The works

Front matter

THE j?X_

WORKS

VMo

Chap. I

Ver. i. Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ : Grace be with you, and peace, from God our Fa¬ ther, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

THE apostle Paul preached the gospel of our Saviour Jesus Christ unto the Thessalonians, as he did also in other places from Jerusalem, round about to Illyricum. But his travail had not like success in all places. For in Damas- 2 cor. xi.32. cus the governor of the people under king Aretas laid watch in the city of the Damascenes, and would have caught him.

At Lystra they stoned Paul, and drew him out of the city, Acts xw. 19. supposing he had been dead. At Philippi, he and Silas were Acts xvi. 19. drawn into the market-place unto the magistrates, and accused ' that they troubled their city ; they were beaten with rods,

1 [This Exposition, the publication of which did not take place till some years after Bishop Jewel’s death, ap¬ pears to have been delivered in a series of discourses in the cathedral of Salisbury, A. D. 1569, (not im¬ probably during Lent.) In the open¬ ing of his “ View of a Seditious

JEWEL, VOL. VII.

Bull,” he says, that whilst engaged in expounding to the same congre¬ gation 2 Thess. ii. 3, there came to his hands “ a copy of a Bull lately sent into this realm by the bishop of Rome.” The date of the Bull is Feb. 25, 1569.]

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Gal. iv. it, and cast into prison. The Corinthians received the doctrine of the gospel, and made much of the professors thereof. But they fell soon from their good beginning. They walked like men in envying, in strife, and divisions. Some called them¬ selves after Paul, some after Apollos, some after Cephas, and some after Christ. They stirred contention about meats ; they abused the Lord’s supper ; and they were doubtful of the resurrection of the dead. In like manner the church of God, which was gathered at Rome, grew proud, and highminded, and boasted themselves over the Jews. The Gala¬ tians forsook the good way of the gospel, whereunto they were called, and wherein they did walk. They gave ear to false prophets. Therefore the apostle telleth them, “ I am in fear of you, lest I have bestowed on you labour in vain.”

But the Thessalonians, after they had heard the glad tidings of the gospel, they received it greedily, and laid it up close and safe in their hearts. Albeit the Jews withstood them, and vexed them sore ; albeit false brethren used divers secret means to draw them from the love of the truth; yet they kept still their steadfastness ; and could not be driven from their faith, neither by cruelty of persecution, nor by subtilty of crafty persuasion. Paul being at Athens, a place far distant from thence, sendeth Timothy to know in what case they stood. So careful was he for that house which he had built ; for the lire which he had kindled ; for the grafts which he had planted ; and for the children which he begot among them. When Timothy made report of their constancy, that they continued steadfast in those things which they had learned, he writeth this Epistle to commend them, and to exhort them to abide steadfast in their faith : that they be¬ come not like the foolish Israelites, which longed after the flesh pots of Egypt, and were unmindful of their deliverance from bondage under Pharaoh : that they return not like filthy dogs to their vomit, and like unclean swine to their puddles of mire : that they look not back again after they have put their hands to the Lord’s plough, and so make themselves unworthy the kingdom of God.

He giveth many lessons and instructions to godliness : that they would walk worthy of God, and bring forth the fruits to the Thessalonicins . I. i.

of the gospel. There were among them that lived idly, and did trouble the church without a cause : whom he reproveth, willing them to be quiet, and to meddle with their own mat¬ ters, and work with their hands. Others mourned over the dead without measure, even as if they had no hope : whom he instructeth in the resurrection, and comforteth with the speech of the blessed coming of our Lord, when we which live shall be caught up to meet him, and so we shall ever be with the Lord. Others reasoned fondly of the latter day, when it should be, when the Son of God should appear, and when the world should have an end : as if man might reach to the knowledge hereof. But them also he reproveth, and warneth, that they take care rather to watch and look for the Lord’s coming, that they may be found ready, having their loins girded, and their lamps burning.

Many are desirous to see the countenance of St. Paul, to see his sword, or the relics of his blood, which was shed at his death, or of his upper garment, or of his coat, or of the hair of his head : and, for purpose to see such things, many take painful pilgrimage to far places, where they are deceived. How much better may they be satisfied by reading the story of his life set down in the scriptures ! In these his Epistles written to the churches of God, he is to be seen in more excellent show than when he was yet in body. For here is to be seen his heart filled with the Holy Ghost, and the care which he had for all saints : how he did travail in birth of them again, that Christ might be formed in them, and how he did wish himself separate from Christ for their sake. The matter of this Epistle is plain, and treateth not of deep and profound mysteries. The manner of utterance, which the apostle useth, is open and evident. So that the whole Epistle is full of sweet and wholesome doctrine, wherein the simplest may find great comfort.

“ Paul, and Silvan us, and Timotheus.” These two were companions unto Paul in his journeys, and in the work of his ministry : whom here he joineth in his letter to the congre¬ gation at Thessalonica, to witness their consent and agree¬ ment with him, that they all with one mouth, and with one hand and heart, set forth the glorious gospel of our Saviour

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Christ : and that therefore they also, which are called to the fellowship of the gospel, should be like minded, being one body and one spirit in Christ Jesus; and the children of one Father, in 'whom there is no dissension, but all peace, and consent, and unity.

“ Unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ.” There arc sun¬ dry sorts of churches. There is a church of the wicked, Fsai. xxvi. whereof the prophet saitli, “ I have hated the assembly of the evil, and have not companied with the wicked.” Two hun- Num. xvi. a. dred and fifty captains, men of renown, and famous in the congregation, joined themselves to Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. But Moses said unto Korah : “ Thou and all thy com¬ pany are gathered together against the Lord.” The builders Gen. xi. 4. 0f the great tower of Babel wrcre many in number, and con¬ sented to that they had imagined to do, thereby to get them a name ; but the Lord did confound their language, and scat¬ tered them upon the face of the earth. The scribes and Acta iv. 6. 27. Pharisees and high priests held a council, and conferred among themselves : but, “ against the Lord, and against his Christ.” John is commanded to write unto the angel of the Rev. ii.8,9. church of the Smyrnians: “ These things saith he, which is first and last, which was dead, and is alive. I know the blas¬ phemy of them, which say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” They revile you, and speak all manner of evil against you for my name’s sake. They charge you with teaching false doctrine, and say you have departed from the church ; that they are the seed of Abraham, the children of promise, the true worshippers of God, and which walk in the steps of their forefathers. But their boast hereof is vain. It profiteth them nothing, that Abraham was their father ; that the covenant was made with them ; that they were circumcised; that a law vras given unto them. Let them not trust in their fathers, let them not trust in lying words, and say. The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, this is the temple of the Lord. If they were Abraham’s children, they would do the works of Abraham. If God were their Father, then would they love Christ his Son, and seek to set forth his glory. If they were of the sheepfold of to the Thessalonians. I. i.

God, they would hear his voice. They are of their father the devil, and the lusts of their father they will do. They are in name the servants of Christ, but serve Antichrist.

They call themselves Jews, but are the synagogue of Satan.

“ For,” saith the apostle, ct he is not a Jew, which is one out- Rom. n. as, ward ; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh : but he is a Jew, which is one within ; and the circum¬ cision is of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter ; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” Of those which are such,

Leo saith : Ecclcsice nomine armamini , ct contra ecclesiam Lco>

83. ad Pala-

dimicatis : “ Ye arm yourselves with the name of the church, Bilnos. Exp¬ and yet ye fight against the church.” And Chrysostom saith : 673-]

“ The name only of Christ doth not make a Christian, but he Matt.’ in' m must also have the truth of Christ : for there arc many which per?' [viTapp. walk in the name of Christ, but few which walk in his truth.” *clvJ It is therefore manifest, as Lyra saith, “ That the church is not to xvi. among men, by reason of any ecclesiastical or secular authority or dignity : because many princes and high priests, and others of the inferior sort, have forsaken the faith.” Though they pretend show of holiness, though they draw to themselves credit by long continuance, though their numbers be great, and they consent together ; yet, if they have forsaken the faith, if they hold not the truth of Christ, if they fight against and persecute the church, if their circumcision be not the circum¬ cision of the heart, and in the spirit, if they hear not the voice of the Shepherd, if they love not Christ Jesus the Son of God, and set not forth his glory, if they seek to stop the course of the gospel, if they seek to get a name among men, if they resist Moses and Aaron ; they have only a painted vizard, and carry only an empty name of the church : they call themselves so, and are not.

But the church of God is in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ: it is the company of the faithful, whom God hath gathered together in Christ by his word and by the Holy Ghost to honour him, as he himself hath appointed. This church liearcth the voice of the Shepherd. It will not follow a stranger, but flieth from him : for it knoweth not the voice of strangers. Of this church St. Hierom saith : Ecclcsia Hieron. in

E plies. ii. 19 — 21.

juncta est , et habet urbes leg is, prophetarum, evangelii, et apostolorum . Non est egressa dc jinibus suis , id est , de scripturis : “ The church of Christ, which containeth the churches through all the world, is joined together in the unity of the Spirit, and hath the cities of the law, of the prophets, of the gospel, and of the apostles. This church goeth not forth, or beyond her bounds, that is, the holy scriptures.” It is the pillar of the truth : the body, the fulness, and the spouse of Christ : it is the vine, the house, the city, and the kingdom of God. They, which dwell in it, “ are no more strangers and foreigners, but citizens with the saints, and of the household of God ; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the head corner stone; in whom all the building coupled together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.” This church “ Christ loved, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify it, and cleanse it by the washing of water through the word, that he might make it unto himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing ; but that it should be holy and without blame.” Such a church was the church of God at Thessalonica, such a church are they, whosoever in any place of the world fear the Lord, and call upon his name. Their names are written in the book of life : they have received the Spirit of adoption, by which they cry, “ Abba, Father :” they grow from grace to grace, and abound more and more in knowledge and in judg¬ ment : they cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light : they are made absolute and perfect unto all good works : they are evermore comforted in the mercies of God, both by the holy scriptures wherein God declaretli his gracious goodness towards them, and by the sacraments : which are left unto the church to be witnesses and assured pledges for performance of the promise of God’s good will and favour towards them.

“ Grace be with you, and peace,” &c. God give you the forgiveness of your sins, and the peace and comfort of your conscience. God let all his blessings fall upon you, that you may see the riches and the treasures of his mercy : that you may be filled with all fulness in the Spirit : that you may behold the glory of the kingdom of God : and those things may be to the Thesscdonians . I. 2 —

revealed unto you by his Spirit, which he hath prepared for them that love him. Without this grace you can do nothing, you can neither feel the burden of your sins, nor seek to be eased of them, nor perceive when they are forgiven : you cannot rent your heart, and set apart from you the vanities and lusts of the flesh, which doth evermore fight against the soul : you cannot discern the word of God, and by it enter the way to everlasting life : you cannot abhor that which is evil, and cleave unto that which is good : without the grace of God you cannot continue steadfast and constant in faith, and in hope of the mercies of God through our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Ver. 2 — 5. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers ; Without ceasing, remembering your effectual faith, and diligent love, and the patience of your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God even our Father ; Knowing, beloved brethren, that ye are elect of God. For our gospel was not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance, as ye know after what manner we were among you for your sakes.

“We give thanks” &c. Paul teacheth what is the office of a good minister. He must ever carry in remembrance the state of the congregation, over which the Lord hath placed him. He must give thanks to God in their behalf, and pray for them, that God will bless that which he hath begun, and confirm them unto the end, that they may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ: that he will behold them from above, and bless his inheritance, and guide the sheep of his pasture. “ Your effectual faith faith is not idle, it worketh and is forcible, it breaketh out like fire : it is always fruitful through love. Faith without works is no faith, it is dead, and bringeth death. “ And diligent love love is painful, and full of travail : it thinketh not evil : it seeketh not her own things : it is bountiful. This love had the Thessalonians to the saints of God, which suffered affliction in all places for the gospel’s sake. Many were spoiled of their goods, cast out of their houses, and banished from their country. Even as at this day for the like cause many of our brethren the good servants of God are driven into banishment, cast into prisons,

Psalm xli. i.

Matt. v. 7.

Psalm xliv. 33.

Korn. viii.

Jerem. vi. 10.

Jerem. xv.

IS-

2 Tim. Hi. 12

Psalm xxiii. 4- put to the sword, or consumed in fire, in those places, where the God of this world hath so blinded their eyes, that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ should not shine unto them. It is high time in such cases for charity to shew her¬ self. She cannot dissemble, nor despise the tears of her brother. It sheweth forth as the morning light : it takcth from herself, to relieve them which are in need. It dealeth bread to the hungry, and bringeth the poor that wander unto her house, and covereth the naked, and hidctli not her face from her own flesh. Unto them that have this love the Lord give th his blessing : “ Blessed is he that considered! the poor and needy, the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble.” And Christ saith : “ Blessed are the merciful, for they shall find mercy.”

“ And the patience of your hope.” How many are the troubles which the children of God suffer in this life ! Let us behold the times which were before us. Abel was innocent and just, yet was he slain by the hands of his brother, and without a cause. The prophet David saith of the prophets and holy men of God, and the same words saith the apostle of the church of Christ under the gospel : “ For thy sake are we killed all the day long : we are counted as sheep for the , slaughter.” Jeremy saith : “ Thy word is unto them as a reproach.” And again : “ For thy sake I have suffered re¬ buke.” What villanies were brought against our Saviour Christ ! They reproached him in speeches, brought false accusations, and false witness against him, and lulled the in¬ nocent, in whose mouth there was found no guile. When St. Paul appealed to the witness of Timothy who did fully know his doctrine, manner of living, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, and patience : and that he knew also the per¬ secutions and afflictions, which came unto him, and which he suffered at Antiochia, Iconium, and at Lystra, after he had thus remembered his persecutions and his own innocency, he saith ; .‘•'All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer perse¬ cution.”

What then hath the godly to lean unto, but hope ? The prophet David therefore said : “ Though I should walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.” Therefore said Job: “ Though he Job xffl. 1$. slay me, yet will I trust in him.” For lie that putteth his trust in the Lord shall never be confounded. In this hope spake St. Paul : “ Christ is to me both in life and death ad- Philipp, 1.20, vantage.” Again : “ Whether we live or die, we are the iiom. xiv. 8. Lord’s.” And again: “ God forbid that I should rejoice, but Gai. vi. 14. in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” And to the Komans he saith : “ There is no condemnation to them that are in Rom. viii. 1. Christ Jesus.” This is the foundation of faith, even a strong rock which shall continue for ever. Neither tribulation, nor anguish, nor persecution, nor famine, nor any danger can remove the faithful from this hope.

But the wicked and unstable fall from their hope, and their fall is miserable. They have heard the word of God that tcachcth unto salvation, but did not regard it ; they have for¬ gotten the works of the Lord, and received his grace in vain.

For, when they have heard the word, the devil cometli, and taketli away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe, and be saved. And the end of these men is worse than the beginning.

It was not so with the Thessalonians. They received the word of God willingly, and it was fruitful in them, so that thereby they increased in faith, in love, and in hope. Their faith the apostle callcth forcible or effectual : their love dili¬ gent and painful : their hope mighty through patience, where¬ by they overcome all manner of dangers : and rcjoiceth on their behalf, because he found so great success of his travail in the gospel amongst them.

“ Knowing that you are elect of God.” You were blind, the children of wrath, without understanding, without God, and without hope. But God hath had mercy upon you, and hath given you grace to know your calling. Herein it appeareth that you are the chosen of God, and of the flock of Christ. “ My sheep,” saith he, “ hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me, and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out John x. 27, of mine hand.”

u For our gospel was not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.”

That you have yielded obedience unto the word, and that my ministry hath been effectual amongst you, it cometh not of any power in yourselves, or in me, it is the work of God. He hath blessed my ministry, he hath blessed your hearts. It is the gift of God, lest any man should boast thereof. Hereof cor. hi. ^,6. he speaketh to the Corinthians : “ Who is Paul then, and who is Apollos, but the ministers by whom ye believed, and as the Lord gave to every man ? I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” It is he which hath the key of David, which openeth, and no man shutteth, and shutteth, and no man openeth. Without him we can do nothing. He guideth us and all our counsels, and leadeth us into all truth. John vi. 44. “No man can come unto me,” saith Christ, “except the Father which hath sent me draw him.” And by the prophet God sa^a : “ I will give you a new heart, and a new

spirit will I put within you . I will put my spirit within you,

and will cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my judgments and do them.” And by the prophet Jeremy : Jerem.xxxi. “ I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their Psaim cxix. hearts.” Therefore David maketh his prayer : “ Teach me..., U Lord, give me understanding, and I will keep thy law.”

The words of the preacher enter in at the ear. The Spirit ne Pnedesti- of God conveyeth them into the heart. Augustine saith : Au- [x^’oiT 8’ c™ur evan9el'lum •' quidam credunt , quidam non credunt: qui credunt intus a Patre audiunt el discunt ; qui non credunt , forts audiunt , intus non audiunt , neque discunt. Hoc est , Mis datur tit credant , illis non datur : “ The gospel is declared. Some there are which believe, some there are which believe not. They, which believe, hear it inwardly by the Father, and so learn it. They, which believe not, hear it only with their outward sense, and not with inward feeling, and therefore learn it not. As much to say, To them it is given, to believe : to the other it is not given.” In the Acts of the Apostles, Lydia, a woman of the city of the Thyatirians, heard the preaching of the apostle Paul; but it is Acts xvl. 14. said, “ Whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things that Paul spake.” The people which said Acts 11. 57. unto Peter and the other apostles, “ Men and brethren, what shall we do ?” did hear all the words of Peter ; but they had another teacher, that gave force unto the word and made it fruitful in them, and therefore it is said, “ They were pricked in their hearts.” This also appeared in the disciples which walked towards Emmaus : they heard Christ open the scrip- Luke xxiv. tures unto them, they reasoned with him, yet until their eyes were opened they knew him not. His word crept into their ears, but it was the Spirit of God which wrought within them, which inflamed their hearts, and made them to know him.

Thus God blessetli his word, and maketh it yield fruit in such measure, as his wisdom hath appointed. His blessing appearcth greater, when many are converted : yet is his word all one, and the power thereof no whit shorter, when it is utterly refused, or received but of few. “ Surely,” saitli God, isa. iv. to “ as the rain comcth down, and the snow from heaven, and rcturneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it fruitful, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to him that eateth : so shall my word be that goetli out of my mouth : it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I will, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” It is the word of the living God, which is blessed for ever. And blessed is that heart, which can receive it, which God instructeth, and giveth knowledge of his word, which doth so learn it, that he is assured of the truth thereof, and nothing doubteth but it is indeed the word of life ; which saith thereof, This is the way, in which if I walk, I shall cer¬ tainly go forward to the city of my God : this is the truth ; if I hearken unto it, I shall never be deceived. Whosoever flndeth himself endued with this grace, he doth as plainly and evidently judge of the words of God, and try out the truth thereof, from the devices and doctrines of men, as a man of clear eyesight is able to judge of colours, and to know one colour from another. Yea, in this is the knowledge of that more certain, because colour doth fade and alter, and many times one colour thereby waxeth like another : but the truth of God doth never alter. It continueth one through all ages.

It is the word of everlasting life. Heaven and earth shall perish, but one tittle thereof shall not be lost. The truth of God shall be established for ever. The humble shall hear it, and be glad.

“ As ye know after what manner we were among you for your sakes.” You know how I behaved myself, and after what manner I have lived among you. You know my first coming and entry unto you. You know what doctrine I have taught, and what hath been my conversation of life. I never deceived any, nor offered wrong unto the simplest. I sought not you nor yours, but those things which are Jesus’. I have lived by the labour of my hands, in watchings, in hunger, in cold, and nakedness. God hath ordained, that they, which teach the gospel, should live by the gospel. Who feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk of the flock ? but I have not used this liberty. For I have a great care lest by any means I should offend you. Yet would I never flatter any in that thing they had done amiss : I never spared to rebuke ill. If I should fear, or seek to please men, I were not the servant of Christ. I seek not mine own glory, but the glory of him that sent me, who also hath made me a minister of his gospel. I have forsaken all things, my goods and life, my flesh and my body ; and am daily in perils, com¬ passed daily by persecution, and see death daily before mine eyes, for the love I bear to you, and for the care I have of the church. You are the Lord’s sheep, I am your shepherd; you are the house of God, I am your builder ; you are God’s orchard, I am your overseer and workman. I shall give an account for your souls. You know how tenderly I have loved you in the Lord. Your grief hath been my grief, your joy hath been my joy. I have prayed for you day and night, and have given thanks to God for you, and rejoiced in your behalf. What is more dear to a man than life ? yet have I desired to yield up my life, that you might live. I have been ready to suffer death, if thereby I might do you good. These things you cannot but remember, your conscience beareth me witness, that I have thus lived among you for your sake.