Before we enter upon this Epistle of St. Peter, it is necessary to present a brief Introduction,[1] that it may be understood how this Epistle is to be ranked, and in order that a right apprehension of it may be attained. [Footnote 1: Literally, _instruction_.] In the first place, it must be understood that all the Apostles present one and the same doctrine; and it is not correct to speak of[2] four Evangelists and four Gospels for all which the Apostles wrote is one Gospel. But _Gospel_ means nothing but a proclamation and heralding of the grace and mercy of God through Jesus Christ, merited and procured through his death. And it is not properly that which is contained in books, and is comprehended in the letter, but rather an oral proclamation and living word, and a voice which echoes through the whole world, and is publicly uttered that it may universally be heard. Neither is it a book of laws, containing in itself many excellent doctrines, as has hitherto been held. For it does not bid us do works whereby we may become righteous, but proclaims to us the grace of God, bestowed freely, and apart from any merit of our own; and it tells how Christ has taken our place, and rendered satisfaction for our sins, and canceled them, and by His own works justifies and saves us. [Footnote 2: Count.] Whoever sets forth this, by preaching or writing, _he_ teaches the true Gospel, as all the Apostles did, especially St. Paul and St. Peter, in their Epistles. So that all, whatever it be, that sets forth Christ, is one and the same Gospel, although one may use a different method, and speak of it in different language from another, for it may perhaps be a brief or extended address, or a brief or extended writing. But yet, if it tends to this point, that Christ is our Saviour, and we through faith on Him, apart from works of our own, are justified and saved, it is still the same Word, and but one Gospel, just as there is also but one faith and one baptism in the whole Christian world.