and deservedly so, because she was conspicuous amongst all the Churches of that age for her high attainments. The words I have just read will lead me to consider, T. The happy state of the Thessalonian Church —
In her infant state she was highly commended for " her works of faith, and labours of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ a." But here we view her in her more adult state : we behold,
1. Her increasing faith —
[The Apostle testifies respecting the believers there, that their faith " had grown exceedingly," being daily more vivid in its apprehensions, more vigorous in its actings, more uniform in its effects. It is of the very nature of faith to fix on things that are invisible, and to make them, as it were, present to the soul. And in this their faith had evinced its growth, in that it had enabled them to see, almost as with their bodily eyes, the Saviour whom they loved, enthroned above all powers and principalities, invested with a fulness of all spiritual gifts, or- dering all things both in heaven and earth, and, by his pre- vailing intercession at the right hand of God, securing to his believing people all the blessings of grace and glory. They further saw, as from Mount Pisgah, the land of which they were ere long to take possession : the thrones, the crowns, the harps of gold, all prepared and made ready for them, against the time appointed for their complete possession of their inhe- ritance. Of these things they had some view at first, just as a man has of the firmament on a cloudy night : but now, as when through a pure unclouded atmosphere, a man beholds the vast canopy of heaven studded in every part with stars more brilliant than the brightest gem ; so now their view of Christ, and of all the inconceivable glories of redeeming love, was clear and full. A corresponding energy too was felt through all the powers of their souls, accompanied with a fixed determination of heart to live for Him who lived and died for them.
2. Her abounding love —
[This was no less remarkable. In almost every Church, partly from a diversity of views and interests, and partly from the infirmity of our common nature, there are some compara- tive alienations of heart, if not some-actual disagreements. But here " the charity of every one of them all towards each other aboimded." One spirit pervaded the whole body : and time, instead of giving occasion to the enemy to foment differences,
a 1 Thess. i. 3.
2210.] STATE OF THE THESSALONIAN CHURCH. olo
had only cemented and confirmed their mutual affection. In this they shewed how much they were grown in grace, seeing that they were so greatly assimilated to the image of their God, whose name and nature is love. Happy, happy people, where " the unity of the Spirit was so perseveringly kept in the bond of peace ! "
3. The invincible firmness of her patience —
[Great had been their trials from the very beginning b: and though we know but little of particulars, we are assured in general, that the persecutions which they experienced from their own countrymen were of the most cruel and bitter kindc. But were they intimidated ? No ; " they held fast the pro- fession of their faith without wavering :" they " were in nothing terrified by their adversaries :" " they had respect unto the recompence of the reward;" and took joyfully the afflictions with which they were visited, knowing that they had in heaven enough to compensate for all. They even " gloried in the cross of Christ," and " rejoiced that they were counted worthy to bear it for his sake." In the midst of all, they " possessed their souls in patience," and suffered " patience to have its perfect work."
What an enviable state was this ! But,]
That we may form a right estimate of this state, let us consider,