3. The spiritual blessings vouchsafed to others conduce to a common good, therefore our profit and interest inviteth us to this duty. The ffood of some is the ffain of the whole ; we have benefit bv their
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example, and are confirmed by having companions in the faith and patience of the gospel, and the common profession groweth by their accession to the faith : 1 Thes. i, 7, 8, ' Ye were examples to all that believe in Macedonia, and Achaia ; for from you sounded out the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God- ward is spread abroad.' Eminent christians promote the interest of the gospel, and their gifts malre them serviceable : 1 Cor. i. 4,5, 'I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace that is given you by Jesus Christ, that in everything ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge ; ' and Rom. i. 12, ' That I may be comforted together with you, by the mutual faith both of you and me.' It is a comfort to meet with our Father's children everywhere, and that we have hopes of having more companions in heaven.
4. If we have no profit by them, yet the thing itself is a benefit to us, for if we have anything of the bowels of Christ or love to souls, surely we are gratified when any are converted to God. If the salva- tion of our brethren be dear to us, whatever is given in order thereto we must reckon among our benefits, and we should rejoice in one another's gifts and graces as our own. True goodness is communi- cative, and diffusive of itself, as fire turneth all about it into fire. Hypocritical profession is accompanied with an envy ; they would shine alone; and mules and creatures of a bastard production do not propagate.
5. We increase their faith and comfort when we give thanks to God for them. To that end doth the apostle mention his thanksgiving, that they might be encouraged to go on : Phil. i. 3-6, ' I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.'
Use 1. They are monsters of men that repine at the riches poured down by their own or other men's ministry upon others ; yet such a base spirit reigneth in many ; they cannot endure any should be godly and serious.
Use 2. Let us bless God for others. The angels rejoice at the con- version of a sinner, Luke xv. 10. Now this should never be omitted — (1.) When there is some eminent work accomplished, either for the multitude of objects or degree of grace. As when Cornelius was gained to the faith as the first-iruits of the Gentiles, Acts xi. 18, 'When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying,. Then hath God also unto the Gentiles granted repentance unto life ; ' and ver. 21, ' The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord ; ' and ver. 23, ' Barnabas was glad when he had seen the grace of God, and exhorted them all, that, with purpose of heart, they would cleave unto the Lord.' (2.) When there are special circumstances, as if we have been instrumental to do them good, and God hath blessed our word, or converse, or example : 1 Thes. ii. 19, 20, 'For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming ? fur ye are our glory and joy.' Or if we have prayed for anything for others, whatever we have prayed for must be thankfully acknowledged when brought to pass : 2 Cor. i. 11, * You also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gifts bestowed upon us by the means of
ser:iioxs upon 2 thessaloniaxs i. 3. 105
many persons, thanks may be given by many on our behalf ; ' and 3 John 4, ' I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth.'
Doct. 4. That in thanksgiving for spiritual benefits, whether to our- selves or others, the increase of grace must be acknowledged as well as the beginnings of it.
The degree is from God. He that beginneth perfecteth : Phil. i. 6, ' He that hath begun a good work will perfect it to the day of Christ.' The whole progress of the work, from the first step to the last, is all from God, not from the power of our own free-will, or the strength of our resolutions, or the stability of our gracious habits. For the first, that it is not from the power of our own free-will, is plain from John vi. 44, ' No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him.' And then for the second, that it is not from the strength of our resolutions : Ps. Ixxiii. 2, ' As for me, my feet were almost gone, my steps had well-nigh slipped.' And for the third, that it is not from the stability of gracious habits, see Ptev. iii. 2, 'Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, and are ready to die, for I have not found thy works perfect before God ; ' and 1 Peter v. 10, ' The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Jesus Christ, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.' He that beginneth the work of grace in us doth still carry it on to perfection ; he doth establish what is attained, and increase our spiritual strength for all difficulties and duties ; so Luke xvii. 5, ' The apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.'