So then here, first of all we must consider, that nature 1is not enough but there must be godliness. Nature is not enough, that is, natural virtues, for God hath caused, nature to bring forth many excellent virtues which are the common gifts of the holy Ghost, as they are called. For there is a natural patience, a natural weakness, a natural temperance. Some men by nature are more sober, more temperate, more abstemious from inordinate and loose courses: but it is not this that will be accepted with God. It is true indeed these, are very beautiful, and amiable in their kind, considered in their own sphere. As you know the flower that the grass beareth hath a beauty in it, and all natural virtues, are like the flower of the grass; that is, nature is but flesh, and this flesh hath a flower growing upon it, and that flower hath a beauty ⟨p. 234⟩and excellency in it, yea it is a flower of Gods own making: but yet God doth not accept this as a thing wherein he delighteth: because these natural virtues they neither come from him, that is, not from his sanctifying spirit; neither do they look to him, and therefore it must be godliness and not nature.
So then here, first of all we must consider, that nature 1is not enough but there must be godliness. Nature is not enough, that is, natural vertues, for God hath caused, nature to bring forth many excellent vertues which are the common gifts of the holy Ghost, as they are called. For there is a natural patience, a natural weakness, a natural temperance. Some men by nature are more sober, more temperate, more abstenious from inordinate and loose courses: but it is not this that will be accepted with God. It is true indeed these, are very beautiful, and aimable in their kind, considered in their own sphear. As you know the flower that the grass beareth hath a beauty in it, and all natural vertues, are like the flower of the grass; that is, nature is but flesh, and this flesh hath a flower growing upon it, and that flower hath a beauty ⟨p. 234⟩and excellency in it, yea it is a flower of Gods own making: but yet God doth not accept this as a thing wherein he delighteth: because these natural vertues they neither come from him, that is, not from his sanctifying spirit; neither do they look to him, and therefore it must be godliness and not nature.
- 11. Nature is not enough.
