Calvin on Mortifying the Flesh

"First, as we are by nature too inclined too attribute everything to our flesh -- unless our feebleness be shown, as it were, to our eyes -- we readily esteem our virtue above its due measure. And we do not doubt, whatever happens, that against all difficulties it will remain unbroken and unconquered. Hence we are lifted up into stupid and empty confidence in the flesh; and relying on it, we are then insolently proud against God himself, as if our powers were sufficient without his grace. He can best restrain this arrogance when he proves to us by experience not only the great incapacity but also the frailty under which we labour. Therefore, he afflicts us either with disgrace or poverty, or bereavement, or disease, or other calamities. Utterly unequal to bearing these, in so far as they touch us, we soon succumb to them. Thus humbled, we learn to call upon his power which alone makes us stand fast under the weight of afflictions." Institutes III. 8. 2.