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1. That it is not enough to flee and abstain from our fleshly lusts, and so perform the duty of mortification, unless also we add unto the same, faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, and the like Christian graces.

2. That naturally we are sluggish, slothful, and dull in the performance of holy duties, and therefore have need to be often roused up, admonished, and warned to perform our duty with all diligence.

3. That we cannot attain unto any of the graces of God's Spirit without diligence, painful labour, and travail.

4. That the gifts and graces of God's Spirit are worth the pains taking, worthy I say, both in regard of their nature and in regard of the recompense which we receive by them.

5. That neither the unlawful pleasures of this world are to be sought at all with any diligence, or the lawful pleasures and profits thereof with all diligence.

6. That this diligence which is required must be total, both inward and outward — = outward in every member of the body, inward in every faculty of the soul.To the first I answer, that God doth require this great diligence in the apprehension and application of His benefits.

1. Because of the worth and excellency of His benefits.

2. Because of their inefficacy unto us if not apprehended and applied by us.

3. Because of the great profit which we shall reap thereby, being by us rightly apprehended and with all diligence applied.

4. Because of the great diligence which Satan and his adherents, the world and the flesh, do use to deprive us of the same.

5. Because the work is great, we unwieldy, our time both short and uncertain, yea, and not being diligently apprehended as they are diligently offered, they are not afterward so easily attained.

(A. Symson.)

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KJV: And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

WEB: Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;