The Institution of Christian Religion

And it is no absurdity, that a man is so justified by faith that not only he himself is righteous, but also his works are esteemed righteous above their worthiness.

And it is no absurditie, yt a man is so iustified by faith yt not only he himself is righteous, but also his woorkes are esteemed righteous aboue their worthynesse.

After this manner we will grant in works not only a righteousness in parts (as our adversaries themselves would have) but also that it is allowed of God as if it were a perfect & full righteousness. But if we remember upon what foundation it is upholdē, all the difficulty shall be dissolved. For then & no• till their beginneth to be an acceptable work, when it is received with pardon. Now whence cometh pardon, but because God beholdeth both us •amp; all our things in Christ? Therefore as we, when we are grafted into Christ, do therefore appear righteous before God, because our wickednesses are covered with his innocence, so our works are & be taken for righteous, because whatsoever faultiness is otherwise in them, being buried in the cleanness of Christ, it is not imputed. So we may rightfully say, that by only faith not only we but also our works are justified. Now if this righteousness of works of what sort soever it be, hangeth upon faith & tree justification, & is made of it: it ought to be included under it, and to he set under it as the effect under the cause thereof, as I may so call it: so far is it of that it ought to be raised up either to destroy or darken it.¹ So Paul, to drive men to confess that our blessedness consisteth ⟨p. 202⟩of the mercy of God, not of works, chiefly enforceth that saying of David, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven,²