Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending…

The Thessalonians are consequentially called Saints, in being called a Church of Christ. And what a Church? and what Saints? such as [had the work of Faith, Labour of Love, and patience of Hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, whose Election Paul knew, who turned to God from Idols, to serve the true and living God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, who delivered them from the wrath to come, & they received the word as the word of God, which effectually worked in them that believed, who followed the Churches in suffering; who were Pauls joy and glory in the presence of Christ at his coming, whose faith and Charity was so reported to Paul, that he tells them be liveth, if they stand fast: for God had not appointed them to wrath, but to obtain salvation by Jesus Christ.] 1 Thess. 1 & 2. & 3. & 5. They were such Saints whom Christ would come at last to be glorified in, and such Believers in whom he will then be admired, even because the Gospel was believed among them.] (therefore say not, To believe the Gospel is a common thing, short of saving Faith.) 2 Thess. 1. We see then what the Church and Saints at Thessalonica was.

The Hebrews (to whom the Apostle wrote) are called Saints, Heb. 13.24. And he doth not groundlessly call them Saints; ⟨p. 109⟩for they were such as [were made a gazing-stock by reproaches & afflictions, and became companions of them that were so used, & took joyfully the spoiling of their goods, knowing in themselves that they have in heaven a better and more enduring substance.] vid. ult. Heb. 10.33, 34, 35. They were such indeed as he saw cause to exhort to perseverance, and warn of the danger of Apostasy (and the best have need of that) But yet [though he so spake, he was persuaded better things of them, and such as accompany salvation.] and he gives his reason of it,