The Institution of Christian Religion

But the world hath a long time ben otherwise taught. For there have §6ben found out I wot not what moral good works, by which men may be made acceptable to God before that they be grafted in christ.¹ As though the Scripture lieth, when it saith that they are all in death which have not possessed the Sonne. If they be in death, how should they bring forth matter of life?² As though it were of no more force, that whatsoever is done without faith, is sin: as though there may be good fruits of an evil tree. But what have these most pestilent Sophisters left to Christ wherein he may show forth his power? They say that he hath deserved for us the first grace, namely the occasion of deserving: that it is now our part not to fail the occasion offered. O desperate shamelessness of ungodliness. Who would have thought that men professing the name of Christ, durst so strip him naked of his power, & in a manner tread him under foot? This testimony is each where spoken of him, that all they are justified that believe in him: these fellows teach, that there cometh from him no other benefit, but this, that the way is opened to every man to justify himself. But I would to God they tasted what these sayings mean: that all they have life that have the Son of God:³ that whosoever believeth, is already passed from death into life: that we are justified by his grace, that we might be made heirs of eternal life: that the faithful have Christ abiding in them, by whom they cleave fast to God: that they which are partakers of his life, do sit with him in heavenly places: that they are transplanted into the kingdom of God, & have obtained salvation: & innumerable other such. For they do not declare, that there cometh by the faith of Christ nothing but the power to obtain righteousness or salvation, but that they are both given to us. Therefore so soon as thou art by faith engrafted into Christ, thou art already made the son of God, yea heir of heaven, partaker of righteousness, possessor of life, and (that their lies may be better confuted) thou hast not obtained the fit ability to deserve, but even all the deservings of Christ: for they are communicated to thee.