The Institution of Christian Religion

The second place is this. It is manifest that no man is justified by the law before God: Because the righteous man shall live by faith, But the law is not of faith:¹ but the man that doth these things shall live in them. Howe could this argument otherwise stand together, unless we agree upon this point, that works come not into the account of faith, but are utterly to be severed from it: The law (saith he) differeth from faith. Why so? because works are required to the righteousness thereof. Therefore it followeth that works are not required to the righteousness of faith. By this relation it appeareth, that they which are justified by faith are justified beside the deserving of works, yea without the deserving of works, because faith receiveth that righteousness which the Gospel giveth. And the gospel differeth from the law in this point, that it bindeth not righteousness to works, but setteth it in the only mercy of God. Like hereunto is that which he affirmeth to the Romans,² that Abraham had nothing to glory upon, because faith was imputed to him unto righteousness, & he addeth a confirmation, because then there is place for the righteousness of faith, when there are no works to which a reward is due. Where be works (saith he) due reward is rendered unto them: that which is given to faith is freely given. For the very meaning of the words that he useth in that place serve to prove the same. Whereas he adjoineth within a little after, that therefore we obtain the inheritance by faith as according to grace, hereupon he gathereth that the inheritance is of free gift, because it is received by faith: and how cometh that, but because faith without any help of works leaneth wholly upon the mercy of God? And in the same meaning, without doubt he teacheth in an other place,³ that the righteousness of God was openly showed without the law, although it have witness borne of it by the law & the Prophets: because excluding the law, he saith that it is not holpen by works, and that we obtain it not by working, but come empty that we may receive it.

The second place is this. It is manifest that no man is iustified by the lawe before God: Bicause the righteous man shall liue by fayth, But the law is not of faith: