2 Thess. i. 3 — 7. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth ; so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure : which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer : seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recom- pense tribulation to them that trouble you ; and to you who are troubled, rest.
ONE advantage which we derive from the epistles of St. Paul is, that we are enabled to see in them an endless diversity both of characters and attainments. Every occurrence in the different cities where the apostolic churches were planted, has given occasion for suitable remarks, which, though adapted in the first instance to a particular place or circumstance, are applicable in some considerable degree to the Church of God in all ages. In some of the epistles we have the Church presented to us in a declining state ; and suitable admonitions are given to her : in others we see her prospering, and hear the counsels of infinite wisdom proclaimed unto her. The Thessa- Ionian Church was of the latter character, and seems to have been eminently favoured of her God. She was high in the esteem also of the Apostle Paul ;
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