The Institution of Christian Religion

it followeth that this is not only the hiest & the chief but also the only blessedness: unless peradventure you will have that it be weakened of those which consist in it alone. Now there is much less reason why the calling of men righteous should trouble us, which is commonly given to the faithful. I grant verily that they are called righteous of the holiness of li•: but forasmuch as they rather endeavour to the following of righteousness, than do fulfil righteousness it self, it is mete that this righteousness such as it is, give place to the justification of faith, from whence it hath that which it is.

it foloweth yt this is not only ye hiest & the chefe but also the only blessednes: vnlesse paraduenture you will haue that it be weakned of those which consist in it alone. Now ther is much lesse reason why the calling of mē righteous shoulde trouble vs, which is cōmonli geuē to ye faithful. I graūt verili yt thei ar called righteous of ye holines of li•: but for asmuch as thei rather endeuor to ye folowīg of righteousnes, than do fulfil righteousnes it self, it is mete yt this righteousnes suche as it is, giue place to the iustification of faith, from whence it hath that which it is.

But they say that we have yet more business with James, namely §11which with open voice fighteth against us.¹ For he teacheth both that Abraham was justified by works, and also that all we are justified by works, not by faith only. What then? will they draw Paul to fight with James? If they hold James for a minister of Christ, his saying must be so taken that it disagree not from Christ speaking by the mouth of Paul. The holy ghost affirmeth by the mouth of Paul, that Abraham obtained righteousness by faith, not by works: & we also do teach that all are justified by faith without the works of the law. The same holy ghost teacheth by James that both Abraham's righteousness and ours consisteth of works, not of only faith. It is certain that the holy ghost fighteth not with himself. What agreement shall there be therefore of these two? It is enough for the adversaries, if they pluck up the righteousness of faith which we would have to be fastened with most deep roots: but to render to consciences their quietness, they have no great care. Whereby verily you may see that they gnaw the justification of faith, but in the mean tim do appoint no mark of righteousness where consciences may stay. Therefore let them triumph as they list, so that they may boast of no other victory than that they have taken away all certainty of righteousness. And this wretched victory they shall obtain, where the light of truth being quenched, the lord shall suffer them to overspread the darkness of lies. But wheresoever the truth of God shall stand, they shall nothing prevail. I deny therefore that the saying of James which they still continually hold up against us as it were the shield of Achilles doth any thing at all make for them. That this may be made plain, first we must look at the mark that the apostle shooteth at: & then we must note where they be deceived. Because there were then many (which