CONTENTS
The Apostle opens his Epistle in a short Salutation of the Church, and immediately enters upon the blessed Subject of Regeneration. He dwells upon the glorious Manifestation made to him in the Mount of Transfiguration; and concludes the Chapter, in declaring of God the Spirit's speaking by Holy Men of old.
"Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:"
There are two great points to be attended to, in the very opening of this Epistle, and which are contained in this verse; namely, first, of the Persons to whom this Epistle is sent; to them that have obtained like precious faith with the Apostles. And, secondly, the great object of that faith; God, and our Savior Jesus Christ of the former, nothing can be more plain and evident, than that this faith is the faith of God's elect; Titus 1:1. which is the one, and only faith, both of Apostles and Prophets, and the whole church of God; and, consequently, this whole Epistle is directed to no other. And of the latter, it is equally plain and evident, that God and our Savior here spoken of, is Christ, the great object of faith; for his righteousness can be the only righteousness for the church to lean upon, and trust in. And Reader! think what a glorious object of faith, Christ is and what a righteousness for the Church to obtain, through the free gift and sovereign grace of God? Oh be it my portion to go forth, in the church here below, and when called upon to enter into the eternity above, to cry out with him of old; I will o in the strength of the Lord God. I will make mention of thy righteousness even thine only. Psalms 71:16.