A Greeting from Peter
(2 Peter 1:1–2)

1PETER an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the foreigners dispers'd thro' Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, whom God the father has chosen in pursuance of his decree, 2to sanctify them by his spirit, that by their obedience they might be sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ, may the divine savour make you continually prosper.

A Living Hope

3Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has regenerated us, and given us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the expectation of immortal life, 4in the enjoyment of a state, that can never change or decay, a state reserv'd in heaven for us, 5whom the divine power preserves through faith for that salvation, which is going to be made manifest in the latter time. 6This it is that fills you with joy, notwithstanding the various tryals, which still necessarily afflict you, 7that your faith being put to a more advantageous proof, than that of gold, which loses by the essay, may redound to your praise and highest honour at the appearance of Jesus Christ: 8whom though you have not seen, you love: and though he is not now the object of your view, yet you believe in him, and triumph with such a laudable transport, as cannot be express'd: 9since the salvation of your souls is the reward you receive for your faith.

10'Twas this salvation, that employ'd the most profound enquiries of those, who predicted the dispensation that was to be in your behalf: 11when the spirit of Christ inform'd the minds of the prophets of his future sufferings, and of the glorious consequences, they were solicitous to know the circumstances of the times pointed at: 12and were answer'd, that it was not they, but we, who were concern'd in the events which they predicted, events which have been now represented to you by those, whom the holy spirit from heaven inspired to preach the gospel to you: a secret which the angels desire to penetrate into.

A Call to Holiness
(Hebrews 12:14–17)

13Let your minds then be duely prepar'd, be vigilant, and constantly expect the favour you will meet with at the appearance of Jesus Christ. 14as obedient children be no longer influenc'd by those passions, which were the effects of your former ignorance. 15but as he, who has called you, is holy: let your whole conduct be an imitation of his holiness. 16for it is written, "be ye holy, because I am holy."

17and since you invoke him as your father, who without respect of persons judges every one according to his actions; while you are passing thro' this world, be fearful of offending him: 18considering, that it was not by such perishable things as silver or gold, that you were releas'd from those vain rites and customs impos'd upon you by your fathers, 19but by the precious blood of Christ, who is the lamb without spot, and without blemish: 20who was destin'd before the creation of the world, tho' 'tis of late only that he has appear'd, upon your account: 21it is by him that you believe in God, who has raised him from the dead, and invested him with glory, that your faith and your hope might be in God.

The Enduring Word

22You that have purified your souls by the holy spirit, in obeying the gospel, which obliges you to an undisguised benevolence, let your hearts be mutually affected with the most disinterested ardour; 23since your regeneration is not owing to any corruptible principles, but to the unchangeable word of the immortal God.

24for human nature is like grass, and all their glory like the flower of the herb, the herb withers, the flower droops,

25but the word of the Lord remains for ever: and that is the gospel, which has been preached to you.