Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

The third way how the Spirit strengthens grace is this, when it hath given us new habits, then it enables ¹and helps us to use those habits to good when we have them, for herein appears the power and the excellency of the spirit, not only to give spiritual life and strength, but also to enable us to the use of that strength for the ⟨p. 85⟩strengthening of the inward man. There may be qualities and habits in the soul and yet want of power to use them. As for example a man that is asleep, he hath habits and qualities, but he wants power to use them, so it is with those that are not strengthened in the inward man. But he that hath the spirit, hath power withal 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 and use those habits that were in them. Thus Sampson by the power of the spirit had power to use his strength, And in the Acts 4 32 it is said ²that the Apostles spake boldly; That is they had power. for you must know that there may be habits of grace in the heart and yet want of power, but when the spirit comes then it puts strength in the inward man to do; 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, that is power to do yet is but then when the spirit seems to absent it self from the soul, and this was that which the Apostle speaks of Heb. 12. 12. Brethren you have forgotten the Consolation, ³That is, your spiritual strength may lie hidden, dead, and forgotten, but the spirit will return, and then you shall find good again.

The third way how the Spirit strengthens grace is this, when it hath given us new habits, then it enables ¹