Secondly, The manner how we should use this act, namely, _giving all diligence_: where both the manner and the degree is shewed; the manner, is _diligence_, the degree, is _all diligence_. Thirdly, the end and scope of the act and duty in these words, _besides this_, or _hereunto_, that is, to that end of which hee had spoken before, _viz._ that wee might be made partakers of the Divine Nature, and have grace and peace multiplyed. The Doctrines arising herehence. Doctrine 1. _Our endeavours must be joyned to our prayers, and to the operation of Gods grace._ This is gathered herehence, that the Apostle saith, we must labour for that very thing which he wished unto us, and so proposed unto us to be prayed for, and which he said the grace of God did worke in us. Our endeavours must be joyned unto our prayers. _Reason_ 1. Because otherwise we cannot have a sincere desire in our prayers, without which our prayers are in vaine; for what we sincerely desire, that also we do alwayes labour to attaine. 2. Because our prayers themselves do bind us to such an endeavour. For in every prayer there is a promise and vow, wherein we promise unto God that we will seeke that which we aske of him: so that to aske any thing of God without such an endeavour, is not only to take Gods name in vaine, but also plainly to mock his Majestie. Our endeavours also must be joyned with the grace of God, because grace tends thereunto, both to afford us strength to endeavour, and also to stirre us up to exercise that strength. _Vse_ 1. This may serve to reprove those slothfull men, which wish for many things, and after their manner also ask them of God, but yet will not move so much as their finger to obtaine them: these men are like that slothfull man, that the wise man describes, _Proverbs 22.13._ and elsewhere, where the _slothfull man carries his hand in his bosome_, &c. 2. To exhort us, daily to be mindfull of this obligation, when we pray unto God for the forgivenesse of our sinnes, for deliverance from temptations, for newnesse of life, or any other thing, let us constantly also use our endeavours to attaine these ends. Doctrine 2. _Our endeavours must alwayes tend to the increase of the grace which we have received._ This is gathered therehence, that the summe of our duty consists in adding: the reasons are divers; _Reason_ 1. Because that is imperfect which we have: while we remaine in this life, we are in a state of progresse and edifying; not of rest or perfection, _Ephesians 4.12,13._ 2. Because that which we have received, is given unto us to be an earnest, a pledge, and the first fruits of that which we yet looke and seek for. 3. Because it cannot be, that we should rightly esteeme the grace that we have received, if we do not labour to attaine the highest degree thereof, but rest contented with the benefit that we have received, and never look for any more of that kinde.