man, n. 200.

Concerning the Lord's

combats or temptations, n. 201.

That man ought to shun evils as sins, and to fight against them as from himself.*

101. It is of the divine order that man should act from a principle of freedom

• The author's distinction, that in avoiding evils as sins, man ought to exert himself as of HIMSELF, is more extensively instructive, than might at first sight be appreliended, as it clearly reconciles any seeming repugnance between those two great truths, the continual influence of divine goodness upon the human mind, and the free agency of man, not from a liberty independent of Him in whom he lives, moves and has his being, but from a continual gift from the fountain of all life and liberty;-so that he cannot trucly be said to act OF HIMSELF, but AS OF HIMSELF ;—~ which distinction ascribes all the power and wisdom of his actions to God, and at the same time supports the practical truths, that man ought to exert himself in opposition to evil;-that he ought to keep his heart with diligence, to make his calling and election sure;—and that fortitude, self-denial, repentance, diligence, and circumspection, are quite consistent with that continual dependence on God, that trusting in his help and preservation, and that devotedness to his will, which is the reasonable service, and solid happiness of the truly humble and pious Christian.

according to reason, inasmuch as this is to act of himself. Nevertheless, these two faculties, FREEDOM and REASON, are not man's own, independent of the Lord, but are his from the Lord; and so far as he is man, they are not taken away from him, inasmuch as without them he cannot be reformed; for without them he cannot do the work of repentance, he cannot fight against evils and afterwards. bring forth fruits worthy of repentance. Whereas, then, freedom and reason are man's from the Lord, and man acts by those principles, it follows, that he does not act of himself, but as of himself.*

102. The Lord loves man, and is desirous to dwell with him, nor can he love him and dwell with him, unless he be received and reciprocally loved; this is the only possible ground of conjunction. For this reason the Lord has given man freedom and reason, freedom to think and will as from himself, and reason to direct him in such thinking and willing. It is not possible to love any one and be

* That man hath freedom from the Lord, may be seen above, n. 19, 20; and in the Treatise on HEAVEN and HELL, n. 589 to 596, and n 597 to 603. What freedom is, may be seen in the DocTRINE OF THE NEW JERUSALEM, n. 141 to 149.

joined to him, unless there be somewhat of reciprocal love and desire of conjunction on his part; nor is it possible to enter into any one, and abide with him, unless there be reception. Inasmuch as reception and reciprocality in man are from the Lord, therefore the Lord saith, "Abide in me, and I in you." John xv. 4. “He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit." John xv. 5. 66 In that day ye shall know that ye are in me, and I in you." John xiv. 20. That the Lord is in the truths and good things which man receives, and which abide with him, he also teaches in these words, If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love." John xv. 7, 10. "He that hath my commandments, and doeth them, he it is that loveth me, and I will love him and will make my abode with him," John xiv. 21, 23; thus the Lord dwells in his own with man, and man in those things which are from the Lord, and thus in the Lord.

103. Inasmuch as there is with man from the Lord this reciprocality, and power of application on his part, and conse

quent mutual tendency to conjunction, therefore the Lord saith, that man should do the work of repentance, which no one can do but as from himself; “ Jesus said, Except ye do the work of repentance, ye shall all perish." Luke xiii. 3, 5. 66 Jesus said, The kingdom of God is at hand, do the work of repentance, and believe the gospel." Mark i, 14, 15. "Jesus said, I am come to call sinners to repentance." Luke v. 32. "Jesus said to the churches, Do the work of repentance." Rev. ii. 5, 16, 21. 22. Chap. iii. 3; also, "They repented not of their deeds." Rev. xvi. 11.

104. Inasmuch as there is with man from the Lord this reciprocality, and power of application on his part, and consequent mutual tendency to conjunction, therefore the Lord injoins, that man should do the commandments, and should bring forth fruits, as in these words, Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not what I say?" Luke vi. 46 to 49.

If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them." John xiii. 17. "Ye are my friends, if ye do what I command you." John xv. 14. "Whosoever teacheth and doeth, shall be called great in the kingdom of the heavens." Matt v. 19. "Every one that heareth my words and doeth them,

I will liken to a prudent man." Matt. vii. 24. "Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance." Matt. iii. 8. "Make the tree good, and its fruit good." xii. 33. "The kingdom shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." xxi. 43. "Every tree, which beareth not good fruit, is cut down and cast into the fire," vii. 19; not to mention many other passages to the same purport; from which it is evident, that man ought to do good from himself, but by the Lord's power, which he should implore; and this is to do good as of himself.

105. Inasmuch as there is with man from the Lord this reciprocality and power of application on his part, and consequent mutual tendency to conjunction, therefore man is to render an account of his works, and to be recompensed according thereto; for the Lord saith, " The Son of Man shall come and render to every one according to his deeds." Matt. xvi. 27.

They who have done good shall come forth to the resurrection of life, and they who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. John v. 22. "Their works follow with them.” Rev. xiv. 13. "All were judged according to their works." Rev. xx. 13. "Behold I