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:
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 curious matters;
She teacheth to restrain the senses, to avoid vanity and ostentation; and in every thing and every knowledge to seek the praise and honour of God.
She will not have praise, but desireth that God should be praised in his gifts, who of mere love bestoweth all things.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Of the corruption of nature, and efficacy of Divine grace.
Christian.O LORD, my God, who [♦]hast created me after thy likeness, grant me this grace which thou hast shewed to be so necessary to salvation, that I may overcome my wicked nature, which draweth me to sin and perdition.