An expositon of all St. Pauls epistles together with an explanation of those other epistles of the apostles St. James, Peter, John & Jude : wherein the sense of every chapter and verse is analytically unfolded and the text enlightened. / David Dickson ...

CHAP. VI.

HEE proceeds to prescribe Christian duties to the Galatians, much more excellent than those Legal Ceremonies, and more worthy of their practice. There are two parts of the Chapter; in the first hee adds to the former Precepts, two other, to vers. 11. In the other hee compares himself with the false Apostles, and deserved∣ly prefers himself before them, lest the Galatians by the admiration of those should bee deceived.

Vers. 1. Brethren, if a man bee overtaken in a fault▪ yee which are spiritual, restore such a one in the Spi∣rit of meekness, considering thy self, lest thou also bee tempted.

The first Precept concerning dealing gently with the Brethren, who fall through infirmity, that they bee re∣stored in the Spirit of meekness by those, who seem more confirmed in the Spirit, but hee speaks especially to the Presbyters, upon whom it lyes by duty to recall those again to repentance that are fallen into scandalls, by ec∣clesiastical censures, and to restore again the dis-joynted members of the Church into their place. Hee com∣mandeth those to use me••kness towards them, that through infirmity are fallen back, and not to deal severe∣ly with them, which without doubt belongs to those, who have the power of punishing sinners. There are six reasons of the Precept.

Reason 1. Because the same may happen through a temptation to any one, even to the spiritual them∣selves.

Vers. 2. Bear yee one anothers burdens, and so fulfil the Law of Christ.

Reason 2. Because seeing that it may bee presupposed, that sinning Brethren are sorrowful and grieved for their backslidings and sins: Therefore it is fitting that sinners which are dejected and cast down, in all moderation and sympathy, should bee succoured and relieved under their burden.

And so] Reason 3. Because the Law of Love renew∣ed by Christ, requireth that from us.

Vers. 3. For if a man think himself to bee something, when hee is nothing, hee deceiveth himself.

Reason 4. Hee that despiseth others that backslide through infirmity, and thinks himself more strong, de∣ceiveth himself, is amongst the weakest, yea, hee is a man of no strength at all.

Vers. 4. But let every man prove his own Works, and then shall hee have rejoycing in himself alone, and not in another,

Reason 5. Propounded after the manner of a Precept making for the quelling of self admiration, and shunning the casting contempt upon a backsliden Brother, Be∣cause if every one would try himself, and examine his actions according to the rule of the divine Law, no man would arrogate to himself the praise of holiness from o∣ther mens sins, but onely from their good actions, if hee found any of them worthy of praise. This was said a∣gainst them, who never cease to aggravate another mans sin, that they may seem more holy themselves.

Vers. 5. For every man shall bear his own burden.

Reason 6. Confirming the reason fore-going. Be∣cause every one shall give an account of his Works to God, not compared with others, but considered with him∣self: Therefore it is not safe to despise those that are fal∣len into sin, and to bee lifted up against them, because in like manner thou art not fallen thy self.

Vers. 6. Let him that is taught in the Word, commu∣nicate unto him that teacheth, in all good things.

The second Precept belongeth to the people, concer∣ning liberality to bee exercised towards the Ministers of the Word, that wee communicate coporal goods to them, who communicate unto us by their office spiritual things, and give themselves to this Work.

Vers. 7. Bee not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall hee also reap.

Hee gives six reasons of the Precept, which are all ex∣tended to liberality in general, and do confirm the Pre∣cept of Liberality to Pastors the more strongly.

Reas. 1. Supposing these, who are ingrateful towards their Teachers, to bee also niggardly and slow to every good Work, because the excuses of niggardliness, are the delusions of covetous men, with which God will not suf∣fer them to delude themselves▪

Whatsoever] Reas. 2. Because every one shall receive fruit according to his deeds, hee that hath onely re∣ceived, and refuseth to bee thankful, shall bee re∣warded according to his ingratitude, and on the con∣trary.

Vers. 8. For hee that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption: But hee that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Hee expounds this Argument in particular: Hee that bestows his goods or substance, and his actions to the fulfilling the lusts of the flesh, hee shall of his doing reap corruption: But hee that on the contrary layeth out himself, and all for the glory of God, and pro∣moting the works of the Spirit, hee shall bee graciously rewarded with eternal life.

Vers. 9. As let us not bee weary in well-doing, for in due season wee shall reap, if wee faint not.

Reas. 3. Because whatsoever may bee said concerning liberality shewed by any one already, as if enough was done by him, yet hee must know, that good things past are not sufficient, unless wee persevere in well-doing.

Due] Reas. 4. Illustrating and confirming the for∣mer. Because an harvest of rewards shall certainly in due time bee to those alone that persevere in well-doing, and faint not, or bee weary.

Vers. 10. As wee have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the houshold of faith.

Reas. 5. Because the time of exercising well-doing is short, therefore opportunity is to bee observed, whilst life and abilities last, and to reward them when they are dy∣ing is somewhat late.

Especially] Reas. 6. The common bond of nature re∣quireth that wee should bee liberal to all that are in want: The bond of brother-hood requires charity to∣wards the houshold of faith, therefore how much more doth the bond of a flock towards their Pastor require that hee bee nourished by the milk and the fleece of the flock?

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.