Returning to Ordinances

The Galatians were disappointing His affection. They were returning to ordinances. This is contrary to the Spirit of adoption, taking the elect from the Father's house again to put them under tutors and governors as before, and destroying the free, gracious, confiding communion of children with their Father. They were bringing back Hagar to the house.
It is this which the Spirit so earnestly resents in this part of Galatians. It is the grieved and wounded heart of the Father that speaks in this fervent epistle. Sarah had expressed this resentment in Genesis, when she said, "Cast out this bondwoman and her son." Those words are quoted here, for here in like manner the Spirit, in the behalf, so to speak, of the Father, expresses the same resentment. Paul would act the part of a parent in this epistle (Gal. 4:19).
By faith we are justified (Ch. 3:24); by faith we are made children (Ch. 3:26). A return to ordinances or works of law, therefore, reproaches Christ as though He had not accomplished our justification. It also silences in our hearts the cry of adoption, and thus disappoints the love of the Father. It is this which this chapter, with some indignation, resents.
I do feel that it gives this part of the epistle a very affecting and beautiful character. It is the resentment, or uttered disappointment of Him who, as long ago as the days of Abraham and Sarah, let His elect know this-that no other condition of things between Him and them would satisfy His heart. Only the relationship of a father to those who not only are, but also know themselves to be, children would satisfy His heart. Those who are weaned, like Isaac, from the milk of ordinances and brought home to the good of the Father's table give Him satisfaction. When our relationship to God becomes the subject with our souls, how commanding it is—at least, if it is a real thing with us. We may be anxious or merely calmly inquiring, or, having found, be joyful, but however such affections may vary, they are commanding.