Chap. LV Of the Corruption of Nature, and of the Efficacy of Divine Grace
1. O Lord, my God, who hast created me to thy own image and likeness, grant me this grace, which thou hast declared to be so great, and so necessary to salvation; that I may overcome my wicked nature, which draws to sin and perdition:
For I perceive in my flesh the law of sin contradicting the law of my mind, and leading me captive to obey sensuality in many things; neither can I resist the passions thereof, unless thy most holy grace assist me, infused ardently into my heart.
2. I stand in need of thy grace, and of a great grace to overcome nature, which is always prone to evil from her youth;
For she having fallen in Adam, the first man, and having been corrupted by sin, the penalty of this stain has descended upon all mankind: so that nature itself, which by thee was created good and right, is now put for the vice and infirmity of corrupt nature; because the motion thereof, left to itself, draws to evil, and to things below;
For the little strength which remains, is but like a spark hidden in the ashes.
This is our natural reason, which is surrounded with a great mist, having yet the judgment of good and evil, and of the distance of truth and falsehood; though it be unable to fulfil all that it approves; neither does it now enjoy the full light of truth, nor the former integrity of its affections.
3. Hence it is, O my God, that according to the inward man I am delighted with thy law, knowing thy command to be good, just, and holy, and reproving all evil and sin, as what ought to be shunned:
And yet in the flesh I serve the law of sin, whilst I rather obey sensuality than reason.
Hence it is, that to will good is present with me, but how to accomplish it I do not find. Romans vii.
Hence I often make many good purposes; but because I want grace to help my weakness, through a slight resistance, I recoil and fall off.
Hence it comes to pass, that I know the way to perfection, and see clearly enough what it is I ought to do;
But being pressed down with the weight of my own corruption, I rise not to those things which are more perfect.
4. O how exceedingly necessary is thy grace for me, O Lord, to begin that which is good, to go forward with it, and to accomplish it? For without it I can do nothing: but I can do all things in thee, when thy grace strengthens me.
O truly heavenly grace, without which we have no merits of our own, neither are any of the gifts of nature to be valued!
No arts, no riches, no beauty or strength, no wit or eloquence, are of any worth with thee, O Lord, without grace;
For the gifts of nature are common to the good and bad: but grace or divine love is the proper gift of the elect, which they that are adorned with are esteemed worthy of eternal life.
This grace is so excellent, that neither the gift of prophecy, nor the working of miracles, nor any speculation, how sublime soever, is of any value without it.
Nor even faith, nor hope, nor any other virtues, are acceptable to thee, without charity and grace.
5. O most blessed grace, which makest the poor in spirit rich in virtues, and renderest him that is rich in many good things humble of heart;
Come, descend upon me, replenish me betimes with consolation, lest my soul faint through weariness and dryness of mind.
I beg of thee, O Lord, that I may find grace in thy sight; for thy grace is enough for me, though I obtain none of those things which nature desires.
If I be tempted and afflicted with many tribulations, I will fear no evil, whilst thy grace is with me;
She is my strength; she gives counsel and help;
She is more mighty than all my enemies, and wiser than all the wise.
6. She is the mistress of truth, the teacher of discipline, the light of the heart, the comfort in affliction, the banisher of sorrow, the expeller of fear, the nurse of devotion, the producer of tears.
What am I without her but a piece of dry wood, and an unprofitable stock, fit for nothing but to be cast away!
Let thy grace therefore, O Lord, always both go before me and follow me, and make me ever intent upon good works, through Jesus Christ, thy Son. Amen.