John Trapp on 1 Thessalonians 3

CHAP. III. Verſe 1. No longer forbear]

OR, [non-Latin text not transcribed]. Stand under our burden of vehement deſire after you. See a like expreſſion, Iſa 42.14. As a travelling woman bites in her pain as long as ſhe is able, and at length cries out aloud; ſo God is patient till he can hold no longer, &c.

We thought it good] Publica privatis anteferenda bonis. A publike ſpirit is a precious ſpirit.

Verſe 2. To establiſh you] Who haply are ſomewhat unſetled by the troubles that befell me amongſt you. But as young trees ſhaken, root the better, ſo ſhould you. Capite in an epiſtle to the brethren at Baſil, writeth thus, Pauciores vobiſcum perimuntur, quod ita Domino viſum est ut ſtabiliantur ſeu lenibus pluvijs, a[illegible: 1 letter] ſem[illegible: 1 letter]nt[illegible: 2 letters] m[illegible: 1 letter]llioribus, plantulae in arbores maximas proditurae.

Verſe 3. [non-Latin text not transcribed] Prov. That no man ſhould be moved] Gr. Flattered, as a dog ſlattereth, by moving his tail, q.d. The devil, by flattering you, with promiſe of more eaſe by a contrary courſe, will but do as a dirty dog, defile you with ſawning.

That we are appointed thereunto] Viz. By Gods decree, whereunto if damned ghoſts muſt ſubſcribe, Rom. 9.19, 20. how much more ſhould Gods elect, 1 Pet. 1 6? It is but a delicacy to dream of heaven to be had, without much hardſhip.

Verſe 4. We told you before] Darts fore-ſeen are dintleſſe: premonition is the beſt premunition. Troubles fore-told come never a whit the ſooner, but far the eaſier: whereas coming unexpected, they finde weak mindes ſecure, make them miſerable, leave them deſperate.

Verſe 5. To know your faith] That is, Your perſeverance, and encreaſe in faith. That which the devil mainly endeavoureth is, to hind[illegible: 1 letter]r and unſettle our faith, as he dealt by Eve, and Peter, Luk. 22.31, 32. to batter this buckler, Epheſ. 6.16. for then he knows he may do what he will with us. Omnia perdidit,Seneca qui fidem amiſit.

Leſt[illegible: 2 letters]y ſome means the tempter] Who feels our pulſes, and fits his aſſaults accordingly. See the Note on Mat. 4.3.

And our labour be in vain] So it proves many times by Satans malice. Other labourers can finde their work as they left it, not ſo Miniſters: the devil cometh and marreth all.

Verſe 6. And brought us good tidings] Here the devil was diſappointed. He had been nibling, but could not faſten: this matter was not malleable. God ſtints him, and ſtaves him oft, when he would worry his poor lambs, turning all to their eternall good.

Verſe 7. We were comforted] Nothing ſo cheareth up the heart of a godly Miniſter, as his peoples tractableneſſe. If this be wanting, his very heart is broke, though they be otherwiſe never ſo kinde and courteous to him.

Verſe 8. For now we live] A joyleſſe life is a lifeleſſe life. An unſucceſſefull Paſtour hath little or no joy of his life. Thus ſhall ye ſay to him that liveth, 1 Sam. 25.6. that is, that liveth at hearts-eaſe. All the daies of the aff[illegible: 2 letters]cted are evil, Prov. 15.15. As good be out of the world (ſay they) as have no joy of the world. Now, I have no greater joy, faith S. John, then to hear that my children walk in the truth, 3 Joh. 4 This revived his good old heart, and made it dance Levalto's in his boſome.

Verſe 9. For what thanks, &c.] q.d. No ſufficient thanks. Spirituall joy vents it ſelf by an infinite deſire of praiſing God, whereby it ſeeks to fill up the diſtance betwixt God and the good ſoul. In our thankſgivings let there be modus ſine modo, as B[illegible: 2 letters] nard hath it. Let us ſtill deliberate what more to do, as David, Pſal. 1 16.12.

Verſe 10. Night and day praying exceedingly] Praier muſt be conſtant and inſtant, with utmoſt aſſiduity and intention of affection, Luk. 18.1. See the Note there.

Verſe 11. Now God himſelf, &c.] At the very mentioning of praier, he fals a praying. Good affections ſoon kindle in a gracious heart.

Direct our way unto you] A mans heart deviſeth his way, but the Lord directeth his ſteps, Prov. 16.9. Let God be our Pilot, if we mean to make a good voiage of it. Let our hand be on the ſtern, our eye on the ſtar: let our courſe, as the mariners, be guided by the heavens.

Verſe 12. To encreaſe and abound] By doubling his word, be ſignifieth a double portion of Gods grace, which he wiſheth unto them: We are ſure to receive as much good from God by prayer, as we can bring faith to bear away. Hitherto ye have asked me nothing: Ask, faith Chriſt, Ask enough, Open your mouth wide, &c.

Verſe 13. To the end he may ſtabliſh] Love is of a ferruminating, ſtabliſhing property. That grace will not hang together, nor hold out that is ſevered from charity.