Ver. 2. _The Church a Witness._--1. The more they are whom God maketh use of to hold out the beauty of truth that we may embrace and follow it, or the deformity and danger of error that we may fly from and hate it, we are the more to take heed how we reject or embrace what is pressed upon us, as there will be the more to bear witness of our guilt and subscribe to the equity of God's judgment if we obey not. 2. We are not so to stumble at the many sinful failings which may be in Churches, as to unchurch them, by denying them to be a Church, or to separate from them, if their error be not contrary to fundamental truths, or if they err from human frailty, and not obstinately and avowedly.--_Ibid._ Ver. 3. _Christian Salutation._--1. God's gracious favour and goodwill is to be sought by us in the first place, whether for ourselves or others, that being a discriminating mercy betwixt the godly and the wicked. 2. Peace is to be sought after grace, and not to be expected before it. Peace without grace is no peace. There can be no peace with God or His creatures, nor sanctified prosperity, except through Jesus Christ we lay hold on God's favour and grace. 3. Grace and peace we cannot acquire by our own industry or pains. They come from God, are to be sought from Him, and His blessing is more to be depended on than our own wisdom or diligence. 4. They to whom grace and peace belong are such as acknowledge Christ to be their Lord to command and rule them, and yield subjection to Him in their heart and life.--_Ibid._ _Grace and Peace._ I. +Grace+ is not any gift in man but is God's and in God. It signifies His gracious favour and goodwill, whereby He is well pleased with us in Christ. II. +Peace+ is a gift not in God, but in us. 1. Peace of conscience--a quietness and tranquillity of mind arising from a sense of reconciliation with God. 2. Peace with the creatures--with angels, with the godly, with our enemies. 3. Prosperity and good success. III. Whereas Paul begins his prayer with grace we learn that +grace in God is the cause of all good things in us.+ IV. The chief things to be sought after are +the favour of God in Christ and the peace of a good conscience.+ V. As grace and peace are joined we learn that +peace without grace is no peace.+--_Perkins._ Vers. 4, 5. _The Unselfishness of Jesus._ +I. Prompting self-surrender.+--"Who gave Himself." +II. His self-surrender was an unmerited and unlooked-for expiation.+--"For our sins." +III. Creates the hope and possibility of immediate salvation.+--"That He might deliver us from this present evil world." +IV. Was a suggestive revelation of the Divine character.+--"According to the will of God and our Father." +V. Should evoke the spirit of grateful praise.+--"To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Ver. 4. _Christ our Sacrifice._ I. Whereas Christ is the giver of Himself it follows that +His death and sacrifice were voluntary.+