2199.] a minister's joy in his people. oil
him, he is engaged to " keep you by his own almighty power unto everlasting salvation." "Be strong then in the Lord, and in the power of his might." " His grace is sufficient for you," and shall " make you more than conquerors" over all your enemies. Weak as you are in yourselves, " He is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy." " As then ye have received the Lord Jesus Christ, so walk ye in him, &c.V]
fe Col. ii. 6, 7.
A minister's joy in his people.
1 Thess. iii. 9, 10. What thanks can we render to God again
for you, for all the joy wherewith tve joy for your sakes before
our God; night and day praying exceedingly that we might
see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your
faith ?
THE connexion between a minister and his people
is little considered, and little felt. A general concern
on his part, and a respectful esteem on theirs, are
deemed adequate expressions of their mutual regard.
But the relation of a father is not nearer than that
which a minister sustains towards those whom he
has begotten by the Gospel : nor should their mutual
feelings be a whit less tender than those of a parent
and a child. " They should be his joy ; and he
theirs a." It was in this light that St. Paul regarded
his Thessalonian converts. They were the fruit of
his ministry. It was the word delivered by him that
had been made effectual to their conversion to Godb;
and they had greatly adorned their holy profession0.
He had meditated a longer stay among them ; but
had been driven away from them suddenly, by the
violence of persecution d. He had also made repeated
attempts to return to them ; but had been prevented
by the determined hostility of his enemies6. Not
knowing how far they might be able to maintain their
a 2 Cor. i. 14. b 1 Thess. i. 5, 6. c 1 Thess. i. 7, 8.
d Acts xvii. 1—10. e 1 Thess. ii. 18.