The Institution of Christian Religion

From this beholding of the perfection of God, let it not grieve us to descend to look upon our selves without flattery or blind affection of love. For it is no marvel if we be all so blind in this behalf, for as much as none of us doth beware of the pestilent tenderness toward himself, which (as the Scripture crieth out) naturally sticketh fast in us all. To every man (saith Solomon) his own way is right in his own eyes.¹ Again. Al the ways of man seem clean in his own eyes. But what▪ Is he acquitted by this blindness? No. But (as he further saith in the same place) the lord weigheth y• hearts, that is to say, while man flattereth himself by reason of the outward visor of righteousness that he beareth in resemblance, in the mean time the lord with his balance examineth y• hidden uncleanness of the heart. Therefore sith we so nothing profit with such flatteries, let us not wilfully mock our selves to our own destruction. But that we may try our selves rightly, we must necessarily call back our conscience to the judgement seat of God. For we do altogether need his light to disclose the secret foldings of our perverseness, which otherwise lie to deeply hidden. For then, and never till then, we shall clearly perceive what is meant hereby: that man being rottenness & a worm,² abominable & vain, which drinketh wickedness as water is far from being justified before God. For who should make it clean that is conceived of unclean seed? not one man. Then shall we also find it by experience, which Job said of himself: If I will go about to show my self innocent, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I will show my self righteous, it will prove me wicked. For that is not meant of one age only,³ but of all ages, which the Prophet in old time complained of Israel, that all went astray like sheep, that every one turned aside to his own way. For he there comprehendeth all them, to whom the grace of redemption should come. And the rigorousness of this examination ought to proceed so far, till it subdue us, so that we be fully thrown down withal, and by that mean prepare us to receive the grace of Christ. For he is deceived that thinketh himself able to receive the enjoying of this grace, until he have first thrown down all haughtiness of mind.