Doctrine [♦]2. The desires of the faithfull are chiefly for those spirituall good things, Grace and peace.
[♦] “II.” replaced with “2.” for consistency.
Reason. The Reason of the Collection is this, because the Apostle in this beginning of the Epistle, labours to get the good will of those to whom he writes, by shewing the prayer that he had made for them: Now he could not effect this, if his prayer were not according to their desire; for if he should have wished any of those things, that they cared not for, such a wish would have done no good with them.
Vse. This may serve to exhort us all, to examine our selves according to this rule. For if wee make no reckoning at all, of the meanes and instruments of grace, but doe reject or despise those, that labour most to procure this grace and peace for us, we have cause to feare, that we are yet farre from the nature, and disposition of true beleevers.
Doctrine 3. They which have gone farthest in faith and grace, have yet need of grace.
This is gathered therehence, that the Apostle wisheth grace unto those, that have obtained like precious faith, with the Apostles themselves.
Vse 1. This may serve to refute the Papists of their merits.
2. To exhort us to humility, and continuall prayer for the grace of God.
Doctrine 4. Without Grace, there is no true peace.
Grace is the cause and foundation of peace, peace the effect and fruit of grace; it is the inheritance, which Christ left unto his disciples alone, Iohn 14.27. Isaiah 48.last. For this peace is not an externall and worldly peace, but spirituall and internall. Before we are partakers of grace, we are called in Scripture, Gods enemies, so that we doe wage a kind of warre against God himselfe, and therefore also against the Angels of God, and other of his creatures. Now by grace, and by it alone is peace made.