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

You must know that there is an essential power, whereby a man is strong and able, if he will put his strength to it, to do of himself. And besides this, there is a certain energy, an ability present, as of body or mind, ready ¹at every turn to do holy actions. Therefore if you ask how you shall do this; how you shall bring this habitual ⟨p. 220⟩power to this readiness and nimbleness? I say exercise your selves to godliness. Use makes perfect in other things: so in this, the more a man accustoms himself, the more his soul is ready to do every good action. As the hand gets a habit to play on the Lute, or in writing, or other things that are done with the hand, by often applying it self to the work: so the soul when it often applies it self to such actions, it turns it self into it, it gets readiness and nimbleness. Therefore be ready to do it upon all occasions with facility and delight, upon all sudden opportunities; It fashions a man, as it is said 2 Tim. 2. 21. as a vessel prepared to every good work. The ²meaning is this, that even as you see a vessel is fitted for such a turn, as a spoon, or a salt, or a cup, &c. as there are variety of vessels, so they are fitted for such a turn or use: so a Christian should be a vessel fitted for good works. Now this vessel is not fitted on the sudden, but is moulded every day more and more, and is brought to a better, and better fashion, and as it is fashioned more, so it is readier to its proper work.

1. 11. Exercise.
2. 22 Tim. 2, 21.

Now it is this suiting and applying your selves to good works, that makes you ready. If a vessel be not fit for the turn, it will not do the business so readily; there is an impediment in it: so it is with the mind, when it is not accustomed. Every action you do, helps to mould the soul more, and makes it a vessel fit for the Lord, and for every good work.