on the Nothingness of Man

     -  Bernard's Fifth Homily on the Dedication of the Temple, quoted by Calvin (Institutes, pg 371-2)

"What then? man doubtless has been made subject to vanity-man here been reduced to nothing-man is nothing. And yet how is he whom God exalts utterly nothing? How is he nothing to whom a divine heart has been given? Let us breath again, brethren. Although we are nothing in our hearts, perhaps something of us may lurk in the heart of God. O Father of mercies! O Father of the miserable! how plantest though thy heart in us? Where thy heart is, there is thy treasure also. But how are we thy treasure if we are nothing? All nations before thee are as nothing. Observe, before thee; not within thee. Such are they in the judgment of thy truth, but not such in regard to thy affection. Thou callest the things which be not as though they were; and they are not, because thou callest them 'things that be not'; and yet they are because thou callest them. For though they are not of themselves, yet they are with thee according to the declaration of Paul: 'Not of works, but of him that calleth'" (Rom 9:11)."