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All along he had entertained a confidence that he should be preserved through the present danger to further service. "I trust in the Lord," he had written to the Philippians, "that I myself also shall come shortly." And again to Philemon: "I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.' So it proved; no one seems to have appeared against him and after two years' confinement he found himself at liberty: able to enjoy what he had so earnestly longed for, the sight of his beloved churches once more, and to carry on again the ministry which he had received.

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At length he returned to Rome,5 " always abounding in the work of the Lord." And then the time arrived when he should cease from his labours, and his works should follow him. He was called to give account before the Emperor Nero of the new and strange doctrine which he was teaching and so evident was the danger, that no one dared to "stand with him. All men forsook him." Only He remained, "who is closer than a brother." "The Lord stood by him, and strengthened him." For the moment, "he was delivered out of the mouth of the lion."7 But, as he foresaw, whilst writing the account to Timothy, the delay was not for long; the season was near when he must seal with his blood the testimony which he had so long given. For this he was fully prepared. Many

4 Philem. 21.

6

After an interval of uncertain duration, of which "we know scarcely anything." (See Burton, Lect. ix.) The fact of the book of Acts closing its history with these two years, seems conclusive proof that Luke composed, or rather finished it, at this period of time. (Id. p. 275.)

6 Prov, xviii. 24.

7 2 Tim. iv. 17.

years before he had said, "I am ready, not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem, for the sake of the Lord Jesus." Longer experience had not made him less ready to do or to suffer for the Master whom he served. We possess his parting words: "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 8

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Thus, like the prophet before him, who, taken himself from his earthly trials, cast down his mantle to encourage his successor: so has Paul, in his last recorded sentiments, left for others the comfort wherewith he himself was comforted of God. A crown of glory was prepared for him. But not for him only, the apostle in labours most abundant, in grace above measure: but for all them also that "love the Lord's appearing:" for all the faithful brethren in every age and country, whose hearts have been directed by the Spirit" to the love of God, and the patient waiting for Christ." 1

8 2 Tim. iv. 6-8.

9 See 2 Kings ii. 12, 13.

1 2 Thess. iii. 5.*

XXXV.

ELECTION OF THE THESSALONIAN
CHURCH.

1 THESS. i. 2—5.

2. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

3. Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

4. Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

"Whom

WHEN in answer to our Lord's inquiry, say ye that I am?" Simon Peter made his famous confession, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God;" Jesus answered, "Blessed art thou, Simon, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee; but my Father which is in heaven."1 The truth and confidence of the reply, discovered the source from which it came. St. Paul's assurance here is founded on the like grounds, when he says, Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. He had witnessed the listened to him and of faith which he had

readiness with which they had Silas he remembered the work seen, the energy with which they strove to fulfil the will of God: he remembered the labour of love which

1 Matt. xvi. 16, 17.

they had exercised, the patience of hope of future recompense, which had enabled them to encounter persecution and to surmount all opposition. And as these effects of his doctrine upon their hearts could only be produced by the Spirit of God, he had manifest proof that God had chosen them, and given them a place in his favour. The Jews, indeed, would deny this, and claim to themselves the privilege promised of old to the children of Abraham, and refuse a share of it to others, being jealous and indignant, that "God had granted unto the Gentiles also repentance unto life." The answer to their exclusive spirit, was the character of the Thessalonian Christians. There is a state of heart and life by which we are taught to "know that we are of the truth," and may "have confidence towards God." 2 And this state of heart and life was so exhibited in the Thessalonians, as to make it plain that God had "predestinated them unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will."

How came this, it may be asked,—that some were thus predestinated unto the adoption of children, and others were passed by? That apostles should visit Thessalonica or Philippi, and should not visit Tyre or Sidon? That some who had been "dead in trespasses and sins were quickened," whilst others remained in darkness, and brought the children of light into much. affliction?

These are among "the secret things which belong to the Lord our God."

Thus much, however, we can perceive and under

21 John iii. 19-21.

stand. God purposed in himself to collect a people "out of every kindred and nation under heaven," who should be blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus, and in the dispensation of the fulness of times should inherit an everlasting kingdom. So an earthly benefactor might, if he chose, take the children of certain inhabitants of his place or neighbourhood, adopt them as his own, educate them, make them heirs of his wealth. God, who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will, did this originally by the Jewish nation: adopted them as his "peculiar people." Now he was doing the same by others: he sent his apostles to one city, and passed by another, according to his good pleasure. We know not the grounds of his selection but we are assured that "the Judge of all the earth will do right," though "his ways are far above out of our sight." And as the provision made by Him that the gospel should be preached at Thessalonica or Philippi, was proof that he had chosen those cities to be recipients of his mercy, so was there a like proof in regard to the individuals who had embraced the faith, and been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. That they had been aroused by the word preached to them, had cast off the works of darkness, and were now following after holiness; this was proof that God had chosen them to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. Unless he had a favour unto them, he would not have put it into their hearts to receive the gospel. Thus was made manifest their election of God.

Another proof was the manner in which God had wrought with the apostle, " confirming his word with signs following."

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