Illustrated by Doctrines out of every Text. And applyed by their Uses, for a further progresse in Holinesse. * * * * * By the Reverend and faithfull Minister of God, _William Ames_, D.D. and late of Christs Colledge in _Cambridge_. * * * * * Illustration: (‡ colophon) LONDON, Printed by _E. G._ for _Iohn Rothwell_, at the _Sunne_ in Pauls Church-yard. 1641. A Commentary upon the first Epistle of Peter. Illustration: (‡ decoration) _1 Peter 1, 2_, &c. Verse 1. _Peter an Apostle of Iesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia_; Verse 2. _Elect, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience, and sprinkling of the blood of Iesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace be multiplyed._ The Analysis. THE Scope of this Epistle is to exhort the faithfull to continue stedfast in that grace of God wherein they stood, as it is expresly set downe, chapter 5, verse 12. But because that grace of God is considered in a two-fold respect; either as it doth put a man into the state of grace, and so it equally belongs unto all the faithfull; or as it doth direct the faithfull in the performing of their duties towards others, according to that speciall condition wherein they are placed: therefore in the first place the Apostle exhorts them to hold fast that grace, because it belongs to the state of the regenerate man: from the beginning of the Epistle to the 13 verse of the 2 chapter and then he commends and perswades them unto that speciall grace, which doth in the first place direct subjects in their obedience towards the Magistrates, to the 18 verse. Servants in obedience towards their Masters, to the end of the chapter. Wives in their subjection to their husbands, from the beginning of the third chapter to the seventh verse. Husbands in their duty towards their wives, verse 7. Brethren in their duty towards their brethren, verse 8. The afflicted towards their persecutors, from the 9 verse to the beginning of the 5 chapter. The Elders towards their Churches, from the beginning of the 5 chapter to the 5 verse. The younger towards their elders, at the beginning of the 5 verse and finally, all both towards others and towards themselves, to the 10 verse where the whole foregoing exhortation is turned into a short prayer which serves for a forcible conclusion of the whole Epistle.