104. Since there is with man from the Lord power to reciprocate, and the converse, and since there is this consequent faculty of mutual cooperation, therefore the Lord says that man should do the commandments, and should bring forth fruits:
Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Luke vi 46-49.
If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. John xiii 17.
Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you. John xv 14.
Whosoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matt. v 19.
Every one who heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man. Matt. vii 24.
Bring forth...fruits meet for repentance. Matt. iii 8.
Make the tree good, and his fruit good. Matt. xii 33.
The kingdom ... shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruit thereof. Matt. xxi 43.
Every tree that bringeth not forth [good] fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Matt. vii 19;
and repeated many times elsewhere.
From these passages it is evident that man ought to act of himself, but from the power of the Lord, for which he should pray, and this is to act as from himself.
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