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besides。 Perfect victory is the triumph over oneself。 For whoso keepeth
himself in subjection； in such manner that the sensual affections obey the
reason； and the reason in all things obeyeth Me； he truly is conqueror of
himself； and lord of the world。
3。 〃If thou desire to climb to this height； thou oughtest to start bravely；
and to lay the axe to the root； to the end that thou mayest pull up and
destroy the hidden inordinate inclination towards thyself； and towards all
selfish and earthly good。 From this sin； that a man loveth himself too
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inordinately； almost everything hangeth which needeth to be utterly
overcome： when that evil is conquered and put under foot； there shall be
great peace and tranquillity continually。 But because few strive earnestly
to die perfectly to themselves； and do not heartily go forth from
themselves； therefore do they remain entangled in themselves； and cannot
be raised in spirit above themselves。 But he who desireth to walk at
liberty with Me； must of necessity mortify all his evil and inordinate
affections； and must cling to no creature with selfish love。〃
（1） 1 Peter ii。 11。
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CHAPTER 89
Of the diverse motions of Nature and of Grace
〃My Son； pay diligent heed to the motions of Nature and of Grace；
because they move in a very contrary and subtle manner； and are hardly
distinguished save by a spiritual and inwardly enlightened man。 All men
indeed seek good； and make pretence of something good in all that they
say or do； and thus under the appearance of good many are deceived。
2。 〃Nature is deceitful and draweth away； ensnareth； and deceiveth
many； and always hath self for her end； but Grace walketh in simplicity
and turneth away from every appearance of evil； maketh no false pretences；
and doeth all entirely for the sake of God； in whom also she finally resteth。
3。 〃Nature is very unwilling to die； and to be pressed down； and to be
overcome； and to be in subjection； and to bear the yoke readily； but Grace
suffereth self…mortification； resisteth sensuality； seeketh to be subdued；
longeth to be conquered； and willeth not to use her own liberty。 She
loveth to be held by discipline； and not to have authority over any； but
always to live； to remain； to have her being under God； and for God's sake
to be humbly subject to every ordinance of man。
4。 〃Nature laboureth for her own advantage； and considereth what
profit she may gain from another； but Grace considereth more； not what
may be useful and convenient to self； but what may be profitable to the
many。
5。 〃Nature willingly receiveth honour and reverence； but Grace
faithfully ascribeth all honour and glory to God。
6。 〃Nature feareth confusion and contempt； but Grace rejoiceth to
suffer shame for the name of Jesus。
7。 〃Nature loveth ease and bodily quiet； Grace cannot be unemployed；
but gladly embraceth labour。
8。 〃Nature seeketh to possess things curious and attractive； and
abhorreth those which are rough and cheap； Grace is delighted with things
simple and humble； despiseth not those which are rough； nor refuseth to be
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clothed with old garments。
9。 〃Nature hath regard to things temporal； rejoiceth in earthly lucre； is
made sad by loss； vexed by any little injurious word； but Grace reacheth
after things eternal； cleaveth not to those which are temporal； is not
perturbed by losses； nor embittered by any hard words； because she hath
placed her treasure and joy in heaven where nought perisheth。
10。 〃Nature is covetous； and receiveth more willingly than she giveth；
loveth things that are personal and private to herself； while Grace is kind
and generous； avoideth selfishness； is contented with a little； believeth it is
more blessed to give than to receive。
11。 〃Nature inclineth thee to created things； to thine own flesh； to
vanities and dissipation； but Grace draweth to God and to virtues；
renounceth creatures； fleeth from the world； hateth the desires of the flesh；
restraineth vagaries； blusheth to be seen in public。
12。 〃Nature is glad to receive some outward solace in which the senses
may have delight； but Grace seeketh to be comforted in God alone； and to
have delight in the chief good above all visible things。
13。 〃Nature doeth everything for her own gain and profit； can do
nothing as a free favour； but hopeth to attain something as good or better；
or some praise or favour for her benefits； and she loveth that her own
deeds and gifts should be highly valued； but Grace seeketh nothing
temporal； nor requireth any other gift of reward than God alone； neither
longeth she for more of temporal necessities than such as may suffice for
the attaining of eternal life。
14。 〃Nature rejoiceth in many friends and kinsfolk； she boasteth of
noble place and noble birth； she smileth on the powerful； flattereth the rich；
applaudeth those who are like herself； but Grace loveth even her enemies；
and is not lifted up by the multitude of friends； setteth no store upon high
place or high birth； unless there be greater virtue therewith； favoureth the
poor man more than the rich； hath more sympathy with the innocent than
with the powerful； rejoiceth with the truthful； not with the liar； always
exhorteth the good to strive after better gifts of grace； and to become by
holiness like unto the Son of God。
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15。 〃Nature quickly complaineth of poverty and of trouble； Grace
beareth want with constancy。
16。 〃Nature looketh upon all things in reference to herself； striveth and
argueth for self； but Grace bringeth back all things to God from whom
they came at the beginning； ascribeth no good to herself nor arrogantly
presumeth； is not c