Here we see, 1. That religion is so far from destroying good manners
that it reaches us to behave ourselves lowly and reverently towards our
superiors, to keep our distance, and give place to those to whom it
belongs "Put not forth thyself rudely and carelessly in the king's
presence, or in the presence of great men; do not compare with them"
(so some understand it); "do not vie with them in apparel, furniture,
gardens, house-keeping, or retinue, for that is an affront to them and
will waste thy own estate." 2. That religion teaches us humility and
self-denial, which is a better lesson than that of good manners: "Deny
thyself the place thou art entitled to; covet not to make a fair show,
nor air at preferment, nor thrust thyself into the company of those
that are above thee; be content in a low sphere if that is it which God
has allotted to thee." The reason he gives is because this is really
the way to advancement, as our Saviour shows in a parable that seems to
be borrowed from this, Luke xiv. 9. Not that we must therefore pretend
modesty and humility, and make a stratagem of it, for the courting of
honour, but therefore we must really be modest and humble, because God
will put honour on such and so will men too. It is better, more for a
man's satisfaction and reputation, to be advanced above his pretensions
and expectations, than to be thrust down below them, in the presence of
the prince, whom it was a great piece of honour to be admitted to the
sight of and a great piece of presumption to look upon without leave.