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LASTLY, the Author of our salvation teaches us what we ought not merely
to think, but also to acknowledge in everything that we do. "I can," He
says, "of mine own self do nothing, but the Father which abideth in me, He
doeth the works." He says, speaking in the human nature which He had
taken, that He could do nothing of Himself; and shall we, who are dust
and ashes, think that we have no need of God's help in what pertains to our
salvation? And so let us learn in everything, as we feel our own weakness,
and at the same time His help, to declare with the saints, "I was
overturned that I might fall, but the Lord supported me. The Lord is my
strength and my praise: and He is become my salvation." And "Unless the
Lord had helped me, my soul had almost dwelt in hell. If I said, My foot is
moved: Thy mercy, O Lord, assisted me. According to the multitude of my
sorrows in my heart, Thy comforts have given Joy to my soul." Seeing
also that our heart is strengthened in the fear of the Lord, and in
patience, let us say: "And the Lord became my protector; and He brought me
forth into a large place." And knowing that knowledge is increased by
progress in work, let us say: "For thou lightest my lamp, O Lord: O my God,
enlighten my darkness, for by Thee I shall be delivered from temptation,
and through my God I shall go over a wall." Then, feeling that we have
ourselves sought for courage and endurance, and are being directed with
greater ease and without labour in the path of the virtues, let us say, "It
is God who girded me with strength, and made my way perfect; who made my
feet like hart's feet, and setteth me up on high: who teacheth my hands to
war." And having also secured discretion, strengthened with which we can
dash down our enemies, let us cry aloud to God: "Thy discipline hath set me
up unto the end, and Thy discipline the same shall teach me. Thou hast
enlarged my steps under me, and my feet are not weakened." And because I am
thus strengthened with Thy knowledge and power, I will boldly take up the
words which follow, and will say, "I will pursue after my enemies and
overtake them: and I will not turn again till they are consumed. I will
break them, and they shall not be able to stand: they shall fall under my
feet." Again, mindful of our own infirmity, and of the fact that while
still burdened with the weak flesh we cannot without His assistance
overcome such bitter foes as our sins are, let us say, "Through Thee we
will scatter our enemies: and through Thy name we will despise them that
rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow: neither shall my sword
save me. For Thou hast saved us from them that afflict us: and hast put
them to shame that hate us." But further: "Thou hast guided me with
strength unto the battle, and hast subdued under me them that rose up
against me. And Thou hast made mine enemies turn their backs upon me, and
hast destroyed them that hated me." And reflecting that with our own
arms alone we cannot conquer, let us say, "Take hold of arms and shield:
and rise up to help me. Bring out the sword and stop the way against them
that persecute me: say to my soul, I am thy salvation." And Thou hast
made my arms like a brazen bow. And Thou hast given me the protection of
Thy salvation: and Thy right hand hath held me up." "For our fathers got
not the possession of the land through their own sword; neither did their
own arm save them: but Thy right hand and Thine arm and the light of Thy
countenance because Thou wast pleased with them." Lastly, as with
anxious mind we regard all His benefits with thankfulness, let us cry to
Him with the inmost feelings of our heart, for all these things, because we
have fought, and have obtained from Him the light of knowledge, and self-
control and discretion, and because He has furnished us with His own arms,
and strengthened us with a girdle of virtue, and because He has made our
enemies turn their backs upon us, and has given us the power of scattering
them like the dust before the wind: "I will love Thee, O Lord my Strength;
the Lord is my stronghold, my refuge and my deliverer. My God is my helper,
and in Him will I put my trust. My protector and the horn of my salvation,
and my support. Praising I will call upon the name of the Lord; and I shall
be saved from mine enemies."
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