Greeting to the Elect Pilgrims.
whom having not [d]seen you love.
Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
1:9receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
1:10Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,
1:11searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
1:12To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to [e]us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.
1:13Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1:14as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;
1:15but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.
Greeting to the Elect Pilgrims.
Psalms 14:1-7 (KJV) The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.
There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.
Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge.
Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.