Sermons Volume 4, Sermons on Thessalonians · Sermon 1
SERMON I. ON 2 THESS. I. v. 3.
We are bound to thank God always for you, Brethren, as it is meet, because that your Faith groweth exceedingly, and the Charity of every one of you all towards each other aboundeth.
THe first part of this Epistle is Gratulatory, for the Thessalonians Perseverance and Increase in Grace: In which (First,) the Apostle giveth Thanks to God: (Secondly,) He telleth of the Fame thereof in the Churches, Verse the 4th. That he might the better encourage and exhort them to continue: By both he intimateth his Love and spiritual Affection to them.
In his Thanksgiving to God we may take Notice of
1. The Affectionate Manner.
2. The Matter of this Thanksgiving, The increase of their Faith and Charity.
For the Manner: It is done Emphatically, We are bound to thank God alwayes for you, as it is meet. There are three emphatical words: Alwayes. This Work of God among them was much upon his Heart, and still gave him new Matter of Praising God in their behalf. Then there is the Obligation from Iustice and Equity, signified in those words, foreign, We are bound: And foreign, as it is meet; there the Expression is stronger; He doth not only tell them that he did it, but that he ought to do it; We are bound, and it is meet. The first Expression respects the Mercy of God, so there was a Debt of Duty lying upon him, there was Justice in the Case. The second respects their Estate: It was meet; Becoming the Condition into which Grace had brought them, and so there was Equity in the Case. Some refer this last Clause to the Performance of the Duty, that he gave Thanks as was meet; that is, in that manner which so great a Benefit deserveth, not slightly and perfunctorily, but with great rejoicing. But rather it refers to the Apostle's Judgment of their Estate, As it is meet, Hearing what I do, for me to Judge of you: For a parallel Expression doth thus explain it, Phil. 1.7. Even as it is meet for me to think thus of you all: He conceived himself bound to Judge of them all to be such as had owned the Lord with a sincere Faith, and his People with a sincere Love, and were likely to continue therein: Not his Affection, but his Judgment inclined him to think so; the Church of the Thessalonians, and every Member thereof had given such real and evident Signs of the Grace of God in them, that he was bound to give God special Thanks for this Grace. The Gospel hath, and may be blessed in some places, so far, that all the Members of particular Churches have given positive Evidences of true Grace in them, and that to the most discerning Christians, and those who were best able to judge: It is yet possible, and therefore why should we not endeavour after it. It is meet for me to Judge so, I Hope you are so, therefore I count my self bound to give Thanks to God.
From this Preface four Points are Observable.
1. That 'tis a Debt we owe to God, to give Thanks for his Benefits.
2. That in Thanksgiving to God, we should specially own his Spiritual Benefits.
3. That not only the Spiritual Benefits vouchsafed to our selves, but to others also, must be acknowledged with Thankfulness.
4. That in Thanksgiving for Spiritual Benefits, whether to our selves or others, the Increase of Grace must be acknowledged, as well as the Beginnings of it.
In the former Epistle he gave Thanks to God for their Faith and Love, here for the increase and growth of both, Your Faith groweth exceedingly, and your Love aboundeth.
1 Doct. That it is a Debt we owe to God to give Thanks for his Benefits.
Paul saith here not only we do, but we are bound.
1. Justice requireth it, for the Benefits were given upon this Condition, that we should Praise God for them, Psal. 50.15. Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorifie me: This is God's Pact and Agreement with us, That we shall have the Benefit, and he will have the Glory: As the King of Sodom said to Abraham, Give me the Persons, and take the Goods to thy self agen, Gen. 14.21. So in effect God saith to us, You shall have the Comfort, but let me have the Honour. We our selves Consent to this Covenant, we seldom make Prayers in our distress, but we promise Thankfulness, Hosea 14.2. Take away all Iniquity and receive us graciously, so will we render the Calves of our Lips: We engage to offer Praise, when our Requests are heard: Now when God heareth and granteth our requests, there is an Obligation upon us to glorifie God for the Mercies received: But now though God be sought to in our Necessities, there is no more mention of him when our Turns are served: We are forward in Supplications, but backward in Gratulations: All the Lepers could beg Health, yet but one returned to give God the Glory, Luk. 17.18. Surely we should be as much affected, or rather more, in receiving the Mercies than we were in asking them; for before we only knew them by guess and imagination, but then by actual feeling or experience of the Comfort of them. But chiefly the Argument is, That Justice-requireth it: It is a kind of Theft, and unjust Detention of what is anothers, if in our Necessities we crave Help, and afterward there is no more mention of God than as if we had these Blessings from our selves.
2. God by his Precept commanding it, and we in our Distress promising it, he expecteth that there should be Thankful returns of the Mercies afforded to us: That's the second Argument, God's Expectation: Which must be interpreted foreign, becoming the Excellency of his Being: One may be said to expect a thing de jure rightfully, or de facto really and actually. God knoweth that he hath to do with unthankful Creatures, and that the stupid World will not take Notice of his Kindness; therefore de facto actually he expecteth no more than is given him, having a full and clear Prospect of all future Events: But de jure, of right he might expect: So these Expressions are to be interpreted, Luk. 13.7. These three years I come seeking fruit on this Fig-tree, and find none: So Isa. 5.4. When I looked it should bring farth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes: So we may fail his Expectation, but still to our loss, 2 Chron. 32.25. Hezekiah rendered not again according to the Benefit done to him, for his Heart was lifted up, therefore there was Wrath upon him, and upon Iudah and Ierusalem. All our Receipts call for a return, and a return suitable, which if we perform not, God's Wrath is kindled against us, and therefore a good Man should make Conscience of his returns, Psal. 116.12. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me?
3. It keepeth up the Intercourse between us and God, which would be interrupted and broken off, if we should discontinue our Addresses to him as soon as we have what we would have, and when our Wants are supplyed God should hear no more from us. By the Laws of Ezekiel's Temple, the Worshippers were so required to go in at one door, and out at another, that none of them might at any time turn their backs upon the Mercy-seat, Ezek. 46.9. but which way soever they entered they were to go away right against it. God cannot endure Men should turn their backs upon him when their Turn is served. Prayer and Praise still keep up Communion and Familiarity with God, that still there may be a Commerce between us and him, by asking all things, and taking all things out of his hands. Prayer and Praise are our continual Work, Heb. 13.15. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks unto his Name: The supream Benefactor and Fountain of all Goodness must still be owned, there must be a constant Course in it: Some Mercies are so general and beneficial, that they should be remembered before God every day; and God is still blessing his People, and by new Mercies giving new Matter of Praise and Thanksgiving.
4. It continueth a Succession of Mercies; for the more thankful we are for them, the more they are increased upon us, as an Husbandman trusts more of his precious Seed in fruitful Soils. The ascent of Vapours maketh way for the descent of Showers. The Sea poureth out of her fulness into the Rivers, and they all return again into the Sea: Psal. 67.5, 6. Let the People praise thee, O God! let all the People praise thee; then shall the Earth yield her encrease, and God even our God shall bl…ss us: Or when the Springs lye low, we pour in a little Water into the Pump, not to enrich the Fountain, but to bring up more for our selves. I do the rather observe it, because it is not only true of outward increase but spiritual also, Col. 2.7. Rooted and built up in him, and established in the Faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with Thanksgiving: If we give Thanks for so much Grace as we have already received, it is the way to increase our store. The reason why we do no more thrive in Grace, or advance in the spiritual life, is because we do no more give Thanks.
5. In Thanksgiving all spiritual Graces are acted and promoted. (1.) Faith is acted in Thanksgiving, when we see and own the invisible hand that reacheth out our Supplies to us; All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee, 1 Chron. 29.14. Stupid and Carnal Creatures look to the next hand, as if he that bringeth the Present were more to be thanked than he that sendeth it, Hosea 2.8. She did not know that I gave her Corn, and Wine and Oyl. We are unthankful to God and Man, but more to God, because Blessings that come from an invisible Hand, we look upon as things of Course, and do not Praise the Giver. Beasts own the next hand, Isa. 1.3. The Ox knoweth his owner, and the Ass his Master's Crib, but Israel doth not know, my People doth not consider. (2.) Love: It is Love that doth open our Mouths, that we may Praise God with joyful Lips, Psal. 116.1. I will love the Lord because he hath heard the Voice of my Supplications; and then Ver. 2. I will praise him as long as I live. The proper Intent of Mercies is to draw us to God. When the Heart is full of the sense of the goodness of the Lord, the Tongue cannot hold its Peace. Self-love doth more put us on Prayers, but the Love of God on Praises, therefore to seek and not to praise, 'tis to be lovers of our selves rather than of God. (3.) Hope is acted. While we give Thanks for the very Graunt, for the Promise, for the Preparations, with greater Assurance we expect what is behind; as Abraham built an Altar in the Land of Canaan, and offered Thanksgivings to God, when he had not a Foot in the Countrey, Gen. 13.18. (4.) Our Humility: The humble Soul is most delighted in the Praise of God, but the proud Soul in its own Praises; They sacrifice to their Net, and burn Incense to their Drag, Habbak. 1.16. Whilst others Sacrifice to God, they deprive God of his Honour, and Exalt any thing rather than the Author of Felicity; they ascribe all to themselves, whilst the others profess their Unworthiness of the least Mercies from God, Gen. 32.10. I am not worthy of the least of all thy Mercies, and of all the Truth which thou hast shewed unto thy Servant: and 2 Sam. 7.18. Who am I, O Lord God! and what is my House, that thou hast brought me hitherto? God is never exalted, 'till the Creature be abased.
6. It preventeth many sins: As, (1.) Hardness of Heart, and Security in enjoying the Blessings of God's common Providence. These common Mercies point to the Author, and discover their end to the thankful Soul, but to the unthankful they prove Occasions to the Flesh; so their Table is made a snare to them, and their Welfare a Trap, Psal. 69.22. But when we sip and look upward, and acknowledge God, on all occasions, the Creature is sanctified to us, 1 Tim. 4.4. Every Creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with Thanksgiving: Where there is a due Acknowledgment of the Donor, we have it with a Blessing. So, (2.) It suppresseth murmuring, or that quarrelling, fretting, impatient Humour, which venteth it self against God, even in our Prayers and Complaints, and sowreth all our Comforts. Murmuring is an Anti-providence, the scum of Discontent, by which we entertain Crosses with Anger, and Blessings with Disdain. Man is a tachy Creature, always querulous, especially when God retrencheth him in some Worldly Conveniencies which he fancyeth: Now a Thankful Spirit counterballanceth Crosses with Comforts, Iob 2.10. What, shall we receive good at the Hand of the Lord, and shall we not receive evil? It taketh Notice how gracious God hath been, notwithstanding his seeming Severity, therefore it can Bless God in every Condition, Iob 1.21. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the Name of the Lord. This fretting Humour is Cured; as long as we see Occasion of giving Thanks, it causeth us to submit to his Disposing Will. (3.) It prevents Distrust and carking Cares: This Remedy is prescribed by the Apostle, Phil. 4.6. Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by Prayer and Supplication, with Thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God: When we acknowledge what God hath done for us, it prevents Distrust, Psal. 77.10, 11. I said, this is my infirmity, but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High: I will remember the Works of the Lord, surely I will remember thy wonders of old. There are great Convulsions in an Earthquake, but when it findeth a Vent all is quiet. When we can Bless God for Favours already received, we will not doubt of his Goodness for the future, but quietly compose our selves to wait for the good end of the Lord. (4.) It Cureth spiritual Pride, to consider who must be Praised and Owned for all the good which is in us, 1 Cor. 4.7. Who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it? The more we have, we are more indebted to Grace. We have all from God, and for God, not for our selves, our own Glory and Ostentation: God will be Angry if we rob Him of it, as Herod was smitten because he gave not God the glory, Acts 12.23. The Receiver is as bad as the Stealer, we Consent to this Robbery and Usurpation.
VSE. Oh, then let us be more abundant in Thanksgiving and Praise: It is God's Will concerning us in Christ, 1 Thes. 5.18. In every thing give thanks, for this is the Will of God in Christ Iesus concerning you. But there are other Reasons to perswade us, as (1.) Our Profit both Spiritual and Temporal: It argueth a good Spirit, great Faith and Love, when we look to God in every thing; and a submissive Spirit when we take any thing kindly at his hands. The Nations had never fallen to Idolatry if they had kept up Thankfulness, and considered God in all their Mercies, Acts 14.16, 17. Who in times past suffered all Nations to walk in their own wayes; nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from Heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness: Setting up the Idol Chance was the great Cause of perverting Mankind: Besides, this is noble and delightful Work, the Work of Angels, our Work in Heaven. Well then, Observe what matter of Praise God vouchsafeth to you continually; if you did want many of the Comforts you now enjoy, how miserable would your Lives be! A thing too near the Ball of the Eye is not seen well: Our Comforts must be set at a distance to make us value them. (2.) Our continual Dependance: It is with us as it was with the Raven and the Dove which Noah sent forth out of the Ark, Gen. 8.7, 8. the Raven feeding on the floating Carrion returned no more, but the Dove finding not whereon to rest the sole of her Foot, returned with an Olive-branch. Carnal Men if they can get any thing from God to support them, and they have their Stock in their own hands, they care no more for Him, but live apart from God, Ier. 2.31. Wherefore say my People, We are Lords, we will come no more unto thee? (3.) Consider how Thankful others are for less than what we enjoy: There are many that would be glad of our leavings, but usually those that enjoy the greatest Possessions pay the least Rent, and God receiveth more Praise from a poor Cottage than from a rich Pallace. But I proceed to the second Point.
2 Doct. That in Thanksgiving to God, we should especially own his Spiritual Benefits.
These are usually overlooked, but yet these deserve the chiefest Acknowledgments.
First, Because these are discriminating, and come from God's Special Love, which floweth forth to his own People. Corn, and Wine, and Oyl are bestowed upon the World, but Faith and Love upon his Saints. David prayeth, Psal. 106.4. Remember me, O Lord, with the favour which thou bearest unto thy people. To have the Favourites Mercy, is more than to have a common Mercy. Protection is the Benefit of every common Subject, but intimate Love, and near Admission, are the Priviledges of Special Favourites: Now by the common Effects of his Providence, Love or Hatred cannot be known, Eccl. 9.1.2. No man knoweth either Love or Hatred by all that is before them, all things come alike to all, &c. — The things without us, and the things before us, and the things promiscuously dispersed, will not discover his Special Love to us. Christ gave his Purse to Iudas, the worst of the Disciples, but his Spirit to the rest as the choicest Gift.
Secondly, Because these concern the better part, the Inward Man: 2 Cor. 4.16. For which cause we faint not, but thô our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by …ay. He doth us more Favour that healeth a wound in the Body, than he that soweth up a Rent in the Garment: Is not the Body more than Rayment? So is not the Soul more than the Body? Yea farther, and the Soul furnished with Grace, than the Soul furnished only with Natural Gifts and Endowments? 1 Cor. 13.1, 2, 3. Though I speak with the tongues of men, and of Angels, and have not Charity, I am become as sounding Brass, or a tinkling Cymbal: And though I have the gift of prophesie, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all Faith, so that I could remove Mountains, and have no Charity, I am nothing: And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my Body to be burned, and have not Charity, it profiteth me nothing: I am nothing without saving Grace: Therefore these are the Mercies for which God will be praised.
Thirdly, These are brought about with more ado than Temporal Favours: God as a Creator, and Upholder of all his Creatures, doth bestow Temporal Blessings upon the Ungodly World, even upon the Heathens that know him not, that never heard of Christ; yet Saving Grace he bestoweth only as the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was to purchase these Blessings by his Death and bloody Sufferings, before we could obtain them: Eph. 1.3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Other Blessings run in the Channel of common Providence, these in the Channel of Christ's Mediation.
Fourthly, Because these are pledges of Eternal Blessings, and the beginnings of our Eternal well-being. The Life that is begun in us by the Spirit, is perfected in Heaven; Ioh. 5.24. He that heareth my words, and believeth on him that hath sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death to life. It is a spark that shall not be quenched, and the Food that feedeth it, is the meat that perisheth not, but endureth to everlasting life, John 6.27. Those Graces and Eternal Blessedness are to be linked together, that they cannot be separated: Rom. 8.30. Whom he did predestinate, them he also called, and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Sanctification is included in the last word; here in the Beginnings by Sanctification, and hereafter in the full possession of Eternal Glory: So 2 Cor. 3.18. We all with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same Image, from Glory to Glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. It loseth it self in the Ocean of Eternal Glory and Happiness.
Fifthly, These incline and fit the Heart for praise and Thankfulness to God: There is an Occasion to praise God, and a Disposition and an Heart to praise God; outward Benefits give us the Occasion to praise God, but these not only the Occasion, but the Disposition; other Benefits are the Motives, but these the Preparations, as they do fit and encline the Heart. The Work of Faith and Love do set the Lips wide open to magnifie and praise the Lord: Grace is the matter of God's Praises, and give also a ready will to praise him, yea the very Deed of praising him, Psal. 63.5. My Soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips. When they feel the Love of God shed abroad in their Hearts, they are enclined to praise God.
Sixthly, Temporal Favours may be given in Anger, but the Graces of the Spirit are never given in Anger. God may give us worldly Honour and Riches in Judgment, and indulge large Pastures to Beasts fatted for destruction; but he giveth not Faith and Love in Anger, or a Renewed Heart in Anger, but as a token of his Special Love. To you it is given, to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, Matth. 13.11. To you it is given to believe; Phil. 1.19. So that for these principally we should praise the Lord. We have a quick sense in Bodily Mercies, but in Soul Concernments we are not alike affected: We think God dealeth well with them to whom he giveth Greatness and Honour; but doth he not deal well with you, to whom he hath given his Spirit?
Seventhly, These render us acceptable unto God. A Man is not accepted with God for his worldly Blessings; he is indeed the more accountable unto God, but not of greater Account with him, Luke 12.48. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall the more be required. The more Helps, and the more Encouragements, the more Work and Service God expecteth, but they are not more precious in his sight for Temporal things sake: Under the Law the Rich and Poor payed the same Ransom; the Rich is not accepted for his Riches, nor the poor Man despised for his Poverty; but now the Saving Graces of his Spirit are acceptable with God. It is said, 1 Pet. 3.4. A meek and quiet Spirit, it is in the sight of God of great price: God esteemeth this more, and therefore it should heighten the esteem of Grace in our Hearts, and quicken us more to get and encrease it.
Eighthly, These Benefits should be acknowledged, that God may have the sole Glory of them, for he is the Father of Lights, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift, Jam. 1.17. It was the Opinion of the Stoicks, Quod vivamus Deorum munus est, quod bene vivamus nostrum: Our Natural Being we ascribe to God, but our Moral Perfections, we are apt to usurp the Glory of them to our selves. Iudicium hoc est omnium mortalium, saith Tully: All Men think that Prosperity and Success is to be asked of the Gods, but Prudence and good Management belongeth to us. But these Opinions are Sacrilegious, and rob God of his chiefest Honour: Therefore to prevent Spiritual Pride, we must be sure to bless God for Spiritual Blessings; our Crowns must be cast at the feet of the Lamb, Rev. 4.10, 11. for he only is worthy to receive Honour, and Blessing, and Glory, and Power. Whatever we do, 'tis from him who worketh all our works in us, Isa. 26.12. Thou wilt ordain peace for us, for thou also hast wrought all our works in us: And 1 Chron. 29.14. All things come of thee, and of thy own have we given thee. By his Grace we are what we are; 1 Cor. 15.10. By the Grace of God I am what I am: And Luk. 19.16. Thy pound hath gain'd ten pounds.
VSE, Is to Exhort us to two Things: (First,) To be in a Capacity to bless God for Spiritual Blessings: (Secondly,) To be most Affected with these Mercies.
First, See that you be in a Capacity to bless God for Spiritual Blessings.
First see that you have these Mercies, and then bless God for them. It would trouble a Man, even to trembling, to hear slight and vain persons take up a Form of Thanksgiving, which no way is proper to them; as to Bless God for their Election before Time, their Sanctification in Time, and their Hopes of Glory after all Time: As if a Leper should give thanks for perfect Health; or a Madman, that he is made wiser than his Neighbours; or a Man that is ready to die, to thank God that he is pretty well, and recovering; so they give thanks for Grace, which they never knew, nor felt: This is to mock God, while we pretend to adore him. It is true, there are Spiritual Mercies, for which all are bound to give Thanks, such as the Mystery of Redemption, the New Covenant, the Offers and Invitations of Grace, Means and Time to Repent; these you should value more, and bless God for them. But for Men that know not their own great Necessities, and Benefits, but slight their chiefest Mercies, and account them Burdens, they can more feelingly thank God for a gluttonous Meal, or unjust Gain, or some vain Pleasure, but for the Means of Grace they bless him not. But now the Flower of Thanksgiving is, when we can bless God for Christ, for his Spirit, for Heaven, for Faith and Love: And therefore we should labour to get these things, and to make our Sincerity more unquestionable; for these are the chiefest Matters for which God expecteth praise from us. The Apostolical Forms insist upon these things, 1 Pet. 1.3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the Resurrection of Iesus Christ from the dead.
Secondly, To be most affected with these Mercies. Other Mercies may be overvalued, especially if we look upon them under the Notion of provision for the Flesh; so our very Thankfulness may be a Snare. Lust ingrosseth our Hearts, but Religion tippeth our Tongues. Men will thank God for their Preferment, more than for the Offer of Christ, and Pardon and Life by him. Our esteem is known by this, what it is that moveth us to thankfulness; if it be for the World, as used for the pleasure of the Flesh rather than for the Service of God, it is but Lust disguised in a Religious Form: Therefore what are you most affectionately thankful for, Worldly, or Spiritual good things? God is to be thanked for all, for Temporal encrease, but chiefly for Spiritual Mercies: Now what endeareth God to your Hearts, that he is so good in Christ, or that he blesseth your outward Estate? You should not lessen that Favour, but look for a better and more distinguishing Expression of his Love.
3 Doct. That not only the Spiritual Blessings vouchsafed to our Selves, but to Others also, must he acknowledged with Thankfulness.
1. It suiteth with our Relation of Members in the same Mystical Body of Christ, and so is a part of the Communion of Saints; 1 Cor. 12.26. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoyce with it. The Members care for one another, and are affected with each others Wo, or Weal; if the Toe be trod upon, the Tongue will cry out, You have hurt me: Therefore they that have lost sympathy and feeling, seem to have cast themselves out of the Body, as if they were no way concerned in their fellow Members in Christ. If we be in the Body, we must be affected with others Concernments as with our own, Phil. 1.7. I have you in my heart. Where sincere Love is among Christians, there will be a Communion of Prayers and Praises; therefore they bless God for others Mercies as their own. See Rom. 12.15. Rejoyce with them that do rejoyce, and weep with them that weep. Spiritual Love is but acted and personated, if we only drop some words of Prayer and Praise, and do not look upon our selves as under a Debt, and that it is meet so to do; and do it upon Inclination, and not meerly upon the Invitation of others. We should give Thanks for all their Mercies, especially for such Spiritual Mercies as constitute the Union, such as Faith and Love; by Faith we are united to the Head, by Love to the Fellow-members. Col. 1.3, 4. We give thanks to God, and the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, praying always for you: Since we heard of your Faith in Christ Iesus, and of the love which you have to all the Saints. These Graces qualifie for this Spiritual Communion.
2. The Glory of God is concerned in it. Wheresoever his Goodness shineth forth, especially with any Eminency, it must be acknowledged: Rom. 1.8. I thank my God through Iesus Christ for you all, that your Faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. When Christ's Kingdom doth thrive extensively, or intensively, by the addition of more peace, or the encrease of Grace; if we love our Master, we must be glad when he getteth more Servants, and our Joy must be expressed in praises. When Paul was Converted, he saith, Gal. 1.24. The Saints glorified God in me: That is, praised God in his behalf, and gave him the Honour of that great Work, that so useful an Instrument was gained to the Faith.
3. The Spiritual Blessings vouchsafed to others, conduce to a common Good, therefore our Profit and Interest inviteth us to this Duty. The good of some, is the gain of the whole; we have benefit by their Example, and are confirmed, by having Companions in the Faith and Patience of the Gospel, and the common Profession groweth by their Accession to the Faith: 1 Thes. 1.7, 8 Ye were examples to all that believe in Macedonia, and Achaia: For from you sounded out the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your Faith to God-ward is spread abroad. Eminent Christians promote the Interest of the Gospel, and their Gifts make them serviceable: 1 Cor. 1 4, 5. I thank my God always on your behalf, for the Grace that is given you by Iesus Christ, that in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge: And Rom. 1.12. — That I may be comforted together with you, by the mutual Faith both of you and me. It is a Comfort to meet with our Father's Children every where, and that we have hopes of having more Companions in Heaven.
4. If we have no profit by them, yet the thing it self is a Benefit to us; for if we have any thing of the Bowels of Christ, or Love to Souls, surely we are gratified, when any are Converted to God: If the Salvation of our Brethren be dear to us, whatever is given in order thereto, we must reckon among our Benefits, and we should rejoyce in one anothers Gifts and Graces as our own. True Goodness is communicative, and diffusive of it's self, as Fire turneth all about it into Fire. Hypocritical Profession is accompanied with an Envy, they would shine alone; and Mules, and Creatures of a Bastard Production do not propagate.
5. We encrease their Faith and Comfort, when we give Thanks to God for them. To that end doth the Apostle mention his Thanksgiving, that they might be encouraged to go on, Phil. 1.3.6. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it untill the day of Iesus Christ.
1 VSE. They are Monsters of Men, that Repine at the Riches poured down by their own, or other Men's Ministry upon others: Yet such a base Spirit reigneth in many, they cannot endure any should be Godly and Serious.
2 VSE. Let us Bless God for others. The Angels rejoyce at the Conversion of a Sinner, Luke 15.10. Now this should never be omitted: (1.) When there is some eminent Work accomplished, either for the multitude of Objects, or degree of Grace. As when Cornelius was gained to the Faith, as the First-fruits of the Gentiles, Acts 11.18. When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, then hath God also unto the Gentiles granted Repentance unto life: And Verse 21. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord: And Verse 23. Barnabas was glad when he had seen the Grace of God, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. (2.) When there are special Circumstances, as if we have been instrumental to do them good, and God hath blessed our Word, or Converse, or Example, 1 Thes. 2.19, 20. For what is our Hope, or Ioy, or Crown of rejoycing? are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Iesus Christ at his coming? for ye are our glory and joy: Or if we have prayed for any thing for others, whatever we have prayed for must be thankfully acknowledged, when brought to pass, 2 Cor. 1.11. You also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons, thanks may be given by many on our behalf: And 3d. Epist. Ioh. 4. I have no greater joy, than to hear that my children walk in the truth.
4 Doct. That in Thanksgiving for Spiritual Benefits, whether to our Selves, or Others, the Encrease of Grace must be acknowledged as well as the Beginnings of it.
The Degree is from God: He that beginneth perfecteth, Phil. 1.6. He that hath begun a good work, will perfect it to the day of Christ. The whole Progress of the Work, from the first step to the last, is all from God, not from the Power of our own Free-will, or the Srength of our Resolutions, or the Stability of our Gracious Habits. For the First, That it is not from the Power of our own Free-will, is plain from Ioh. 6.44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him. And then for the Second, That it is not from the Strength of our Resolutions, Psal. 73.2. As for me, my feet were almost gone, my steps had well-nigh slipt. And for the Third, That it is not from the Stability of Gracious Habits, see Rev. 3.2. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, and are ready to die, for I have not found thy works perfect before God: And 1 Pet. 5.10. The God of all Grace, who hath called us unto his Eternal Glory by Iesus Christ, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. He that beginneth the Work of Grace in us, doth still carry it on to perfection; he doth establish what is attained, and increase our spiritual strength for all Difficulties and Duties, so Luk. 17.5. The Apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our Faith.
VSE. Take Notice of God's Favour in the addition of every new degree of Grace, because the change is more remarkable; we may ascribe our first Conversion to God, but we must also our after-growth. We are still under the Love and Care of Christ: Though we are passed from Death to Life, yet not from Earth to Heaven. You are in continual need of Christ, for Direction, Intercession, Pardon, farther Sanctification, Support, Comfort and Peace; therefore take Notice of every degree, if there be greater Fervour, if more delightful Exercise, if more Ability and Strength to overcome Opposition, let God have the Glory of all. He many times Chastiseth our Pride and Unthankfulness, with Lapses or Decayes, if we do not acknowledge him; as Peter and David, what grievous Lapses had they?