The Institution of Christian Religion

Now if we ask by what mean the conscience may be quieted before God, we shall find no other mean but if free righteousness be given us by the gift of God. Let us alway think upon this saying of Solomon, Who shall say,¹ I have cleansed my heart, I am made clean from my sin? Truly there is no man that shall not be overwhelmed with infinite filthiness. Therefore let even the perfectest man descend into his own conscience, & call his doings to account: what end shall he have? Shall he sweetly rest as though all things were in good order between him & God? & shall he not rather be vexed with terrible torments, when he shall feel matter of damnation abiding in him self if he be judged according to his works? The conscience, if it look upon God, must of necessity either have assured peace with his judgement, or be besieged with the terrors of hell. Therefore we profit nothing in disputing of righteousness unless we stablish such a righteousness, with the steadfastness whereof our soul may be stayed in the judgement of God. When our soul shall have whereby it may both without fear appear before the face of God, & receive his judgement, unshaken, then & not till then let us know that we have found an unfeigned righteousness. Therefore not without cause the Apostle standeth so much upon this point,² with whose words I had rather express it than with mine own. If (saith he) the promise of inheritance be of the law, faith is made void, the promise is made abolished. He first inferreth that faith is disannulled and made void if the promise of righteousness have respect to the deservings of our works, or do hang upon the keeping of the law. For so could never any man assuredly rest in it: because it could never come to pass that any man might assuredly determine with him self that he had satisfied the law, as in deed never any man doth by works fully satisfy it. Whereof, that we should not need to seek far for testimonies to prove it, every man may be a witness to him self that will with a right eye behold himself.

Now if we aske by what meane the conscience may be quited before God, we shall finde no other meane but if free righteousnesse be geuen vs by the gift of God. Let vs alway thinke vpon this saying of Salomon, Who shall say,¹