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

Lastly, As the strength of grace is seen in enabling us to do, and in keeping us from fainting: so it is seen in the particular things we do, in those good duties that we perform, the hearing of the word, communicating, the partaking of all the holy ordinances, in all the duties belonging to Gods Worship, herein I say the power of grace is seen. For as everything is in its being, so it is in its working: look what being and essence it hath, such is the work of it. Now take those that are common, and counterfeit graces, which are not sound and right, they are able to reach the form of good duties, but not the substance: but where there is true lively grace, there a man is able to do the thing indeed, that is, he can do holy duties as he ought to do them. This is the property of grace that it enableth you to do the things you do with a pure heart: for my brethren it is grace that purifieth the heart, it is that which makes the inside clean; other things may cleanse the hands, and the head; Philosophy, education, and parts of morality; but the power of grace is such, as that when you come to do duties, it purifies the heart: because grace makes a man wise. Now a wise man will be sure to look to the foundation, that is, to look to the heart wherewith he performs every duty; ⟨p. 203⟩the foundation is all in-all; a wise man will see with what heart he performs every duty: the outward performance is but as the top of the building, the foundation is the principal.

Besides grace puts a treasure into a mans heart, and makes him prize that treasure; and where a mans treasure is there his eye will be: he will look therefore to his heart in the performance of duties.

Besides, it teacheth a man to exalt God as God in his heart, and when he is so exalted, he is more to him then a thousand witnesses. It enableth him to seek praise with God, and not with men.