The Institution of Christian Religion

[…] first dignity can not come in our mind, but by & by on the other[…] heavy sight of our filthiness & shame doth thrust it self in pres••••• sins we in the person of the first man are fallen from our […] estate, where upon groweth the hatred and loathing of our sell[…] ⟨image 81⟩true humility, and there is kindled a new desire to seek for God, in whom every of us may recover those good things, whereof we are found altogether void and empty.

〈…〉 firste dignity can not come in our minde, but by & by on the other〈…〉 heauy sight of oure filthines & shame doth thruste it selfe in pres••••• sins we in the person of the fyrste man are fallen from oure 〈…〉 estate, where vpon groweth the hatred and lothinge of oure sel〈…〉 ⟨image 81⟩true humilitie, and there is kyndeled a newe desire to seeke for God, in whome euery of vs maye recouer those good thinges, whereof we are founde altogither voyde and emptye.

This thing surely the truth of God appointeth to be sought in examining of our selves, I mean, it requireth such a knowledge as may both call us away from all confidence of our own power, & making us destitute of all matter to glory upon, may bring us to submission. Which rule it behoveth us to keep, if we will attain to the true mark both of right knowledge & welldoing. Neither yet am I ignorant how much more pleasant is that other opinion that allureth us rather to consider our good things, than to look upon our miserable neediness and dishonour, which ought to overwhelm us with shame. For there is nothing that mans nature more coveteth, than to be stroked with flattery: and therefore when he heareth the gifts that are in him to be magnified, he leaneth to that side with overmuch lightness of belief: whereby it is so much less to be marvelled, that herein the greatest part of men have perniciously erred. For sith there is naturally planted in all mortal men a more than blind love of them selves, they do most willingly persuade themselves, that there is nothing in them that they ought worthily to hate. So without any maintenance of other, this most vain opinion doth each where get credit, that man is abundantly sufficient of him self to make him self live well and blessedly. But if there be any that are content to think more modestly, how soever they grant somewhat to God, lest they should seem arrogantly to take all to them selves, yet they so part it, that the principal matter of glory and confidence alway remaineth with them selves. Now if there come talk, that with her allurements tickleth the pride that already of it self itcheth within the bones, there is nothing that may more delight them. Therefore as any hath with his extolling most favourably advanced the excellency of mans nature, so hath he been accepted with the well liking reioisement in manner of all ages. But what soever such commendation there be of mans excellency that teacheth man to rest in him self, it doth nothing but delight with that her sweetness, and in deed so deceiveth, that it bringeth to most wretched destruction all them that assent unto it.