Brief Exposition of Galatians and Ephesians, Exposition 2 · Chapter 3 · Verse and explication 19
Vers. 21. Unto him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end, Amen.
NExt, there is the thanksgiving it self, wherein the Apostle (having his own heart, doubtlesse, duely affected and overcharged with high thoughts of Gods goodnesse, mercy, power, justice, and other attributes manifested chiefly in that admirable work of Redemption, whereof he hath spoken at length from the beginning of this Epistle; and having engaged his heart to set forth the glory and excellency of those praiseworthy attributes, both in word and work) doth further wish that this duty of glorifying God may, and thereby also doth foreprophesie that it shall be gone about by Gods true Church, to wit, among visible professours, members of the Church, and chiefly, sincere Believers, (even all such as should find the saving effects of Gods glorious attributes in their own experience) and this in all ages and generations, so long as the world should stand, and to all eternity after time shall be ended; and by Jesus Christ, in whom all their sacrifices of prayers and praises, or of any other performance, are accepted of God. Doct. 1. The subject matter of a Believers song of praise and glory to God, is not only those things which God hath graciously done already; but what He is yet to do, together with the consideration of His power and goodwill to do them: for, the Apostle doth here ascribe glory to God, even for what He was able to do above what they could ask or think, as appeareth from the connexion of the two verses. 2. As we ought to make conscience of praise and thanksgiving to God our selves; So, such is the weight of this duty in it self, Psal. 106. 2. and so far short doth the best come in it, Neh. 9. -5. so profitable is this duty unto those who do practise it, Psal. 147. 1. that we would seriously wish, and accordingly endeavour that many others would take a lift of it, and joyn with us in this weighty task of giving glory to God: for, this is a part of Paul's giving glory to God, even a wish that the Church may joyn with him in it; Unto Him be glory in the Church. 3. Though it be the duty of all reasonable creatures to set forth Gods glory, yea, and all do set it forth one way or other, even damned men and devils in a passive way, Rom. 9. 17. Yet only those are fit to go about this heavenly duty in a spiritual manner, and only such will make conscience of it, whom God hath separated from the world unto Himself, and upon whom He doth manifest the gracious effects of His praise-worthy attributes: for, he enjoyneth this duty unto the Church, and especially to real Believers in it, because the Lord doth make His glorious attributes in their gracious effects, manifest only to such, Psal. 76. 1, 2. Unto Him be glory in the Church. 4. Praise and thanksgiving is a duty to be performed, not only by Professors and Believers severally and apart, but by all of them conjunctly in the assemblies of Gods people, as being a part of that publick homage we owe to God, Psal. 65. 1. and a…an of mutuall edification, Col. 3. 16. for, he saith unto Him be glory in the Church. 5. Though the duty of thanksgiving and praise be all which God requireth from us for favours bestowed on us, Psal. 50. 15. yet, we cannot discharge even this duty of our selves and acceptably, but by Jesus Christ, through whom we have furniture and strength to do, Philip. 4. 13. accesse unto God in doing, Eph. 2. 18. and acceptation with God, when we have done either this, or any other duty, Eph. 1. -6. for he saith unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus. 6. As God shall never want glory from His Church; So there shall alwayes be a Church through all ages to hold up this song of praise and glory to God, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail, Matth. 16. -18. neither shall the Church ever in any age want matter of praise: (the saddest times want not their own mercies, Ezek. 9. -13-) for as this is a wish, so it is a prophesie, that unto Him shall be glory in the Church through all ages. 7. See further (from the continuance of this song unto all eternity, and from the Apostles Amen, whereby he closeth the thanksgiving) upon Gal. 1. ver. 5. doct. 3. and 4. World without end,
Amen.