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The argument of this first E∣pistle of S. Peter, by M. Luther.
¶Before wee fall in hande with the interpretation of this Epistle, it shall bee verie requisite, first to laye downe vnto the Reader some briefe admonition, whereby he may knowe, bothe how it is to bee e∣steemed, and also how to attaine to the certaine knowledge thereof.
FIrst of all is to bee noted, that all the Apostles doe handle one and the self same doctrine, and therfore is it not well done of some, in that they say there bee onely fower E∣uangelistes, and fower Gospels, whereas all is one Gospell, what so euer the Apostles haue left in writyng.
Now, the Gospel signifieth nothing els then the preaching and publishing of the grace and mercie of God through Christ our Lorde, purchased for vs by his death. And to take it pro∣perly, it is not that whiche is contained in bookes and com∣prehended in letters, but rather the vocall preachyng, and the liuely worde and voyce, whiche soundeth in the whole worlde, and is so openly vttered, that it maie euery where bee heard. Neither is it a booke that containeth the Lawe, wherein are many points of good doctrine, as it hath bin hitherto commō∣ly beleeued. For it draweth vs from all confidence and hope of any woorke of our owne, whereby to become righteous: and declareth vnto vs the riche graces of God, freely and without any our owne merite giuen vnto vs: teachyng vs also Christ,