God are yea, and amen." It is a patient grace, leading us to expect all that God has promised, however long we may have to wait for it*; and to fulfil all that God has required, to the utmost possible extent11 ; and to suffer all that God has ordained us to suffer, in hope of a final recompencex; and, finally, to continue in a constant course of well-doing, even to the endy. Such was the hope which the Thessalonians had maintained; and in which they had greatly rejoiced, even in the midst of all their afflictions2.]
From considering the graces of these eminent
Christians, we proceed to notice,
II. The effects produced by them in his own mind —
They excited in the Apostle's breast,
1. A lively interest in their welfare —
[A person less connected with them than he, could not but have admired such excellencies : but he was their father : he had begotten them in the Gospel3: and therefore he might well boast of them, as "his glory, and joy b." Accordingly we find that, "whenever he came into the presence of his God and Father0," he both gave thanks for them, and prayed for their still greater advancement in every thing that was good. Most exalted was the joy which he felt on their accounts When he saw the transcendent eminence of their attainments, he quite forgot all his own afflictions6: the sight inspired new life and vigour into himf: and he felt in himself a recompence, which richly repaid all that he had done and suffered for their sake.
This shews what are the views and feelings of every faithful minister, when he sees his people adorning by their conduct the Gospel of Christ. Verily, as St. John says, " they have no greater joy than to see their children walk in truth8." This comforts them in all their approaches to the throne of grace : this fills them with praises and thanksgivings to God. That so great an honour should be confen-ed on themselves — that such advantages should be imparted to their perishing fellow-crea- tures— and that such glory should be brought to God by their means — is to them a subjectof almost stupifying amazement, and of overwhelming gratitude. And whilst they render thanks to God for these things, they pour out their hearts before him in
4 Rom. viii. 25. u 1 John iii. 3. x Heb. x. 34.
y Rom. ii. 7. z ver. 6. • a 1 Thess. ii. 13.
*> 1 Thess. ii. 20.
c We connect the close of ver. 3. with the word " remembering
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d 1 Thess. iii. 9. e 1 Thess. iii. 6,7. f 1 Thess. iii. 8.
e 3 John, ver. 4.