4. Nature is covetous, and doth more willingly receive than give; she loveth her own things; But grace is bountiful to all, shunneth private interest, is content with a little, thinketh it 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 profit; she can do nothing 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 requireth no other reward than God alone; nor desireth more of temporals, than may serve her for the obtaining of things eternal. 6. Nature rejoiceth to have many friends and kinsfolks; glorieth in noble place and birth; is obsequious to the powerful, fawneth upon the rich, and 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 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: 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. ♦ “has” replaced with “hast” per Errata For I feel in my flesh the law of sin contradicting the law of my mind; neither can I resist, unless thy most holy grace, 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 in thee I can do all things.