The Institution of Christian Religion

But where as Osiander hath brought in, I wot not what monster §5of essential righteousness, whereby, although his will was not to destroy free righteousness, yet he hath wrapped it within such a mys•e, as darkeneth godly minds, and bereaveth them of the earnest feeling of the grace of Christ: therefore ere I pass further to other things, it is worth the labour to confute this doting error. First this speculation is but of mere and hungry curiosity. He doth in deed heap together many testimonies of Scripture, to prove that Christ is one with us, and we one with him, which needeth no proof: but because he keepeth not this bond of unity, he snareth him self. But we which hold that we are made all one with Christ by the power of his Spirit, ⟨image 252⟩may easily undo all his knots. He had conceived a certain thing very near to the opinion of Manichees, to desire to convey the substance of God into men. Hereupon riseth an other invention of his that Adam was fashioned after the Image of God, because even before the fall Christ was ordained the pattern of the nature of man. But because I would be short, I will tarry upon the matter that I have presently in hand. He saith that we are one with Christ. We grant. But we deny that the substance of Christ is mingled with ours. Moreover we say that this principle that Christ is righteousness to us, because he is an eternal God, the fountain of righteousness and the very self righteousness of God, is wrongfully drawn to defend his deceits. The readers shall pardon me, if I do now but touch these things that the order of teaching requireth to be differed into an other place. But although he excuse himself from meaning nothing else by the name of essential righteousness, but to resist this opinion that we are accounted righteous for Christs sake: yet he plainly expresseth that he is not contented with the righteousness that is purchased for us by the obedience & sacrifice of Christ, but feigneth that we are substantially righteous in God, as well by substance as by quality poured into us. For this is the reason why he so earnestly affirmeth, that not only Christ, but also the father and the holy ghost do dwell in us. Which although I grant to be true, yet I say that he wrongfully wresteth it.

But where as Osiander hath brought in, I wote not what monster §5