prayers and supplications in their behalf. In a word, these things form a bond of union between a minister and his people, such as exists not in the whole world besides.]
2. An assured confidence in their state — [When he beheld these fruits produced by his converts, he " had no doubt of their election of God :" the graces they exercised were manifestly wrought in them by the power of God, who had wrought thus upon them in consequence of his own purpose which from all eternity he had purposed in himself11.
The same blessed assurance we also may entertain, wherever the same ground for it exists. Assurance, so founded, can never be productive of any bad effect. It is only when per- sons pretend to be assured of their election on other grounds, that any evil can arise from it. If, for instance, a person founded such a conceit on a dream, or vision, or strong impres- sion on his own mind, then we would be among the first to bear testimony against him, as a wild enthusiast, and a self- deluding impostor. Against such a delusion we readily acknowledge that no terms of reprobation are too severe. But when such fruits as those which the Thessalonian converts produced are visible in any, then may we indulge the pleasing thought respecting them, as they also may respecting them- selves, that " God loved them with an everlasting love, and therefore with loving-kindness hath he drawn them1." Only we may observe, that this assurance is no farther justifiable than it is warranted by the graces which exist in the soul : with the increase of those graces it may justly rise; and with the diminution of them it must proportionably fall. Any other assurance than this is unscriptural and vain : but this not only may be entertained, but is the privilege and comfort of all who believe in Christ.]
Happy should we be to improve this subject in such a way only as corresponds with the general ten our of the Apostle's address : but,
1. Must we not rather take up a lamentation over
you?
[Of how small a part of our audience can we speak in the terms here used towards the Thessalonian converts! For, where are the works of faith, the labours of love, the patience of hope, of the generality amongst you? Where are those fruits which would warrant your minister to say, that he " knetv from them your election of God?" What is the faith of the generality, but a dead faith ? what their love, but an
h Eph. iii. 11. 2 Tim. i. 9. « Jer. xxxi. 8.