Galatians 1:13 For you have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God… I. AS A PERSECUTOR. Consider — 1. The wasting. (1) How can the Church be wasted? Not in its inward estate, which stands in election, faith, justification; glory; but in respect of men's bodies, public assemblies, religious exercises. (2) Why does God suffer it to be wasted? Judgment begins at the house of God. Painful operations are often needful to health. 2. The waster. (1) Sin, when it takes place, gives a man no rest till it has brought him to a height of wickedness. (2) Therefore avoid the beginning of evil. II. AS A RELIGIONIST. 1. He profited exceedingly. Observe (1) that there should be holy emulation in religion, (2) but modest pretensions an excellence. 2. He was exceedingly jealous (1) about the law and unwritten traditions, (2) but not according to knowledge. III. WHENCE LEARN — 1. To addict and set ourselves earnestly to maintain the truth. 2. To be angry when God is dishonoured and His Word disobeyed. 3. Not to give liberty to the best of our natural affections, as zeal, but to rule them. 4. To estimate unwritten traditions at their proper worth. (W. Perkins.) Parallel Verses KJV: For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: |
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