1 Thessalonians 5

1 Thessalonians 5:1

TImes and seasons] For the yeer, moneth, day, or houre, in which the Sonne of man shall come to Judgement, as it is curiositie for you to enquire, so it is not given to any man or Angel to resolve you therein; or precisely determine the times and seasons which the Father hath put in his own power, Matthew 24:36. Mark 13:32. Acts 1:7.

1 Thessalonians 5:2

the day of the Lord, &c.] See Matt. 24. 43, 44. 2 Peter 3:10. Revelation 3:3. & Revelation 16:15.

thief in the night] It cannot be rom hence gathered that Christs coming shall be in the night, as some have imagined: but that his coming shall be sudden, and unexpected; it shall steal upon men when they dream not of it, Luke 12:39-40.

1 Thessalonians 5:3

Peace and safetie] Generall securitie is a fore-runner of the day of Judgement, Luke 17:27. when the light of the truth is taken away; when the heart of the good man of the house is at rest, and his eyes are darkened, that he cannot see, and all his senses are drowned in worldly pleasures: when the world like Laish, (Judg. 18. 7.) is most secure and carees for nothing, or thinks of nothing; then will the Sonne of man come to Judgement, then shall destruction suddenly fall upon them.

a woman with child] Women that are with child though they may have certain signes, that the time of their delivery is neer, yet they cannot know the very day and houre: so likewise though Christ in the Gospel hath given us many certain signes of the approach of his coming, yet not of the day or houre.

1 Thessalonians 5:5

children of the day] See Romans 13:12.

1 Thessalonians 5:6

let us not sleep] Returning to exhortation, he warneth us which are enlightned with the knowledge of God, that it is our dutie not to live securely and delitiously, lest we be suddenly taken in a dead sleep in pleasures; but on the contrary, wisely to have an eye to the Lord, and to take care that our hearts be not oppressed with surfetting and drunkennesse, and the cares of this life, and that day come upon us at unawares, Luke 21:34.

others] Gr. the rest.

1 Thessalonians 5:8

putting on, &c.] See Isaiah 59:17. Ephes. 6. 16, 17.

1 Thessalonians 5:9

to obtain salvation] Gr. for purchasing salvation.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

comfort] Or, exhort.

and edifie one another] See 1 Corinthians 14:3. Colossians 3:16.

1 Thessalonians 5:12

to know then] Or, take notice of them. See Hebrews 13:17.

over you in the Lord] The Elders that rule well, and labour in the word, 1 Timothy 5:17. In the Lord, that is, in the fear of the Lord: or as set over you in those things which pertaine to Gods service, (Hebrews 13:7. 17.) so is the Ecclesiasticall function distinguished from civill authoritie.

admonish you] Or, instruct.

1 Thessalonians 5:13

very highly] Gr. over and above.

for their works sake] He calleth the pastorall function here, at 1 Timothy 3:1. a work 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, partly to signifie that it is a most laborious function; for faithfull Pastours like lamps spend the oyle of their lives to give light to their flock: partly in respect of the excellencie of their work, wherein they are fellow-labourers with God to bring men unto salvation. 1 Corinthians 3:9.

1 Thessalonians 5:14

exhort] Or, beseech.

warn then that are untruly] Or, disorderly. We must have consideration of every mans condition, and affection; and as the disease is, so must the remedie be used of admonition to them that are disorderly; consolation to them whose heart sinkes under the burden of their crosses; of support to weak consciences, and of meek patience towards all who are discased in mind, and troubled with any spirituall maladie.

1 Thessalonians 5:15

See that none, &c.] See Proverbs 17:13. and Proverbs 20:22. Matthew 5:44. Romans 12:17. 1 Pet. 3. 19.

1 Thessalonians 5:16

Rejoyce evermore] Carnall joyes are but like a blaze of a fire nourished with stubble, which soon goes out: they who rejoyce in their goods, in their children, in their peace and worldly safety, in their honour and preferments, (Eccl. 7. 6.) or their descent of their pedegree, their joy transitorie: but those who rejoyce in the holy Ghost, and the comforts of the Spirit, their joy is everlasting. Wherefore though ye finde many troubles in the world and causes of grief, (Phil. 4. 4.) yet still rejoyce in the Lord, and comfort your selves with the hope of a better life; and even when you sorrow after a godly manner, and that the mor abundantly you fow in these teares, the more plentifully you shall reap in joy.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Pray without ceasing] See Luke 18:1. Col. 4. 2. Be instant and constant in prayer, because we stand in continuall need of Gods help, either to give us something that is good, or to deliver us from that which is evill. The Apostle biddeth us pray continually, Col. 4. 2. not that we should spend all our time in prayer, and do nothing else, as the Euchites and the Messlians taught, but that we should be ready to pray upon all occasions; and whensoever we have opportunitie to lift up our hearts to God either in set and composed prayers, or sudden and heavenly ejaculations.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

In every thing give thanks] Whatsoever God sends receive it thankfully; in prosperitie give thanks unto him, because he crowneth you with temporall mercies; in adversitie, because he thereby trieth your faith and patience, and gives you a sight and sense of your sinnes; in wealth, because he assendeth you thereby means of doing much good; in want, because he taketh away from you many nourishments of vice, and teacheth you to depend upon him and his promises for your supply and support, and not upon onutward means and helps; in all the passages of your life, for his care and providence over you; and at your death for his delivering you from the miseries of this life, and presently receiving you into his heavenly kingdome.

for this is the will of God] A thing acceptable unto God, such as he liketh well of, 1 Thessalonians 4:3. Romans 12:2.

1 Thessalonians 5:19

Quench not the spirit] Stop not the motions of the Spirit in your selves, nor restrain the gifts thereof in others. The speech is Metaphoricall, taken from the fire of the Altar, which never was to go out. The Spirit is compared to a fire both in respect of the light that it giveth to the understanding, and the heat and fervour to our affection. When we feele this fire within us, either in our private meditations, or at the hearing of the Word, we must endeavour to keep it still burning; and it it slack in us, we must 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, stirre it up in us, 2 Tim. 1. 6. by such means as God hath ordained for that end.

1 Thessalonians 5:20

Despise not prophesyings] Contemne not the preaching of the Word, how mean soever the Preachers gifts seem unto thee, set not light by the declarations and applications of the Scriptures, either by such as have the extraordinary gift of prophesying, 1 Corinthians 14:1. 5. Or by the ordinary gift which the Ministers of the Gospel receive by imposition of hands, 2 Tim. 1. 6. In this Prohibition the Apostle meeteth with those, who thought themselves wise enough of themselves, and that they had no need of any such help, Hebrews 10:25. 2 Peter 1:19.

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whole spirit and soul] Father he taketh the spirit for the understanding, and the soul for the will and affections; or the spirit for the rationall part of the soule containing in it both the understanding and the will; and by the soul the sensitive and locomotive facultie.

unto] Gr. in.

1 Thessalonians 5:26

with] Gr. in.

1 Thessalonians 5:27

charge] Or, adjure.