An abridgement of the Institution of Christian religion written

4 In these words we see that the denial of our ⟨p. 178⟩selves hath respect partly unto men,¹ and partly (& §1that chiefly) unto God. Towards men the Scripture §2commandeth us to perform two things, to wit that in honour we prefer them before our selves, and that we employ our selves wholly and faithfully to procure their profit. We can not do these unless our mind be first emptied of natural sense. For (such is the blindness wherewith we run headlong into the love of our selves) every man thinketh with him self that he hath just cause to set up his comb, and to contemn all other men in comparison of him self.² Therefore to the end this self love which is bred in us may be taken away, §2first let us consider those vices wherewith we abound according to the rule of the Scripture. Secondly let us know that those gifts whereof we are so proud, are not our goods, but the free gifts of God, that we may call all things to humility. Again we are commanded §1to reverence and honour those gifts which we see in our neighbours:³ to wink at their §2vices: not that we may cherish and nourish them by flattery, but that we do not triumph against them for because of those vices, whom we ought to love.

4 In these wordes we see that the deniall of our ⟨p. 178⟩selues hath respect partly vnto men,¹ and partly (& §1that chieflie) vnto God. Towardes men the Scripture