Brief Exposition of Galatians and Ephesians, Exposition 2 · Chapter 6 · Verse and explication 24

Brief Exposition of Galatians and Ephesians · Exposition 2 · Chapter 6 · Verse and explication 24

p. 481Vers. 24. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

HEre the Apostle wisheth for grace, that is, Gods free favour and love in Christ, the fountain and sum of all the former good things wished-for, and enlargeth his wish towards all Believers, described from this, that they love Jesus Christ in sincerity, or incorruption (as the word signifieth) that is, not for a time only, but constantly, not in hypocrisie, or shew only, but sincerely and really; and so closeth up all with his Amen, as an evidence both of his affectionate desire and confidence of an answer. Doct. 1. Though we may have a more particular eye to some than to others, by making mention of them expresly in our prayers because of our charge of them, present imployment about them, or other near relations towards them; yet, we ought not to exclude any, especially of these who have relation to Christ, but are to remember all such, at least in generall, and seek the same good things from God to them which we wish for others: for, the Apostle, having made expresse mention of the believing Ephesians, under the name of Brethren, ver. 23. doth here extend his charity and prayers towards all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in generall; Grace be with all them, saith he. 2. The more the heart is exercised in spirituall duties, especially in prayer, it groweth more warm and more enlarged to the exercise of all those saving graces, required in that duty, and especially to publick-mindednesse, and the exercise of charity towards the Saints, and of faith in Jesus Christ: for, Paul, continuing his prayers and wish untill this verse, getteth his charity enlarged in the exercise of it, towards all Christians in generall, and his faith strengthened to the owning of Christ as his own; Grace be with all that love our Lord. p. 4823. Gods grace, or free favour, is the sum of all which a man needeth to wish, either for himself or others, it is virtually all things, so that the man that hath it, wanteth nothing; he hath all good and necessary things in their cause and fountain, he doth also possesse all such things in that measure God seeth fitting for him: for, in this part of his wish, which relateth to all lovers of Christ in generall, he doth only make expresse mention of grace, as virtually comprysing peace, love and faith, which he wished to the brethren, ver. 23. Grace be with all them that love our Lord. 4. Love to Jesus Christ, is a sure mark of those who have saving interest in the good things purchased by Him, and one of those marks which are best known to the person who hath it; love to Christ where it is, cannot be well hid: for, Paul, designing those who might plead interest in the good things prayed-for, describeth them by their love to Christ, as being a mark both sure and easily discerned; With all them that love our Lord. 5. The Lords Servants ought to endeavour, that those, who are in a gracious state, and have right to the great and good things purchased by Christ, may know so much, and for that end would furnish them with the knowledge of such marks and evidences as may be most easily discerned where they are, and infallibly prove the soul that hath them to be in a state of grace: for, Paul giveth such a mark of those who had interest in the good things prayed-for, even love to Christ, that they might know so much of themselves; With all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ. 6. It is the duty of Ministers to lay hold on all occasions to recommend this grace of love to Christ, by holding forth those many good and excellent things which do accompany it, and are made evident to be in the heart by it, that so the Lords people may be the more incited to bestow their love and heart upon Him: for, Paul, to stir them up to the love of Christ, recommendeth this grace, by making it the mark and evidence of the man that hath interest in all the good things wished-for; with p. 483all them that love our Lord. 7. Though we are bound to pray even for those who are graclesse, that God may bestow grace upon them; yet the more speaking evidences there be of true grace in any, we may be the more encouraged to pray to God for them, and with greater confidence to expect a gracious return of our prayers upon them: for, Pauls wishes to God, to which he affixeth an Amen, in evidence of his confidence to be heard, are put up in behalf of those who do love our Lord Jesus Christ. 8. As there are many who professe love to Christ, whose love is, and, when it is tryed, will be found to be but counterfeir, unsincere and not reall; So the good things promised to those who love the Lord Jesus Christ, do not at all belong to any of that sort, whatsoever their deluded hearts may sancie to the contrary, but to such only, who love Him really, sincerely, and testifie their love into Him by keeping His commandments, Joh. 14. 15. and especially by loving those who are His, 1 Joh. 4. 20, 21. for, the Apostle qualifieth that love to Christ, which is an evidence of interest in the good things wished-for, by sincerity: which implyeth there is somelove not sincere; That love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. 9. The more sincere a man is in the exercise of any grace, or practice of any duty, he will endure the longer; sincerity in good is alwayes attended with perseverance, but hypocrisie doth soon faint and wholly sit up at the last, Joh. 27. 8, 9. with 10. So much is implyed by the word, here rendered sincerity, as Tit. 2. -7. which also signifieth incorruption: That love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity,

Amen.

FINIS.

ERRATA.

End of the text · James Fergusson, Brief Exposition of Galatians and Ephesians (1659)