Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Thessalonians 2:4

4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel , even so we speak , not as pleasing men, but God which tryeth our hearts .

This verse gives the reasons of what the Apostle spake in the former about his sincerity. The one is taken from his Trust, God entrusted him with the Gospel, to preserve it from corruption by errour, therefore his Exhortation or Doctrine was not of errour or deceit, but he preached the Gospel in simplicity and purity; he did not, he durst not adulterate, or corrupt it, for it was committed to his Trust. As he calls the Gospel his Trust, 1 Tim. 1.11. And the sence of this great Trust kept him also from uncleanness and guile in the discharge of his Ministry. And he had this Trust by Gods appointment or approbation, God approved of him for this Trust, and that upon knowledge and judgment, as the word signifies [non-Latin text not transcribed] ▪ and as he speaks 1 Tim. 1.12. he judged me faithful, putting me into the Ministry. Not so before his Conversion being a persecutor, blasphemer, &c. but God fitted him by extraordinary Revelations, Gifts, Graces, and made him faithful, and then put him into the Ministry, and intrusted him with the Gospel. And because he speaks in the Plural Number, We were allowed of God. &c. therefore Silvanus and Timotheus, yea, and other Apostles and Ministers are to be understood as comprehended with him in this Trust.

That is as men thus approved of by God, and entrusted with the Gospel, that we may faithfully discharge our Trust, and be able to give a good account of it as Stewards of their Trust, 1 Cor. 4.1, 2.

This is another reason of their faithfulness and integrity mentioned in the foregoing verse, which was the sence of God's Omniscience, knowing and trying their hearts; trying imports more than meer knowing, it is a knowledge upon search, and proof, as Gold and Silver are known by the Touch-stone. And though God tryeth the hearts of all men, yet especially such as are intrusted with the Gospel. Or these last words may have a more immediate reference to the foregoing; we speak not as pleasing men, because we know God tryeth our hearts. And this confirms what he said before concerning his exhortation, that it was not of deceit, uncleanness, or guile. If it had, he would have so preached as to please men; The Opinions, the Lusts, the Practises of men. In some cases of the Apostle did seek to please men, 1 Cor. 10.33. Even as I please all men in all things. But he pleased not men when it stood in competition with his pleasing God, We speak not as pleasing men, but God. Otherwise the Rule takes place with all, Rom. 15.2. Let every one of us please his Neighbour for his good to edification. Ministers of the Gospel are Christs Servants by Office, and as Servants, they are to please their own Master. If I pleased men saith Paul, I should not be the Servant of Iesus Christ, Gal. 1.10. And this made the Apostle have regard not only to his Doctrine and outward Conversation, but the inward aim and intentions of his heart, as knowing God tryed his heart. And expecting the reward of his Labours more from God than Men, he therefore sought to please God rather than Men, and approve his heart unto him. And herein he reflects upon those false Apostles that sought to please men, preached up the Law of Moses to please the Iews, or others that preached and abused the Doctrine of the Gospel to gratifie the Lusts of men.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 2.7. [illegible: 1 word]. 1.3.