In these verses is contained an application of the doctrine, that was before propounded concerning the Lords comming, to the use and edification of the faithfull. Now this application is made by an exhortation to piety and holinesse, which is first of all propounded, verse 11. Secondly, confirmed by the doctrine that was before proposed concerning the manner of the Lords comming, verse 12,13. Thirdly, it is againe repeated and pressed, verse 14. Fourthly it is againe confirmed by the doctrine that was before proposed concerning the patience and long-suffering of God, verse 15. begin. which is in this place confirmed by the testimony of the Apostle _Paul_: whose testimony is illustrated, 1. Thereby, that he was frequent in such testimonies, verse 16. begin. 2. By a preoccupation, whereby the faithfull are admonished not rashly to wrest any thing that _Paul_ spake concerning such things, to a contrary sense, because although he spake some things that are hard to be understood, yet they are such that they are not wont to be wrested, but by some perverse men, who wrest the other Scriptures also unto their own destruction. From all these he inferres in the last place a conclusion both of the fore-going exhortation, and also of the whole Epistle, which is, to have a care to be stedfast, verse 17. and to labour for growth, verse 18. The end whereof is shewed to be the glory of Christ in that doxology, wherewith the whole Epistle is closed up. The Doctrines arising herehence. Doctrine 1. _All Scripture must be applyed unto a practicall use, that it may advance holinesse and piety._ This is gathered from verse 11. Now not only in this place is this order of instruction observed, but in all the Epistles and Sermons that are propounded in Scripture. _Reason_ 1. Because the end of all Theologicall doctrine is to live well. 2. Because a bare apprehension and speculation of the truth, and a meere assent thereunto, is nothing worth, if it be separated from the practise. For this is found in some sort in the devils themselves. 3. Because the temptations of the Devill tend chiefly thereunto, that if he cannot hide the truth, yet so to choak it, that it can bring forth no fruit in the life; and thereupon he takes occasion to mock and deride men. _Use._ This may serve to admonish us all, to labour for this both in private and in publike, in preaching, hearing, reading, and meditating upon Gods word; and never think that we know any thing as we ought to know, unlesse we know it unto piety and holinesse. Doctrine 2. _In piety and holinesse we must alwayes aime at and labour for the highest perfection._ This is gathered 1. From the question, _What manner of persons ought ye to be_? 2. From the plurall number, which is used in the originall, ἐν ἀναστροφαῖς, in your conversations, that is, in all piety and holinesse. _Reason_ 1. Because every degree of piety and holinesse is as desirable in it selfe as the first is.