William Perkins on Galatians 4:11

V. 11. I am afraid, &c.

In these words, the Apostle sets forth the greatnesse of the Apostasie of the Galatians, by the effect thereof, which was to cause him to feare, least he had bestowed labour in vaine amōg them.

First the occasion of the words must be considered, and that is expressed in the former words. ye obserue daies and moneths. And hereupon he saith, J am in feare of you. And thus Paul teacheth, that workes set vp as causes of saluation with Christ, make void the Ministerie and grace of God. It may be said, this is meant of ceremoniall workes, and so it is true. I answer, it is indeed spoken of ceremoniall workes, but it must be inlarged to all workes without exception. For Paul saith, c. 5. v. 3. If ye be circumcised, ye are bound to fulfill the whole lawe. Hence then it followes, that the doctrine of iustification by workes, is an errour in the foundation, and beeing distinctly, and obstinately maintained, there is no hope of saluation.

Againe, here we see the fidelitie of the Apostle Paul, and it stands in two things: the first is, his painefull and wearisome labour, to gaine the Galatians to God. The second is, his care that the foresaid labour be not in vaine. And in this example of his, we learne three things. The first, that they which are, or desire to be dispensers of the word, must doe it not for the bellie, or for lucres sake, or for the praise of men, but simply for this ende, that they may gaine soules to God. The Scribe that would haue followed Christ for gaine, was repelled with this answer, that Christ had not so much as a place where to lay his head, Math. 8. 20. and to preach for by-respects, is to make a marchandise of the word of God, 2. Cor. 2. 17. The second is, that ministers after the example of Paul, must be labourers indeed, 1. Cor. 3. 9. and workemen, 2. Tim. 2. 15. And they must shewe themselues to be so, by their care and industrie in winning soules to God. And it is not sufficient now and then to make a discourse vpon a text. Thirdly, Ministers of the word must be watchmen. Ezech. 3. 14, and Heb. 13. 17. their office is not onely to gaine and call men to God, but also to preserue and keepe them in Christ, which are alreadie called.

Thirdly, here we see the condition of the Church of Galatia, and of all other visible Churches vpon earth, that they are subiect to Apostasie. It may be said, how can this be, considering true beleeuers cannot fall away? Ans. In the visible church on earth, there are foure kinds of beleeuers. The first are they, which heare the word without zeale, and they are like the stony ground. The second are they, which heare, knowe, and approoue the word. The third are they, which heare, knowe, and approoue the word, and haue a taste of the power thereof, and accordingly yeeld some outward obedience. The fourth are they, which heare, knowe, approoue, and keepe the word, in that they beleeue it, and are turned into the obedience of it. The three first may fall quite away, the fourth cannot. And by this meanes it comes to passe, that visible Churches vpon earth may fall away: because of them that professe the faith, three to one may vtterly fall away.

The vse. This must teach vs that are members of the visible Church, to feare and to suspect our selues: and not to content our selues, because we haue some good things in vs: but we must labour to be sealed vp to the daie of our redemption, and to lay vp a good foundation against the time to come, 1. Tim. 6. 18. By seeking to haue in vs such good things, as are proper to the Elect, as vnfained faith in Christ, and conuersion to God from all our sinnes.

It may be demanded, how Pauls labour should be in vaine? Ans. It was in vaine in respect of his owne desire and affection to saue all the Galatians: secondly, it was in vaine, in respect of the whole bodie of that Church, wherof many were hypocrits. It was not in vaine in respect of the elect, nor in respect of the counsell of God, Isa. 55. 11.

Againe, it may be demanded, what must be done when the labours of our callings are in vaine? Ans. We must follow the calling and commandement of God; whether we haue good successe or no, and whatsoeuer come of it. Paul feares least his labour is in vaine, and yet he still labours. When Peter had laboured all night and caught nothing, he saith, at the commandement of Christ, In thy word will I cast out my net, Luk. 5. And thus to doe, (whatsoeuer follows) is true wisedome, and the feare of God. For it must suffice vs, that the worke we take in hand is pleasing vnto God. And though it be in vaine, in respect of men, it is not so before God. Isa, 49. 4. and 2. Cor. 2. 18. This must euery man remember in his place and calling, for the establishing of his minde against all euents.