Remains of that reverend and learned divine, John Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplain in…Remaines of that reverend and learned divine, Iohn Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplaine in…

And herein appears the power and excellency of the Spirit, not only to give spiritual life, and strength, but also to enable us to use that ⟨p. 130⟩strength for the strengthening of the inward man: there may be qualities, and habits in the soul, and yet want power to use them: as for example, a man that is asleep, he hath habits and qualities, but he wants power to use them, or as a man that hath an instrument that will sound well, but he wants skill to use it, so many men they have habits and qualities, but because they want power to use them, therefore they are not strengthened in the inward man: but he that hath the Spirit hath withal power to use those habits to good: therefore it is said, that they spake as the Spirit gave them utterance, that is, they had power from the Spirit, to speak, to do, to use those habits which were in them: thus Sampson by the power of the Spirit, had power to use his strength, Acts 4. 32. It is said that the Apostles spake boldly, that is, they had power, for you must know that there ¹may be common graces in the heart, and yet want power, but when the Spirit comes, then it puts strength in the inward man to work accordingly. Thus it is said, that the Spirit came upon Saul, and he prophesied, that is, he was able to do more, then before he could do: and yet know that you may have true grace, and yet now and then for the present want action, you may want a power to do ought with it, and it is then when the Spirit seems to absent himself from the soul, and this was that which the Apostle spake of in Heb. 11. Brethren you have forgotten the consolation, that is, your spiritual strength and power ⟨p. 131⟩be hid as dead and forgotten, but the Spirit will return, and you shall find your power to good again.

And herein appeares the power and excellency of the Spirit, not onely to give spirituall life, and strength, but also to inable us to use that ⟨p. 130⟩strength for the strengthning of the inward man: there may bee qualities, and habits in the soule, and yet want power to use them: as for example, a man that is asleepe, hee hath habits and qualities, but hee wants power to use them, or as a man that hath an instrument that will sound well, but hee wants skill to use it, so many men they have habits and qualities, but because they want power to use them, therfore they are not strengthned in the inward man: but he that hath the Spirit hath withall power to use those habits to good: therefore it is said, that they spake as the Spirit gave them vtterance, that is, they had power from the Spirit, to speake, to doe, to use those habits which were in them: thus Sampson by the power of the Spirit, had power to use his strength,