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

And this is a matter of special moment, the rather because all the graces we have otherwise are flitting habits in the soul. Some things we have that are altogether for use; as money, it is all for use; if a man use it not, he ⟨p. 219⟩were as good not to have it. And physic, if a man have the best receipts and cordials, if he use them not, he were as good not to have them: and so skill in a Trade, if a man do not use it, he were as good not to have it. Of this nature is grace, all the end of grace is for use: the end of every habit is for action, as we know not the Tree but by the fruit. Now consider, if the end of all the strength and grace we have be but for action, that it may be stirred up, Then you should not only busy your selves in gathering strength, but let half your thoughts at least be occupied in considering, how shall I spend this strength, & use these graces? To be on the thriving hand is good, or else thou wilt have no strength to spend; yet that is the special thing. The rather because it is a general fault among us, it is an old complaint; we learn more for knowledge and dispute, then for living. That is, when you come to hear, you are glad of notions, and there is delight in them, and perhaps we add to our knowledge, and perhaps some habitual strength too we add to that we had before: but you must learn to live; he that hath knowledge must learn to bring it into practice, especially you that are able to do it. Some cannot pray, but you that can pray, converse profitably, stir up your own hearts to it when you are in company.

And this is a matter of special moment, the rather because all the graces we have otherwise are flitting habits in the soul. Some things we have that are altogether for use; as money, it is all for use; if a man use it not, he ⟨p. 219⟩were as good not to have it. And physick, if a man have the best receipts and cordials, if he use them not, he were as good not to have them: and so skill in a Trade, if a man do not use it, he were as good not to have it. Of this nature is grace, all the end of grace is for use: the end of every habit is for action, as we know not the Tree but by the fruit. Now consider, if the end of all the strength and grace we have be but for action, that it may be stirred up, Then you should not onely busie your selves in gathering strength, but let half your thoughts at least be occupied in considering, how shall I spend this strength, & use these graces? To be on the thriving hand is good, or else thou wilt have no strength to spend; yet that is the special thing. The rather because it is a general fault among us, it is an old complaint; we learn more for knowledge and dispute, then for living. That is, when you come to hear, you are glad of notions, and there is delight in them, and perhaps we add to our knowledge, and perhaps some habitual strength too we add to that we had before: but you must learn to live; he that hath knowledge must learn to bring it into practice, especially you that are able to do it. Some cannot pray, but you that can pray, converse profitably, stir up your own hearts to it when you are in company.