Chap. 5, and 2 Epift. Chap. 2. wherein St. Paul feems plainly to include both the Day of Final Judgment, and that of the Deftruction of the Jewish Nation, under one and the fame Phrase of the Day of the Lord; as our Saviour had before done under that of, the Day, or coming of the Son of Man. Thus, keeping to the general Terms of the Prophetick Scripture, without giving fuch open and diftinct Notices of that previous Judgment upon Jerufalem, and the Temple, which, to have then done, would moft probably have exafperated the Infidel Part of that prejudiced People into an untimely and incurable Degree of Rage and Bitterness. So then, though the Apostle's Account of this Matter was prudently couch'd in Expreffions of a Latitude adapted to the Times, and Perfons he wrote to; yet to them who knew his Mind, and to us, who have feen the fubfequent Events so concurring and agreeable, the Sum of what he fays upon this Point, in thefe Epiftles, is clearly reducible ro this; viz. That indeed there was a Day of dreadful Judgment and wondrous Revolutions a coming, as both the Scriptures and Christ himself hath foretold: But that neither the Day of Univerfal Doom was any thing near at hand, nor even that of the Destruction of the Jewish Nation was to happen till some particular Occurrences had passed; piz. That before the final Judgment of the whole World, there would be great Corruptions, by the violent Abuse and Impofitions of Temporal Power, even by fuch as would, in feveral Ages, be Governors of Chriftian Churches. This is the Grand Apoftacy, or Falling-away, or the Man of Sin, &c, in St. Paul, and the i arrixpis. The Antichrift, in the most eminent Senfe of that Phrafe in St. John (1 Joh. ii. 18, 22, 23.) And moreover, That God would, in his due Time, and in most terrible Manner, fcourge and punish all fuch Arbitrary Governors, and Vile Corrupters of the Church of Chrift. In like manner the obftinate and infidel Nation of the Jews were not to feel the fatal Effects of Divine Wrath upon themselves, their City and Temple, till, by their laft and utmost Rage against the Chriftian Faith, by their perfecuting its Profeffors, and their feditious Revolt from the Roman Government, they had began the Work of the Great Antichrift, and might, in a primary Senfe, come under under his Title and Character. And thus, as the Des ftruction of Jerufalem is allowed by all judicious Divines, to be defcribed in Expreffions common to that of the Final Judgment, and to be a kind of Type and Emblem of it; fo (I think) the Jews and Hereticks spawned from them, were the Antichrist already come, the Forerunners of that Great Antichrift, to all whofe most eminent Characters the Church of Rome has fo undoubted a Title. (See and compare Pref. to 1 Epift. John, and 1 John ii. 18, 22, 23, with 2 Peter Chap. iii.) See also my Paraph. on the Revelations. CHAP. CHAP. I. The CONTENTS. The Title and Salutation. He expreffeth his Religious Joy and Satisfaction, at their embracing the Chriftian Faith, by his preaching to them; and their firm and exemplary Adherence to it, against the violent Ufage they met with from the Jewish Adverfaries. P PAU AUL, the Apoftle of Jefus A. D. 52. Chrift, fendeth this Epiftle to the Church of Theffalonica, converted to the true Religion of God the Father, and his Son Jefus Chrift; wifhing you all Divine Favours and Bleffings from them; as do alfo * Silvanus (or Silas) and * See Note on Timothy, who are now with me. AUL and Silva- 1. nus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Theffalonians, which is in God the Father, and in the Lord Jefus Chrift, grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jefus Chrift. 2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 Remembring without ceafing, your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jefus Christ, in the fight of God, and our Father: 4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God, 2. To let you know how much I blefs and praife God for your Converfion; and how mindful Į am of you in the Prayers I put up to him. 3. Religiously and thankfully remembring your fteddy Faith in the Gofpel, your pious Endeavours to promote it, out of pure Love to God and to Mankind; and the great Patience wherewith you fuffer for it, from the lively Hopes you have in God through Jefus Chrift. 4. These are my delightful Thoughts, dear Brethren, while I confider, and affure myfelf, that God has now made you converted Gentiles true Members of the Church of Christ, by your firm Belief of its Doctrines, and dutiful Obfervance of its Precepts. 5. Especially Phil. i. 3. come. from the wrath to ance of Jefus Chrift the Son of God, our Redeemer and Saviour; an Afthe Certainty of his Refurrection furance founded on from the Dead. CHA P. II. The CONTENTS. He remembers them again of the Powerfulness and Sincerity of his Miniftry amongst them; and of the good Effects it had on them. The Apoftle's Readiness and Courage to preach to them, as their Gentile Apoftle; and their Steddinefs in his Doctrine, against all the Perfecution of the Jews. The Obftinacy and Punishment of that People. St. Paul's Defire to vifit the Theffalonians again, out of his great Affection for their Church. OR your felves, F brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain. THUS compleat is your A.D. 52. 1. 2. And with what Courage and 2 But even after that we had fuffered before, and were fhamefully entreated as ye know at Philip pi, we were bold in our God to fpeak unto you the Gospel of God with much contention, 3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleannefs, nor in guile : . 4. But as we were allowed of God to be put 3 & 4. And confidering how free my Arguments to you were of all finifter and selfish Designs; void of all deceitful Purposes to ingratiate my felf with Men, for the Gratification of any finful Paffions of my own; * Chap. 5, &c. || Aas xvi. 12, &c. |