The Institution of Christian Religion

We hear that the uncleanness of the parents so passeth into ⟨image 83⟩§6the children, that all without any exception at their beginning are defiled. But of this defiling we shall not find the beginning, unless we go up to the first parent of all us, to the wellhead. Thus is it therefore, that Adam was not only the progenitor, but also the root of mans nature, and therefore in his corruption was all mankind: worthily corrupted: which the Apostle maketh plain by comparing of him and Christ.¹ As (sayeth he) by one man Sin entered into the whole world, and death by Sin, and so death went over all men, forasmuch as all have sinned: so by the grace of Christ, righteousness and life is restored unto us. What will the Pelagians here prate? that Adams sin was spread abroad by imitation? Then, have we no other profit by the righteousness of Christ, but that he is an example set before us to follow? Who can abide such robbery of Gods honour? If it be out of question that Christs righteousness is ours by communication, and thereby life: it followeth also, that they both were so lost in Adam, as they be recovered in Christ: and that Sin and death so crept in by Adam, as they are abolished by Christ. The words are plain, that many are made righteous by the obedience of Christ, as by the disobedience of Adam they were made sinners: and that therefore between them two is this relation, that Adam wrapping us in his destruction, destroyed us with him, and Christ with his grace restored us to salvation. In so clear light of trueth, I think we need not a longer or more laborious proof. So also in the first Epistle to the Corinthians,² when he goeth about to stablish the godly in the trust of the resurrection, he showeth that the life is recovered in Christ that was lost in Adam. He that pronounceth, that we all are dead in Adam, doeth also therewithal plainly testify, that we were infected with the filth of sin. For damnation could not reach unto them that were touched with no guiltiness of iniquity. But it can be no way playnelier understanded what he meaneth, than by relation of the other member of the sentence, where he teacheth that hope of life is restored in Christ.

We heare that the vncleannesse of the parentes so passeth into