The Second Part.
Vers. 11. ••ee see how large a letter I have written un∣to you with mine own hand.
The second part of the Chapter follows, wherein af∣ter his Doctrine compared with the errour of his Ad∣versaries, now hee compares the Teacher with the Teachers, i. e. Himself, with the Seducers of the Gala∣tians, and that for their own edification, who admired those glorious Doctors, their Seducers.
Before hee compares himself, hee premises the com∣mendation of his sincere love towards the Galatians, that hee writ this so large an Epistle with his own hand, without the help of any Scribe, as a most ample testimony of his solicitousness for their salvation.
Vers. 12. As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to bee circumcised: onely lest they should suffer persecution for the Cross of Christ.
Hee begins his comparison, and proves the hypocrisie of his Emulators by four signs.
A fair shew] Sign 1. That they study nothing more, than to carry themselves fairly before men.
Onely] Sign 2. That they compel the Galatians to admit of Circumcision, not out of love, but onely lest they should suffer persecution by the Jews for the Do∣ctrine of the Cross, or free justification by the death of Christ, and not by the works of the Law.
Vers. 13. For neither they themselves who are circum∣cised, keep the Law, but desire to have you circum∣cised, that they may glory in your flesh.
Sign 3. That although they were circumcised long since, yet they little care for the observance of the Law, which they required of others.
But desire] Sign 4. That they seek occasion from the circumcision of the Galatians to glory amongst the Jews, that they had converted many Proselytes to the Law.
Vers. 14. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Iesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto mee, and I unto the world.
In the other part of the comparison the sincerity of the Apostle is shewn, in these two things, (1.) That hee onely glories in his free Redemption by Christ crucified, and in his sufferings for the Doctrine. (2.) That hee doth not affect earthly pomp, but contemn the world (with all its pomp and glory) which persecuted and despised him, for the Doctrine of the Cross sake, and by the Cross learnt daily more and more to contemn the world.
Vers. 15. For in Christ Iesus neither Circumcision a∣vaileth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Hee gives four Reasons of his endeavour, which are so many signs of his sincerity. Reason 1. I know that in the Kingdome of Christ, neither Circumcision nor Uncircumcision is respected by God, but a new creature, i. e. I know that it is necessary, when any one is admit∣ted by faith into the Kingdome of Christ and justified, that hee should bee more and more renewed and sancti∣fied, but other priviledges are of no value without new∣ness of life: Therefore I will onely glory in the Cross of Christ.
Vers. 16. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace bee on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
Reas. 2. The rule of my intention is the summe of the whole Canonical Scripture, to which as to one onely rule, or one onely Canon, the Doctrine and life of all is to bee conformable: Therefore I will only glory in the Cross of Christ, &c.
Peace] Reas. 3. I am perswaded, that whosoever shall order their faith and life by this rule, they shall also ob∣tain peace, i. e. a sense of their reconciliation to God, all kinde of blessings, or an accumulation of good things, and mercy, or a remedy for the purging away all e∣vills: Therefore I will onely glory in the Cross of Christ.
Israel] Reas. 4. They are alone the true Israel of God, that follow this Rule: Therefore all things laid aside, I will onely glory in the Cross of Christ, by, &c.
Vers. 17. From henceforth let no man trouble mee, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Iesus.
After the Comparison, as a Conquerour hee tri∣umphs over his Emulators, forbidding them to make him any further work, either by gain-saying his Doctrine, or by detracting from his Autho∣rity, because hee bare the ensign of his Felicity to∣wards Christ, viz. the mark of a servant most de∣voted to Christ, i. e. Hee hath all the signes of an Apostle, and a faithfull Witness, clearly to bee seen in him.
Vers. 18. Brethren, the Grace of our Lord Iesus Christ bee with your spirit. Amen.
Hee shuts up the Epistle with his accustomed seal, wishing that the Grace of Jesus Christ, manifested, beleeved, and effectual, might abide in their mindes, hearts, and whole life, that from thence they may draw consolation both in life and death, to which Amen is subjoyned as a testimony of his vote, and the faith of an Apostle, and for a seal of the truth of the precedent Doctrine.