2. To exhort us, to labour and strive in our prayers with _David_, that our eyes may be more and more opened, to be able to see the wonderfull nature of them. Doctrine 3. _Gods promises are as precious unto us, as they are great in themselves._ So they are distinguished: for if God had promised that he would make another World, yet so, as that it should nothing pertaine unto us, this indeed had been an exceeding great promise, but nothing precious unto us; but when he so promised a world to come, wherein immortality and great glory shall dwell, as that we should possesse it, this promise is as precious as it is great. Hence it is, that in the Scriptures the testimonies of God are extolled, whose promises are exceeding great above all riches, _Psalms 119.14._ Above gold and silver, and all precious things, as we often read in the _Psalmes_ and _Proverbs_. _Use_ 1. This may serve _to exhort_ us, both in judgement, affection and all our endeavours, to carry our selves answerable to these divine promises, as to the most precious thing that is, as we are admonished, _Proverbs 2.4. To seeke them as silver, and search for them as for hid treasures. And Proverbs 8.10. to receive them, and not silver_, &c. And to be more delighted with these then with the sweetest gifts, to get these promises at any price, how great soever, though we sell all that we have, as it is in the parable of the Merchant, who found a precious Jewell. 2. _To comfort_ those Christians that are poore in spirit, even in this present world; for though they have nothing excellent in these outward things, yet they have those exceeding great & precious things provided by God for them. They are in this like unto that heire, of whom _Paul_ makes mention, _Galatians 4.1._ Doctrine 4. _By vertue of these promises we are made partakers of the divine nature._ Now by nature is not meant the essence of God, but those perfections, whereof we have a representation made by the Spirit _Epistle 1. chapter 2. verse 9._ They are called the vertues of God, and in their places, it is called the life of God, the Image of God, and the Spirit of God. And this nature is communicated by vertue of the promises, because the promise of the Gospell in this differs from the Law, for the Law considered in it selfe is a killing Letter, and the ministration of death in respect of sinners, but the Gospell is the ministration of the quickning Spirit, _2 Corinthians 3.6,7,8._ _Reason._ Because the Spirit of God together with the Gospell worketh our salvation. _Vse_ 1. This may serve _to direct us_, to examine our selves whether the promises of God have beene effectuall in us yet or no? for if we have nothing in us above naturall men, or our corrupt nature, wee are yet strangers to the promises of God.