An expositio[n] vpon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians by the reuerend Father Iohn Ievvel ... ; vvhereunto is adioined a very necessarie table of the principal matters contained in this exposition.

CHAP. 3.

WHerefore since wee could no longer for∣beare, wee thought it good to remaine at Athens alone.

2 And haue sent Timotheus our brother, and Minister of God, and our labour fellow in the Gospel of Christ, to stablish you, and to comfort you, touching your faith.

I Knowe your faith in Christ Jesus is manie waies assaul∣ted. The enuious man will take al occasions to sowe dar∣nel among the Lordes corne. He wil séeke to take awaie the good séede that is sowed in your heartes. You are deare vnto mée. Your woundes are my wounds, and your griefe, my griefe. Therfore,

since I my selfe am hindred that I can not come vnto you, to be with you in your affli∣ctions: I send vnto you my fellow labourer in the Gospel. I haue but one with me, whome I loue tenderly, and trust him as mine owne soule: him I send vnto you. I leaue my selfe destitute, and without a companion, among the Infidels, here at Athens in a citie much gi∣uen to idolatrie, and which can not abide the name of Christ. Thus haue I burthened my selfe to reléeue you, and taken from my selfe to comforte you. I haue béene carelesse of my selfe, and carefull for you, and for the Church of God, which is among you.

The Apostle had sent Timothie to other places, to the Corinthians, and to the Philippi∣ans. He alwaies found him constant in faith, and zealous to do good vnto the Saints. And now commendeth him to this congregation, and calleth him brother, a minister of God, and his labour fellow, that so they might conceiue of his great care for them, which sent so wor∣thie a mā vnto them: and also that they would estéeme him, and haue him in reputation, to hearken vnto Timothie, and to do in al things as he should direct them.

Such as S. Paul nameth Timothie, should al they be, which are sent vnto the people. They must holde the faith of Christ vnfainedly,

and professe it boldly: they must be called, and allowed of God to his seruice: and must not be idle, but paineful, and labouring to builde vp the house of God, and to gather in his har∣uest: that they may truely be called the mini∣sters of GOD, and labourers in the Gos∣pel.

They that are called to this seruice, must not thinke it ynough, that they serue God, as men of other trades doe. For princes, and al sortes of people owe seruice and homage vnto God, to serue him in holinesse & righteousnesse al the dayes of their life. This seruice of god∣ly conuersation, and obedience, must mini∣sters also most carefully performe. But the e∣special seruice, which belongeth to their cal∣ling, is to carrie the arke of the couenaunt be∣fore their people, to doe their message truely when they are sent. To teach, to instruct, to erbort, to comfort, to rebuke in season and out of season: to plant, to wéede, to graffe, to shrid, to holde vp their handes and to pray for the people. To doe this seruice for kings, for subiectes, for rich, for poore, for the wise, for the simple: for the godly, and for the wicked: to e∣stablish them, and comfort them touching their fai•…•…h.

Paul call•…•…th himselfe often, The seruant of God, the seruant of our Lord Iesus Christ.

He reioyceth in this seruice, and reckoneth it in part of his glorie. If we consider the paines and trauailes, which he tooke, we shal knowe, what diligence al others that are called to the same seruice ought to shewe. Thus he writeth of himselfe. I am debter both to the Graecians * 1.1 & to the Barbarians, both to the wise men, and to the vnwise. Therefore as much as lyeth in mee I am readie to preach the Gospel to you also that are at Rome. Againe, Though I bee * 1.2 free from all men, yet haue I made my selfe ser∣uaunt vnto al men, that I might winne the more. And vnto the Iewes I became as a Iewe, that I may winne the Iewes: to them that are vnder the lawe, as though I were vnder the lawe, that I may winne them that are vnder the lawe. I am made all thinges to all men, that I might by all meanes saue some. Againe, Wee preach not our selues, * 1.3 but Iesus Christ the Lorde, and our selues your seruauntes for Iesus sake. Againe, Wee * 1.4 are reuiled and yet wee blesse: we are perse∣cuted, and yet suffer it. I serve not my selfe sayeth hée, but GOD. I serve not to séeke mine owne affections, but in set smith his glorie. Thus in his owne example he teacheth vs that in the seruice of the Church of God, we must indure al paines, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 refuse to followe our calling for anie reprothe or

shame, or vilanie, which may be wrought a∣gainst vs by men.

V. 3. That no man should bee mooued with these afflictions, for yee your selues knowe, that wee are appointed there∣vnto.

Thinke not that you shal enioy the plea∣sures of this worlde, if you he the faithful ser∣uauntes of Christ. Christ shed his bloud for thée, that thou shouldest not refuse to giue thy bloude for him. Drinke the cup of bitter gal, whereof Christ beganne to thée. And carie thy crosse, that thou mayest followe him. If thou be ashamed of the crosse, thou art ashamed of Christ: if thou be ashamed of Christ, hee wil be ashamed of thée before his father in heauen. The crosse can not hurt thée, for Christ hath sanctified it in his bloude. Beholde not the sworde which striketh thée, but thinke on the crowne of glorie, which thou shalt re∣ceiue. Gold is clearer after it hath béene put into the fire. Be thou gold, and the firie perse∣cution shal not hurt thée. Let not the feare of death put out thy faith. Trust in the Lorde, be strong, and he shal stablish thy heart. Bée roofed and built in Christ, and stablished in the faith. Then shall thy heart re∣•…•…oyce, and no man shal take thy ioie from thée.

V. 4. For verily when wee were with you, wee tolde you before that wee shoulde suffer tribulations, euen as it came to passe, and yee knewe it.

God giueth vs warning to be readie to suf∣fer afflictions for his name. My sonne if thou * 1.5 wilt come into the seruice of God, stande fast in righteousnesse and feare, and prepare thy soule to temptation. And in the Prouerbes: My sonne refuse not the chastening of the * 1.6 Lorde, neither be grieued with his correction. For the Lord correcteth him whom he loueth, euen as the Father the childe in whome he de∣lighteth. As manie as I loue, I rebuke and cha∣sten, * 1.7 sayth Christ. Therefore the Apostle tel∣leth the Hebrewes, If you be without correc∣tion, * 1.8 whereof al are partakers, then are ye ba∣stardes, and not sonnes. In the tenth of Ma∣thew, our sauiour warneth his Disciples here∣of, * 1.9 Beholde I sende you as sheepe in the mid∣dest of Wolues. Thus God schooleth, and nour∣tereth his people, that so through many tribu∣lations, they may enter to their rest. Franken∣cense whē it is put in the fire, giueth the grea∣ter perfume: spice if it be punned, smelleth the swéeter: the earth when it is torne vp with the plough, becommeth more fruitful: the séede in the ground, after frost and snowe, and win∣ter storme, springeth the rancker: the nigher

the vine is pruned to the stocke, the greater grape it yéeldeth: the grape when it is most pressed and beaten, maketh the swéetest wine: fine golde is the better when it is cast in the fire: rough stones with hewing are squared, and made fit for building: cloth is rent, and cut, that it may bee made a garment: linnen is buckt and washt, and wrung, and beaten, and is the fairer. These are familiar examples to shewe the benefite and commoditie which the children of God receiue by persecution. By it God w•…•…sheth, and scoureth his congregati∣on. We reioyce (sayth Saint Paul) in tribulati∣ons, * 1.10 knowing that tribulation bringeth foorth patience, and patience experience, and expe∣rience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed. The power of God is made perfect in weake∣nesse. And al things turne vnto good to them that feare the Lorde.

V. 5. Euen for this cause, when I could no longer forbeare, I sent him that I might knowe of your faith, least the tempter had tempted you in any sort, and that our labour had beene in vaine.

6 But nowe lately when Timotheus came from you vnto vs, & brought vs good tydings of your faith, and loue, and that yee haue good remembraunce of vs alwayes, desiring to see vs, as we also doe you.

7 Therefore brethren wee had consolation in you, in al our affliction, and necessitie tho∣rough your faith.

8 For nowe are we aliue, if ye stande fast in the Lorde.

9 For what thankes can wee recom∣pense to GOD againe for you, for al the ioy wherewith wee reioyce for your sakes before our God?

10 Night and daye praying exceeding∣lie, that wee might see your face, and might accomplish that which is lac•…•…g in your faith.

The Apostle continueth in declaring his ear∣nest affection towards them, and how greatly he reioyted to heare of their consta•…•…ie in the faith, and of their loue and agréement toge∣ther. For he feared it might haue happened to them, as it had doone to others. He preached to the Galathians, but they gaue care to faile A∣postles, and went backe from that hee had * 1.11 taught them. I am in feare of you (sayeth he) least I haue bestowed on you labour in vaine. And, ye did runnewel, who did let you, that * 1.12 you did not obey the trueth? it is not of the persuasion of him that calleth you. The Di∣uel hath bewitched you, and beguiled your eyes. Such is the sutfeltie and the power of Satan in the children of disobedience. Iudas

was an Apostle, equal with Peter, and the o∣ther Apostles. The Diuell entred into his heart, and bewitched him, and then he became the childe of destruction. Iulian the Apostata, was a Christian, and a reader in the Church, but became an enemie of Christ, and when he was stricken in the fielde by myracle from Heauen, hée threwe vp his bloude in defi∣aunce of Christ: so had the Diuel bewitched him, and changed his heart to wickednesse. It might haue béene that their weakenesse should in like sort haue béene overcome, when the tempter tempted them. And so the gold which hée had left with them might haue béene tur∣ned into drosse, & the light into darkenes, and the kingdome of God taken away from them. For then had his labour béene in vaine, and they had receiued the worde to their owne damnation. For it had béene better for them not to haue knowen the way of righteous∣nesse, than after they haue knowen it, to turne from the holy commaundement giuen vnto them.

The Diuel is the tempter. His strength and practise is not alwaies by force of armes, but by suttle persuasions & other sleights. He reaso∣neth w^t Eue, why she would not tast of y^e apple, which was swéete, pleasant & delicate. Telleth y^e poore woman: god did nothing but mocke hir.

For God knewe, what day they shoulde eat•…•… thereof, their eies should be opened, and they should knowe as much as God. Hee came to Christ, and sayd, Commaund that these stones be made breade, and cast thy selfe downe, if thou be the sonne of God: then thou shalt be worshipped, and taken for a great Prophet. He tempted Dauid after this sort, why wilt thou serue God? he hath aduaunced thine ene∣mies, and hath forsaken thée, and left thée in miserie, I fretted (sayth Dauid) at the foolish: * 1.13 These are the wicked, yet prosper they alway and encrease in riches. Certainely I haue clen∣sed my heart in vaine, and washed my handes in innocencie, for dayly haue I beene punished, and chastened euerie morning. Mine heart was vexed: so foolish was I and ignoraunt. I was a beast before thee. He tempted Iob the faithful seruaunt of God, and tolde him, that he was righteous and holy, and gaue almes in vaine: that God had no regard to his prayers, and would not heare.

This tempter waiteth al occasions to drawe vs from our faith, and stedfastnesse in the Lorde. Yet is he neuer so busie, as when anie persecution is raised against the trueth. Then is he in his ruffe. Then playeth hee his part, and leaueth nothing vndoone, whereby he may moue vs to forsake the trueth. Wilt thou

(saieth he) be so foolish to loose their life, and knowest not wherefore? art thou wiser than thy forefathers? Why shouldest not thou be contented to doe as thy father, and mother, and friendes, and kinsfolkes? thinkest thou they haue not as good care of their soules, as thou hast of thine? wilt thou make them Pagans and Infidels? dost thou thinke they are damned? be wise, and cast not thy selfe awaie. Flesh is fraile, life is swéete, death is dreadfull, but to die in the fire, to be burned a∣liue, to see thy armes, and thy legges quite burnt from thy bodie, and that yet thou canst not die, this is most terrible, thou canst neuer abide it.

Beholde so manie Kings, and Princes, Noble men, Cardinals, Bishoppes, Doctors, and learned men, and whole kingdomes and countries of the contrarie opinion. Be not wilfull. Thinke not thy selfe wiser than al the world. What were it for thée to come to the Church, and to shew thy selfe obedient, and to doe, as others doe? It is a small mat∣ter to looke vp, and holde vp thy hands at the sacring. If it be an offence, thou shalt be excused, because thou arte forced to doe it by authoritie. GOD is mercifull, he will forgiue thée. Thus and thus doth Sathan •…•…empt vs, and sifteth vs, to leade vs from

our stedfastnesse. These deuises he practised of latedaies before our eies, with manie constant professours of Christian religion, but through the mightie power of GOD, they quenched all his fierie dartes, and through manie tribulations entred into glo∣rie.

Thankes be to God, which doth make vs a∣ble through his grace, not onelie to beléeue in him, but also to suffer for his sake. He is faith∣full, and will not suffer vs to be tempted a∣boue that we are able, but will euen giue the issue with the temptation, that we maie be a∣ble to beare it. He hath bidden vs call vppon him, in the daie of trouble, and he will deli∣uer vs. Commit thy waie vnto the Lorde, * 1.14 and trust in him (saith the Prophet) and hee shal bring it to passe. I haue set the Lord al∣waies * 1.15 before mee, for he is at my right hand: therefore I shall not slide. And againe: The * 1.16 Lord is with mee: Therefore I wil not feare what man can doe vnto mee. It is better to trust in the Lord, than to haue confidence in princes.

When our sauiour foretold his Disciples of the troubles to come, he also maketh com∣forte to them of the strength, and the helpe which they shall receiue of GOD, saying: When they deliuer you vp, take no thought

how, or what yee shall speake: for it shall bee * 1.17 giuen you in that houre, what yee shall saie: he telleth them by whom they shall be persecu∣ted: * 1.18 Yee shall be betrayed also of your pa∣rents, and of your brethren, and kinsemen, and friends. And in what sorte: They shall laie handes on you, and persecute you, and de∣liuer you to the Synagogues, and into prisons, and bring you before Kings and Rulers. And for what cause: For my names sake. Then what the godlie in this case must doe: Feare * 1.19 them not. Hee that endureth to the ende shall be saued.

Last of all, hée promiseth to be with them and to strengthen them. This shal turne * 1.20 to you for a Testimoniall. Laie it vp therefore in your heartes, that you premeditate not what yee shall aunswere. For I wil giue you a mouth and wisedome, whereagainst al your aduersaries shal not be able to speake, nor re∣sist.

Thus were the things spoken of long béefore, which we haue séene lately done. Whosoeuer will sette downe the storie thereof, nowe they are passed, muste néedes declare it in the manner as it was forespoken. Their owne kinsfolkes, and friendes betrayed many, and brought them to the Bishoppes, who deliuered them into

prisons, for the name of Christ, and for the loue of his truth. The blessed witnesses or martyres of God, feared not, but endured. Manie were simple, yong men, yong mai∣dens, men and women of great age, labou∣ring men, and men of occupations. Yet God gaue them such a mouth, and such wisedome, as al their aduersaries were not able to speake against it, nor resist it. Who readeth that Scripture diligently, and considereth this sto∣rie of our time aduisedly, can not but confesse that the light of Gods Gospell is come among vs, and that we are they vpon whom the lat∣ter ende of the world is come, and in whome he doth shew foorth the great might of his po∣wer.

Therefore such temptations as Sathan vseth can not make the name of GOD fal from his ancker holde. His hope is safely laid vp in his breast. Hée knoweth in whome hée putteth his trust, and therefore saieth: I pre∣sume not of knowledge. I estéeme not to know anie thing, saue Christ Iesus, and him cru∣cified. I beléeue not in my fathers, I reue∣rence them and loue them, but I beléeue onelie in GOD. I feare not the sworde, I feare not what man can doe vnto me: but I feare him, that can kill my bodie and soule. It is better for me to abide the fire, and

lose my life, that I may liue for euer, than to denie GOD for safegarde of my life, and be caste into hell fire. If there be so manie partakers of their errours, and so fewe that cleaue to the trueth: the multitude of them shall not saue mée: and it is no triall of Gods trueth, whether it be receiued of many, or of fews. Cardinalles, and Bishoppes, and do∣•…•…ours may be wise, and learned. So were Annas and Caiaphas, the high priests, and Scribes and Pharises which did put to death the Lord of glorie. I dare not doe ill, bicause other men do it. I may not tempt God. My conscience is truely assured by Gods worde what is idolatrie, and the dishonour of God. If I should come into the Church, and make such shew as you aduise me, and be partaker with Idolaters, I should doe hurt to others in mine ill example: I should do against mine owne conscience, which would be a heauie witnesse against mée, both whiles I liue in this world, and in the dreadfull daie of iudge∣ment.

V. 11. Now God himselfe, euen our father, and our Lord Iesus Christ, guide our iourney vnto you.

12. And the Lord increase you, and make you abound in loue one toward an other,

and toward al men, euen as wee doe toward you.

13 To make your heartes stable, and vn∣blamable in holinesse before God euen our fa∣ther, at the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ, with his Saints.

I haue planted you, you are my children, whom I haue begotten in Christ. I loue you, and haue care ouer you. I haue an ercéeding desire to sée your face. But Sathan hath with∣stoode my purpose, and found meanes to kéepe me from you. I commit my voyage to God: if it please him, that I may come vnto you, to reioice with you, and comfort you. He kno∣weth what is good for me, and what is profi∣table for you. The cause is his owne. Hée will doe all things to his glorie. Hée will treade Sathan vnder our féete. We can not purpose, and dispose of our selues. I know, * 1.21 that the way of man is not in him selfe, ney∣ther is it in man to walke and to direct his steps.

The Lord increase you, in al godlinesse, that you may abound more and more, euen as you haue heard of vs, how you ought to walk. You are but a little flocke, God increase your number, and make all them partakers of his kingdome with you, which heare of your faith and conuersation in Christ.

To make your hearts stable and vnblamea∣ble. That nothing moue you or trouble you•…•… that your hearts and consciences be quiet: that you may stand vpright, and shewe your lelues in great confidence before his iudge∣ment seate: that when you shal sée Gods haud stretched out, & his plagues prepared against the wicked, you be not afraid. This is the ha∣uen of rest, whereto no man commeth but he that hath a quiet conscience, this is the taber∣nacle of the highest, wherein they shaldwell, this is the holie mountaine, wherein they shall rest, that walke vprightly, and worke righteousnesse, and speake the truth in their heart.

Here lette vs consider the rages and tempests of a troubled minde, and of an vn∣quiet conscience: which knoweth that GOD is an auenger of all wickednesse, and that death is the due rewarde of sinne: which ac∣knowledgeth him selfe to be a sinner, and findeth no way howe he shall escape Hell fire. This man when he thinketh with him selfe of these things, hée can not but be amazed and disquieted aboue measure. The sounde of the Trumpet is euer in his eares, he heareth the voice of the Judge, saying: stand foorth sinner: now declare how thou hast vsed thy bodie, giue a reckoning of thy

whole life. Then his conscience beginneth to quake and tremble. Then he néedeth no wit∣nesse to accuse him, nor iudge to condemn him. Hée is both witnesse and iudge against him∣selfe.

The daunger hereof maie somewhat ap∣peare, in those which are taken, and priso∣ned, and arraigned before a Judge. When hée knoweth him selfe guiltie, heareth the eui∣dence prwued against him, séeth the Judge se∣uere to deale iustice without mercie, and ther∣fore is assured of death: what griefe and tor∣ment féeleth he at heart? what would he not giue? what would he not doe to scape the dan∣ger?

But the danger whereun•…•… God iudgeth vs is greater. And the maner of his iudgement is straighter. Here the Judge maie be decei∣ued, he is but a man: but there GOD is the Judge, who is the searcher of the heart and raines, and no man shall be hidde from his heate. Here nothing can be done without eui∣dence, without witnesses, and proofe: before God, he that hath offended shall accuse him∣selfe. This is the case of conscience. It selfe is witnesse, it selfe ca•…•…eth for iudgement to condemnation. His conscience shall make the sinner say, I haue offended against God: I haue despised his word, & would not giue care

to learne it. I would not knowe the time of Gods mercie, and of my visitation: I liued in fornication: and committed theft: and kept wrongfully other mens goods: I was disobe∣dient to parents: nourtered not my children in the feare of God: kept not my heart from doing iniquitie: I abused my goods, my wits, my senses, and the good grace of God: I haue sinned against heauen, and against God, and am not worthie to be called his sonne: the wrath of God is worthily fallen vpon me: hel fire is my méede: the mercie of God can not saue me, for my sinne is greater, than that it can be forgiuen. Mine owne hart & conscience, heauen and earth, the angels and archangels, God himselfe, and Christ the redéemer of them that beléeue in him, are against me: I can not cast mine eyes to any place, but euer I sée my damnation before me. Then doth he tremble with agony, and stande in feare. His hart da∣sheth and beateth, as the waues of the sea. He s•…•…leth vprore, warre, lightning, thōder, death, and hel in his heart: hée shal flée when no man followeth him. He shal say•…•… to the hilles and rockes, fal on me, and hide me from the pre∣sence of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lambe. Such is the terrour of an vnquiet mind•…•…. Though al the princes in the world would ioyne themselues

to do it. The wicked can neuer enioy peace. God kéepe vs far from such agonies, and giue vs pure hearts, and cleare consciences.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rom. 11.
• * 1.2

  1. Cor. 9.
• * 1.3

  2. Cor. 4.
• * 1.4

  1. Cor. 4.
• * 1.5

  Eccle. 2.
• * 1.6

  Prou. 3.
• * 1.7

  Reu. 3.
• * 1.8

  Heb. 12.
• * 1.9

  Matth. 10.
• * 1.10

  Rom. 5.
• * 1.11

  Gal. 4.
• * 1.12

  Gal. 5.
• * 1.13

  Psa. 73.
• * 1.14

  Psal. 37.
• * 1.15

  Psal. 16.
• * 1.16

  Psal. 118.
• * 1.17

  Mat. 10.
• * 1.18

  Luke 21.
• * 1.19

  Mat. 10.
• * 1.20

  Luke 21.
• * 1.21

  Iere. 10.