Nature willingly receiveth honour and respect : but grace faithfully attributeth all honour and glory unto God.

3. Nature feareth shame and contempt: but grace rejoiceth to suffer reproach for the name of Jesus.

Nature loveth ease and bodily rest:

But grace cannot be idle, but willingly embraceth

labour.

Nature seeketh to have those things that are curious and beautiful, and abhorreth that which is

mean or coarse:

But grace delighteth in plain and humble things, depiseth not rough things, nor refuseth to wear that which is old and mean.

Nature respecteth temporal things, rejoiceth at earthly gain, sorroweth for loss, is moved with every little injurious word:

But grace thinketh on that which is everlasting, and cleaveth not to temporal things: she is not troubled at losses, nor disquieted with hard work, because she hath placed her treasure and joy in heaven, where nothing perisheth.

4. Nature is covetous, and doth more willingly receive than give; she loveth her own things: but grace is bountiful, and liberal to all, shunneth private interest, is content with a little, thinketh that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Nature inclines to the creatures, to her own flesh, to vanities and wanderings:

But grace draweth unto God and unto goodness; renounceth creatures, flieth the world, hateth the

desires of the flesh, restraineth wanderings abroad, blusheth to be seen in public.

Nature is willing to have some outward comfort, wherein she may be sensibly delighted: but grace seeketh comfort in God alone, and delighteth above all visible things in the highest good.

5. Nature worketh all for her own gain and profit; she can do nothing gratis, but for benefit ; she hopeth to obtain either that which is equal or better, either praise or favour, and coveteth to have her works and gifts much esteemed;

But grace seeks no temporal thing, nor requires any other reward than God alone; nor desireth more of temporal necessaries, than what may serve her for the obtaining of things eternal.

6. Nature rejoiceth to have many friends and kinsfolks; glorieth of noble place and birth; is obsequious to the powerful, fawneth upon the rich, applaudeth those that are like herself:

But grace loveth her enemies, and is not puffed up with multitudes of friends; nor esteemeth place or birth, but where it is joined with virtue;

She rather favoureth the poor man than the rich, hath more tenderness for the innocent than the powerful; rejoiceth in the true, not in the deceitful;

Always exhorting good men to labour for more excellent gifts, and by goodness to resemble the Son of God.

Nature quickly complaineth of want and trouble: grace with constancy endureth need.

7. Nature referreth all things to herself, striveth and contendeth for herself:

But grace reduceth all to God, from whence

originally they proceed; she ascribeth no good to herself, neither doth she arrogantly presume; she contendeth not, nor preferreth her opinion before others; but in every apprehension and opinion submitteth herself unto the Eternal Wisdom, and ? to the Divine Judgment.

Nature coveteth to know secrets and to hear news; she will appear abroad, and make proof of many things by her own senses; she desireth to be known and to do those things for which she may be praised and admired:

But grace careth not for hearing news, or curious matters; she teacheth to restrain the senses, to avoid vanity and ostentation, and in every thing, and every knowledge, to seek profitable fruit, and the praise and honour of God.

She will not have herself nor her's praised, but desireth that God should be blessed in his gifts, who of mere love bestoweth all things.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

Of the Corruption of Nature, and Efficacy of Divine Grace.

Christian.-0 LORD, my God, who hast created me after thy image and likeness, grant me this grace, which thou hast showed to be so great and so necessary to salvation, that I may overcome my wicked nature, which draweth me to sin and perdition.

For I feel in my flesh the law of sin, contradicting the law of my mind, and leading me captive in

many things; neither can I resist, unless thy most holy grace fervently infused into my heart, assist me.

2. O Lord, how exceeding needful is thy grace for me to begin any good work, to go forward, and to accomplish it!

For without it I can do nothing; but by thee I can do all things, when thy grace doth strengthen

me.

O heavenly grace, without which our most worthy actions are nothing, and no gifts of nature are to be esteemed !

Arts, riches, beauty, strength, wit, eloquence, are of no value with thee, O Lord, without thy grace.

3. O most blessed grace, that makest the poor in spirit rich in virtues, and makest the rich in many blessings to be humble in heart, come down unto me; replenish me early with thy comfort, lest my soul should faint!

I beseech thee, O Lord, that I may find grace in thy sight; for thy grace is sufficient for me, though other things that nature desireth be wanting.

If I be tempted and vexed with many tribulations, I will not fear any evil, while thy grace is with me. This is my strength that giveth advice and help. This is stronger than all enemies, and wiser than all the wise.

4. Thy grace is the mistress of truth, the teacher of discipline, the light of the heart, the solace of affliction, the driver away of sorrow, the expeller of fear, the nurse of devotion, and the mother of tears.

What am I without it, but a withered piece of wood, and an unprofitable stock, only meet to be cast away?

Let thy grace therefore, O Lord, always prevent and follow me, and make me ever diligent in good works, through Jesus Christ thy Son! Amen.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

That we ought to deny Ourselves, and imitate Christ.

Christ.-FOLLOW me; I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Without the way, there is no going aright; withthe truth, there is no knowledge; without life, there is no living.

I am the Way, which thou oughtest to follow ; the Truth, which thou oughtest to trust; the Life, which thou oughtest to hope for.

I am the Way inviolable, the truth infallible, the Life which cannot end.

I am the most straight Way, the supreme Truth, the true Life; yea, the blessed and uncreated Life.

If thou remain in my way, thou shalt know the truth, and the truth shall make thee free, and thou shalt lay hold on everlasting life.

2. If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. If thou wilt know the truth, believe me. If thou wilt be iny disciple, renounce thyself. If thou wilt be exalted in heaven, humble thyself upon earth.

If thou wilt reign with me, bear the cross with me. For only the servants of the cross find the way of bliss and true light.

3. Christian.-Lord Jesus forasmuch as thy life was poor and contemptible unto the world, grant