154 The Bruised Reed

Use. Let us know, therefore, that it is deinger-
ous to look for that from ourselves which we
must have from Christ. Since the fall, all our
strength lies in him, as Samson's in his hair,
Judges xvi. 17; we are but subordinate agents,
inoving as we are moved, and working as we
are first wrought upon, free so far forth as we
are freed, no wiser nor stronger than he makes
us to be for the present in anything we under-
take. It is his Spirit that actuates and en-
liveneth, and applieth that knowledge and
strength we have, or else it faileth and lieth as
useless in us ; we work when we work upon a
present strength ; therefore, dependent spirits
are the wisest and the ablest. Nothing is
stronger than humility, that goeth out of itself;
or weaker than pride, that resteth upon its own
bottom, Frustra nititur qui non innititur; and
this should the rather be observed, because natu-
rally we affect a kind of divinity, affectatio
divinitatisy in sitting upon actions in the strength
of our own parts ; whereas Christ saith, " With-
out me you," apostles that are in a state of grace,
" can do nothing," John xv. 5 : he doth not say
you can do a little, but nothing. Of ourselves,
how easily are we overcome! how weak to resist!
we are as reeds shaken with every wind ; we



and Smoking Flax.
