_Vse._ This may serve to exhort, first of all, that they will principally apply themselves unto Sermons. Secondly, those that have received some benefit by Sermons, that they would also diligently apply themselves to the reading of the Scripture, that they might more and more confirme and edifie themselves. Doctrine 2. _Faith is the proper marke of difference, whereby the Church is distinguished from all other societies._ For therefore are the Christians here described by faith, that they may be distinguished from all other men: and the same which in other Epistles are wont to be called the elect, the called, the Churches of God, those which are in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ, are in this place barely called the faithfull. _Use._ This may serve to admonish us, if we will make our calling and the condition of our salvation sure, then to labour especially to obtaine faith, and also to increase it more and more. Doctrine 3. _The faith of Christians is a most precious profession._ Therefore it is here called _precious faith_; and in the former Epistle, Chapter 1. verse 7. _faith_ is said to be _more precious then gold that perisheth_. _Vse_ 1. This may serve to exhort us, to make more account of faith then of all worldly things, according to that of Christ: _What shall it profit a man to gaine the whole world, and lose his owne soule, or faith?_ 2. To comfort poore Christians which have no possessions in this world. For if they have true faith, they have that which is more excellent then silver and gold. Doctrine 4. _The faith of common Christians is as precious as was the faith of the Apostles._ Which is not to be understood of the degree or quantity, but of the nature or quality. _Reason._ Because the faith of all Christians layes hold of the same good, _viz._ Christ and his benefits. Hereupon _Paul_ cals it common faith: for as one that is sick of the Palsie, that taketh some precious thing with a shaking hand, doth possesse it as well as the other, that is strong; so the faithfull, though they be weake, if they do truly lay hold of Christ, have him to be their Saviour as well as they that are most strong. _Use._ This may serve to comfort weake Christians; for if they have true faith, though it be but like a graine of Mustard seed, they have the same comfort that the Apostles themselves had. If they be truly knit unto Christ, though it be but with a slender thred as it were, yet they hold Christ as well as they that are tyed unto him with the strongest cords: which yet is not so to be taken, as if we were not to seeke for a stronger and surer faith; for although the weake possesse the same good that the strong do, yet they have not the same fruit and benefit of this possession. Doctrine 5. _The cause of this precious faith is not in any man, but in the righteousnesse of God and Christ._