The apostolical history containing the acts, labours, travels, sermons, discourses, miracles, successes, and sufferings of the Holy Apostles from Christ's ascention to the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus : a brief description whereof is here inserted : also, a narration of the particular times and occasions upon which the apostolical epistles were written, together with a brief analytical paraphrase of them : to which is added (for the better understanding of this history) a map of the Apostle Paul's travels ... / by Samuel Cradock.

SECT. IX.

DUring his abode here, in his own name and in the names of Silas and Timothy he writes his First Epistle to the Thessalonians.

In which Epistle there are these two principal parts.

• First, He endeavours to confirm them in the Faith of Christ, and to assure them of his sincere affection to them, and encourages them to constancy in the profession of the Gospel, notwithstanding the ma∣ny afflictions they met with, on that account, Chap. 1.2, 3.
• Secondly, He instructs and exhorts them to holiness of life and conversa∣tion, inserting a consolatory discourse touching the resurrection of the dead, Chap. 4, 5.

* 1.1IN the First part, (After his Apostolical Salutation to the Church of the Thessalonians, which by the Grace of God, and Gospel of Christ preached unto them, had been converted to the Faith, and which was established in the Faith and belief of God the Father(a) 1.2 and J••sus Christ, whom he hath sent), he declares,

1. H w th o••f••l he was to God for their sincere conversion, and how he daily m••d•• m••ntio•• f th••m in his prayers, humbly bes••eching the L••rd th••y might p••rse••••re. And how j••yfully and continually he remembred that good work of th••ir s••ith, by which they so c••uragiously embraced the Gospel of Christ, that exc••••lent ch••rity which they had t••stified by their care, and pains, and industry for the go••d ••f the Saints, that patience and constancy which their hope in C••ri•••• ••••d w••••ught in them; all which graces, as they had manifested (by their ••ff••••) ••••••re men▪ so h•• doubted not, but they endeavoured to approve their h••••••ts to G••d(b) 1.3 in the exercise of th••m (as became good Children to their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 F••th••r), in wh••se sight tho••e graces are highly pleasing, v. 2, 3.

2ly. He pr••f••ss••s his firm b••li••f ••f their Election, which was manifested to him by many cl••••r signs th••re••f 1. His ministry among th••m had been accompa∣ni•••• with ••xtra••dinary and miracul••us gifts, and the powerful operation, and ••ff cacy of the H ly Ghost in their heartt, so that they were fully assur'd and per∣su••••d of the truth of the Gospel which he had preached unto them. And they th••ms••lves might rem••mber what manner of entrance, he, and his fellow-labou∣rers in the G••sp••l had among them, in so much, that they not only embraced the Doctrine ••f Christ, but firm••y adhered to it, though attended with persecution, and that with demonstration of such a(c 1.4 joy, which none but the H••ly Ghost could produce in th••m; by which things they rendred themselves in a sort like unto the Lord Christ, and like unto his servants the Apostles who suff••red for the truth, and preached the Gospel with joy in the midst of afflictions. 2. Their exemplariness to the neighbour-Chur∣ches in Macedonia and Achai••. For the G••spel which he had preached am••ng them, was, by means of their tra∣fiquing(d) 1.5 people carried not only into the neighbour-Countreys, but into th••se that are far distant, so that th••ir conversion to God, and faith in Christ was so famous, and spread into so many pl••c••s of the world that 'twould be superfluous for him to say any thing more of it, the thing ne••ding no other testimony than it self. And fur∣ther

he shews, that the faithful far and wide tell the history of the Thessalo∣nians conversion, and declare how the Apostles entrance among them was strangely and singularly blessed to the turning of them from dead idols to serve the true and everliving God, and to believe in his Son Jesus Christ, whom the Father hath raised from the dead, and to expect his second coming, (namely, to judg∣ment), at which time he will reward their faith and patience; having by the me∣rit of his death and passion delivered all that believe in him, f••••m the wrath to come. From v. 4. to the end.

3dly. He sets before them the sincerity and uprightness of his ministry a∣mong [Chap. 2d.] them, and the successfulness of it. For though he had been b••fore very ill used at Philippi for preaching Christ [Act. 16.], yet, (trusting in the assi∣stance of God), he boldly published the Gospel unto them, though he met with much contention and opposition from the still-necked Jews, and ignorant Gentiles. In the preaching of which, he had no design to seduce or corrupt any, by instilling any false doctrine into them, or to incourage them in any impure courses of life, (as the manner of false Teachers is); nor to procure to himself esteem, or any worldly advantage thereby. But as God was graciously pleased to chuse him to be an Apostle, and to approve him and think him meet for so great a trust; so he had endeavoured to approve his heart to God in the discharge of it, not accommodating his doctrine to the pleasing of mens humours, but preaching such things as are agreeable to the wil•• ••f God, whose eye pierceth into the heart, and discovers the secretest intentio•••• thereof. He sh••ws he never used to flatter them or soothe them in th••ir sins, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 themselves could t••stifie, nor carried any covetous d••sign under a Cloak of piety, as God kn••w, to whom he could appeal. Neither was he ambitious of vain glory and esteem among men, as false-Teachers are wont to be. And where∣as he might have exercised severity, and authority(f) 1.6 among them as an Apostle of Christ, yet he had not done it, but had used such mildness and tenderness towards them as a nurse does to a little child whom she feeds and cheri∣shes. He was so affectionately desirous of their eternal welfare that he was not only willing to impart the Gospel to them, but to have laid down his very life for them if it had been necessary for the procuring their salvation. And as an evidence of his cordial affection to them and earnest desire of their good, they might remember that he had wrought with his own hands, not only in the day-time but sometimes part of the night, to get something to maintain him(d) 1.7, that he might not be chargeable to them. He appeals to them, who saw his outward actions, and to God who saw his heart, how holily, justly, and unbl••meably he had behaved himself among them. They could not but be sensible, that he had carried himself towards them as a Father towards his Children, exhorting them to do their duty, and comforting and encouraging them in the performance of it, and testifying unto th••m all that they ought to walk worthy of God, that is, as be∣comes those that know God and profess his name, who had called them by his grace to a participation of his kingdom and celestial glory. From v. 1. to 13.

4ly. He mentions (with great thankfulness to God) some other evidences of the divine favour towards these Thessalonians; As first, their receiving the Gospel(g) 1.8 not as the word of man, but as the word of God, which testifyed it self to be divine, by its efficacious operation in the hearts of believers. 2. They shewed them∣selves like to the Christian Churches in Judea in patient suffering persecution from their own friends, kinsfolks, and fellow-citizens, as they did from the unbe∣lieving Jews; whom he d••scribes as the most perverse enemies of the Gospel of any other, setting out their wickedness in several particulars, declaring how, They kil∣led Christ, and before him, their own Prophets that were sent unto them [Math. 23.31, 37.], and now they persecuted the Apostles; they shewed themselves adversaries to God in persecuting his servants; they were ene∣mies to mankind by endeavouring to obstruct the Gospel which brings sal∣vation

to men. They forbad the Apostle to preach to the Gentiles; and so daily more and more filled up the measure of their sins, in so much, that the wrath of God seems come upon them to the uttermost in their judicial obduration. From v. 13. to 17.

5. He labours to assure them that he had a great love and affection to them, though he did not as yet come to them (as they might expect) to strengthen and comfort them in their afflictions. He tells them, he was not absent from them in heart and affection, though in body; and the more he was hindred from coming to them, the more earnestly he desired to see them. He designed to come to them once and a∣gain, but Satan still cast in impediments in his way. He tells them, he had great reason highly to value them, for he accounts them among the chi••fest Churches con∣verted to the faith by his ministry, and so he hopes they will be found, when Christ shall come to judg the world, and will be his crown and(h) 1.9 joy at that day. From v. 17. to the end.

[Chap. 3d.] 6. He goes on to give them further assurance of his love to them, and to esta∣blish them in the faith of Christ. 1. He tells them that being no longer able to bear the vehement desire he had of hearing how things went with them, he had sent Ti∣mothy unto them, and was content to deprive himself of the company of a person very dear to him, and to stay at Athens alone, that they by him might be comfor∣ted and confirmed in the faith; and that n••ne of them might be troubled at the affli∣ctions which the profession of the gospel exposed them unto, as if some strange thing had happened to them. For they themselves could not be ignorant that this is the condition unto which all true believers are call'd, God having ordained that they should first partake of the sufferings of Christ, before th••y partake of his glory: and they had been hereof before advertised by him, when he was with them (that they might prepare for sufferings) and it hath accordingly so come to pass; so that now they know it by experience. Having therefore so great sollicitude in his mind for them, he could not any longer forbear the sending of Timothy to them, to know the state of their faith, and to know whether they continued constant in it, or whether the Devil and the world bringing persecutions upon them on that account had not caused them to warp under those trials, and so rendred all his labours among them fruitless. But when Timothy return'd and brought him the welcom news of the firmness and constancy of their faith, and of the continuance of their charity, and of their kind remembrance of him, and great desire to see him, this, he tells them, was matter of exceeding great joy unto him; and the testimony he heard of their faith, did more comfort him, than all the afflictions which he suffer'd did deject him. For now we live(i) 1.10 (says he), that is, are lively, chearful, and couragious, if ye stand fast in your faith in Christ. He tells them he knows not how to be sufficiently thankful to God for their perseverance, and for giving him occasion to rejoyce so sin∣cerely before him for their proficiency. He further acquaints them that he daily pray'd unto the Lord that he might see their faces again, and might be instrumental more perfectly to instruct them, and to increase the measure of their faith by opening to them more fully the mysteries of the gospel. He accordingly prays for a prosperous journey to them, and that the Lord would grant that they may increase, and abound in love one towards another, and towards all men, as he did towards them. And lastly that their hearts may be established in holiness, unblameable before God (who is our rec••nciled Father in Christ) and that continuing so, they at the coming of Christ with all his Saints and Angels to judgment may not be ashamed(k) 1.11. From v. 1. to the end.

He comes now to the second part of his Epistle which contains exhortations, and [Chap. 4] precepts to duties of holiness. The doctrine concerning the Resurrection of the dead, and last judgment being by the way taken in.

In the First place, he tells them, He exhorts and intreats them in the name of the Lord Jesus, that as they had received of him how they ought to walk, and please God, so they would labour daily to excel and advance therein. They might remember what Commandments he had given them from Christ. Particularly, 1. That they should pre∣serve themselves in Chastity, and purity from the sins ••f the flesh. For this was the will of God that they should be holy both in soul and body, and that they should abstain from fornication, and continually keep their bodies as vessels consecrated to the Lord, and not defile them; whereby they would distinguish themselves from the Gentiles, who know not God, but live in impure lusts. 2. That they should not defraud any man; for God will avenge such kind of injuries as he had before assur'd, and warn'd them. And they should remember, that the end of Gods cal∣ling them to the Grace of Christ, is, that they should not defile themselves with any kind of sin(l) 1.12. And he that rejecteth these whole∣som exhortations, he shews is guilty of rejecting the divine authority ••f God, by the inspiration of whose holy Spirit, he had given them th••se precepts. 3. Touching brotherly-love, and how it is to be exercised, he tells them, he need not write much; for he found they were eminently taught, and inclin'd by the Spirit of God to the exercise of that grace, and that they manifested it not only at home but towards the Brethren round about in Macedonia. And he desires they may daily more, and more increase and excel therein. 4. He exhorts them to use their best en∣deavours(m) 1.13 to live quietly, and to follow their own bu∣siness [See 2 Thes. 3.12.], and to work with their own hands (as he had commanded them when he was with them), that by imploying themselves in honest labour, they may both preserve their reputation among the Gentiles (who will think ill of Christianity if it make men idle(n) 1.14, and that they may earn so much by their labour as may sup∣ply all their wants and necessities that they may have no need of help or relief from others. From v. 1. to 13.

2. He advises them not to mourn immoderately(o) 1.15 for their deceased Christian friends as Heathens do, that have no hope of a resurrection. He tells them he would not have them carry themselves as if they were ignorant of the happy state of those that dye in the faith of Christ. For as they believe, that Christ is risen from the dead, so they ought also to believe that those who have dyed in the faith of Christ, God will bring forth, and cause to appear with him, in the day wherein he shall judg the world, having first raised their bodies from the graves, and united them with their souls. And he tells them by revelation from the Lord, that the change of the faithful(*) 1.16 that are alive at his Coming shall not prevent the resurrection of those that are dead in Christ. For when Christ shall appear in that his great glory, and shall by the voice or trump of the Arch-Angel raise the dead, then the dead in Christ shall rise before the living be changed. And the faithful that are then alive being suddenly changed from mortality to an immortal glorious condition, shall be caught up together with the Saints that are raised from the dead, to meet the Lord in the air, and there being acquitted and absolved by the sentence of the Judg, shall enter into the kingdom pre∣pared for them, and so shall remain for ever with the Lord

in endl••ss bl••ss. As for the wicked he says nothing of them, s••••ing h•• had ••••¦w••rd of Comfort for them. But as for the other he bids them comfort one ano∣th••r with these words, that is, draw matter of consolation to themselves against the l••ss of th••ir d••ce••s••d friends from the consideration of the resurrection, and the future ••••••y. From v. 13. to the end.

[Chap. 5] 3dly. He tells th••m that if any among them did curi••••sly inquire into the pre∣cise time of Chri••ts c••ming to judgment, it was to no purpos•• for him to write any thing about it, seeing it was not revealed(p) 1.17. How∣s••••v••r this th••y could not be ignorant of, (having so often h••ard it from hims••lf and his associat••s) that Christ will c••me sudd••nly, and unexpectedly, as a thief in the night, and will surprize secure impenitent sinners unawares. But believers need not fear that day because th••y sleep n••t in the darkness of sin and ignorance; The last day c••n∣not as a thief in the night surprize them, because they are children of the light, and of the day, living and walking in the light of Gospel-truth, and in holin••ss ••f conversation. From v. 1. to 6.

4ly. Having thus spoken of the manner of Christs coming to judgment. He takes occasion from thence to exhort them to watchfulness and sobriety, that they may n••t f••ar b••ing surprized by that day. Let us not therefore (says he) live in car∣nal s••curity as infidels do, but be vigilant and sober; for they that sl••ep s••cure∣ly, or give themselves to drunkenness usually do it in the nig••t and darkn••ss, but such a course as this, would ill become us who are Christians, and the children of the day, and live in the light of the knowledg ••f Christ; we ought to be s••ber, and watchful remembring our life is a spiritual warfare, and therefore we ought al∣ways be upon our guard, having on a breast-plate compos'd of faith and charity to defend us against the assaults of Satan, and on our head the hope of salva∣tion for an Helmet. And this should further ••ncourage us in the doing of our duty, because God hath not appointed us to be vessels of his wrath, but hath c••l∣led us to the obtaining of salvation in and through his Son, who dyed for us, that whether we wake(q) 1.18 or sleep, that is, live or dye, we should live with him, namely, a spiritual life here, and hereafter an eternal life of glory. From the wh••le he exhorts them to comf••rt and build up one another in faith and holin••ss. From v. 6. to 12.

5ly. He comes n•••• to direct the people how to carry themselves t••wards their Pastors and spiritu•••• Guides, who labour among them, and faithful••y admonish and couns••l them (as their need requires) and are over them in the Lord, by vertue of his c mmission and authority in the things appertaining to their souls. He injoyns them to give th••m due respect(r) 1.19, thank∣fully to acknowledg their pains, and highly to esteem and love them on that account; and that they should live in peace and concord among themselves, and especially with their Pastors. V. 12.13.

6ly. He directs the Ministers how to carry themselves towards the People, nam••ly, that they should admonish th••se that are unruly, and w••lk dis••rderly, that they should comfort the feeble-minded, and such as are dejected under their afflictions, that they should bear with the weak and infirm in the saith, that they should be patient towards all. V. 14.

7ly. He gives now general directions to all. 1. That they abstain from all private revenge, not rendring evil for evil, but ever following that which is good both among themselves, and t••wards th••se that are without. 2. To rejoyce evermore in the sense of Gods love to them in Christ, upon which account, they should be of good courage, and well content, even in the midst of all tribula∣tions. 3ly. To pray without ceasing, that is, upon every occasion, in all their

nec••ssities, and in every business, as the matter required, yet not so as never to in∣termit; but so, as not to give quite over, but to return to it again. 4ly. In every thing to give thanks, in adversity, as well as prosperity. For so gracious is the will of God in Christ towards them, that they have reason so to do. 5ly. To take heed of quenching(s) 1.20 the gifts and graces of the Spirit in themselves, but to labour to stir them up by pray∣er, and the due exercise of them. 6ly. That they con∣temn not, nor neglect those holy, publick exercises(t) 1.21 wherein the Ministers of the Gosp••l do interpret the Scrip∣tures by the singular revelation of the Spirit, and speak unto men to edification, exhortation and comfort [See 1 Cor. 14.3.]. 7ly. To prove all doctrines and opinions, and to examine them by the rule of the word, and analogy of faith, and to hold fast that which is good rejecting that which is otherwise. 8ly. That they abstain from all sorts of evil, and the very appearance of it. From v. 15. to 23.

Lastly, He concludes his Epistle solemnly praying for them, that God who is the author of all true peace and comfort, would please to sanctifie them in every part, namely, that their Spirit [that is their intellectual part, their understanding and will], and their Soul, [that is, their affections and appetite], and their body, and outward man, may be kept immaculate, so that if it should so happen, that they should live to the Coming of Christ to judgment(u) 1.22, he may find them in this excellent condition at his Coming. He declares his confidence that he who hath called them to a participation of his grace, will carry on his own good work in them(*( 1.23; and having begun to sanctifie them, will continue to do it; for he is faithful, and his gifts and calling are without repentance. See 1 Cor. 1.8. Phil. 1.6. And so desiring their prayers for him, and injoyning them to salute one another, with the kiss of peace and charity (as believers were wont to do in those times, according to the custom of those countreys). He strictly charges them that this Epistle be read to the whole church, to all the holy Brethren(x) 1.24, and so shuts up all with his Apostolical benediction. From v. 23. to the end.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The First Epistle ••n the Thessaloni∣ans.
• (a) 1.2

  In Deo Pa••••e & Do∣m••••o nostro J•••••• Chr••sto i. e. Q••••e c••lit Deum & Jesum, vel quae perseverat in fide in Deum, & in Christum. ••a••ab••us.
• (b) 1.3

  Acer stim••lus ad b •••• ••gen∣dum est me∣moria prae∣sentis Dei.
• (c 1.4

  Talia dona non largitur D us nisi cum vult salvari audientes. secun∣dum consilium bene placiti sui in Christo. Quare ex docentium donis re••tè colligitur Dei c••nsilium de E∣le••tione Audito••um

  Nihil magis admirabile, quia nihil magis naturae contrarium, quam in tribulatione gaudere, sed Spiri us per tribulationes bona coelestia & divina promitters efficite ut homo, haec bona sibi proponen•• in tribulatione gau∣de••t.
• (d) 1.5

  Multi ex Thess••lonica Mercato∣re•• per Graeciam omnem negotiaban¦tur.
• (f) 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Cum possemus in onere seu molestiâ esse, i. e. Onerosi, •• molesti. Infra phrasis. Et praecedens & sequens sententia videa∣tur postulare ut haec verba de autho∣rit••te Apostolicâ vel potius de illius usu intelligamus. Pisc.
• (d) 1.7

  See Act. 18.3. 1 Cor. 4.12.
• (g) 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Sermo∣nem auditus Dei, scil. per quem ipse Deus auditur, & intelligi∣tur.
• (h) 1.9

  Sunt hic tria Enuncia∣ta Metony∣mica. 1. Vos estis mea spes, id est, ii ex quibus spero me adepturum laudem apud Deum. 2. Vos estis meum gaudium, id est, ii qui gaudium mihi afferunt. 2. Vos estis mea corona, i. e. ii propter quos coronabor à Christo laude fidelitatis, & praemio beatitatis quum dicet, Euge bone servè fidelis fu∣isti, &c. Intra in gaudium Domini tui. Pisc.
• (i) 1.10

  Vivere sic sumitur in il∣lo dicto, mi∣ci dum vivi∣mus vivamus.
• (k) 1.11

  Apostolus S••••ritu ple∣n••s conglomerat hic multa quae affectus suggerebat, nec de verbis est sollicitus, sed verba nonnulla ubticet & ••ubaudit. A Lap.
• (l) 1.12

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 hic generalitèr su∣mitur ut supra, v. 2, 3. & tam latè patet quam quod ei opponitur, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• (m) 1.13

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] significat Eni∣ti, i. e. Magno conatu quicquam age∣re, translate à more hominum ambi∣tiosorum qui summo studio, & animi Contentione nituntur ad honores Estius.
• (n) 1.14

  Mos est Paulo peculiaritèr ea vitia tangere quae quoque in loco vi∣gebant maximè.
• (o) 1.15

  He forbids not all sorrow for the dead, which Christ himself shew∣ed for Lazarus, Joh. 11.35. The Church for Stephen, Act. 8 2. And Paul for Epaphroditus when he was extreamly sick, Phil. 2.27. But he speaks against Heathenish and immo∣derate sorrow. For though many of the Gentiles believed the immortali∣ty of the soul, yet they never were able to comprehend the resurrection of the body, and the re-uniting it to the soul. See Act. 17.32.
• (*) 1.16

  Paul by an ordinary 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 reckons himself, and his Asso∣ciates among the survivers at Christs Coming, not as thinking that him∣self and those then living should be found of Christ in the body at that time, but knowing that all the Righ∣teous make one body in Christ, and reckoning himself one of that num∣ber, He says We that remain, that is, those of the faithful that shall sur∣vive to Christs Coming. See Dr. Sla∣ter in loc.
• (p) 1.17

  That there should be a second coming of Christ, viz. to judgment, and that this coming should be sudden and at a time when least expected, was revealed when Paul wrote this Epi∣stle. But that it should not be till the departing ••rom the faith, the revea∣ling o•• Antichrist, and his destruction by the b••eath of the Lords mouth [2 Thes 2 3.], it seems was an after-revelation; for the Lord did not at once reveal all his secrets to his ser∣vants, but by parcels, Dr. Slater in loc.
• (q) 1.18

  Sicut dormi••e dicuntur qui mor∣tem obi••re, ita vigilare qui ad cum mortis somnum non pervenerunt.
• (r) 1.19

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Hic significat debitâ reveren•••• prosequi.
• (s) 1.20

  Lux Salutaris agnitionis Dei per Spiritum Sanctum accensa extin∣guitur per neglectum verbi divini, & precationis devotae, per securitatem, impietatem & ingratitudinem. Glass.
• (t) 1.21

  Prophetia hoc loco est verbi divini interpretatio.
• (u) 1.22

  See Notes to 1 Tim. 6.14. and to the 6. v. of ch. 1. to the Philip.
• (*( 1.23

  v. 24. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Sic complutensis legit. Deus est fidelis & vitam cae∣lestem sicut vos sperare jussit ita & praestabit: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 dicitur quod re∣ipsâ imoletur. ut Rom. 4.16. Grot.
• (x) 1.24

  Hence the Papists are to be reprov'd who prohibit Lay-people from reading the Holy Scriptures.