SERMONS UPON 2 THESSALONIANS L1
SERMON I.
So that ive ourselves glory in you in the churches of God, for your 'patience and faith in all the persecutions and tribulations which ye endure. — 2 Thes. i. 4.
We still stick in the preface and introduction into this epistle, where- in the apostle signifieth his singular love to the Thessalonians, mani- fested in two effects — first, that he had given thanks to God for them, ver. 3 ; secondly, gloried of them among other christians, in the text. So that in the words observe — (1.) The form and manner of the com- mendation ; (2.) The matter of it: First, In the manner —
1. The person commending, ' We ourselves.' In the former epistle he speaketh of their faith as praised by others : 1 Thes. i. 8, ' In every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad, so that we need not to speak anything.' Now he justifieth the common fame by his own testimony ; he himself approved their constancy. (1.) Laudavi a laudato. It is easy to deceive the credulous multitude, but to deserve esteem of those who are best able to judge is a comfort to us. (2.) The fame of their receiving the faith was spread by others, but when they were in a confirmed estate of grace, Paul himself ventureth to give them his word and testimony, ' We ourselves,' &c. Where grace is eminent and notorious, it may be praised without suspicion of flattery. (3.) To keep up the value of our testimony, that it may add weight and credit to those that receive it. There was much in this, ' We ourselves.'
2. The act of praising, ' We glory in you,' Kav^fxev. Glorying imports — (1.) Exultation or rejoicing of mind ; (2.) The outward ex- pression of it, by word of mouth or speech. The one cometh from the apprehension of some excellency, good, or benefit ; the other from a desire that others may know how we are affected with it. But did this glorying become apostolical gravity ? Yes ; for — (1.) It was for the honour of God ; for before he speaketh of the praising of them, he speaketh of his giving thanks to God, from whom they received
1 The doctor began this chapter at the third verse, on which he preached five sermons, that are printed in volume [xvii. of this edition], containing the growth and increase of faith, from the nature, properties, examples, and instances of it in scripture.
VeR. 4.] SERMONS UPON 2 THESSALONIANS I. 199
these gifts and graces. He doth not challenge the glory as due to himself and his labours, hut ascribeth all to God. (2.) For the encouragement of the Thessalonians. We ought to give a testimony to others that deserve it, not to curry favour with them, but to encourage them to perseverance in the way of God. (3.) For the example of others and the edification of the church ; for he propounded them as a pattern of imitation. (4.) For his own comfort ; he gloried in them as the seal and fruit of his ministry : 1 Thes. ii. 20, ' For our joy and glory are ye in the Lord.' For these reasons, when the work did first speak for itself, did Paul add his testimony.
3. The persons before whom, ' In the churches of God.' Not in profane assemblies or common meetings, but where the people of God were met together to worship God and receive spiritual benefit. They are called 'churches of God' — (1.) Because God instituted and founded them : Acts xx. 28, ' Feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.' (2.) There God is worshipped and acknowledged : Fs. xxii. 3, ' He inhabiteth the praises of Israel.' (3.) There he mani- fests his power and presence : Eph. ii. 22, ' Built up to be an habita- tion of God through the Spirit.'
Secondly, The matter of his praise : their eminent graces — (1.) Men- tioned and specified ; (2.) Heightened by their grievous temptations.
1. The graces wherein they excelled, faith and patience. Before it was faith and love, now it is faith and patience. These two are often joined ; as Heb. vi. 12, ' Be ye followers of them who through faith and patience have inherited the promises.' So Phil. i. 29, ' To you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake.' Faith goeth before suffering, for the suf- ferer must first be a believer ; but when God calleth to it, both must go together. So Heb. x. 35, 36, ' Cast not away your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward ; for ye have need of patience.' As if confidence and patience were but one and the same thing, at least very much of kin.
2. The grievousness of the temptations wherewith these graces were exercised : ' In all the persecutions and tribulations which ye endure.' (1.) In the term ' all ' there is a multiplicity implied. (2.) And in the words, ' persecutions and tribulations,' the grievousness of their temptations. They were not only persecuted or brought into trouble, but the persecution took effect. ' Persecution ' noteth the attempt of their adversaries, and ' tribulation ' the success ; their trouble was not only endeavoured but effected. Therefore it is said, Eom. viii. 35, ' Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution ? ' (3.) In the word ' endured ' is intimated that with great patience they bore these troubles, and yet continued firm and constant in the faith.