+II. The lessons of persecution.+--1. _The persecution of the Church should not create surprise._ 2. _Not to regard the Church and the world as alike._ 3. _Build ourselves up in faith so as to be prepared for the fiery trial._ 4. _Love the truth you profess._ 5. _Be renewed in spirit.--A. Farindon._ Ver. 30. _Cast out the Bondwoman and her Son._--To cast out is an act of violence, and the true Church evermore hath the suffering part. How shall the Church cast out those of her own house and family? 1. By the vehemency of our prayers that God would either melt their hearts or shorten their hands, either bring them into the right way, or strike off their chariot wheels. 2. By our patience and longsuffering. 3. By our innocency of life and sincerity of conversation. 4. By casting our burden upon the Lord.--_Ibid._ _The Fate of Unbelievers._ +I. All hypocrites, mockers of the grace of God, shall be cast forth of God's family,+ though for a time they bear a sway therein. This is the sentence of God. Let us therefore repent of our mocking and become lovers of the grace of God. +II. The persecution of the people of God shall not be perpetual,+ for the persecuting bondwoman and her son must be cast out. +III. All justiciary people and persons that look to be saved and justified before God by the law,+ either in whole or in part, are cast out of the Church of God, and have no part in the kingdom of heaven. The casting out of Hagar and Ishmael is a figure of the rejection of all such.--_Perkins._ * * * * * * * * +CHAPTER V.+ _CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES._ Ver. 1. +Stand fast in.+--Stand up to, make your stand for. +The liberty wherewith Christ has made you free.+--As Christ has given you this liberty you are bound to stand fast in it. +Be not entangled.+--Implicated in a way which involves violence to true spontaneous life. +The yoke of bondage.+--Contrasted with the yoke of Christ, which is compatible with the fullest spiritual freedom. Ver. 2. +If ye be circumcised.+--Not simply as a national rite, but as a symbol of Judaism and legalism in general; as necessary to justification. +Christ shall profit you nothing.+--The Gospel of grace is at an end. He who is circumcised is so fearing the law, and he who fears disbelieves the power of grace, and he who disbelieves can profit nothing by that grace which he disbelieves (_Chrysostom_). Ver. 5 +Wait for the hope of righteousness.+--Righteousness, in the sense of justification, is already attained, but the consummation of it in future perfection is the object of hope to be waited for. Ver. 6. +Faith which worketh by love.+--Effectually worketh, exhibits its energy by love, and love is the fulfilling of the law. Ver. 9. +A little leaven.+--Of false doctrine, a small amount of evil influence.