Now by righteousnesse is not meant any recompence of desert; but the faithfulnesse and truth of the promises, which depend upon the meere goodnesse of God. And these promises made unto _Abraham_ himselfe, that his seed should be as the starres of heaven, and the sand of the Sea, out of all nations; and they were afterwards often repeated by the Prophets. _Use_ 1. This may serve _to refute_ those, that ascribe it unto mans free will; so that first they make the calling of the faithfull to be uncertaine, as if the promises of God could be made void; and then they take away the glory it selfe of mans conversion from God, and give it unto man. 2. _To exhort_ us, to give God thankes, for this so incomparable a good. The Doctrines that arise from verse 2. Doctrine 1. _All spirituall good things, are contained in these two words, Grace and peace._ For by _Grace_ is meant both the free favour of God, and also the application and manifestation thereof in the hearts of the faithfull, by the operation of the holy Ghost, in the word and Sacraments. And by _peace_ is meant quietnesse of mind, which is the fruit of grace. So that _Grace_ is the first benefit, and _Peace_ the last. And therefore all benefits that passe betweene are included therein, as in two extreames. Hereupon in all the Epistles almost the Apostles prayer and salutation is contained in these two: To _Timothy_ and _Titus_, he addes _mercy_ also, _Grace, mercy and peace_. But that is only an application of the same thing, which is signified by grace, and for a peculiar reason is added in those Epistles, because _Timothy_ and _Titus_ wanted a speciall kind of grace, in respect of the service, which they did undergoe in the Churches, in regard of their age, and those divers temptations, whereunto they were obnoxious in that Service. In the old Testament peace ♦only was usually wished in their salutations, without any mention of Grace; but yet grace also at that time was understood: But in the time of the new Testament, which is the time of grace, and wherein all things are more fully delivered, it was most fitting, that grace should be named in such like salutations. ♦ “onely” replaced with “only” _Vse._ This may serve _to exhort and direct us_, above all things to wish grace and Christian peace unto all those, to whom we are well-wishers. Doctrine ♦2. _The desires of the faithfull are chiefly for those spirituall good things, Grace and peace._ ♦ “II.” replaced with “2.” for consistency. _Reason._ The Reason of the Collection is this, because the Apostle in this beginning of the Epistle, labours to get the good will of those to whom he writes, by shewing the prayer that he had made for them: Now he could not effect this, if his prayer were not according to their desire; for if he should have wished any of those things, that they cared not for, such a wish would have done no good with them.