To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.
PAVLE and SYLVANVS, and Timotheus, vnto the Church of the Thessalonians, which is in GOD the father, and in the Lord Iesus Christ: Grace be with you and peace, from GOD our father, and from the Lord Iesus Christ.
THe Apostle Paule preached the Gospell of our Sauiour Iesus Christ vnto the Thes∣salonians, as hée did also in other places from Ierusalem, rounde about to Illyricum. But his trauaile had not like successe in al pla∣ces. For, in Damascus the gouernor of the peo∣ple
vnder King Aretas, laide watch in the citie * 1.1 of the Damascenes, and woulde haue caught him. At Lystra they stoned Paul, and drew him * 1.2 out of the citie, supposing he had béene dead. At * 1.3 Philippi, he and Sylas were drawne into the market place vnto the magistrates, and accu∣sed, that they troubled their Citie, they were beaten with roddes, and cast into prison. The Corinthians receiued the doctrine of the gospel, and made much of the professors thereof. But, they fel soone from their good beginning. They walked like men in enuying, in strife, in diuisi∣ons. Some called themselues after Paul, some after Apollo, some after Cephas, and some af∣ter Ghrist. They stirred contention about meates: they abused the Lordes supper: and they were doubtfull of the resurrection of the dead. In like maner the Church of God which was gathered at Rome grew proude and high minded, & boasted themselues ouer the Iewes. The Galathians forsooke the good waie of the gospel, whereunto they were called, and wher∣in they did walke. They gaue eare to false pro∣phets. Therefore the Apostle telleth them, I am in feare of you, least I haue bestowed on * 1.4 you my labour in vaine.
But, the Thessalonians, after they had heard the glad tydings of the Gospell, they receiued it gréedily, and laid it vp close and safe in their
harts. Albeit the Iews withstood them and beted them fore, albeit false brethren vsed diuers secret meanes to drawe them from the loue of the truth: yet they kept still their stedfastnesse: and could not be driuen from their faith, nei∣ther by crueltie of persecution, nor by subtiltie of craftie persuasion. Paul being at Athens, a place far distant from thence, sendeth Timothie to knowe in what case they stoode. So carefull was he for that house which he had built: for, the fire which he had kindled: for the graffes which he had planted: and, for the children which he begot among them. When Timothie made report of their constancie, that they con∣tinued stedfast in those things which they had learned: he writeth this Epistle, to commend them, and to exhort them to abide stedfast in their faith: that they become not like the foolish Israelites, which longed after the flesh pottes of Aegypt, and were vnmindfull of their de∣liuerance from bondage vnder Pharao: that they returne not like filthy dogges to their vo∣mite, and like vncleane swine to their puddles of-mire: that they looke not backe againe after they haue put their hāds to the Lords plough, and so make themselues vnworthie the king∣dome of God.
He giueth many lessons and instructions to godlinesse: that they would walke worthie of
God, and bring foorth the fruits of the gospell. There were among them that liued idlely, and did trouble the church without a cause: whom he reprooueth, willing them to be quiet, and to meddle with their owne matters, and works with their handes. Others mourned ouer the dead without measure, euen as if they had no hope: whom he instructeth in the resurrection, and comforteth with the spéech of the blessed comming of our Lord, when we which liue shall be caught vp to méete him, and so we shall euer be with the Lord. Others reasoned fond∣ly of the later daie, when it should be, when the sonne of God shoulde appeare, and when the worlde should haue an ende: as if man might reach to the knowledge hereof. But them also he reprooueth, and warneth that they take care rather to watch, and looke for the Lordes com∣ming, that they may be founde readie, hauing their loines girded, and their lampes bur∣ning.
Manie are desirous to sée the countenance of Saint Paule, to sée his sword, or the reliques of his bloud, which was shed at his death, or of his vpper garment, or of his coate, or of the haire of his head: and for purpose to sée such things, manie take painefull pilgrimage to farre places, where they are dereiued. Howe much better maie they be satisfied by reading
the storie of his life set do•…•…ne in the Scrip∣tures? In these his Epistles written to the Churches of God, he is to be séene in more ex∣cellent shewe, than when he was yet in bodie. For here is to be séene his heart filled with the holie Ghost, and the care which he had for all Saints: howe he did trauell in birth of them againe, that Christ might be formed in them, and howe he did wish himselfe separate from Christ for their sake. The matter of this E∣pistle is plaine, and treateth not of déepe and profound mysteries. The maner of vtterance which the Apostle vseth, is open and cuident. So that the whole Epistle is ful of swéete and wholsome doctrine, wherein the simplest may find great comfort.
Paul, and Syluanus, and Timotheus. These two were companions vnto Paul in his iour∣nets, and in the work of his ministerie. Whom here he ioineth in his letter to the congregati∣on at Thessalonica, to witnesse their consent and agréement with him, that they al with one mouth, and with one hand and heart set foorth the glorious Gospell of our Sauiour Christ. And, that therefore they also which are called to the felowshippe of the Gospel, should be like minded, being one bodie and one spi∣rite in Christ Iesus: and the children of one father in whome there is no dissention, but al
peace and consent, and vnitie.
Vnto the Church of the Thessalonians, which is in God the father and in the Lorde Iesus Christ. There are sundrie sorts of Chur∣ches. There is a Church of the wicked, wher∣of the Prophet saith, I haue hated the assemblie * 1.5 of the euil, and haue not companied with the wicked. Two hundred and fiftie Captaines, * 1.6 men of renowme, and famous in the congre∣gation, ioined themselues to Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. But Moses said vnto Korah, thou and al thy companie, are gathered togither a∣gainst the Lord. The builders of the great to∣wer * 1.7 of Babel were manie in number, and con∣sented to that they had imagined to do, there∣by to get them a name, but the Lord did con∣found their language, and scattered them vp∣on the face of the earth. The Scribes and Pharisées and high Priests held a c•…•…uncel, and * 1.8 conferred among themselues. But, against the Lord, and against his Christ. Iohn is comman∣ded * 1.9 to write vnto the Angel of the church of the Smyrnians, These things saith hee which is first and last, which was dead, and is aliue. I knowe the blasphemie of them, which saie they are Iews, and are not, but are the Synagogue of Sa∣tan. They reuile you, and speake al maner of euill against you for my names sake. They charge you with teaching false doctrine, and
saie you haue departed from the Church: that they are the séede of Abraham, the children of promise, the true worshippers of God, and which walke in the steppes of their forefa∣thers. But, their boast heereof is vaine. It pro∣fiteth them nothing, that Abraham was their father, that the couenant was made with them, that they were circumcised, that a lawe was giuen vnto them. Let them not trust in their fathers: let them not trust in ly∣ing words, and saie the temple of the Lorde, the temple of the Lord, this is the temple of the Lorde. If they were Abrahams children, they woulde doe the workes of Abraham. If God were their father, then would they loue Christ his sonne, and séeke to set foorth his glo∣rie. If they were of the shéepefolde of God, they woulde heare his voice. They are of their father the Diuel, and the lusts of their father they wil doe. They are in name the seruants of Christ, but serue Antichrist: they call themselues Iewes, but are the Syna∣gogue of Satan. For (saith the Apostle) he is * 1.10 not a Iew, which is one outward: neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: but hee is a Iew which is one within, and the circumcision is of the heart, in the spi∣rite, not in the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God. Of those which are such
Leo saith, Ecclesiae nomine armamini, & contra Ecclesiam dimicatis Yee arme your selues with * 1.11 the name of the Church and yet ye fight against the Church. And Chrysostome saith, The name onely of Christ, doth not make a Christian, but * 1.12 he must also haue the trueth of Christ: for there are manie which walke in the name of Christ, but fewe which walke in his truth. It is there∣fore manifest, as Lyra saith, That the Church * 1.13 is not among men, by reason of anie Ecclesia∣sticall or secular authoritie or dignitie: because manie princes and high priests, and others of the inferiour sorte haue forsaken the faith. Though they pretend shew of holines, though they drawe to themselues credite by long con∣tinuance, though their numbers be great, and they consent togither: yet if they haue for∣saken the faith, if they holde not the truth of Christ, if they fight against and persecute the Church, if their circumcision be not the cir∣cumcision of the heart, and in the spirit, if they heare not the voice of ye shéepheard, if they loue not Christ Iesus the sonne of God, and set not foorth his glorie, if they séeke to stop the course of the gospell, if they séeke to get name among men, if they resist Moses and Aaron: they haue onelie a painted visard, and carrie onelie an emptie name of the Church: they call them∣selues so, and are not.
But, the Church of God is in God the fa∣ther, and in the Lorde Iesus Christ: it is the companie of the faithful whom God hath ga∣thered togither in Christ by his worde and by the holy ghost to honour him, as he himselfe hath appointed. This Church heareth the voice of the shephearde. It wil not followe a stranger, but flyeth from him: for it knoweth not the voyce of straungers. Of this Church Saint Iherome sayth, Ecclesia Christi in toto or∣be * 1.14 ecclesias possidens, spiritus vnitate coniuncta est, & habet vrbes legis, prophetarum, euangelij, & Apostolorum. Non est egressa de finibus suis, •…•…d est, de Scripturis. The Church of Christ which containeth the churches through al the world, is ioyned togither in the vnitie of the spirite, and hath the cities of the Law, of the Prophets, of the gospel, and of the Apostles. This church goeth not forth, or beyonde hir boundes, that is, the holy Scriptures. It is the piller of the truth: the bodie, the fulnesse, and the spouse of Christ: it is the vine, the house, the citie, and the kingdome of God. They which dwel in it, are no more straungers and forreiners, but * 1.15 Citizens with the Saints, and of the hoshould of God, and are built vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophetes, Iesus Christ him∣selfe being the heade corner stone, in whome all the building coupled togither, groweth
vnto an holy temple in the Lord. This Church Christ loued, and gaue himselfe for it, that he * 1.16 might sanctifie it, and cleanse it by the washing of water through the worde, that hee might make it vnto himselfe a glorious Church, not hauing spot or wrincle, or any such thing: but that it should bee holy and without blame. Such a Church was the Church of God at Thessalonica, such a Church are they who so e∣uer in any place of the worlde feare the Lord, and cal vppon his name. Their names are written in the booke of life: they haue recei∣ued the spirite of adoption, by which they trie Abba Father: they growe from grace to grace, and abounde more and more in know∣ledge and in iudgement: they cast away the workes of darkenesse, and put on the armour of light: they are made absolute, and perfect vn∣to al good works: they are euermore cōforted in the mercies of God, both by the holy scrip∣tures wherein God declareth his gracious goodnesse towardes them, and by the sacramentes, which are left vnto the Church to be witnesses, & assured pledges for performance of the promise of Gods good will, and fauour towardes them.
Grace be with you, and peace, &c. God giue you the forgiuenesse of your sins, and the peace, and comfort of your conscience. God
let al his bl•…•…ssings fal vpon you, that you may sée the riches & the treasures of his mercy: that you may be filled with al fulnesse in the spi∣rite: that you may beholde the glorie of the kingdome of God: and those thinges may bie reuealed vnto you by his spirit, which he hath prepared for them that loue him. Without this grace you can doe nothing, you can ney∣ther féele the burthen of your sinnes, nor séeke to be eased of thē, nor perceiue when they are forgiuen: you cannot rent your heart, and set apart from you the vanities and lustes of the flesh which doeth euermore fight against the soule: you cannot discerne the worde of God, and by it enter the way to euerlasting life: you cannot abhorre that which is euil, and cleau•…•… vnto that which is good: without the grace of God, you cannot continue stedfast & constant in faith, and in hope of the mercies of God through our sauiour Iesus Christ.
2 We giue thankes to God alwaies for you al, making mention of you in our prayers.
3 Without ceasing, remembring your effe∣ctual faith, and diligent loue, and the patience of your hope in our Lorde Iesus Christ, in the sight of God euen our Father.
4 Knowing, beloued brethren that ye are elect of God.
5 For our Gospel was not vnto you in word
onely, but also in power and in the holy ghost, and in much assuraunce, as ye know after what maner, we were among you for your sakes.
We giue thankes, &c. Paule teacheth what is the office of a good minister. He must euer carrie in remēbrance ye estate of the congrega∣tion ouer which the Lord hath placed him. He must giue thankes to God in their behalfe, and pray for them that God will blesse that which he hath begunne, and con•…•…rme them vnto the end, that they may be blamelesse in the day of our Lord Iesus Christ: that he will behold them from aboue, and blesse his inhe∣ritaunce, and guide the shéepe of his pasture. Your effectual faith: Faith is not idle, it wor∣keth and is forcible, it breaketh out like fire: it is alwayes fruitefull through loue. Faith without workes is no faith, it is dead and bringeeh death. And diligent loue: Loue is paineful, and ful of trainaile: it thinketh not euil: it seeketh not hir owne things: it is boun∣tiful. This loue had the Thessalonians to the saints of God, which suffered affliction in all places for the Gospels sake. Many were spoy∣led of their goods, cast out of their houses, and banished from their countrey. Euen as at this day for the like cause manie of our brethren the good seruantes of God are driuen into ba∣nishment, cast into prisons, put to the sworde,
or consumed in fire, in those places, where the God of this worlde hath so blinded their eyes, that the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should not shine vnto them. It is high time in such cases for charitie to shew hir self. She can not dissemble, nor despise the teares of hir bro∣ther. It sheweth foorth as the morning light: it taketh from hir selfe, to relieue them which are in neede. It dealeth bread to the hungrie, and bringeth the poore that wander vnto hir house, and couereth the naked, and hideth not hir face from hir owne flesh. Vnto them that haue this loue the Lorde giueth his blessing. Blessed is hee that considereth the poore and * 1.17 needy, the Lord shal deliuer him in the time of trouble. And Christ saith, Blessed are the mer∣ciful, * 1.18 for they shal finde mercie.
And the patience of your hope. How many are the troubles which the children of God suffer in this life? let vs beholde the times which were before vs. Abel was innocent and iust, yet was he slaine by the hands of his brother, and without a cause. The Prophet * 1.19 Dauid saieth of the Prophetes, and holy men of God: and the same words saith the Apostle of the Church of Christ vnder the Gospel, For * 1.20 thy sake are we killed al the day long: we are counted as sheepe for the slaughter. Ieremie sayeth, Thy worde is vnto them as a reproch, * 1.21
and againe, For thy sake I haue suffred rebuke. * 1.22 What vilanies were wrought against our sa∣uiour Christ? They reproched him in spéeches, brought false accusations, and false witnesse against him, and killed the innocent in whose mouth there was found no guile. Whē S. Paul * 1.23 appealed to the witnesse of Timothie who did fully know his doctrine, maner of liuing, pur∣pose, faith, long suffering, loue, and patience: and that he knewe also the persecutions and afflictions, which came vnto him, and which he suffered at Antiochia, Iconiū, and at Lystra, after he had thus remēbred his persecutions, & his owne innocencie, he saith, Al that wil liue godly in Christ Iesus shal suffer persecution.
What then hath the godly to leane vnto, but hope? the prophet Dauid therfore said, Though * 1.24 I should walke through the vallie of the sha∣dowe of death, I wil feare no euil, for thou art * 1.25 with mee. Therefore saide Iob, though hee flaie me, yet wil I trust in him. For he that put∣teth his trust in the Lorde shal neuer be con∣founded. In this hope spake S. Paule, Christ is * 1.26 to me both in life & death aduantage. Againe, Whether we liue, or die, we are the Lords. And * 1.27 againe, God forbid, that I shoule reioyce, but * 1.28 in the crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ. And to ye Romans he saith, There is no condemnation to * 1.29 them that are in Christ Iesus. This is the foun∣dation
of faith, euen a strong rocke which shal continue for euer. Neither tribulatiō, nor an∣guish, nor persecutiō, nor famine, nor any dan∣ger can remoue the faithful from his hope.
But the wicked and vnstable fal from their hope, and their fal is miserable. They haue hard the worde of God that teacheth vnto sal∣uation, but did not regard it, they haue forgot∣ten the workes of the Lorde, and receiued his grace in vaine. For when they haue heard the worde, the Diue•…•… commeth, & taketh away the word out of their heartes, least they should be∣léeue, and be saued. And the end of these men, is worse than the beginning.
It was not so with the Thessalonians. They receiued the worde of God willingly, and it was fruitful in them, so that thereby they in∣creased in faith, in loue, and in hope. Their faith the Apostle calleth forcible or •…•…ffectual: their loue diligent & painful, their hope migh∣tie through patience, whereby they ouercome al maner of dangers: & reioyceth on their be∣halfe, because he found so great successe of his trauaile in the Gospel amongst them.
Knowing that you are elect of God. You were blind, ye children of wrath, without vnderstan∣ding, without God, & without hope. But God hath had mercy vpō you, & hath giuē you grace to know your calling. Herein it appeareth yt
you are the chosen of God, and of the flocke of Christ. My sheepe (saith he) heare my voice, * 1.30 and I knowe them, and they followe me, and I giue vnto them eternal life, and they shal ne∣uer perish, neither shal anie plucke them out of mine hande.
For our Gospel was not vnto you in worde only, but also in power, and in the holy ghost, and in much assuraunce. That you haue yéel∣ded obedience vnto the worde, and that my ministerie hath béene effectual amongst you, it commeth not of any power in your selues, or in me, it is the worke of God. He hath bles∣sed my ministery, he hath blessed your hearts. It is the gift of God, least any man shoulde boast thereof. Hereof he speaketh to the Corin∣thians, Who is Paule then? and who is Apol∣los, * 1.31 but the ministers by whome yee beleeued, and as the Lorde gaue to euerie man. I haue planted, Apollos watered, but God gaue the increase. It is he which hath the key of Dauid, which openeth, and no man shutteth, and shut∣teth, and no man openeth. Without him we can do nothing. He guideth vs and al our coū∣sailes, and leadeth vs into al trueth. No man * 1.32 can come vnto mee (sayth Christ) except the father which hath sent me drawe him. And by ye Prophet Ezechiel God saith, I wil giue you * 1.33 a new heart, and a new spirite wil I put within
you. I will put my spirite within you, and will cause you to walke in my statutes, and you shall keepe my iudgements and doe them. And by the Prophet leremie, I wil put my lawe in * 1.34 their inward parts, and write it in their hearts. * 1.35 Therefore Dauid maketh his praier, Teach me O Lord, giue me vnderstanding and I will keepe thy law.
The words of the Preacher enter in at the •…•…are. The spirite of God conueyeth them into the heart. Augustine saith, Auditur euangelium, * 1.36 Auditur credunt, quidam non credunt: qui credunt, intus a patre audiunt & discunt, qui non credunt, foris audiunt, intus non audiunt, neque discunt. Hoc est, ill•…•… dat•…•…r vt credant, illis non datur. The Gos∣pesis declared. Some there are which beleeue, some there are which beleeue not. They which beleeue heare it inwardly by the father, and so learne it. They which beleeue not, heare it on∣lie with their outward sense, and not with in∣ward feeling, and therefore learne it not. As much to saie, to them it is giuen to beleeue: to the other it is not giuen. In the Actes of the Apostles Lydia a woman of the Citie of the Thiatirians heard the preaching of the Apostle Paul: But it is saide, Whose heart the Lord o∣poned, * 1.37 that shee attended vnto the things that Paul spake. The people which said vnto Pe∣ter, and the other Apostles, Men and brethren, * 1.38
what shall we do? did heare al the wordes of Peter: but they had another teacher, that gaue force vnto the worde and made it fruitefull in them, and therefore it is said, They were pric∣ked * 1.39 in their hearts. This also appeared in the Disciples which walked towards Emaus: they heard Christ open the Scriptures vnto them, they reasoned with him, yet vntill their eles were opened they knew him not. His worde crept into their eares, but it was the spirite of God which wrought within them, which in∣flamed their hearts, and made them to knowe him.
Thus God blesseth his word, and maketh it yéeld fruit in such measure, as his wisedome hath appointed. His blessing appeareth grea∣ter, when many are conuerted: yet is his word al one, and the power thereof no whit shorter when it is vtterly refused, or receiued but of * 1.40 few. Surely (saith God) as the raine commeth downe, and the snow from heauen, and retur∣neth not thither, but watereth the earth & ma∣keth it-fruitfull, that it maie giue seede to the sower, and bread to him that eateth: so shall my word be that goeth out of my mouth. It shal not returne vnto me voide, but it shall ac∣complish that which I wil, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. It is the word of the liuing God, which is blessed for euer. And
blessed is that hart which can receiue it, which GOD instructeth, and to which he giueth knowledge of his worde, which doth so learne it, that he is assured of the truth thereof, and nothing doubteth, but it is indéede the worde of life: which saieth thereof, this is the waie, in which if I walke, I shall certainely go for∣ward to the Citie of my GOD: this is the truth, if I hearken vnto it, I shall neuer be dereiued. Whosoeuer findeth himselfe indued with this grace, he doth as plainely and evidently iudge of the wordes of God, and trie out the trueth thereof, from the deuises and doctrines of men: as a man of cléere eie sight, is ahle to iudge of colours, and to knowe one col•…•…ur from an other. Yea, in this is the know∣ledge of that more certain, because colour doth fade and alter, and manie times one colour thereby waxeth like an other: but the truth of GOD doth neuer alter: it continueth one throughal ages: it is the word of euerlasting life. Heauen and earth shall perish, but one title thereof shall not be lost. The truth of God shall be established for euer. The humble shall heare it, and be glad.
As ye knowe after what maner wee were among you for your sakes. You knowe howe I behaued my selfe, & after what maner I haue liued among you. You knowe my first com∣ming
and entrie vnto you. You knowe what doctrine I haue taught, and what hath béene my conuersation of life. I neuer deceiued any, nor offered wrong vnto the simplest. I sought not you, nor yours, but those things which are Iesus. I haue liued by the labor of my hands, in watchings, in hunger, in colde, and naked∣nesse. God hath ordained, that they which teach the gospel, should liue by the gospel. Who séedeth a •…•…lacke and eateth not of the milke of the flocke? But I haue not vsed this libertie. For I haue a great care least by anie meanes I should offend you. Yet would I neuer flatter anie in that thing they had done amisse: I ne∣uer spared to rebuke ill. If I should feare, or séeke to please men, I were not the seruant of Christ. I séeke not mine owne glorie, but the glorie of him that sent me, who also hath made me a minister of his gospel. I haue forsaken al things, my goods and life, my flesh and my bo∣die: and am daily in perils, compassed daily by persecution, & séedeath death daily before mine eies, for the loue. I be are to you, and for the care I haue of the Church. You are the Lords shéepe, I am your shaepeheard: you are the house of God, I am your builder: you are Gods orchard, I am your ouerséer and workeman. I shall giue an att•…•…mpt for your soules. You know how •…•…ly I haue. loued you in th•…•…
Lord. Your griese hath béene my griese, your ioie hath béene my ioie. I haue praied for you daie and night, and haue giuen thanks to God for you, and reio•…•…ced in your behalfe. What is more deare to a man than life: yet haue I desired to yeeld vp my life, that you might liue. I haue béene readie to suffer death, if thereby I might doe you good. These things you cannot but remember, your conscience beareth mée witnesse, that I haue thus liued among you for your sake.
V. 6. And ye become followers of vs, and of the Lord, and receiued the word in much af∣fliction, with ioie of the holie ghost.
He commendeth the godlie for the practise of that which they haue learned and séene in him, in that they haue receiued the gospel, and framed their liues accordingly, and haue con∣tinued stedfast in the same in the middes of persecution. Herein he doth not onlie laie out himselfe and the other Apostles for an exam∣ple: but telleth them that this waie is also •…•…roden out by our Lorde himselfe. Who as he is the waie, and the light that lightneth eue∣rie man which commeth into the worloe, so did he heare his crosse, and did laie downe his life for his shéepe. Therefore he saide to his Disciples, The disciple is not aboue his Maister; * 1.41 nor the seruant aboue his Lorde. It is e∣nough
for the Disciple to be as his Maister is, and the seruant as his Lorde. If they haue called the maister of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of his housholde?
But this is reckoned vnto them for happi∣pinesse. * 1.42 Blessed are you when men reuile you, and persecute you, and saie al manner of euil a∣gainst you, for my sake, falsely. Reioice and be glad, for great is your reward in Heauen. For so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you. They slue them, & drowned them, hewed them with swords, and cut them in péeces * 1.43 with sawes. If anie man (saith our Sauiour) wil folow me, let him forsake himselfe, and take vp his crosse, and follow mee. So farre must the children of God be from the loue of this worlde: in such sorte must he forsake his owne life, and endure affliction that wil come vnto Christ.
In the olde lawe, the Priests went on, and carried the Arke before, and the people came after: In token that they should giue good example, and the people shoulde follow them. The Priest was appointed to be a shril trumpet sounding in the eares of the people: and the people were commanded to prepare them selues for the battel of the Lord of hostes. Therefore, saieth S. Paul, so haue I followed the Lord, and so haue you folowed me: and re∣ceiued
the word (not in affliction onelie) but in much Affliction. Where he much describeth the vnmercifull hearts, and tyrannous hate of the wicked against al those that followe the lamb, and receiue the word of God with glad∣nes. No torment so cruel, no deuise so strange, no maner of death so horrible, which hath not beene, or which is not laide vpon them. Their babies be cast into prisons: they are stript out of their houses, and spoiled of their goodes. Thus doe the enimies of God worke tyran∣nie and much affliction vnto the godlie. They consume their bodies in fire, shed their bloud without measure, throw out their bones and scatter them vppon the face of the earth, and this doe they, not as against murtherers, robbers, adulterers, or such like, but •…•…nelie because they receiue the word, and beare a loue to the trueth, and cannot denie the power thereof.
With ioy of the holie ghost. This is that which passeth al naturall sense and wisedome. Manie séeme to take in good part, and abide pa∣tiently afflictions, losse of goods, imprisonment and losse of life. But no man can reioice in the suffring of these things, but the child of god: no man but whō Christ hath chosē out of ye world: but whose name is written in the booke of life, but he, in whom ye spirit beareth witnes with
his spirit that he is the child of God. He knoweth that through manie tribulations he must enter intorest. He knoweth, the wicked could haue no power ouer him, •…•…nlesse it were giuen them from aboue: he knoweth that al is done for the best to them that loue God: and that God could dispose meanes, if it were so •…•…∣dient, to bring to naught all the deuises of the vngodlie.
When the •…•…ernantes of God were rast into the hote burning fornace, bicause they woulde not worship the golden Image, that the •…•…ing Nabuchodonosor had set vp: who would haue thought, that the fire could not burne. D•…•… that their bodies shoulde not haue béene consumed•…•… yet did God in the middest of the fire prefer•…•… them so, that not one haire of their head was * 1.44 burnt, neither were their coats changed, nor a∣nie smel of fire came vpon them. Let vs neuer forget this notable example of Gods power to deliuer his seruants, that we may euer be ear∣nest and carefull to professe our faith in him, & to •…•…riue vnto the death for the setting foorth of his glorie.
It •…•…areth euen so with the children of God in the persecution of this world: troubles, mi∣series, and aduer•…•…tie compasse them, as the •…•…rie •…•…nace compassed those thrée men of God. But God couereth them with his mercie,
as with a cloude, that nothing shal hurt them. I say not, al that stande in lik•…•… defence, shal in like sort be so preserued, that their bodies •…•…al not be peirced. For God suffereth the wicked to destroy and kil his seruauntes, and to consume their bodies to dust and ashes. Yet are his seruauntes warned not to feare them. When the Apostles were beaten because they had spoken in the name of Iesus, They de∣parted * 1.45 from the counsel, reioycing, that they were counted worthie to suffer rebuke for his name. We reioyce (saith Saint Paule) in •…•…bu∣lations, * 1.46 knowing that tribulation bringeth foorth patience, and patience experience, and experience hope, and hope maketh not asha∣med, because the loue of God is shed abroade in our heartes by the holy ghost which is giuen vnto vs.
The comfort which is giuen in this case to the godlie, is hidden within them. For to him that ouer commeth shal be giuen a white stone, and in the stone a newe name written, which no man knoweth sauing he that recey∣ueth it. The afflictions of this present time are * 1.47 not worthie the glorie, which shal be shewed vnto vs. When our saniour did sée the time of his passion drawe neare, he saide to his Disci∣ples, You are they which haue continued with * 1.48 me in my temptations. Therefore I appoint
to you a kingdome as my father hath appoin∣ted vnto me, that yee may eate and drinke at my table in my kingdome, and sit on seates, and iudge the twelue tribes of Israel. And in his sermon vpon the mountaine, he saith, Bles∣sed are they which suffer persecution for righ∣teousnesse * 1.49 sake, for theirs is the kingdome of Heauen. The case shal be altered. It shal be betwéene them and their persecuters as it was betwéene Lazarus and the Rich man. When the wicked and cruel tyrantes shal sée them in the presence of the throne of God, be∣cause they came out of great tribulatiō, & haue * 1.50 washed their long robes, and haue made them white in ye bloud of the lambe: the god of Abra∣ham shal say vnto the wicked: sons, remember that you in your life time receiued your plea∣sures, & like wise these men paines: now ther∣fore are they c•…•…orted, & you tormented. They are taken out of affliction into rest, from their bondes into libertie, out of prison into a king∣dome, out of miserie vnto glory, from life vnto death. The promise of this comfort is often re∣newed. The prophet Dauid saith, They yt sowe * 1.51 in teares, shal reape in ioy. Our sauiour telleth his Disciples, Ye shal weepe and lament, and * 1.52 the world shal reioyce: and you shal forrowe, but your sorrowe shal be turned to ioy. S. Iohn heard a voice from heauen, saying: Blessed be * 1.53
the dead, which hereafter dy in ye Lórd. Euen so saith the spirite, for they rest frō their labours, and their workes follow them. He is comman∣ded to write vnto ye Angel of the Church of the Smyrnians. Feare none of those things which * 1.54 thou shalt suffer, Bohold it shal come to passe, that the diuel shal cast some of you into pri∣son, that you may be tried, & ye shal haue tri∣bulation ten daies: be thou faithful vnto death, & I wil giue thee the crowne of life. Thus god suffereth his seruants to be sifted, & to be tried as pure golde in the furnace, & receiueth them as a swéete smelling sauour of burnt sacrifice. And this is it whereof the Apostle putteth the Thessalonians in remembraunce, that they are strengthned by the holy ghost not only to abide such afflictiōs as they suffer because they haue receiued the gospel: but also to reioice, because they are assured, whatsoeuer shal happen vnto them, they be the children of God.
V: 7. So that you were as ensamples to all that beleeue in Macedonia and Achaia.
8 For from you sounded out the word of ye Lord, not in Macedonia and Achaia only: but your faith also which is toward God, spread a∣broade in all quarters, that wee neede not to speake any thing.
9 For they themselues shewe of you what maner entring in wee had vnto you, and howe
you turned from idols to God, to serue the li∣uing and true God.
10 And to looke for his sonne from hea∣uen, whome hee raised from the dead, Iesus whiche deliuereth vs from the wrath to come.
The countries rounde about them were drawen by the example of the Thessalonians, to beléeue the Gospel preached vnto them. You are (sayth he) as ye bright sunne beames. They beholde you, and reioyce of you, euen as of the morning light. You are an holy Citie sette vppon an hil, you cannot be hid, your saith is a paterne of saith, your life is a patern of life vnto them. They haue learned of you howe to guide their wayes. You haue called them backe from errour, and from vngodi•…•…∣nesse, to serue the true and liuing God. You are made vnto them a swéete smelling sauour of life vnto life. For so it hath pleased God to make his Gospel knowne in al places through you, & to make you the builders of his church. When they beholde your godly conuersation which is in Christ, they are ashamed of them∣selues. When they behold your light, they find fault with their owne darkenesse. O say they, this is a holy people, this is a people that fea∣reth God. Let vs heare them what they teach: let vs leade our liues in holinesse and righte∣ousnesse
as they doe.
Let vs by hearing these wordes enter into our selues. God hath giuen his light to •…•…hine vppon vs, hee hath blessed vs with the knowledge of his Gospel. Let vs take héede, we turne not the light into darkenesse, nor the truth of God into lies. Manie thousande eyes are set vpon vs, to looke vpon and beholde vs. Let vs be an example of godlinesse. Let vs be as a light to them that yet abide in darkenes. Let not the name of GOD be euil spoken of through vs. His name is holy. Woe be vnto * 1.55 the worlde (sayth Christ) because of offences: for it must needes be that offences shal come, but woe be vnto that man by whome the of∣fence commeth. Whosoeuer shal offende one of these little ones, it were better for him, that a milstone were hanged about his necke, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. It were better for that man, if hee had neuer béene borne. For the bloud of them that pe∣rishe by his offence, shal be required at his handes. The wrath of God is reueiled from heauen against those that are such, because they withholde the truth in vnright con•…•…sse. The kingdome of God shal be taken away from them, and giuen to a nation that wil bring foorth the fruites thereof.
It followeth, From you sounded the
word of the Lord, not in Macedonia & Achaia only, &c. If a man carrie in his hande a light burning candle, it giueth not light to him only that carrieth it, but to al those which be in the house, and they also sée it which are without. Euen so, if any be the child of knowledge, and carrie about him the light of-God, he doth not onely tast of the comfort thereof himselfe, and worke comfort to those that appertaine to the Church of God: but lightneth also the hearts of Paganes and J•…•…dels, which are abroade. Such as are bathed or persumed with preci∣ous ointments, or pouders, haue not only the pleasure to themselues, but the sauour therof casteth if selfe out, and is pleasant to al those which stande by. The Gospel is the light of God: It shineth in the darkenesse of this worlde. It is the swéete incense and sauour of God: Wheresoeuer the breath thereof is re∣ceiued, it bringeth life.
But your faith also, which is toward God, spredde abroade in al quarters. As the light∣ning is séene from one part of the ayre to the other, and as the sounde of great noise sprea∣deth it selfe farre and wide, so deeth the light of good conuersation in the godly shewe if selfe foorth. And therefore he telleth them, they haue filled al the Countrie of Macedonia with knowledge, & with wonder at their faith, and
•…•…nesse in the truth. As if he had saide, great is the renowme of your king Alexander, and your countrey is famous. He hath ouer∣run the whole world and subdued it. He hath conquered Graecia, Asia, Arabia, Phrygia, Ar∣menia, Scythia, and India. Kings and princes sel downe before him. The whole world stoode in awe of his name. Yet Alexander had but the power, & force of men. He had great treasures of golde and siluer. He had numbers of horses, and camels, and Elephants. He had sworde, bils, speares, and dartes, and such like artille∣rie and armor. These were the things where∣with he ouercame his enemies. Hereby both he and his people were renowmed.
What then may be said of the battaile which you haue fought? or of the victorie which you haue gptt•…•… you haue won, ye Alexander could neuer win. You haue ouercome your selues. You haue ouercome the world. He conquered the bodies of many, & had them at cōmaunde∣ment. But their soules stoode out, & would not be conquered, You haue subdued your soules, & brought them to the obedience of the Gospel. You haue ouerrun al the countrie and trium∣phed among the people. And al this is brought to passe, without force, without policie, with∣out ar•…•…ur; without artilerie, onely by your patience, and suffering for the Gospel sake.
That wee neede not to speake any thing. To make the commendation of their faith more euident, he telleth then•…•…, the same of their zeale and constancy is kno 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in al pla∣ces. Whither seener I go (saith he) they know you, and speake of you, and bearken to you. Hereby appeareth how néedeful it is, that chief townes and cities he wel gouerned, that vice in them be senerely punished, that •…•…tne and godlinesse be maineteined, and the people instructed, because the examples of such places spread abroad in al quarters nigh them.
They themselues shewe of you, what maner of enteraunce wee had vnto you: After what sort you receiued me, and ginedeare I was vnto you. Al places were laide and beset for me to séeke my life, but you enlarged your selues toward me, and tooke me in, When I was in prison, you came to me, and feared no man, you were not ashamed of my bonds, you were readie to loose your owne liues to saue me. This is spoken of to your great praise.
And howe you turned to God from idols, to serue the liuing and true God. Here are set downe in fewe words the summe and parts of Christian religion. The first is to forsake at •…•…ols to turne from them: then to turne vnto God, and to put alout trust in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to serue the liuing and true God. The •…•…nice of
God, and idols can not stand togither. No man can turne vnto God, that turneth not from i∣dols. This is a wonderfull effect of the gospell, to forsake idols, and serue God: to leaue cu∣stomes, and the vsage of forefathers, and giue eare to the trueth. To loue from the heart, that which thou diddest sometimes hate: and to detest from the heart, that which thou didbest sometimes loue, is strange and wonder∣full. But to doe this for Christ which was borne of poore Marie, whom the wise and lear∣ned, and mightie men of this worlde despised, which was crucified, and hanged betwene two théeues, whome they scorned vpon the Crosse: to follow, or beléeue, or put trust in him: to cal him the power and the wisedome of God, to confesse him to be, in whome al Israel shall be blessed, and in whom all the worlde shal be sa∣ued: to giue bodie or life for his sake is a strāge miracle. No King, no Prince, no lawe, no wisedome of man can worke this and bring it to passe. This is the Lordes doing, and it is maruelous in our eies. And this doeth he in those onelie which receiue the word of the gos∣pel with ioy of the holie ghost.
And to looke for his sonne from heauen, whome he raised, &c. The holie Scriptures do not onlie teach vs to turne vnto God, but also what it is, that god giueth vnto al them which
séeke him, euen that they be deliuered from the wrath to come: and for whose sake he deli∣uereth vs, for Jesus his sonne whome he rai∣sed from the dead. Therefore he telleth them, howsoeuer they be reiected, or despised as foo∣lish among men, if they continue in the things which they haue learned, they shall be wise vnto saluation. That therefore they lift vp their heads, and looke for their redéemer: That they saie, thy kingdome come, and, Come Lord Jesus: because he is appointed by God to be the Judge of the quicke and the dead: and hée shal come in the glorie of his father, and deli∣uereth from the wrath to come, al those that trust in him. For among men there is none o∣ther name giuen vnder heauen, whereby wée must be saued. This is the depth of al know∣ledge and the comfort which passeth al vnder∣standing, that against al temptations, and af∣flictions which oppresse our conscience, or bere and trouble our bodies, we maie growe strong by faith in the sonne of God Christ Je∣sus, and assertaine our selues of his comming from heauen for our delinerance.
〈◊〉〈◊〉. Cor. 11.
Act. 14.
Act. 16.
Galat. 4.
Psal. 26.
Num. 16.
Gen. 11.
Act. 4.
•…•…eue. 2.
Rom. 2.
Le•…•… epi. 83. •…•…d Palesti∣nos.
Hom. 19 in Mat. in opere imperf.
Lyra in 16. M•…•….
Hier•…•…n in Mich. lib. 1. cap. 1.
Ephe. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
Eph. 5.
Psal. 41.
Matt. 5.
Psal. 44.
Rom. 8.
Ierem. 6.
Ierem. 15.
2. Tim. 3.
Psal. 23.
Iob. 13.
Phil. 1.
Rom. 14.
Gala. 6.
Rom. 8.
•…•…oh. 10.
2. Cor. 3.
Iohn 6.
Ezech. 36.
Iere. 31.
Psal. 1•…•…9.
De praede∣stinat: San∣ctorum. c. 8.
Act. 16.
Act. 2.
Luke 24.
Esaie 55.
Mar. 10.
Matth. 5.
Matth. 16.
Dan. 3.
Act. 5.
Rom. 3.
Rom. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
Luke. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
Mat. 5.
Reue. 7.
Psal. 126.
Iohn 16.
Reu. 14.
Reue. 2.
Mat. 1•…•….