An expositio[n] upon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…An expositio[n] vpon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus. This Epistle was sent, not only from Paul, but also from Timothy, and Silvanus. These three were all guided by one spirit, and had all one like care for the Church of GOD. Therefore he writeth thus, Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, the servants of God, chosen from our mothers womb, and appointed to publish the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to carry his name before Kings, and Princes: and especially, I Paul, which am your father, and hau• begotten you in Christ: which was sometimes a blasphemer, and did persecute the faithful: whom it pleased GOD to make a chosen vessel for himself: which am also hated of my brethren and kinsmen after the flesh for the Gospels sake: and which am ready to give my life for your behalf.

Paule, and Syluanus, and Timotheus. This Epistle was sent, not onely from Paule, but also from Timothie, and Syluanus. These thrée were al guided by one •pirite, and had al one like care for the Church of GOD. Therefore he writeth thus, Paule, and Syluanus, and Timotheus, the seruauntes of God, chosen from our mothers wombe, and appointed to publishe the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to carie his name before Kinges, and Princes: and especially, I Paule, which am your father, and hau• begotten you in Christ: which was sometimes a blasphemer, and did persecute the faithful: whom it pleased GOD to make a chosen vessel for himselfe: which am also hated of my brethren and kinsmen after the fleshe for the Gospels sake: and which am readie to giue my life for your behalfe.

Unto the Church of the Thessalonians, ⟨p. 234⟩which is in God our father &c. You are (saith he) the beloved of God, you are his people, and he hath assured his mercy unto you: you have the promise, and the earnest of the life to come. Here let us mark the state of that country, as it was then, and compare it with it self as it is now. Then it was the church of God: for otherwise S. Paul would not so have called it, according to the grace of God given unto him he laid the foundation, he planted and watered their hearts, and God gave the increase. So that they received the word in much action: and the word of the Gospel sounded from them not only in Macedonia, & Achaia, but their faith towards God was spread also abroad in all quarters. In such sort were they a Vessel sanctified unto honour, full of blessing, and full of the mercy, and grace of God.