspired Apostle, and one of th…

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, sets them free from the law of sin and death: it frees them, it carries them out to all obedience freely. So that they walk after the Spirit (verse 1), that being the principle of their workings (Galatians 2:20). Christ lives in me,…

Now that we have communion with Christ in this purchased grace, is evident on this single consideration; that there is almost nothing that Christ has done, which is a spring of that grace whereof we speak, but we are said to do it with him. We are crucified with him (Galatians 2…

He bore our sins in his body on the tree, 1 Peter 2:24. He loved his church and gave himself for it, Ephesians 5:26, Galatians 2:20, Romans 4:25. This is abundantly clear — that Christ in his suffering and oblation had his intention only upon the good of his elect and their acce…

Now keeping the word of Christ's patience, in the manner declared, keeps the heart mortified to these things, and so it is not easily entangled by them. The apostle says, 'I am crucified with Christ' (Galatians 2:20) — he that keeps close to Christ is crucified with him, dead to…

The Law works Wrath; it shows to the Consciences of Men the Wrath of God, which is due to Sin, and therefore says the Apostle, I by the Law am dead to the Law. Galatians 2:1, 19. By considering and studying the Purity, the Extent, and Perfection of the Law of God, I am dead to a…

And therefore in this Sense, Faith may be called a Condition of Justification, because Faith and Justification are connected together in Scripture, and Faith is represented as a foregoing Blessing, and as a Duty, Justification as a consequent Blessing, and a Privilege which is s…

Sin lives in a child of God, but it is deposed from the throne, it lives not as a king but a captive. 3. A believer is redeemed à Maledictione, from the curse due to sin (Galatians 3:13): Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. Christ said to…

While we are in the state of nature, we see nothing but the flaming sword; and as the Apostle says (Hebrews 10:27), there remains nothing but [illegible], a fearful looking for of fiery indignation. Second, while children of wrath, we are heirs to all God's curses (Galatians 3:1…

Quest. What is the Organical or Instrumental Cause of Adoption? Resp. Faith interests us in the privilege of adoption (Galatians 3:26). You are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Quest. 2. What use is there of the moral law to us? Resp. The law is a glass to show us our sins, that so seeing our pollution and misery, we may be forced to fly to Christ to satisfy for former guilt, and save from future wrath (Galatians 3:24). The law was our schoolmaster to…

Quest. 3. What is that which makes God our Father? Resp. Faith: (Galatians 3:26) You are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. An unbeliever may call God his Creator, and his Judge, but not his Father.

Man having sinned, is like a favourite turned out of the king's favor, and deserves the wrath and curse of God. (1.) God's curse, (Galatians 3:10). As when Christ cursed the fig-tree, it withered (Matthew 21:19).

1. The form of the first covenant in innocence, was working; Do this and live. Working was the ground and condition of our justification (Galatians 3:12). Not but that working is required in the Covenant of Grace: we are bid to work out salvation, and be rich in good works.

To show that Christ must die and be slain before he can be an intercessor. 3. Christ by dying had not purchased forgiveness for us, if he had not died an execrable death, he endured the curse (Galatians 3:13). All the agonies Christ endured in his soul, all the torments in his b…

Thus the believing Galatians, especially some of them, were so far 'bewitched' (as his word is) as for a time to assent to that great error in point of justification. And this by reason of that folly and darkness which remained in them, as he intimates when he says: 'O you fooli…

For as 'where the word of a king is, there is power,' says Solomon (Ecclesiastes 8:4), so where the word of God is, there is the power of God, and so is it here to be understood. And therefore as in other Scriptures his word is said to create, and by it the heavens to be establi…

Secondly, Abraham inherited Canaan in his posterity. For though God promised it to himself, when he was 75 years old, Genesis 12:4, and to him and to his seed, Genesis 15:7: Yet neither he nor his immediate seed enjoyed it, but his posterity the Israelites, 430 years after the p…

But we must take a better course: and when we hear of the promises of God made unto us in Christ; we must not content ourselves with a bare knowledge of them, but labour to believe them, and apply them unto ourselves, to our souls, and consciences: and so by faith make them our…

Brag not therefore, says he, that you are baptized, as though that were sufficient for you, to inherit the kingdom of heaven. As for the place of Paul, Galatians 3, I showed plainly before, how D. Andreas did violently wrest it to his purpose. Neither are his reasons taken from…

Some do place faith in the mind, and partly in the will, because it has two parts; knowledge, and affiance: but it seems not greatly to stand with reason, that one particular and single grace should be seated in diverse parts or faculties of the souls. The form of faith is, to a…

Objection. Remission of sins, regeneration, and salvation is ascribed to the sacrament of baptism in Acts 22:16, Ephesians 5, Galatians 3:27, and Titus 3:5. Answer: Salvation and remission of sins is ascribed to baptism and the Lord's Supper as to the word, which is the power of…

And as the body has its hand, mouth, and stomach, whereby it takes, receives, and digests food for the nourishment of every part: so likewise in the soul there is a faith, which is both hand, mouth, and stomach to apprehend, receive, and apply Christ and all his merits for the n…

Bernard: Whoever is pricked for his sins and thirsts after righteousness, let him believe in you, who justifies the sinner, and being justified by faith alone, he shall have peace with God. Chrysostom on Galatians 3: They said, he which rests on faith alone, is cursed: but Paul…

The right images of the New Testament, which we hold and acknowledge, are the doctrine and preaching of the Gospel, and all things that by the word of God pertain thereto. Galatians 3:1: Who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth — to whom Jesus Christ was before…

For it was not the lot of any of those Primitive Christians (of whom the Holy Ghost here speaks this) [He has wrought us for this thing] that they should be in that manner changed, and so enter into glory: but the contrary. For they all, and all saints since for these 1600 years…

The 1st is that of (2 Corinthians 5:21): He has made him to be sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him, which can be no other way expounded but of Christ's being made an offering and sacrifice for our sins; he not being a sinner himself,…

The point might have also use for confirmation, but we do not follow these. 2. Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows, that is our griefs and sorrows who are his elect, his people, his seed, who flee to him for refuge, and are justified by his knowledge, or by f…

2. We are so justified by Christ as Christ was made sin for us, now our sins became really Christ's, not that he was made the sinner inherently, that were blasphemous to be thought or spoken of; But he was reckoned the sinner, and was substitute in the room of sinners, as if he…

The second thing here, is the native effect or fruit of the Covenant, and that which the Prophet aims at; even to show how it came to pass that Christ suffered so much, because it was so covenanted, statute and ordained, because he was by a prior contrivance and contract substit…

So, having shown how it comes to pass that Christ suffered and suffered so much, and was brought so low under suffering; and having told that he was engaged to pay the Elect's debt, and that the Father had laid their iniquities on him; lest any might think that the Father would…

And there are three steps of this his judicial answering, 1. He gets the indictment of the Elect's debt put in his hand; though there was no guile in his mouth, yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him, he laid on him the iniquity of us all, and for the iniquity of my people was he…

We may shortly take these two observations here for the confirmation of two articles of our faith; looking on it, first, as a prophecy, we may observe that our Lord Jesus was bound to suffer and die, it was prophesied of him that he should be cut off out of the land of the livin…

While it is said, For the transgression of my people was he cut off and stricken, it implies that Christ in his undertaking for the elect did oblige himself to undergo all these sufferings that were due to them, and even the suffering of a cursed death, which was the curse threa…

We wish it were not, but the truth is, it is hardly believed by men and women; consider therefore shortly these three things, and you will find it true. First, the certainty and peremptoriness of the curse that follows sin, as we may see (Galatians 3:10): cursed is everyone that…

It is answered, they are sinners, death and the curse are due to them; well, says He, I will take their debt on myself, I will pay their ransom by undergoing all that was due to them. He has redeemed us from the curse of the law (says the Apostle, Galatians 3:13), being made a c…

Thus it stood with you: you deserved to be shut out for ever from God, to have the sword of His justice awakened against you; and He gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; and was content that the sword of justice should awake against Him…

1. The estate that the Elect are naturally lying in for whom Christ undertakes — they are naturally under sin, liable to the curse of God, for the transgressing of His law; which had said, The soul that sins shall die, and cursed is every one that continues not in all things wri…

1. The great benefit that flows from Christ's sufferings, and it is justification, which in a word is this much: to be absolved, acquitted, and set free from the guilt of sin, and from the curse of God, justifying here being opposed to condemning. So that when it is said, They s…

Many of us, alas, live as if we were never to be called to an account, and as if there were no tribunal that we were to appear before. Secondly, observe that all men and women, even the elect themselves, are naturally, and as in themselves obnoxious to condemnation, and liable t…

If so, then it must be a most dreadful thing not to believe. If you would know what is your condition, you may read it (John 3:18, 36): He that believes not is condemned already, and he shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him; and (Galatians 3:10): As many as are…

Where Christ lifted up, and as dying on the cross, is made the object of justifying faith; even as the brazen serpent lifted up was the object that they looked to, when they were stung, and cured. 2. It's also clear from the law's labeling and charging us for the debt of our sin…

There are several things that will fall to be cleared in the prosecuting of this, which we shall speak to shortly, for clearing of that question of the Catechism, what is justification? because this doctrine holds out the form of it, and deduces it in this order. 1. A sinner is…

Isaiah 53:11, Verse 11 — By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many, for he shall bear their iniquities. The doctrine of justification through faith in Christ Jesus was accustomed to be much thought of among the people of God; it is called, in Galatians 3:8, the pr…

Second, when He is said to bear their iniquities; it imports a burdensome bearing, or His bearing of it with a weight, and that there was a weight in it, as it's said, verses 3 and 4: He was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; surely he has born our griefs, and carried…

So in verse 8 it is said, He was cut off out of the land of the living, and for the transgression of my people was he stricken; that which is here called the bearing of iniquity, is there called being cut off and stricken for the transgression of his people; and this may be the…

Indeed, the law was a severer teacher to awe the saints, in regard of the outward dispensation of ceremonies and legal strictness, keeping men as criminals in close prison until Christ should come. But imputation of Christ's righteousness, and blessedness in the pardon of sin, a…

So (Genesis 12:3) In you shall all the families of the earth be blessed. (Genesis 22:18) If the meaning be that, without any figure or exception, all and every family be blessed in Christ, then shall I infer that, all the families of the earth, without exception, are justified b…

But we may observe that the first promise that was given was not a bare word simply promising forgiveness or other benefits which God would bestow, but it was a promise of Christ's person as overcoming Satan and purchasing those benefits: 'The seed of the woman shall break the s…

A cause, or a person that a man has suffered much for, according to the proportion of his sufferings, is one's love and zeal to it; for these do lay a strong engagement upon a man: because otherwise he loses the thanks and the honor of all that is already done and past by him. H…

What word of God was it, by which you were begotten? It is a general speech, that in (Romans 10:17). faith comes by hearing, and by the doctrine of faith preached, (Galatians 3:5). that is, the Gospel of faith; so that this is the point: there is some promise which being reporte…

The desert of sin is still the same, and the exactness of divine justice is still the same; and therefore what has been is a pledge and document of what may be, if we fall into like crimes. God is impartially and immutably just, he is but one (Galatians 3:20). God is one, always…

So at this day the Papists brag, that they call back those to the bosom of their mother the holy church, whom they deceive and seduce. Contrariwise, we glory not in your flesh, but we glory as touching your Spirit, because you have received the Spirit by our preaching (Galatians…

Therefore by the contrary it is evident, that they which must receive the blessing are subject to the curse, that is to say, sin and eternal death: for else to what end was the blessing promised? Secondly, the Scripture shuts men under sin and under the curse especially by the l…

They that believe in him shall be blessed with faithful Abraham: they are the sons and heirs of God. Thus (I say) have you known God (Galatians 3:9; Galatians 4:7). Verse 9. Indeed rather are known of God, etc.

One, that the difference lay in earthly things: which is not true. For the law was given to the Israelites: and it was a schoolmaster to Christ (Galatians 3), and, an introduction to a better hope (Hebrews 7:19). The second error is, that they differed only in this, that Christ…

Here by the name Christ, first and principally the Mediatour is meant, and then secondly all Iewes and Gentiles believing, that are set and grasted into Christ by their faith. For Paul says, Rom 9:8. that the children of God, or, the children of the promise, are the seede of Abr…

4. Suffering: believers are as a lily among thorns; as the dove among the birds of prey. The wicked have an antipathy against the righteous, and secret hatred will break forth into open violence (Galatians 4:29). He that was born after the flesh, persecuted him that was born aft…

3. A third slight, or cheat seducers have, is a laboring to vilify and nullify sound orthodox teachers; they would eclipse those that bring the truth; like the black vapors that darken the light of heaven: they would defame others that themselves may be more admired. Thus the fa…

It was real flesh Christ took. Not the image of a body, (as the Manichees erroneously held) but a true body; therefore Christ is said to be made of a woman (Galatians 4:4). As the bread is made of the wheat, and the wine is made of the grape; so Christ was made of a woman; his b…

Well, but how shall we know? Response 1. If Christ be praying for us, then his Spirit is praying in us (Galatians 4:6). He has sent forth his Spirit into your heart, crying, Abba Father.

14. We glorify God by laboring to draw others to God; we convert others, and so make them instruments of glorifying God. We should be both diamonds and lodestones, diamonds for the luster of grace, and lodestones for our attractive virtue in drawing others to Christ (Galatians 4…

1. God adopts us to a state of liberty; adoption is a state of freedom. A slave being adopted is made a free man (Galatians 4:7): You are no more a servant, but a son. Question. How is an adopted son free?

You know the fiery serpents did sting Israel. These have the sting of the serpent; they have a sting in their tongues, stinging the people of God with bitter slanders and invectives, calling them factious and seditious; and they sting with their indictments and excommunications…

Isaiah 53:8. Who shall declare his generation? Christ is a Son to the Father, yet so, as he is of the same nature with the Father, having all the incommunicable properties of the Godhead belonging to him: but we are sons of God by adoption and grace; Galatians 4:5. That we might…

Many baptized Christians are no better than heathens. O, labor to find the fruits of baptism, that Christ is formed in us! (Galatians 4:19) That our nature is changed, we are made holy and heavenly; this is to be baptized into Jesus (Romans 6:3).

Are our sins the transgression of the holy and righteous law in every part of it? And did not Jehovah who gave and made that law, to make himself our righteousness, 'make himself under the law' (Galatians 4:4) and to make up a full righteousness, 'fulfill every part of it' (Roma…

For, though you yourself cannot bear it; yet trust undoubtedly, that Christ who bears with you, will give you strength to undergo it, unto victory. Thirdly, if the afflictions of a Christian, be the afflictions of Christ; then it is a fearful sin for any man to mock or reproach…

Thirdly and lastly, let us here know and learn, that this holy Matron, Sarah, figureth unto us mystically the spiritual Jerusalem, the Church of GOD. Allegories are charily and sparingly to be taught; else much unsound Doctrine may cumber men's consciences: but this is sound and…

Now from the birth of Christ to this day are 1592 years, and adding these together, the whole time amounts. And God would have the very time of the beginning of the world to be revealed, first that it might be known to the church, when the covenant of grace was first given by Go…

Jesus Christ is a rich heir (John 16:15). He is Lord of all (Galatians 4:1; Hebrews 1:2), and the saints are co-heirs, they go sharers with Christ. 9. God calls them the luminaries of the world: they give light by their precepts and example (Philippians 2:15).

This should be our wisdom and ambition, not only to have the presence of God with us, but the Spirit of God in us. Gal. 4. 6. God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts. 2. If God be in the midst of his Church to uphold and preserve it, then let not Gods people g…

A common truth, yet a truth fundamental to the Gospel, of which we are not to think the less or the worse because it is a common truth. When the fullness of time came (says the apostle, Galatians 4:4), God sent forth his Son made of a woman, made under the Law; who, as it is in…

We know in Scripture our and us are sometimes extended to all mankind, so we are all lost in Adam, and sin has a dominion over us all; and that part of the words (verse 6), All we like sheep have gone astray, may well be extended to all mankind. Sometimes it is to be restricted…

2. The respect that a faithful minister has to the people's souls, has influence on this; A tender shepherd will watchfully care for, and wish the sheep well, and be much affected when they are in an evil condition, and where the relation is of a more spiritual nature, and the f…

Because, not any Saint on earth can be so united personally to God, as the Son of Man; for he being made of a woman, of the seed of David, the Son of Man, he, and not any but he, is the eternal Son of God, God blessed for ever. The Child born to us, is the mighty God, the Father…

1. Election to glory is particular: few are chosen (Matthew 22:14; John 10:26, 29; Ephesians 1:4; Romans 9:11). The promise is particular to the sons of the promise (Romans 9:8-9), made to Christ and his seed only (Galatians 3:16-18; Galatians 4:22-23, etc.). The calling particu…

First, faith directs you to pray only to him, upon whom you have believed (Romans 10:14). We only believe on God the Father, and on his Son Jesus Christ, and the blessed Spirit, and therefore upon the Lord; faith only directs us to call; he teaches us not to pray to our Mother,…

He not only beholds them with an eye of providence, but his people with an eye of fatherly compassion, and lifts us up to become sons and daughters to himself, and helps us to believe it that we are so. This is the first ground of the certainty and confidence of the hearing of o…

If a man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his. And notable to this purpose is that in (Galatians 4:6). Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts; and [reconstructed: verse 4-5].

That is, such as are begotten of some promise of God or other, every Isaac is a son of the promise. And lest you should think it peculiar to Isaac alone, the Apostle opens it sweetly, in (Galatians 4:28). As a thing common with Isaac to all the people of God; it is a like privil…

Seeing that it is for your eternal Salvation that he is appointed to watch and labor; and seeing his Business is to do the Work of Christ for you, it is natural and easy to infer, that your Reception and Entertainment of him should in some Respect imitate the Church's Reception…

This glory God will not suffer to be given to another. And therefore the Apostle shows the wretched estate of the Galatians (Galatians 4:8). When you knew not God, you did service to them, that by nature are no Gods; that is, they worshipped for Gods those things, which really w…

They that believe in him shall be blessed with faithful Abraham: they are the sons and heirs of God. Thus (I say) have you known God (Galatians 3:9; Galatians 4:7). Verse 9. Indeed rather are known of God, etc.

Nowe if this be so, men are bound by the same right to maintaine their spirituall fathers in Christ, that have begotten them a new by the preaching of the word: as Paul says, He trauelled in paine of the Galatians, till Christ wasformed in them. Gal. 4. and that he begat Onesimu…

For he comprehends not the multitude of children which came of Abraham according to the flesh, seeing all were not partakers of this blessing. Ishmael was rejected (Galatians 4:30). Esau was hated (Malachi 1:3).

However it be, he boldly pronounces that they were patiently to wait with meek and quiet spirits, until it pleased God to stretch forth his hands. Saint Paul in his Epistle to the Romans 16:26, and to the Galatians 4:4, calls this year the fullness of time. We have also seen pre…

Certain it is, that confidence in the Son alone, as Mediator, inspired the holy fathers with confidence to employ so honorable an address. That more complete knowledge, of which we are now speaking, is elsewhere explained by Paul to mean, that we are now at liberty not only to c…

Paul explains the design, “Finem.” — “La fin ou le but de ceste soumission de Jesus Christ;” —”the end or design of this submission of Jesus Christ.” when he says, that Christ was “made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law,” (Galatians 4:4, 5.) By undergoing cir…

“In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee.” Paul calls it the fullness of the time, (Galatians 4:4,) that believers may learn not to indulge in excessive curiosity, but to acquiesce in the will of God, — and that we may rest satisfied…

It is true, indeed, that a catalogue, divided into three equal numbers, is more easily remembered. But it is also evident that this division is intended to point out a threefold condition of the nation, from the time when Christ was promised to Abraham, to "the fullness of the t…

But we ought especially to beware lest the unity of faith be destroyed, or the bond of charity broken, on account of outward ceremonies. Almost all labor under the disease of attaching undue importance to the ceremonies and elements of the world, as Paul calls them, (Galatians 4…

But he was manifested gradually, and by regular steps, and was not revealed in his true character “Until the time appointed by the Father,” (Galatians 4:2). At the same time, it deserves our attention, that when wicked men do their utmost to extinguish the glory of God, they are…

I reply: As we are engrafted by faith into the body of Christ, we are adopted by God as his children, and of this adoption the Spirit is the witness, seal, earnest, and pledge, so that with this assurance we may freely cry, Abba, Father, (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6.) Now though…

And, indeed, there is nothing that inflicts a more painful wound on pious minds than when ungodly men, in order to shake their faith, upbraid them with being deprived of the assistance and favor of God. This is the harsh persecution with which, Paul tells us, Isaac was tormented…

And out of them he brings the figure of Noah his Ark, which he also explains. It is very comfortable and proper, to fetch similitudes from such manner of examples as this: which order Saint Paul also followed: (Galatians 4) where he records the mystery of the two sons of Abraham…

They are not only sons of God by regeneration, but by a kind of communion in the sonship of the eternal Son. This seems to be intended in Galatians 4:4-6: 'God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive…

How careful was Abraham of this duty? Genesis 18:19 and David? 1 Chron. 28:9 We have some of us had Parents, who might say to us, as the Apostle, Galatians 4:19 My little Children, of whom I travail again in birth till Christ be formed in you. As they longed for us before they h…

Or rather secondly, for their piety and holiness by which they resemble God, and in which they serve God as a son does the Father. Indeed the Apostle affirms that the privilege of sonship was brought in by the Incarnation of Christ, who is said, in the fullness of time to be mad…

But he came quite in another manner: He was seen in the likeness of sinful flesh, Romansans 8 3. In the form of a servant, Philippians 2:10. being made of a woman, made under the law, Galatians 4:4. What he endured, suffered, underwent in that state and condition, is in some mea…

And this very point may serve to stay our hearts, when we shall bee persecuted for the profession and embracing of the Gospel of Christ; for the world does hate Gods Church, and will doe to the end: there must be enmitie betweene the seed of the serpent, and the seede of the wom…

She describes her sufferings, 1. In the instruments of them. 2. The cause of them. 3. The nature of them. The actors are not heathens, but mothers' children; the visible Church is the common mother, who has children born after the flesh, as well as after the Spirit; these childr…

1. For the near relation that is between Christ and particular believers, and the account he has of them; for which reason they are called his sister, his spouse (Chapter 4:10), and (Matthew 12, last verse) he calls them his brother, his sister; yes, mother. 2. Because Christ is…

2. It illustrates her commendation thus, There are many Queens stately, many Concubines and Virgins lovely among men, yet one cannot be all; but, says he, although there be many of these in the Church, yet is she one, and although she be one, yet is she all, collectively summing…

And 2. Why we call this Song Allegorical, and not Typical. Allegorical Scriptures, or Allegories (we take Allegory here as Divines do, who take it not as Grammarians or Rhetoricians, for a continued discourse of many figures together) properly and strictly taken (for sometimes A…

1. The subject thereof is to hold forth the mutual and interchangeable exercise, and out-lettings of love, as well between Christ and particular believers, as between him and the Church: As also, his various dispensations to the Bride, her diverse conditions and tempers, and bot…

The saints (who are God's lively picture) are opposed and shot at. This is a cursed violence (Galatians 4:29): as he that was born after the flesh, persecuted him who was born after the Spirit; so it is now, Christ himself is stricken at through believers. The church has been al…

So though a saint is crowned with grace, yet he is weak, though anointed a spiritual king. (6.) Sin is ever restless (Galatians 5:17). The flesh lusts against the Spirit.

Did not faith feed the lamp of hope with oil, it would soon die. Faith sets love to work (Galatians 5:6): faith which works by love; believing the mercy and merit of Christ causes a flame of love to ascend. Faith sets patience to work (Hebrews 6:12): be followers of them who thr…

Galatians 5:22. The Fruit of the Spirit is Joy. The third fruit of justification, adoption and sanctification, is, joy in the Holy Ghost.

2. God the Son is the Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6). 3. Peace is said to be the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). 1. God the Father is the God of peace.

First, faith knits us to Christ, as the members are knit to the head by nerves and sinews. Second, faith fills us with love to God; it works by love (Galatians 5:6). And he who loves God will rather die than desert him.

Love is the first and great commandment (Matthew 22:38). It is so, because if this be wanting, there can be no religion in the heart, there can be no faith, for faith works by love (Galatians 5:6). All is but pageantry, or a devout complement.

Why was Christ anointed, but to give the oil of joy for mourning (Isaiah 61:1)? Joy is as well a fruit of the Spirit as faith (Galatians 5:22). One way of grieving the Spirit (says Heinsius) is by Christians uncheerful walking: if you would render the Gospel lovely, mix the dove…

Joseph's brothers envied him, because his father loved him, and gave him a coat of diverse colors, and therefore took counsel to slay him (Genesis 37:20). Envy and murder are near akin, and therefore the Apostle puts them together (Galatians 5:21): Envyings, murders. Envy is a s…

Such as talk of the power of nature, and the ability they have to save themselves, they disparage Christ's merits. I may say as Galatians 5:4, Christ is become of no effect to them. This I affirm: such as advance the power of their will in matters of salvation, without the medic…

Some sins are ex Surreptione, they creep unawares into the mind (as vain thoughts, sudden motions of anger and revenge); these, says Bellarmine, are in their own nature venial; it is true, the greatest sins are in one sense venial, that is, God is able to forgive them, but the l…

3. In the new creature there is an opposition against all old things. A Christian not only complains of sin, but fights against it (Galatians 5:17). Quest. But may not a natural man oppose sin?

But it is not so, as appears by these reasons: First, this righteousness is in this life imperfect: and that is proved by the Apostle, where he says, We do here know but in part, 1 Corinthians 13:12. Therefore, our understanding is but in part regenerate: and as it, so consequen…

And he that knows he believes, knows also he doubts: and the more he believes, the more he knows and feels his doubting: for, where these two are, they are always opposite, and show their contrary natures: the one is the spirit, the other is flesh and corruption. And these, says…

Question. David uses imprecations against his enemies, in which he prays for their utter confusion, as Psalm 59 and Psalm 109, etc. The like is done by Paul (Galatians 5:12; 2 Timothy 4:14) and Peter (Acts 8:20), though afterwards he mitigates his execration. But how could they…

He was content to undergo anything for the good of any man. And as we have heard, the godly are trees of righteousness bearing fruit not for themselves but for others, and therefore Paul in the epistle to the Galatians gives this rule, "Do service one to another in love" (Galati…

Again, we hold this practice to be wicked because it takes away the liberty of Christians, by which unto the pure all things are pure. The Apostle in Galatians 5 bids us to stand fast in this liberty, which the Church of Rome would thus abolish. For the better understanding of t…

Reason 3. That which lusts against the spirit, and by lusting tempts, and in tempting entices and draws the heart to sin, is by nature sin itself: but concupiscence in the regenerate lusts against the spirit (Galatians 5:17) and tempts as I have said (James 1:14): God tempts no…

This use is threefold: in respect of God, of man, and of ourselves. Works are to be done in respect of God: that his commandments may be obeyed — 1 John 5:12; that his will may be done — 1 Thessalonians 4:3; that we may show ourselves to be obedient children to God our Father —…

Reason 2. (Galatians 5:6) Neither circumcision, nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith that works by love. Hence they gather that faith does justify together with love.

This vow is against Christian liberty, whereby is granted a free use of all things indifferent, so it be without the case of offense. Galatians 5:1: Stand fast in the liberty wherein Christ has made you free. Colossians 2:16: Let no man judge you in meat or drink.

It is a good sign where this care goes before a duty. And (2) it is a sweet sign of uprightness to oppose them in their first rise (Psalm 119:113): 'I hate vain thoughts'; Galatians 5:17: 'The Spirit lusts against the flesh.' And (3) your after-grief discovers your upright heart…

Now when all these are put together, you may see how many grounds people have to go wrong upon, and men having hearts disposing and inclining them to go wrong, and little pains being taken to discover the deceit of them, is it any wonder that they think they believe, when indeed…

O sweet and desirable but [reconstructed: mysterious] life! The third place is Galatians 5:6. In Christ Jesus, neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith that works by love.

Yea, 4. The incoming of error begets a sort of presumptuous confidence, therefore Christ says, he that breaks one of these commandments, and teaches men so to do, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of God; he not only breaks the command himself, but he seeks to engage o…

There are shortly three things comprehended in this doctrine, (speaking now of unbelief, not only as opposite to historical faith, which we commonly call infidelity, but as it's opposite to saving faith, which we show is that which is called for here:) 1. That unbelief, or not r…

But that Paul, Romans 7, speaks in the person of a scrupulous and troubled conscience, not as it is the common case of all the regenerate, in whom sin dwells, is a foul and fleshly untruth. (1.) To be carnal in part, as verse 14, to do which we allow not, to do what we would not…

Objection. But [in non-Latin alphabet] that every one that believes, etc., these words, limit, and draw narrow the world, and so divides it in believers, and not believers, and by your exposition, some of the elect world believes, and are saved; some believes not, and perishes,…

And another answer to this point is, that even as you see it is by the Almighty power of God that there may be fire, and not heat, as you see in the fiery furnace, into which the three children was cast, though it was made exceedingly hot, yet it had not power to hurt a hair of…

We trusted this was he, but we are doubtful whether we be not deceived or no, God knows whether it was he or no; but we have just occasion of doubting, for they thought the Messiah should have lived forever, and now this is the third day since he was crucified, and we trusted th…

Fifthly, if we would have Christ, and life in him, we may have him in justification, but not in growth of sanctification, if you part not with confidence in the saving graces of God's Spirit, you must not look to be justified by them, for if you do you will discover them not to…

2. Feel the virtue of it in heart and conscience. In heart, by our dying to sin, then we are planted into the likeness of his death (Romans 6:5): They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof (Galatians 5:24). Who his own self bore our sin…

If you indulge the Flesh, you are willing to lose your souls. Indeed it wars against the Spirit, or better part, as contrary to it (Galatians 5:17): "For the flesh lusts against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh." Other things could do us no harm without our own flesh…

But when the Scripture speaks of rewards and works, then it speaks of the compound or incarnate faith. We will rehearse some examples of this faith: As, faith which works by love (Galatians 5:6). Do this, and you shall live.

Contrariwise Paul can in no way suffer that men's consciences should be bound to the law of Moses, but always delivers them from the law. Behold, I Paul (says he a little after in chapter 5) do write to you, that if you be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing (Galatians…

Let no man therefore presume so much of himself, that when he has once received faith, he can right away be thoroughly changed into a new man: In fact, he shall keep somewhat of his old vices still hanging upon him, though he be never so good and perfect a Christian. For we are…

Thirdly, we are sanctified by the word of truth (John 17:17), and guided by the spirit of truth: and therefore we are to detest lying, and deceit. Fourthly, truth is a fruit of God's spirit (Galatians 5), and a mark of God's child (Psalm 32:2): he has the pardon of his sins in w…

It was the sin of Ahab that troubled Israel (1 Kings 18:18). The sin of false apostles that troubled the Galatians (Galatians 5:10). Nay, it drives men beside themselves, as appears in the example of the prodigal son, who repenting of his sin, is said to have come to himself (Lu…

Add also, that an outward appearance will not serve the turn: for where the Spirit of God bears not rule, there charity is cold. And therefore Saint Paul makes express mention of love among the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). When the observation of the Law is mentioned t…

But Calvin settles the point by rendering it serf, slave; by which he evidently means “complete and degrading subjection.” Paul frequently speaks of the state of the Church under the law as bondage, (Galatians 4:3, 9,) and a yoke of bondage, (Galatians 5:1.) — Ed. of the law, th…

are inflamed with rage. Again, when we see that the minds of men are so envenomed, that they become mad against God, whenever they are treated with some degree of roughness, we ought to implore the Spirit of meekness, (Galatians 5:23,) that we may not be driven, by the same fury…

Flesh therefore signifies the whole and entire man, even as he lives in this life. Now, the works of the flesh are in excellent order, reckoned up and recounted by Saint Paul, Galatians 5. And not those gross actions and works of the flesh only, as fornication, but the chiefest…

But the word of the Lord endures forever and this is the word which is preached among you. Saint Paul in Galatians 5 reckons up the fruits that follow faith. The fruits of the Spirit (says he) are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperanc…

And they do not only condemn their sins, because they are forced to it by the judgment of reason: but because from the very heart they abhor them, and are displeased with them. This is that Christian warfare, between the flesh and the Spirit, of which Paul speaks to the Galatian…

For truly in this sort we ought to reason: and not as some blasphemous persons, who prate, saying, let us be secure, because there is no power in us. But this is as it were to fight against God, if through contempt and negligence, we extinguish his grace offered to us (Galatians…

In whatsoever respect Christ is our Savior, that doubtless excludes our being our own saviors in that same respect. If we can be our own saviors in the same respect that Christ is, it will then follow that the salvation of Christ is needless in that respect; according to the apo…

Let nothing stand in competition with this, but make every thing to fall before it. If the flesh must be crossed, then cross it, spare it not, crucify it, and don't be afraid of being too cruel to it (Galatians 5:24: 'They that are Christ's, have crucified the flesh with the aff…

There are two eminent ways whereby the force and efficacacy of temptation is broken in believers. One is by the operation of internal grace, Galatians 5:17 The Spirit lusteth against the flesh; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would (i. e.) Sanctification gives sin a misc…

A second case wherein wicked men cease troubling is when they have fully attained their ends in this life; sometimes they bring their work to such perfection, to such a period, that they think they have attained all — all their plots have taken, all's theirs — and when they have…

The flesh lusts against the Spirit, as the Spirit lusts against the flesh. Galatians 5:17. As then there is an Universality in the actings of the Spirit in its opposing all evil, so also there is an Universality in the actings of the flesh for the furtherance of it.

1. The sensible powerful actings of indwelling sin, are not inconsistent with a state of grace, Galatians 5:17. There are in the same person contrary principles, the flesh and the spirit; these are contrary; And there are contrary actings from these principles; The flesh lusts a…

As the birds though they light upon the ground to pick up a little seed, yet immediately they take their wings and fly up to Heaven again: so the redeemed of the Lord, though they use the world, and take the lawful comforts of it, yet their hearts are presently off these things,…

And as faith rests on Christ's person, so on his person under this notion, as he was crucified. Faith glories in the cross of Christ (Galatians 6:14). To consider Christ as he is crowned with all manner of excellencies, does rather stir up admiration and wonder; but Christ looke…

Saint Paul had tasted these divine joys, and his mouth was out of taste for worldly things. The world was crucified to him (Galatians 6:14) — it was like a dead thing; he could find no sweetness in it. 4. Spiritual joys are more pure; they are not tempered with any bitter ingred…

4. Walk closely with God. Peace flows from purity (Galatians 6:16). As many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them: In the text, grace and peace are put together.

3. He who loves God, is not much in love with any thing else; his love is very cool to worldly things; his love to God moves as the sun in the firmament swiftly, his love to the world moves as the sun on the dial, very slow: the love of the world eats out the heart of religion:…

Answer: It concerns us to examine this; our salvation depends upon it; and we had need be careful in the search, because there is something that looks like grace which is not. Galatians 6:3: If a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Many th…

5. We show honor to our Heavenly Father by suffering dishonor, indeed, death for his sake. Saint Paul did bear in his body the marks of the Lord Jesus (Galatians 6:17). As they were marks of honor to him, so trophies of honor to the Gospel.

Labor to be new creatures. Nothing else will avail us (Galatians 6:15). Neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Now to be a bone-setter is not every man's skill; it requires special art and cunning and a gentle hand — that is, meekness and pity — which are never truly natural except when we have tasted the like or may fear the like. The apostle commands that those who are spiritual restor…

But others who stir not up themselves, God rouses and stirs up with terrors. 'He that walks according to this rule, peace be on him' (Galatians 6:16) — not otherwise. Though comfort is not always the immediate necessary fruit of righteousness, yet it is never without it.

They departed from the council, rejoicing in that they were counted worthy to suffer affliction for his name. And Saint Paul brags hereof greatly, saying; I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus, Galatians 6:17. And look, as these servants of God rejoiced in their sufferin…

Let us learn here, to hold on in a good course, when we have entered into it; for constancy and continuance is the true commendation: he that dieth in faith, is he that receives the crown. To this end, let us stir up ourselves, with the Apostle's exhortation, Galatians 6.9, Let…

Revelation 14:13. Blessed are they which die in the Lord, for they rest from their labors, and their works follow them. Galatians 6:10. While we have time let us do good to all men. Where we may note that there is a time, namely after death, when we cannot do good to others.

What wretches then shall we be, if we suffer our hearts to be filled with earthly delights, and in the mean season have little or no desire to behold with the eyes of our mind this goodly spectacle that is to be seen in the passion of Christ, that serves to revive and refresh ou…

Again, works are to be done in regard of men: that our neighbor may be helped in worldly things — Luke 6:38; that he may be won by our example to godliness — 1 Peter 3:14; that we may prevent in ourselves the giving of any offense — 1 Corinthians 10:32; that by doing good we may…

These are your seed time, and what you sow in your duties in this world, you must look to reap the fruit of in another world. Galatians 6:7-8: 'If you sow to the flesh, of that you shall reap corruption; but if to the Spirit, life everlasting.' O my soul, answer seriously: would…

Nor (2.) need they pray, Lead us not into temptation. Nor (3.) need they bear in meekness, the overtaken weak ones, who trip and stumble unawares, considering lest they also be tempted (Galatians 6:1). (4.) The faith of the strongest is not full moon, or incapable of growing (Ph…

2. Here is fullness of power, to reconcile to himself all things, whether they be things in heaven, or things on earth, by the blood of his cross; here we are made Christ's friends, to do whatever he commands us (Colossians 1:20; John 15:15). 3. Nor is there a stronger band or c…

Oh when shall I come, and appear before him? this is such a longing desire, when a man wants Christ; As that it is called, hunger and thirst (Matthew 5), such a desire as cannot be satisfied, but with meeting with that which the soul does hunger and thirst for; give a hungry man…

And therefore the servants of God have been content to lose all that they had, and willing to resign up all for the maintaining the integrity of their spirits, and the purity of their hearts and lives in the presence of God, and then let all go, they can suffer the spoil of all…

Take it in their outward condition in the world, an estate of means, and affliction; if he be a man of a fair outward estate, and of good means in the world, yet you shall see a marvelous spirit of self-denial in him, so as that in the midst of many worldly comforts, he fits loo…

Meaning dead to all these earthly things, and all the comforts here below, they are not our life, but our life is hid with Christ in God; and therefore to this world are we dead. And Paul therefore so speaks of it (Galatians 6:14): The world is crucified to me, and I to the worl…

Who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we being dead to sin should live to righteousness. Then glory in it (Galatians 6:14): God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.…

Diverse things seen in one view do more surprise us, than if viewed by a leisurely contemplation: alas! We are sometimes overcome by the violence of a temptation, sometimes overtaken by the suddenness of it (Galatians 6:1). Brethren, if one be overtaken in a fault — inconsiderat…

And he says not: of whom I travail in birth until my form be fashioned in you, but until Christ be formed in you: that is to say, I travail that you may receive again the form and likeness of Christ, and not of Paul. In which words he again reproves the false apostles: for they…

And therefore in his reproof he does two things. First, he reproves them with meekness, and tenderness of heart, following his own rule (Galatians 6:1), for he might justly have said, you may be ashamed, that you are removed to another Gospel, but he says only, I marvel, that is…

God's service and kingdom, stands in justice, peace of conscience, and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17). He that is in Christ must not know him in any carnal respects, but be a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:17). Baptism is not the washing of the spots of the…

Now these words [which is a sign in every Epistle] cannot be meant (as some are of opinion) of the former words only, namely, The salutation of me Paul with my own hand. First, because he says, it is a sign in every Epistle, whereas it is only to be found, 1 Corinthians 16:21, G…

And we daily behold how they burn, drown, and hang the servants of Jesus Christ, whose death nonetheless is precious and blessed in God's sight. For even as the Cross of our Lord was blessed; so also the gibbets, bonds, chains and deaths which his members endure do partake of th…

The like, by as good right, is to be said of all the Ministers of the Church. Moreover, in as much as all the faithful, of whatever condition they be, belong to the sanctuary of the Lord, and are made one royal Priesthood by Christ, to dwell before him: I willingly refer these w…

Again, many are too greedy, like horse-leeches, that still suck in other men's blood. Yet let us often and always bear in mind what Saint Paul says, (Galatians 6:9) to wit, that we shall reap in due season if we faint not. For the Lord exhorts us not to such a kind of liberality…

So highly does our heavenly Father value the salvation of men, that whatever contributes to it he chooses to place to his own account. That we may not become weary in doing well, (Galatians 6:9,) Christ declares that the labor of those who are faithfully employed in their callin…

Remembrance is of things and persons which are absent; remember them, though you see them not, though absent from you, yet make their case as present; be as bound with them, be as afflicted with them, yes, hasten into their presence. Bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2). R…

Wait with courage and resolution that you faint not. And the apostle puts the blessed Event of faith and obedience upon the avoidance of this evil, Galatians 6:9. We shall reap if we faint not.

Paul,He that prouids not for his own, a[]d namely for them of his houshold, is worse then an insidell: whence this order may be obserued, that I. a man must give to them that be of his own houshold and family: II. to his own blood, kinred, and alliance: III. unto strangers. The…

We shall see the practise of this in the word of God, Abigail obserued a fit time to reprooue her husbād for his churlish answer to Dauids servants, and therefore told him not of it till his feast of sheep-shearing was ended, & the wine gone out of his head. 3. The maner of our…

Secondly; they owe to them the honor of maintenance. So (Galatians 6:6): Let him that is taught in the Word, communicate to him that teaches, in all good things. And there is good reason for it: For if we have sown to you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap yo…

Thus, I say, by reflecting on ourselves, we shall be withheld from being injurious in our censures, and in our reports of others; we shall hardly divulge their real miscarriages, much less accuse and slander them with false and forged ones. This is the Apostle's rule (Galatians…

An exact life will not make, but keep conscience quiet; an easy shoe heals not a sore foot, but keeps a sound one from crushing. Walking with God according to gospel rules has peace entailed upon it, and that peace is such a treasure, as thereby a Christian may have his rejoicin…

The world cannot alter the joy or sadness of the heart. A through-paced, well-tried child of God has his rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another (Galatians 6:4). It is a peddling, beggarly life to wander abroad for morsels, but that is a noble kind of living, when a man h…

As we say of a dying man, he is not a man for this world. A true saint is crucified in his affections to the world (Galatians 6:14). He is dead to the honors and pleasures of it.

APPLICATION. Translate this into spirituals, and the proposition shadowed forth by it, is fully expressed by the Apostle (Galatians 6:7). What a man sows, that shall he reap; they that sow to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; and they that sow to the spirit, shall o…

Indeed it is older than that, for it is a long time since Abel first took up the cross and had it laid upon his shoulders, and down from him all along to this very day all the saints have known what it is. I am glad that Christ has such a relation to this cross, and that it is c…

Some people love to be cross-grained, and take a pleasure in displeasing, and especially contrive to provoke those whom they find passionate and easily provoked, that (as he that gives his neighbor drink, and puts his bottle to him (Habakkuk 2:15-16)) they may look upon his sham…

1. We must give reproofs with meekness. It is the apostle's direction (Galatians 6:1): if a man be overtaken in a fault (that is, if he be surprised by a temptation and overcome, as the best may be, if God leave them to themselves) you which are spiritual, restore such a one in…

We have reason to bewail their madness, and to pity, and pray for them, for they know not what they do. Miserable souls! How will they be deceived at last, when they shall find that God is not mocked (Galatians 6:7)! And that while they were studying to put contempt on religion,…

And therefore the Apostle would have us be careful, if any were out of joynt, to set him in joynt again, that is the propriety of the word. Gal. 6:1 If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restoresuch a one; set such a one in joynt, that he may thrive, as membe…

This is our Compass to steer our course by, and it is truly touched; he that orders his conversation by it, shall safely arrive in Heaven at las[•]. Galatians 6:16. As many as walk according to this rule, Peace be on them, and mercy. This Word is as necessary to us in our way to…

And this is the first conjugal affection that Christ exercises towards believers; he delights in them: which that he does is evident, as upon other considerations innumerable, so from the instance, given. In return hereunto, for the carrying on of the communion between them, the…

Hitherto of the husband's avoiding of offense, a word concerning his bearing with offense. A general duty it is, common to all of all sorts, to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2): in which extent even a wife is to bear her husband's burden, because he, as everyone else,…