but as he was entrusted by God with the commission to preach the gospel, his teaching was characterized accordingly, not as seeking to gain the approbation of men, but rather studying to please God who searches the hearts of his ministers for the discharge of their trust. The apostle could appeal to the Thessalonians for testimony that he had not at any time made use of flattering words in his ministry (which would have been the case if he had sought to please men); and he could appeal to God, the searcher of hearts, to testify that his preaching had never covered a motive of personal advantage. As one evidence of this, he had never sought to obtain personal praise and influence with any (either those to whom he was writing, or any other persons) when he might have employed his authority as an apostle of Christ in requiring them to support him. Instead of this he had treated them with parental tenderness, such tenderness as a nursing mother would use towards the babe at her breast. With such a yearning affection had he desired their good, that he was ready and willing not only to communicate to them the gospel of God, but also to give them his own soul for the love he had towards them. Surely they must recollect how he had supported himself by the labour of his own hands, to do which he had been forced to employ parts of the night as well as the day in his work; and this he had done in order that while he was preaching the gospel to them, he might do it without laying a burthen upon any person. He thus appealed to the Thessalonians as witnesses (and he could appeal to the testimony of God also), that his conduct amongst the church there had been holy towards God and just towards men, and such as could not be blamed; while they were also aware that he had urged upon them in every way to pursue a similar course of conduct themselves-he had exhorted them, and encouraged them, and commanded every one of them, as a father might use all those methods of influence with his children, in order to induce them to conduct themselves in a manner suitable to their position, as persons called by God into His kingdom through grace now, leading up to glory hereafter.

It was thus that Paul was able to thank God unceasingly

because the Thessalonians, in receiving the gospel brought to them in this manner by him, had not considered it to be the word of a man, but had received it as that which it truly is-the word of God, which had become operative and effectual in the hearts of those amongst the Thessalonians who truly believed it. This effectual working was manifest; the church at Thessalonica had acted just in the same way as the Hebrew christians had acted in Judea. The unconverted Thessalonians had persecuted the church there in a manner similar to that in which unconverted Jews had persecuted the Hebrew-christian church. Those Jews had taken the life of the Lord Jesus, as they had also done to their prophets of old-they had driven his apostles from their native land by severe persecution-they sought not God themselves, and they opposed all other men in seeking Him-they had endeavoured to prevent the apostles from preaching the gospel to the Gentiles in order that they might be saved-but thus acting they filled up every way the measure of their iniquities, because God's wrath had come upon them to the very utmost.

APPLICATION.

1. This word of God is addressed to the church "which is in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ;" and although it was drawn forth from the apostle by the circumstances and position of that portion of the church then in existence, and dwelling in Thessalonica, yet the Holy Spirit who gave the word, also adapted it to the need and for the instruction of the church of all generations and all places. The description of the people addressed must be taken, not as to the inferior point of the locality in which they were in the body, but as to the superior point of the communion in which they are, in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the qualification for which each individual professor must strive, in order to appropriate the promises, and apply the exhortations here addressed to the church. All such persons will feel, that the salutation of the apostle expresses their great need-the church needs continually grace-the favour of God in Christ-and peace through

the blood of his cross, that reconciles them to the Father who affords the comfort of His Holy Spirit. (i. 1).

2. The earnest prayerfulness of the apostle on behalf of his spiritual children manifests itself in the very opening of his letter: 66 making mention of you in our prayers -here is the true vent for christian affection. The love that grows in the heart in connexion with spiritual interests, and with the glory that shall be revealed at the Lord's coming, is sure to find its expression by presenting its object before the throne of grace. We shall have abundant occasion to observe the indications of this prayerful spirit in the Apostle, and to find reasons for seeking to imitate it. Attention is only drawn to it now, that at the very outset of St. Paul's Epistles the mind may be directed to observe the future frequent recurrence of the same Spirit. (i. 2, 3.)

3. But this prayerfulness is combined with an abiding thankfulness to God, for the evident success which His blessing had given to the Apostle's preaching, manifested by the result a thankfulness that gave a tone and character to his whole feeling; and which, flowing continually from his heart in prayer, had reference to each and all of those thus brought into Christ's church. Thankfulness for spiritual mercies to others, is a feeling that expands the capacities of a christian's heart to a degree far beyond what the world conceive possible. (i. 2, 13.)

4. When the occasion for this feeling is observed, the benefit imparted by a gracious God will be seen to be such as called for enlarged gratitude. The evidence of the work of faith in the conduct of the new christians-the diligence which had its spring in christian love-the calm forbearing in patience, that displayed the power of an assured hope-what greater blessing could have been bestowed than a combination of faith, hope, and charity, so wrought in the heart by the Holy Ghost as to bring forth abundant fruit-fruit that made sure the calling and election of those in whom it appeared. The Apostle indeed may have been favoured with an inspired knowledge

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on this point with respect to the Thessalonians, but without such inspiration we may "give diligence to make our calling and election sure" (2 Pet. i. 10), by prayerful spiritual efforts to manifest similar fruits. (i. 3.)

5. There was good reason for all this; the ground of it was securely fixed in the manner in which the Gospel had been received. It was not simply a knowledge of facts that had been attained, nor a correct view of a system of doctrines; the letter of the gospel might convey all this, but while "the letter killeth, the Spirit giveth life.” (2 Cor. iii. 6.) The power of the gospel had been imparted, and had been received into the heart where the love of Christ was shed abroad, so that those who thus received the truth as it is in Jesus learned to love him because He first loved them. It was the work of the Spirit producing such a conviction of faith as could not be shaken. It is upon the ground of the gospel thus received in the power of its love and its truth that the fruits which make our calling and election sure will grow. We must have this, if we would cause the rejoicing of gratitude to those who have brought Christ to our hearts. (i. 5, 13.)

6. Christians thus established are truly shining lights in the world. A brilliant example is one of the most effectual means of proclaiming the gospel for Christ's glory, to those who do not know it. It is sounded out in the quiet conversation of true christians-it is heard from every footstep of his walk. Especially a course of confident consistency with christian principles is of the greatest value, as a means of preparing minds for a due appreciation of the power of that truth which is seen to uphold one who professes it when in difficult positions. This was clearly displayed in the effect produced amongst the Thessalonians by the courageous consistency of the apostle with the principles he preached, when the sufferings they had brought upon him at one place had no effect in deterring him from preaching them, with equal boldness under similar danger, in another. He could appeal to this as an evidence of the power of that truth, which made him bold, in spite of every hindrance; and such an

example, applied under the teaching of divine grace, had the effect of settling others in a similar course, enduing them with a similar boldness, and enabling them to set up a similar example, which again had the same powerful effect in an extended circle. However prominently this boldness of consistency might rank among the features of christian character in the apostle's example, yet it did not stand alone; but he could appeal to a whole cluster of .christian graces, which the Lord had enabled him to manifest amongst the Thessalonians, while he was directing attention to the manner in which divine grace had enabled them also to set an example to surrounding heathen how to turn to God from idols. How few there are, even amongst christians of no ordinary standing, who estimate rightly the vast influence of christian consistency when acting as an example to direct, as well as an argument to convince. (i. 7—12.)

7. The motives however, by which a christian may be induced to obtain this powerful influence for the extension of Christ's truth, should be carefully watched. The example of christian consistency cannot be expected to lead to such a result, unless the course of conduct be of a nature to enable us to make a solemn appeal to God, as searching the heart, at the same time that we may conscientiously call for the testimony of men, as to the unblameable nature of our outward conduct. In order to secure this effect of christian example, we must be able, while saying to the world "ye are witnesses," to add "and God also." Whatever be the result produced amongst men at the time, the account for our course of conduct must hereafter be rendered to God. It is He alone who allows any to be entrusted with the power of sounding out the gospel through the manifestation of the excellence which it produces; and in fulfilling that trust, it is Him alone that each individual must seek to please. A sense of this great truth can alone impart that courage in holding up the light of the gospel before men, which St. Paul called the Thessalonians to testify of him, and which we ought to be able to call upon our neighbours to testify