[Many have heard the Gospel to little purpose ; or rather, " our entering in unto them has been altogether in vaine." If we look for their works of faith, and labours of love, and pa- tience of hope, as evidences that the word has come to them with power, we find no more than others have who never heard the Gospel at all. As to a visible growth in these things, there is no symptom of it: they have continued from the be- ginning even to the present hour nearly the same persons, perfectly satisfied with themselves, and not less unconscious of the need of any change, than unconcerned about it. But let not such persons account themselves Christians indeed ; or imagine that they can be thought worthy of that kingdom for which they have never suffered, never laboured, never cared. To such persons the conduct of the Thessalonians, if exhibited before their eyes, would be rather an object of derision than of admiration and love: and consequently they have in them- selves " a manifest token," that they have nothing to expect at God's hands, but the measure which they have dealt out to his obedient people. I entreat you, brethren, consider that in the day of judgment the righteousness of God will be so visibly displayed, as to constrain the whole assembled universe to acknowledge it, as well in those that are saved, as in them that perish. How it can be displayed in the salvation of such as you, judge ye. Mercy, I grant, might be exhibited; but righteousness would find no plea for rewarding you, no justification in your acquittal: for if God be just, there must be a difference put between those who have served him, and those who have served him not — a difference, which may well make every one of you to tremble.]
2. How diligently should the most exalted amongst you press forward in your heavenly course !
[There is room enough for improvement in every child of man. Think, beloved, how much more strong and operative your faith might be ; how much more ardent and influential your love ; how much more firm and patient your hope. You know but little of yourselves, if you are not daily mourning over your short-comings and defects. Let all of you then, without exception, seek to " grow in grace :" if you are " children," seek to become " young men;" if you are "young men," seek to become " fathers in Christ :" and if you are fathers, still seek to become more and more like to Christ, till you " stand perfect and complete in all the will of God." If, as is probable, your zeal will provoke the greater opposition against you, welcome it, as " turning to you for a testimony," and as rendering you more like to Him who endured the con- tradiction of sinners against himself, and suffered even unto
e 1 Thess. ii. 1.
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death. So will your meetness for heaven daily increase, and be more fully recognised by your God and Saviour in the last day : and you need never fear but that the recompence which he will bestow, will amply compensate for all that you can do or suffer in this vale of tears.]