The true Christians love of the unseen Christ, or, A discourse chiefly tending to…

The Epistle wherein my Text lieth, was written by Peter the Apostle of the Circumcision, and is directed to the Strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, as in the first v. of this Chapter. By these Strangers we are to understand the scattered Jews, who were Strangers in these several Countries where they did Inhabit. We read in the 2d of the Acts that there came up many of these Jews, from these and other Countries, unto Jerusalem to Worship▪ and in the temple hearing the Apostles speak with divers Tongues, which were of use in the divers places where they did live, and that without Instruction from Man, but as the Spirit gave them utterance; they were Amazed and Confounded: and afterward hearing Peter preach, through the Wonderful Power of the Spirit, three thousand of them were Converted by one Sermon unto the Christian Faith, and added to the Christian Church. When the Feast of Pentecost was over, these Converted Jews returned into their Countries where their several Dwellings, Families and Callings ⟨p. 5⟩were: which Countries being Heathenish and Idolatrous, no doubt but there they met with Opposition and Suffering upon the account of the Christian Religion which they became Zealous Professors of, besides what they endured from their own Countrymen, or Unconverted I•ws who hated Christianity more than the Heathens did. The Apostle doth seem to have a respect unto these in this Epistle, wherein he doth encourage them under their sufferings for the sake of Christ by many Consolatory Arguments. In the 2d v. he wisheth that Grace and Peace might be multiplied in them and towards them, and then though their Sufferings did abound, their Consolations would abound much more. In the 3d 4th and 5th ver. He blesseth God for his abundant Mercy towards them in begetting them unto a lively Hope of the glorious and never fading Heavenly Inheritance which was reserved for them through Gods Infinite Grace, and unto which they were reserved and kept through Faith by Gods infinite power. In the 6th and 7th verses, he telleth them, however they were in heaviness through manifold Temptations, that is Afflictions, which are the Worlds left-hand Temptations; yet he ⟨p. 6⟩giveth them to understand that these afflictions they were but for a season; weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning;