Then Christian began to go forward; but Discretion, Piety, Charity, and Prudence would accompany him down to the foot of the hill. Then said Christian, "As it was difficult coming up, so, so far as I can see, it is dangerous going down." "Yes," said Prudence, "so it is; for it is a hard master for a man to go down into the valley of Humiliation, as thou art now, and to catch no slip by the way;" "therefore," said they, "we are come out to accompany thee down the hill." So he began to go down, but very warily; yet he caught a slip or two.
My God, I ask not of Thee the leaves of external consequence; I will be content to continue simple, lowly, and plain, if Thou wilt only give me grace to serve Thee and my neighbor. Outward pomp withers like a flower, but inward worth lasts even after death.
Let me follow in Thy footsteps, O Jesus! I would imitate Thee, but cannot without the aid of Thy grace! O humble and lowly Saviour, grant me the knowledge of the true Christian, and that I may willingly despise myself; let me learn the lesson so incomprehensible to the mind of man, that I must die to myself by an abandonment that shall produce true humility.
The doctrines of grace humble man without degrading him, and exalt him without inflating him.
Make me like a little child,
Simple, teachable, and mild;
Seeing only in Thy light;
Walking only in Thy might!
