First. Circumcision was the first prerogative before conversion ; and it was not before the eighth day, to the end that the child might gather some strength to bear and endure the ceremony, for it was of itself grievous, and a bloody ceremony ; wherefore it was that Moses his wife called him a bloody husband, Exod. iv. 25. And this ceremony was not to be respited above eight days, that the parents might not be delayed in their comfort. Whence we may gather, that dying before baptism is no necessary impedi- ment to the salvation of the child, for the same covenant is annexed to circumcision that is to baptism ; and the papists, that hold that the death of children before baptism hindereth the salvation of the infant, may as well hold that all the children that died before the eighth day, being the day of circumcision, were damned. Secondly, Observe this, that children, though infants, may, nay, must, be baptized, if it may be with conveniency ; for children were circumcised, nay, they were enjoined circumcision, on the eighth day. Now, seeing the covenant is the same, and given to children, now as then, why may not the seal thereof be now given in their infancy as then ?
\^RSE 5.
Of the stock of Israel.
Jacob had his name changed of his wrestling with the angel, and pre- vailed. St Paul says he was of that stock of Israel that prevailed with God.
PIIILIPPIANS CHAP. Ill, VER. G, 79
Of the tribe of Benjamin.
There were two tribes of especial credit, Judah and Benjamin. They were kingly tribes. Benjamin was honoured with the first king, Saul the son of Kish, who though he were a castaway, yet it is a matter of great joy in the flesh to have great men, personages and learned men, of their lineage.
An Hehreio of the Hebrews.
More ancient than an Israelite, for Abraham was an Hebrew before Jacob was an Israelite. And he was an Hebx'ew born, no proselyte or converted Jew.
As touching the laio, a Pharisee.
Before Christ's time there were divers sects among the Jews, as Pharisees, Scribes, Herodians, and Essaii.* But the Pharisees were the greatest sect of all ; and as the word signifies, so they did separate themselves as better than other Jews whatsoever. And St Paul lays down this as one especial carnal thing, wherein he might glorj'. He was no common Jew, but a zealous Jew. So as thence we may observe, that there is a fire and zeal that is not kindled by heaven ; but, as St James saith of the tongue, ' is set on fire of hell,' iii. 6, out of ignorance. Blind zeal therefore is a ground of destruction. We are therefore to take heed ; for unless our zeal have an eye, nothing is more tempestuous and troublesome than that man is whom it possesses.
VERSE 6.
Concerning zeal, j^ersecuting the church.
Wliere zeal is, if it be meant in the largest sense, it is very hot against all opposites. It hath the name from fire, separating heterogenies, and gathering things homogeneal. Our apostle was none of those drowsy pro- fessors that would be content to mingle religions, so as where there is no opposition there is no zeal. And therefore those that would reconcile religions, false and true, they have not a spark of zeal, but are key-cold. Again, Paul well joins persecution and a Pharisee together, for there was never hypocrite but he was a persecutor. For he, making and grounding his profession on pride and a desire to be counted holy, when a downright person esteems him not, but by his integrity, puts the other's outward pro- fession out of countenance, presently he falleth a persecuting, especially if his hypocrisy brings any profit or gain, as it was with Demetrius in the Acts, xix. 24, 38 ; and as it is now with the Romish Church, whose chief end is profit, as appears by their purgatory, indulgences, pardons, dispen- sations, and the like. You shall have as much mass as you will, and as little preaching. We may observe further, that carnal zeal is persecuting zeal, and the persecuting church is the false church. Christ's flock never persecutes wolves. It will not indeed endure to be near them, but it is not cruel against them. The papists indeed they speak much of their mildness and meekness, but what is the reason ? Their hands are bound. Solve leonem et senties leonem, loose the lion and then you shall find he is a lion.
* That is, Essenes. Cf. "Westcott's excellcut paper in Dr Smith's Dictionary of the Bible, sub voce. — G.
80 EXPOSITION OF
Touchhuj (he rifiJitcou.wess vhicJi is in the law, hlameJess,
This was a great prerogative.
Ohj. But how can he be said to be blameless as concerning the law, when ho was without the law ? Kom, vii. 9.
I answer, It is true he was without the law in respect of the inward man, in respect of sanctified knowledge, love, and fear ; but in regard of his out- ward course of life, no man could blame him. Let this be observed by carnal c\\{\ men ; they may be blameless as concerning outward conversa- tion, and yet without the law.
Quest. But if he was blameless as concerning the law, how could he blame himself so as ho did '? Kom. vii. 15.