1 Thessalonians 5

1 Thessalonians 5:1

YE have no need] Take heed of presuming to be so bold as to enquire concerning the prefixed time of Christs comming to judgement.

1 Thessalonians 5:2

Know] namely, by the Lords words, which have often been spoken over again by the Apostles. See Matth. 24. 43. As a thief] that is to say, unlooked for, not but that many signes and tokens shall be seen before his comming, Matth. 24. 30, 32. but yet none shall be able to set down the prefixed day or moment.

1 Thessalonians 5:3

Shall say] namely, worldly men.

1 Thessalonians 5:4

In darknesse] of ignorance or blindnesse of sinne.

1 Thessalonians 5:6

Let us me sleep] through carelesnesse, slacking, or giving over doing acts of pietie, being lulled asleep by worldly desires, cares, and pleasures.

1 Thessalonians 5:9

Appointed us] He hath not by his immutable decree excluded us from his grace, and given us over to the state of sin and natural corruption, to punish it according to the rigour of his justice.

1 Thessalonians 5:10

Wake nos] these words may be understood either in their own proper sense, or figuratively, for living or dying.

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Comfort your selves] or exhort one another.

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To know] to judge well and worthily of them, which is the first degree of honour Which labour] in the holy ministerie In the Lord] by his commission and authoritie in his Name, in the service of his Church, keeping within the bounds of his will, and of their own vocation.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

For this is] As God through his grace in Christ turneth all things to be for your good and salvation, Romans 8:2. So he will have you give him thankes for all things, as benefits bestowed upon you.

1 Thessalonians 5:19

Quench not] do not you suffer through rebellion, impurity, ingratitude, negligence, or contempt, the gift of the spirit of grace, which worketh in you in light of faith, and knowledge, and in fire of power, to depart or to be abolished in you, but preserve it, nourish it, and make use of it. See Matth. 25. 8. A similitude taken from the fire of the Altar, which was to be kept continually alive and burning.

1 Thessalonians 5:20

Prophesyings] the Italian, prophesies; namely, the writings of the Prophets in the old Testament, or the ordinary expositions which are made in the Church, by a singular gift of the Spirit. See Romans 12:6. 1 Cor. 14. 1. 6. 29.

1 Thessalonians 5:21

All things] namely, all the doctrines, opinions, actions, and examples which every believer is bound to examine by the light of the Holy Ghost, according to the rule of Gods Word.

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Spirit] by his Word here differing from the soul, he meanes either the gift of Gods Spirit, and the spiritual part of a regenerate man, or the understanding, and minde, and by the soul, onely the meer animal part.

1 Thessalonians 5:24

That cleth you] namely, God who hath begun his worke in you, calling you effectually to the participation of his Gospel, is loyall and constant in keeping of his promises which he hath made to those that answer to his call, to bring them to the last period and end of it.

1 Thessalonians 5:27

I charge you] For these Epistles writt〈◊〉 the Apostles were directed to the college〈…〉 stours, by whom they were afterwards read 〈◊〉 publike Assemblies of the Church, and expounded by the Prophets or other Pastours, being laid up, and kept in the Churches treasurie of records.