To obtain an interest in the righteousness of Christ was his supreme desire —
[If any man who ever lived might have had a righteous- ness of his own, the Apostle Paul might. His conduct pre- vious to his conversion, though mistaken, was yet as exemplary, and as strictly conformable to the dictates of his conscience, as any man's could be1. And, subsequent to his conversion, his whole soul was so entirely given up to his God and Saviour Jesus Christ, that he was not in any respect " a whit behind the very chiefest Apostles." Yet, so conscious was he of the defects which accompanied his best services, that he disclaimed utterly all dependence on his own works, and desired to " be found in Christ ; not having his own righteousness, which was of the law, but the righteousness which was of God through faith in Christ." And why did he desire this, but because he knew that no other righteousness than that of Christ could ever justify him before God ? He was perfectly convinced of this; so convinced, that when the Apostle Peter acted in a way that was likely to bring this truth into doubt, he re- proved him openly, before the whole Churchk. Nay more ; so strenuous was he in vindicating this truth, that he de- nounced a curse even against an angel from heaven, if one should be found ignorant or impious enough to maintain any doctrine that was opposed to it1. He knew that the salvation of every human being was bound up in it ; and therefore he would " give place, no, not for an hour," to any created in- telligence in relation to itm.]
In comparison of this, he regarded all other things with the utmost contempt —
[All other things " he counted but dung, that he might win Christ." A stronger expression he could not have used. He not only willingly sacrificed, but held in perfect abhor- rence, every thing that should stand in competition with an interest in the Redeemer's righteousness. And he spake not this as a sanguine man, who knew not what difference might take place in his mind, when he should be put to the trial. No ; he had been brought to the test ; and had actually " suffered the loss of all things," and yet counted them but dung. He had actually experienced what he was now affirm- ing ; and he gave this testimony with an assurance that would not admit of a moment's doubt. He was like a man, who, " having found the pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it ;" and never regretted for an instant the sacrifice he had made. The terms which he here uses in
' ver. 4—6. k Gal. ii. 11—16. • Gal. i. 8, 9. » Gal. ii. 5.