THE NEED FOR SELF-ACTION

No one can cleanse himself of evils by his own power and abilities;
but neither can this be done without the power and abilities of the
man, used as his own. If this strength were not to all appearance his
own, no one would be able to fight against the flesh and its lusts,
which, nevertheless, is enjoined upon all men. He would not think of
combat. Because man is a rational being, he must resist evils from the
power and the abilities given him by the Lord, which appear to him as
his own; an appearance that is granted for the sake of regeneration,
imputation, conjunction, and salvation.

--_True Christian Religion, n._ 438




THE WARFARE OF REGENERATION


"Blessed be the Lord my strength,
Who teacheth my hands to war,
And my fingers to fight:
My goodness, and my fortress;
My high tower and my deliverer;
My shield, and He in whom I trust;
Who subdueth my people under me."

--_Psalm,_ CXLIV, 1, 2