steadfastness, he felt extreme anxiety in their behalf: and " when he could no longer forbear, he thought it good to be left at Athens alone," rather than continue any longer in such painful suspense respecting them. He dismissed Timothy therefore, though he could but ill spare the labours of so dear a friend, to inquire into their state, and to bring him a faithful account of their progress f. The tidings he received were highly favourable ; and they filled him with unutter- able joy ; his very life being bound up, as it were, in their welfare^ Indeed, he had never ceased to pray, and with extreme earnestness, to God, to open a way for his return to them, and to make him still more useful to their souls. Of this he assures them, in the words which we have just read ; which will lead me to shew you,
I. The delight which a pious minister has in the fruits of his ministry —
A pious minister has troubles which are unknown to others ; so also has he joys, which are peculiar to himself. God makes use of him, to gather out of the ungodly world a Church and people ; and over them he rejoices with a very sublime joy. He rejoices in,
1. Their past deliverance —
[Lately, how different was their state from what it is now become! " They were afar off from God; (alas! how far!) but now they are made nigh by the blood of Christ :" they were " aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise ; but now are made fellow- citizens with the saints, and of the household of God." Now, how can a minister contemplate his people as " recovered out of the snare of the devil, by whom they had been led captive at his will," yea, and as " brands plucked out of the burning," even out of the fire, as it were, of hell itself, and not rejoice? Was it a matter of exceeding joy to the lame man to be re- stored, so that " he went into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God?" and was it a matter of grateful admiration to an assembled populace, when they saw all manner of bodily diseases healed? and must it not fill a minister's heart with joy to see the souls of men dispossessed and healed? to see
f ver. 1, 2, 5. e ver. 6 — 8.
2199.] a minister's joy in his people. 313
them " turned from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God?" Verily, he must be very unworthy indeed to have such an honour conferred upon him, who does not exult and leap for joy at the benefits imparted through the instrumentality of his word.]
2. Their present walk —
[They are brought to a state of peace, with God, and in their own souls. This is a blessing, of which no others can have any just idea: for there is " a peace that passeth all understanding;" and " there is no such peace to the wicked." Moreover, they are enabled to " walk in newness of life," and to approve themselves faithful servants to their God. In truth, they are the only people from whom God has any tribute of praise and honour. From the world at large he has nothing but an unmeaning observance of forms and cere- monies ; but from these, the service of the heart. They are "lights in a dark world:" they are "witnesses for God:" they are " epistles of Christ, known and read of all men." Peradventure, too, they may be chosen vessels, to convey the same rich treasure to others, and to dispense to a benighted world the benefits which they themselves have received. How can a minister look on these, and not sing for joy ? Does a parent rejoice in the progressive advancement of his children, in their opening prospects of further attainments, and in the hope that they shall one day prove blessings to the world? Much more must a pious minister rejoice in the growth of his people in faith and charity, in the honour which by their holy walk they bring to God, and in the benefits which they confer on men. We wonder not, that, in hearing such tidings of his Thessalonian converts, the Apostle could say, " We were comforted over you, in all our affliction and distress, by your faith V]