The Institution of Christian Religion

If these things be true, verily no works of ours can of them selves §13make us acceptable & pleasing to god: neither can the works themselves please, but in respect that man being covered with the righteousness of Christ, pleaseth god, & obtaineth forgiveness of his sins. For god hath not promised the reward of eternal life to some certain works: but only promiseth that he which, doth these things, shall live: setting the notable curse against ⟨image 269⟩all them that continue not in all things.¹ Whereby the devise of righteousness in part is largely confuted, sith no other righteousness is admitted into heaven, but a whole observing of the law. And no whit sounder is that which they are wont to babble of supplying of recompense by works of Supererogation. For why? Do they not still return to the same place from whence they are already shut out: that he which keepeth the law in part, is by works so far righteous? That which no man of sound judgment will grant them, they do to shamelessly take for confessed. So oft the Lord testifieth that he acknowledgeth no righteousness of works, but in the perfect observing of his law. What obstinacy is it, that we when we are destitute of that observing, least we should seem spoiled of all glory, that is, to have altogether given place to God do boast our selves of I wot not what small pieces of a few works, & go about by satisfactions to redeem that which wanteth. Satisfactions have already before been sufficiently overthrown, that we ought not now so much as to dream of them. Only this I say, that they which so play the fools, do not weigh how detestable a thing sin is before God: for truly they should understand that the whole righteousness of men being laid upon a heap, is not sufficient to make recompense for one sin.² For we see that man was by one offence so cast away & abandoned of God, that he therewithal lost all mean to recover salvation. Therefore the power of Satisfaction is taken away, wherewith they flatter them selves, but surely shall never satisfy God, to whom nothing is pleasant or acceptable that proceedeth from his enemies. And his enemies are all they to whom he purposeth to impute sins. Therefore our sins must be covered & forgiven, before that the lord have respect to any work of ours. Whereupon followeth that the forgiveness of sins is of free grace, which they do wickedly blaspheme that thrust in any satisfactions.