* with a.
Ro 16:16 1Co 16:20 2Co 13:12 1Th 5:26
* Peace.
1:2 Joh 14:27 16:33 20:19,26 Ro 1:7 Eph 6:23
* in.
Ro 8:1 1Co 1:30 2Co 5:17
CONCLUDING REMARKS ON THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER.
As the design of this Epistle is excellent, remarks Dr.
Macknight, so is its execution, in the judgment of the best
critics, does not fall short of its design. Ostervald says of
the first Epistle of Peter, "it is one of the finest books in
the New Testament." Erasmus pronounces it to be "worthy of the
prince of the Apostles, and full of apostolical dignity and
authority;" and adds, "it is sparing in words, but full of
sense.--{verbis pauca, sententiis differta.}" "As the true
church of Christ," says Dr. Clarke, "has generally been in a
state of suffering, the Epistles of St. Peter have ever been
most highly prized by all believers. That which we have just
finished is an admirable letter, containing some of the most
important maxims and consolations for the Church in the
wilderness. No Christian can read it without deriving from it
both light and life. Ministers especially should study it well,
that they may know how to comfort their flocks when in
persecution and adversity. He never speaks to good in any
spiritual case who is not furnished out of the Divine treasury.
God's words invite, solicit, and command assent: on them a man
may confidently rely. The words of man may be true, but they
are not infallible; this is the character of God's word alone."
To these valuable remarks on the varied excellences and uses of
this inimitable Epistle, it may be only necessary to add, that
it is not only important in these respects, but is a rich
treasury of Christian doctrines and duties from which the mind
may be enriched and the heart improved, with the most ennobling
sentiments.
|