Exposition of 1 Thessalonians, Chapter 2 · Verse 7,8
VERS. 7.8.
But wee were gentle among you, euen as a Nurſe cheriſheth her children.
So being affectionately deſirous of you, we were willing to hauehave imparted vntounto you, not the Goſpell of God onelyonly, but alſo our owne ſoules, becauſe yee were deare vntounto vsus.
IN this Text is ſet downe the ſecond helping cauſe to the preuayling of Pauls Miniſterie; his meeke and amiable demeanour towards them, ſet out: Firſt, by ſimilitude: ſecondly, amplified alſo by the fruit or effect of it in the Apoſtle, Verſ. 8.
Gentle as a Nurſe: that like as a nurſing Mother, in the tenderneſſe of her affection, deales with the Infant of her wombe, bearing the waywardneſſe of the child, and labouring by all meanes to giuegive it contentment; ſuch was the Apoſtles carriage towards this people, ſo meeke, ſo pleaſing.
The vertue here commended vntounto vsus, implyes the exerciſe of two Chriſtian graces, whereof it ſeemes after a ſort, to hauehave its compoſition: Firſt, Meekneſſe: ſecondly, Placiditie, as for want of a playner terme, I am forced to call it.
Meekneſſe: vnderſtand that gift of the Spirit, moderating the affection of anger, ſo farre, that it is not eaſily prouoked, or ſet on fire with any froward or vntoward behauiour of others; a vertue oft commended to our exerciſe in the worke of the Miniſterie. To Timothie, Paul enioynes vſe of it towards oppoſites, that are ſuch of ignorance, not of hopeleſſe obſtinacie, though perhaps he had ſeemingly loſt many a wholeſome inſtruction, and admonition: his Reaſons; Firſt, God may inl2. Tim. 3 25, 26. his time giuegive them repentance, if at any time, we ſhould not thinke our patience fruitleſſe. Secondly, their bondage hard vnderunder Satan, that eaſily leaues not his hold. Thirdly, their miſerie by meanes of that bondage, ſhould make vsus meekely compaſſionate.
To Titus like duetie is enioyned vponupon other reaſons: Firſt,mTit. 3.2, 3, 4 remembrance of our owne forlorne eſtate. Secondly, of the power and grace of God in our reſcue. Such meekneſſe beſeemes vsus all towards the people of God, that no waywardneſſe, except hopeleſly obſtinate, ſhould preuaile, to make vsus ſurceaſe paines, in vſing meanes to gaine vntounto Chriſt.
That haſtie hot ſpurre-humour of many Miniſters and people, ſo ſoone wearie of weldoing, becauſe they ſee not preſent ſucceſſe of their endeuours, ſorts not with Chriſtian meekneſſe or compaſſion. It hath, I confeſſe, great examples, but none without checke.
Thus let vsus thinke: Firſt, many a wholeſome admonition, holy Sermon, ſweet motion of Gods Spirit, neglected wee in dayes of our vanitie: had the Lord beene as careleſſe of vsus, as we are of our Brethren, we had ſtill continued in that damnable eſtate of diſobedience. Secondly, the purchaſe is excellent, if at any time God giuegive oportunitie to gaine it; ſuch as we ſhould thinke cheape rated at any paynes, we can take to procure it:nIam. 5.20. Thou ſhalt ſaue a ſoule, and couer a multitude of ſinnes.
Thirdly, perhaps the cauſe of ſo little good doing by the meanes, ſticks in our ſelues; through, Firſt, lacke of prudence, to obſerue circumſtances; or, ſecondly, neglect of prayer to God, for his bleſſing vponupon our endeuours.
The ſecond branch of gentleneſſe is Placiditie, a pleaſing kind of carriage, fitted to yeeld all good contentment to our Brethren, ſo far as may ſtand with good conſcience. So Paul profeſſeth to hauehave become ao1. Cor. 9.20, 22. Iew to Iewes, weake to the weake, all things to all men in things indifferent, that by all meanes he might winne ſome; ſo runnes his iniunction to all Gods people, not to pRom. 15.2.pleaſe themſelues, but eueryevery man another in things that are good to edifying.
The ancient Caueat muſt here be remembred; that this rule leads ad Aras onelyonly; permits not to gratifie another, with violation of our owne conſcience. In things lawfull become all to all, to winne ſome; but take heede how thou inferre the good fellowes Concluſion: therefore to become mate for eueryevery pot-companion: to runne with the intemperate, to the ſame exceſſe of ryot, ſo doe good to others, that thou deſtroy not thy owne ſoule, by clogging it with the guilt of ſinne:qEpheſ. 5.11. hauehave no fellowſhip with the vnfruitfull works of darkneſſe, ſaith this Apoſtle, that in things lawfull, commends to vsus by Precept and practice, care to gratifie and yeeld contentment to our brethren.
Ʋſe 1 They are therefore too quarrelſome cenſures of rigorous people, that taxe as breach of duetie in a Miniſter, all ſociable ioyning with their people in matter of honeſt and lawfull recreation, and would exact all, after the rule of ſome, more auſtere in that behalfe. It is not vainly noted by our Sauiour,rMatt. 11.18, 19. IOHN BAPTIST came neither eating nor drinking; the Sonne of man came eating and drinking: the one by auſteritie, the other by more familiaritie laboured to gayne to Gods Kingdome: he is ouer-rigorous, that interdicts to any ſociable conuerſing either with Nouices, or Aliens, as in things indifferent, or tempering his demeanour in things of that nature, ſo as vponupon reaſonable obſeruance, he ſhall finde to bee fitteſt for their gayning vntounto Chriſt.
Ʋſe 2 Secondly, no leſſe blame-worthy, is that neglect of brethren in vſe of Chriſtian libertie, in things indifferent; thinking he benefit loſt, if either loyaltie, or charitie muſt limit the vſe of it. Thus did not Paul.
As a Nurſe, vnderſtand, not a Nurſe mercenarie, but a nurſing mother, whoſe affections are moſt tender, therefore it is added, her owne Children.
Obſer. With what tenderneſſe of affection a Miniſter ſhould bee deuoted to his people, is the note. If any more tender then another, that affection ſhould a Miniſter expreſſe. In ſimilitudes, thus hauehave we our Predeceſſors profeſſing their louelove.ſ1. Cor. 4.15. As Fathers, tGal. 4.19.As Mothers: here as nurſing Mothers. Timothie his great commendation was, that hee would euenuPhilip. 2.20. naturally care for the welfare of Gods people.
To naturalize this tenderneſſe of louing affection, theſe meditations are forcible. Firſt, of their miſerable ſtate in nature. Secondly, dangerous ſtation in grace: When our Sauiour ſaw the people, as ſheepe without a ſhepheard, xMatt. 9.36.he had compaſſion: the word ſignifies, the yearning of the bowels, ſuch as is in the moſt tender pitie and compaſſion. Thirdly, of the deare price they were purchaſed withall,yAct. 20.28. the bloud of God. Fourthly, the comfort accrewing to vsus by their happineſſe, though the people by vsus hauehave their ſaluation, yet we by them our Crowne, zDan. 12.3.encreaſe of our glorie. But that which wil moſt affect, is experience of ſorrowes, remembrance of our owne miſerie, in nature. Compaſſion is beſt learnt by experience; wherefore our high Prieſt,aHeb. 4.15. that hee might be mercifull, taſtes of our infirmities, and temptations. And the Lord ſeemes to hauehave ſaid enough, to procure from Iſraelites pitie of ſtrangers, for that themſelues had beene Pilgrimes, bExod. 23.9.and knew the heart of ſtrangers.
So being affectionately deſirous of you, &c. for farther amplification of his louelove towards them, he mentions the effects and fruits of his louelove, which he felt in himſelfe, eſpecially his liberall diſpoſition, and kind-heartedneſſe, as we may call it, ſo great, that hee profeſſeth hee could hauehave found in his heart, to impart vntounto them with greateſt contentment, the deareſt things, not the Gospell onelyonly, but his owne Life.
Obſer. So liberall is louelove, if not prodigall of the deareſt things, to thoſe that are deare vntounto it. c1. Cor. 13.4.LoueLove is bountifull: this franke diſpoſition ſee in LoueLove. Firſt, of God to Man. Secondly, of Man to God. Thirdly, of Man to Man. In louelovedRom. 8.32. God ſpares not his owne Sonne, but giues him to die for our ſinnes: that Sonne of GOD in like louelove communicates himſelfe, his Life, his Soule, his Spirit, his Prerogatiues, his Kingdome.
In ſome anſwerableneſſe of affection, the SaintseHeb. 10.34. ſuffer ſpoyle of their goods, with ioy, fReuel. 12.11.louelove not their liues vntounto death, nogExod. 32.12, 32. not their ſaluation, in cōpariſon of Gods glorie.
For their Brethrens ſake,hAct. 4.32, 34, 35. ſell their poſſeſſions, and expoſe them to common vſe; yea lay downe their liues for the Brethren.
If this be the propertie of louelove, where is that vertue to be found amongſt men? with the Lord himſelfe we are deſirous to indent, mincing the matter with niggardly limits, when he calls any thing from vsus for ſupport of his glorie: ſo farre as may ſtand with reputation, ſaith the ambitious; ſo farre as with peace and good will of Neighbours, our popular men-pleaſers are for the cauſe of their God. Had the Lord Chriſt been ſo ſtraitned in his bowels to vsus-ward, what had become of our poore ſoules? hee had glorie and honour the ſame with his Father; yet for our ſakes emptied himſelfe, and became of no reputation; humbled himſelfe to death, euen the death of the Croſſe; and ſtand we with him on termes of reputation?
I cannot wonder at our Nabal-like churliſhneſſe, thoſe thoughts and deeds of Belial towards our Brethren, when with our God and Sauiour, thati1. Tim. 6.17. giues vsus all things ſo liberally to enioy, we deale thus niggardly: he hath nothing of the ſoundneſſe of louelove towards God or Men, that is thus illiberall and pinching in his affection.
Not the Gospell onelyonly but our ſoules: by an vſuall Metonymie, our liues; whether by paynes in preaching, or by perſecution? the latter is reſolued on by Interpreters.
May we not inferre it from Pauls practice, as a duetie in a Miniſter to lay downe his life for the peoples ſake, the cauſe of truth requiring it? I dare ſay, Paul had no thought of his ſupererogating in this meaſure of Charitie: but vnderſtand, this, for the actuall performance, is amongſt the dueties, that are dueties in caſu, not neceſſarily to be acted, till the Lord call for life in way of Martyrdome; yet euer muſt it be reſolued on, praeparatione animi. And in caſe the cauſe of Truth, and good of the Church call for it, week1. Ioh. 3.16. ought to lay downe our liues for the Brethren: ſo much, Firſt, Chriſts louelove in dying for vsus, requires at our hands. Secondly, together with the good of the Church; by, firſt, confirming weaklings: ſecondly, incouraging the timorous: thirdly, occaſioning Aliens to enquire into the Doctrine, whoſe ſweetneſſe is ſuch; whoſe diuine Authour ſo certainly knowne by the Teachers, that life is not deare, to procure it ſupport and propagation.
Firſt, this meaſure of liberall reſolution in louelove towards Ʋſe 1 God and his people, let vsus labour for. Firſt, by this, if by any meanes,lPhilip. 1.21. death becomes aduantage: EueryEvery child of God is a gayner by death; moſt they that make a vertue of neceſſitie, whom God honours with the Crowne of Martyrdome. Secondly, and if from any meaſure of louelove, to the Brethren, we may conclude ourm1. Ioh. 3.14. tranſlating from death to life; moſt from this, when life is not holden deare, to purchaſe glorie to God, & good to his Church.
Secondly, withall we muſt take notice, of Gods tender Ʋſe 2 reſpect to our weakneſſe, in theſe dayes of Peace, and Libertie, vouchſafed vsus; diſpenſing with vsus for this hardſhip in Chriſtianitie, contented to trie vsus with reproches only, or ſuch like flea-bitings of perſecution; wherein yet, it were well, if we bewrayed not too much delicacie.
Me thinks, comparing our ſelues in theſe times, with the Saints of God, that hauehave gone before vsus; I cannot, but as admire Gods power, ſo maruellous in their weakneſſe, ſo wonder at our tenderneſſe; readie to ſhrinke from holy practice and profeſſion, for reproches, and a little loſſe of commoditie and eaſe. Had wee liued in dayes of our Fathers, when fire and fagot ſeemed an eaſie compendium of tortures, what had become of vsus?
Thus thinke, God is mercifull to vsus in thus tempering afflictions to our ſtrength. Withall, by theſe light troubles, takes tryall of our reſolution, and would perhaps prepare vsus to greater tribulation.
The manner of Pauls inclination to theſe offices of louelove remaynes foreign: he would in that terme expreſſe that pleaſance, and contentment he found, in the harſheſt dueties of louelove towards this people.
And it muſt be obſerued, as a circumſtance adding much grace to eueryevery good performance, when it is done with pleaſance, contentment, and heartie good liking. To preach the Goſpell as of neceſſitie, is ſcarce thanke-worthy, ton1. Cor. 9.17. doe it willingly, hath approbation, & reward with God. The Apoſtles ſpeech ſeemes ſtrange; ye hauehave begunne not only to doe, o2. Cor. 8.10.but to will. Is it more to will, then to doe? Not ſo: but it is more to doe willingly, then of neceſſitie, becauſe ſomething we thinke muſt be done.
Hence find wee the will, ſometimes accepted without the worke, neuer the worke, where this will is wanting: in works of MercieMercy, if there be p2. Cor. 8.12.a readie mind, a man is accepted, though his gift be ſmall; yea in caſe of inabilitie, though none at all. In new obedience, if the will be preſent, defects flowing from infirmitie, are winked at. Martyrdome it ſelfe is not Martyrdome, except it iſſue from louelove, and be commended by this complacentia.
Euidences of it take theſe: Firſt, gladſomneſſe, and ioyfull entertayning occaſions of weldoing. Secondly, ſuch men are qTit. 3.8.prouident, & forecaſting to do good works. Thirdly, their griefe is not, to doe, but to faile in doing duetie, the r1. Ioh. 5.3.Commandement is not grieuous, or burthenſome, but defects in obedience.
Meanes to procure and increaſe it: firſt, conſideration of the glorious reward: ſecondly, the preſent peace and comfort conſcience feeles in weldoing.