The Institution of Christian Religion

Still this same thought hath now & then recourse to my mind, that it is §6peril least I should do wrong to the mercies of God, which do so carefully travail in proving of this thing as though it were doubtful or dark. But because our enviousness is such, as unless it be most straightly thrust out of place, it never yieldeth to God that which is his, I am compelled to tarry somewhat the longer upon it. Yet forasmuch as the scripture is clear enough in this matter, I will in fighting rather use the words thereof than mine own. Isaiah, when he hath described the universal destruction of mankind, doth immediately after very fitly adjoin the order of restoring.¹ The lord hath seen, & it seemed […] in his eyes. And he saw, that there is no man: & he marvelled that there is none that offereth himself: & he hath set salvation in his own arm, & hath strengthened himself with his own righteousness. Where are our righteousnesses if it be true which the prophet saith: that there is no man that helpeth the lord in recovering his salvation? So an other prophet, where he bringeth in the lord, discoursing of the reconciling of sinners to himself,² saith: I will espouse the to me for ever, in righteousness, judgment, grace & mercy. I will say to her that hath not obtained mercy, thou hast obtained mercy. If such covenant, which it is certain to be the first conjoining that we have with God, standeth upon the mercy of god there is left no foundation of our own righteousness. And I would fain learn of those men which fame that man meteth God with son righteousness of works, whether they think that there is any righteousness at all, but that which is acceptable to God. If it be madness to think so, what acceptable thing to god can proceed from his enemies, whom he wholly abhorreth with all their doings? That all we,³ I say, are the deadly & professed enemies of our god, the truth it self testifieth, till being justified, we are received into friendship. If justified […] the beginning of love, what righteousness of works shall go before […] ⟨image 267⟩John, to turn away that pestilent arrogance, doth diligently put us in mind how we did not first love him. And the self same thing the lord had long before taught by his prophet: