he will not be satisfied with barely looking upon the things that are set before him ; he feels an appetite for them ; he believes them to be good for him ; and he partakes of them for his own personal benefit and satisfaction. When the Gospel comes in this manner, even as it did on the day of Pentecost, it lays open the whole heart r ; it pierces deeper than a two-edged sword s; and heals the wounds that it inflicts*. Then it is truly precious to the soul ; sweeter than honey or the honey- comb ; and more desirable than one's necessary foodu.]
Coming in this manner, the Gospel is of inestimable value ; as will appear, while we consider,
III. What effects it will then produce —
It will work in us precisely as it did in those at Thessalonica: it will make us,
1. Imitators of Christ —
[The Thessalonian Christians instantly became " followers of Christ and of his Apostles x :" they made an open profession of Christianity, and consorted with those who were like-minded with themselves. In the same manner, all who " receive the truth in the love thereof" will "join themselves to the Church," without any fear of that reproach which their new profession will bring upon them. They have counted the cost, and are willing to pay it. They take up their cross cheerfully, " choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy all the pleasures and honours of the worldy."
While they call themselves followers of Christ and his Apostles, they also become imitators of them2. They will no longer follow the course of this world, but will regulate their conduct by a higher standard : they will look to the example which Christ has set them, and endeavour to " walk as he walked." His meekness and gentleness, his humility and kind- ness, his patience and self-denial, his devotedness to God, and love to man, will be progressively transcribed into their hearts and lives ; nor will they be satisfied " till they arrive at the measure of the full stature of Christa."]
2. Patterns to their brethren —
[This also is mentioned to the honour of the Thessalo- nians, as resulting from the manner in which the Gospel came to them1'. And in this all true Christians will resemble them.
r Acts ii. 37. 1 Cor. xiv. 25. s Heb. iv. 12.
f Acts xvi. 29 — 34. u Ps. xix. 10. Job xxiii. 12.
x ver. 6. y Heb. xi. 25, 26. z ^ifirjrni.
;i Eph. iv. 13, 15. " ver. 7.
2192.] MANNER OF THE GOSl'EL BEING EFFECTUAL. 279
One in whom the word has wrought effectually will not be contented with setting a good example to the world around him ; (this would be a matter of no great difficulty :) he will make his light so to shine before men, that all, whether be- lievers or unbelievers, may be edified by it. He would gladly say with the Apostle to all who behold him, " Whatsoever ye have seen and heard in me, do ; and the God of peace shall be with youc." This distinguished piety is not to be sought by ministers only, (though doubtless they, with their peculiar advantages, ought not to be behind others in any thing that is goodd,) but by persons of every age, and of every class. All should endeavour to grow in grace, that from children they may become young men, and from thence advance till they are fathers in Christ e. And it is certain, that all who are perfect, or have attained to maturity in the Christian life, will be thus minded f.]
We may learn from hence,
1. What reason for thankfulness they have, in whom the Gospel has wrought effectually —
[If we have experienced any spiritual change, we must trace it up to God, as the sole author of it. The power that effected it was not in the word ; for then the same change would have been wrought in all who heard it : nor was the distinction occasioned by our own superior wisdom or goodness; for then the wisest and most moral of men would uniformly be the most forward to receive the Gospel; whereas they are rather the most averse to itg. No ; it was God alone who made us to differ11 ; and to Him alone must all the glory be ascribed1.]