The Institution of Christian Religion

But now I come to the second kind, in which is the chief hardness.§8 Paul hath nothing more strong to prove the righteousness of faith, than that which is written of Abraham,¹ that his faith was imputed to him for righteousness. Sith therefore it is said that the act done by Phinehas was imputed to him for righteousness: what Paul affirmeth of faith, the same may we also conclude of works. Whereupon our adversaries, as though they had won the victory, determine that we are in deed not justified without faith, but that we are also not justified by it alone, and that works accomplish our righteousness. Therefore here I beseech the godly, that if they know that the true rule of righteousness is to be taken out of the Scripture only, they will religiously and earnestly weigh with me, how the Scripture may without cavillations be rightly made to agree with it self. Forasmuch as Paul knew that the justification of faith is the refuge for them that are destitute of their own righteousness, he doth boldly conclude that all they that are justified by faith, are excluded from the righteousness of works. But sith it is certain that the justification of faith is common to all the faithful, he doth thereof with like boldness conclude that no man is justified by works, but rather contrariwise that men are justified without any help of works. But it is one thing to dispute of what value works are by themselves, and an other thing what account is to be made of them after the stablishing of the righteousness of faith. If we shall set a price upon works according to their worthiness, we say that they are unworthy to come into the sight of God: and therefore that man hath no works whereof he may glory before God: then, that being spoiled of all help of works he is justified by only faith. Now we define righteousness thus, that a sinner being received into the communion of Christ, is by his grace reconciled to God, when being cleansed with his blood he obtaineth forgiveness of sins, and being clothed with his righteousness as with his own, he standeth assured before the heavenly judgment •eate. When the forgiveness of sins is set before, the good works which follow have now an other valuation than after their own deserving: because whatsoever is in them unperfect, is covered with the perfection of Christ:

But now I come to the second kinde, in which is the chefe hardnes.