Question 61

Why doost thou say, that thou art righteous by faith?

Not because, by the worthinesse of my faith I please God, but because the satisfaction, righteousnes, and holinesse, of Christ, is my righteousnesse in the sight of God: and I can lay hold vpon, and^a applie the same vnto my selfe, by no other meanes but by faith.^b

The vse.

Wee must at noe hand let goe the difference of the word alone: 1. That in the matter of saluation, due honor may be giuen to the Sonne of God. 2. That our consciences may haue stedfast and sounde comfort. 3. That the difference betweene the lawe and the Gospel may be perceiued, because these words, freely, by fayth, with out the Lawe, for the Mediatour, do make a difference betweene the Law and the Gospel: 4. That we may vse prayer rightlie, which is hindred by the sight of our own infirmities, and that we may come vnto God, hauing affiance in the onelie Mediatour,^c according to that saying: By him wee haue entrance.^d