An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

Come we to the Text. In that we may consider, the Matter prayed for: And the Efficient Cause from whom it is to come. The Matter and Benefit is set down in two words, which though but two, yet comprehend all that a godly heart can desire; the first is Grace, the second Peace. In the original there is a defect; and therefore most do supply it by [Greek or Hebrew]; as our Translators, Grace be to you. Though the Apostle Peter in the salutations of both his Epistles, expresseth the word, and that is [Greek or Hebrew], Be multiplied; and so Estius would supply it here: but there is no inconvenience to keep to the former Interpretation.

Come we to the Text. In that we may consider, the Matter prayed for: And the Efficient Cause from whom it is to come. The Matter and Benefit is set down in two words, which though but two, yet comprehend all that a godly heart can desire; the first is Grace, the second Peace. In the original there is a defect; and therefore most do supply it by 〈non-Latin alphabet〉; as our Translators, Grace be to you. Though the Apostle Peter in the salutations of both his Epistles, expresseth the word, and that is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Be multiplied; and so Estius would supply it here: but there is no inconvenience to keep to the former Interpretation.

2. There is the Cause of this, which is two-fold, God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. All these parts shall be opened, as we take them in order; only let us first take notice of the Manner and End of this Salutation in ⟨p. 96⟩the general, That it is not for any earthly or worldly thing, but what is spiritual. The Grecians they used commonly [Greek or Hebrew], and [Greek or Hebrew] in their Salutations, as the Latins, Salve, and are relating only to temporal welfare. And indeed the Heathens knew no better; but the Apostle would lift up our hearts to higher things. The Apostle James Chap. 1. 1. writing to the dispersed Tribes, useth the word only, Greeting; which made Cajetan, among other reasons reject it, as not Canonical, as if such a Salutation savoured of an humane spirit: But this is no Argument. For the Apostles gathered together in a Council at Jerusalem, sending a Letter to the Churches abroad, use no more Salutation than that, only in that we are to comprehend, whatsoever is more expressly in Pauls Salutation. Seeing then its only spiritual things which Paul here doth wish to them. Observe,