ul calls Timothy and Titus his sons, and says to
the Corinthians that he has begotten them in Christ.

V. 14. _Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity._ This custom has
now passed away. In the Gospel we read distinctly that Christ
received his disciples with a kiss, and such was then a practice in
those lands. Of this kiss, St. Paul often speaks, also.

_Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen._ That is, who
believe in Christ. This is the adieu wherewith he commits them to
God.--Thus we have concluded this first Epistle. God grant His grace,
that we may hold and keep it. Amen.

THE SECOND EPISTLE GENERAL OF ST. PETER.

PREFACE.

St. Peter wrote this Epistle because he saw how the true, pure
doctrine of faith had become falsified, darkened and suppressed. And
he has wished to meet a two-fold error, springing from a wrong
understanding of the doctrine of faith, and guard against it in both
directions; namely, that we should not ascribe to works the power of
making us righteous and acceptable before God, though these works
belong to faith; and, on the other hand, that no one should think
that there may be faith without good works. For if any one preaches
concerning faith, that it justifies us without any addition of works,
the people say, "One need do no works," as we see it in our daily
experience; and, on the other hand, when they fall on works and exalt
them, faith must be prostrated, so that the middle way is one to be
retained with difficulty, where there are not preachers of the right
kind.

Now, we have ever taught this doctrine, that to faith we are to
ascribe all things, one as well as another; that it alone makes us
just and holy in the sight of God. Moreover, that if faith is
present, out of it good works must and should proceed, since it is
even impossible that we should pass this our life quite indolent, and
do no works. Thus St. Peter in this Epistle would also teach us, and
thus meet those who perhaps out of the former Epistle might have
received the wrong apprehension that it sufficed for faith, though we
should at the same time do no work. And against this the first
chapter especially aims, wherein he teaches that believers should try
themselves by good works, and become assured of their faith.

The second chapter is against those who exalt works merely, and
depreciate faith. Therefore he admonishes them against the false
teachers who should come, who, through th