The Institution of Christian Religion

Now in these words we perceive, that the forsaking of our selves hath partly respect to men,¹ and partly, yea chiefly to God. For where as the scripture biddeth us so to behave our selves with men, that we prefer them before us in honour, that we faithfully employ our selves wholly to procure their commodities: therefore it grieveth such commandments as our mind is not able to receive, but first being made void of natural sense. For (with such blindness we run all into love of our selves) every man thinketh him self to have a just cause to advance him self, and to despise all other in comparison of him self. If God have given us any good gift, by & by bearing our selves bold thereof we lift up our courage, and not only swell, but in a manner burst with pride. The vices wherewith we abound, we do both diligently hide from other, and to our selves we flatteringly feign them light and slender, and sometime embrace them for virtues. And if the same good gifts, which we praise in our selves, or better do appear in other, least we should be compelled to give place to them, we do with our enviousness deface them and find fault with them. If there be any faults in them, we are not contented severely and sharply to mark it, but we also odiously amplify it. Hereupon groweth that insolence, that every one of us, as though he were privileged from the common estate, ⟨p. 161⟩would be higher than the rest, and carelessly & proudly set light by every man, or despise them as inferiors. The poor yield to the rich, base people to gentlemen, servants to their masters, unlearned to the learned: but there is no man that doth not nourish within himself some opinion of excellency. So every man in flattering himself, beareth a certain kingdom in his breast. For presumptuously taking upon them somewhat whereby to please themselves, they judge upon the wits and manners of other men. But if they come to contention, there bursteth out their poison. For many do make a show of great meekness, so long as they find all things gentle and lovely: but how many a one is there that keepeth that continual course of modesty, when he is pricked and stirred to anger?

Nowe in these wordes we perceiue, that the forsaking of our selues hath partly respect to men,¹