Of the diverse motions of Nature and of Grace
“My Son, pay diligent1 heed2 to the motions of Nature and of Grace, because they move in a very contrary and subtle manner, and are hardly distinguished3 save by a spiritual and inwardly enlightened man. All men indeed seek good, and make pretence4 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 simplicity5 and turneth away from every appearance of evil, maketh no false pretences6, and doeth all entirely7 for the sake of God, in whom also she finally resteth.
3. “Nature is very unwilling8 to die, and to be pressed down, and to be overcome, and to be in subjection, and to bear the yoke9 readily; but Grace studieth self-mortification, resisteth sensuality, seeketh to be subdued10, 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 is ready to be humbly11 subject to every ordinance12 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 reverence13; 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 unemployed14, 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 humble15, despiseth not those which are rough, nor refuseth to be clothed with old garments.
9. “Nature hath regard to things temporal, rejoiceth in earthly lucre16, is made sad by loss, vexed17 by any little injurious word; but Grace reacheth after things eternal, cleaveth not to those which are temporal, is not perturbed18 by losses, nor embittered19 by any hard words, because she hath placed her treasure and joy in heaven where nought20 perisheth.
10. “Nature is covetous21, 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 contented22 with a little, believeth that 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 virtues24, renounceth creatures, fleeth from the world, hateth the desires of the flesh, restraineth vagaries25, blusheth to be seen in public.
12. “Nature is glad to receive some outward solace26 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 attain27 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 attaining28 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 virtue23 therewith; favoureth the poor man more than the rich, hath more sympathy with the innocent than with the powerful; rejoiceth with the truthful29, not with the liar30; always exhorteth the good to strive after better gifts of grace, and to become by holiness like unto the Son of God.
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 arrogantly31 presumeth; is not contentious32, nor preferreth her own opinion to others, but in every sense and understanding submitteth herself to the Eternal wisdom and the Divine judgment33.
17. “Nature is eager to know secrets and to hear new things; she loveth to appear abroad, and to make experience of many things through the senses; she desireth to be acknowledged and to do those things which win praise and admiration34; but Grace careth not to gather up new or curious things, because all this springeth from the old corruption35, whereas there is nothing new or lasting36 upon earth. So she teacheth to restrain the senses, to shun37 vain complacency and ostentation38, to hide humbly those things which merit praise and real admiration, and from everything and in all knowledge to seek after useful fruit, and the praise and honour of God. She desireth not to receive praise for herself or her own, but longeth that God be blessed in all His gifts, who out of unmingled love bestoweth all things.”
18. This Grace is a supernatural light, and a certain special gift of God, and the proper mark of the elect, and the pledge of eternal salvation39; it exalteth a man from earthly things to love those that are heavenly; and it maketh the carnal man spiritual. So far therefore as Nature is utterly40 pressed down and overcome, so far is greater Grace bestowed41 and the inner man is daily created anew by fresh visitations, after the image of God.
收听单词发音 |
1
diligent
|
|
| adj.勤勉的，勤奋的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
heed
|
|
| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
distinguished
|
|
| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
pretence
|
|
| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
simplicity
|
|
| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
pretences
|
|
| n.假装( pretence的名词复数 )；作假；自命；自称 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
unwilling
|
|
| adj.不情愿的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
yoke
|
|
| n.轭；支配；v.给...上轭，连接，使成配偶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
subdued
|
|
| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
humbly
|
|
| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
ordinance
|
|
| n.法令；条令；条例 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
reverence
|
|
| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
unemployed
|
|
| adj.失业的，没有工作的；未动用的，闲置的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
humble
|
|
| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
lucre
|
|
| n.金钱，财富 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
vexed
|
|
| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
perturbed
|
|
| adj.烦燥不安的v.使（某人）烦恼，不安( perturb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
embittered
|
|
| v.使怨恨，激怒( embitter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
nought
|
|
| n.／adj.无，零 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
covetous
|
|
| adj.贪婪的，贪心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
contented
|
|
| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
virtue
|
|
| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
virtues
|
|
| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
vagaries
|
|
| n.奇想( vagary的名词复数 )；异想天开；异常行为；难以预测的情况 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
solace
|
|
| n.安慰；v.使快乐；vt.安慰(物)，缓和 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
attain
|
|
| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
attaining
|
|
| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的现在分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
truthful
|
|
| adj.真实的，说实话的，诚实的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
liar
|
|
| n.说谎的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
arrogantly
|
|
| adv.傲慢地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
contentious
|
|
| adj.好辩的，善争吵的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
judgment
|
|
| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
admiration
|
|
| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
corruption
|
|
| n.腐败，堕落，贪污 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
lasting
|
|
| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
shun
|
|
| vt.避开，回避，避免 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
ostentation
|
|
| n.夸耀，卖弄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
salvation
|
|
| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
utterly
|
|
| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
bestowed
|
|
| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |