4. That we must boast in nothing, since
nothing is our own.
In the Gospel according to John: “No
one can receive anything, except it were given him from
heaven.” Also
in the first Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: “For what
hast thou that thou hast not received? But if thou hast received
it, why boastest thou, as if thou hadst not received
it?” Also
in the first of Kings: “Boast not, neither speak lofty
things, and let not great speeches proceed out of your mouth, for the
Lord is a God of knowledge.” Also in the same place: “The bow of the mighty men has been made weak, and the weak are girt about with strength.” Of this same thing in the Maccabees: “It is just to be subjected to God, and that a mortal should not think things equal to God.” Also in the same place: “And fear not the words of a man that is a sinner, because his glory shall be filth and worms. Today he shall be lifted up, and to-morrow he shall not be found; because he is turned into his earth, and his thought has perished.”