The Institution of Christian Religion

But if any man marvel why the Apostle used such an addition,§20 not being content with only naming of works: the reason is ready to be showed for it. For, although works be so highly esteemed, yet they have that value by the allowance of God, rather than by their own worthiness. For who can boost unto God of any righteousness of works, but that which he hath allowed? Who dare claim any reward as due unto them, but such as he hath promised? They have therefore this of the bountifulness of God, that they are counted morthy both of the name and reward of righteousness: & they be of value only for this cause, when the purpose of him that doth them is by them to show his obedience to God.¹ Wherefore the Apostle in an other place, to prove that Abraham could not be justified by works, allegeth that the law was given, almost four hundred and thirty years after the covenant made. Unlearned men would laugh at such an argument, because there might be righteous works before the publishing of the law. But because he knew that there was no such value in works but by the testimony & vouchsafing of God, therefore he taketh it as a thing confessed that before the law they had no power to justify. We understand why he namely expresseth the work of the law, when he meaneth to take away justification from any works: because controversy may be moved of those and none other. Albeit sometime he excepteth all works ⟨image 259⟩without any addition, as when he saith, that by the testimony of David blessedness is assigned to that man,² to whom the Lord imputeth righteousness without works. Therefore they can with no cavillations bring to pass, but that we shall get this general exclusive, only. And they do in vain seek that trifling subtlety, that we are justified by that only faith which worketh by love, so that righteousness must stand upon love.³ We grant in deed with Paul, that no other faith justifieth, but that which is effectually working with charity: but that faith taketh not her power of justifying from that effectualness of charity. Yea it doth by no other mean justify, but because it bringeth us into the communicating of the righteousness of Christ. Or else all that which the Apostle so earnestly presseth, should fall to nought.