The institutions of Christian religion, written by the reverend father, M. John Calvin, compendiously…The institutions of Christian religion, written by the reuerend father, M. Iohn Caluin, compendiously…

5 The Scripture besides that, it forbiddeth to rejoice in works, because they are the free gifts of God, it therewithal teacheth that they are alway defiled with some dregs,¹ that they cannot satisfy GOD, if they be examined by the rule of his judgements: but least our courage should faint,² it teacheth that they please by only pardon, and are sustained with the promise of a crown.³ Augustine saith, To whom should he being a just judge, render a crown, if he had not being a merciful father, given grace: and how should there be righteousness, unless grace went before, which justifieth the unrighteous? how should these due things be rendered, unless these undue things were first given?^* yea how should he impute righteousness to our works, unless his tender mercifulness, did hide the unrighteousness that ⟨p. 163⟩is in them? how should he judge them worthy reward, unless he did by immeasurable, bountifulness take away that which is worthy of punishment?

5 The Scripture besides that, it forbiddeth to reioyce in workes, because they are the frée giftes of God, it therewithall teacheth that they are alway defiled with some dregges,¹ that they cannot satisfie GOD, if they be examined by the rule of his iudgementes: but least our courage shoulde faint,² it teacheth that they please by only pardon, and are susteined with the promise of a crowne.³ Augustine sayth, To whom should he being a iust iudge, render a crowne, if he had not being a mercifull father, geuen grace: and howe should there be righteousnesse, vnlesse grace went before, which iustifieth the vnrighteous? howe shoulde these due thinges be rendered, vnlesse these vndue things were first geuen?