led astray, and subject to scrutiny all
that it sees, hears and feels. Such faith St. Peter requires as
consists, not in thought or word, but in such power as this.

Again, St. Peter says: Set your hope on the grace which is offered
you. That is, ye have not deserved this great grace, but yet it is
freely offered you; for the Gospel, which reveals this grace, is no
invention or discovery of our own, but the Holy Spirit has sent it
down from heaven into the world. But what is it that is offered to
us? This, that we have already heard, that whosoever believes on
Christ and cleaves to the Word possesses _Him_, with all the
blessings He has to give, so that He is Lord over sin, death, the
devil and hell, and is assured of eternal life. This treasure is
brought to our doors and laid in our bosom without our help or
desert, yes, beyond our expectation and without our knowledge or
thought. Therefore the Apostle would have us venture thereon
cheerfully, for God, who offers us such grace, will surely not
deceive us.

_Through the revelation of Jesus Christ._ God permits none to make
the offer of His grace except through Christ. Therefore no man should
attempt to approach Him apart from this Mediator, as we have already
above heard sufficiently. For He will hear no one but him who brings
His dear Son with him, whom He alone regards, and for His sake those
that depend upon Him. Therefore He would have us confess the Son,
that we are reconciled through His blood to the Father, so that we
may approach before Him. For to this end did Christ come into the
world, assume flesh and blood, and joined Himself to us, that He
might obtain such grace for us with the Father. So, too, all the
prophets and patriarchs have been kept and saved, through such faith
on Christ. For they all have exercised faith in the promise which God
made to Abraham, "Through thy seed shall all nations be blest."
Therefore, as we have said, to the Jews and to the Turks, faith is of
no avail, neither to any that rest upon their own works and would
thereby reach heaven. So Peter says, this grace is offered you, but
it is through the revelation of Jesus Christ (or to render it more
clearly into our language), because that Jesus Christ has been
revealed to you.

Through the Gospel it is made known to us what Christ is, that we may
learn of Him, moreover, that He is our Saviour. He rescues us from
sin and death, and helps us out of every evil, reconciles us to the