Lord's Day 23

Q. 59.  But what doth it profit thee now that thou believest all this?
A.  That I am righteous in Christ, before God, and an heir of eternal life.1

Q. 60.  How art thou righteous before God?
A.  Only by a true faith in Jesus Christ;2 so that, though my conscience accuse me that I have grossly transgressed all the commandments of God, and kept none of them,3 and am still inclined to all evil;4 notwithstanding, God, without any merit of mine,5 but only of mere grace,6 grants7 and imputes to me8 the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ;9 even so, as if I never had had nor committed any sin: yea, as if I had fully accomplished all that obedience which Christ has accomplished for me;10 inasmuch as I embrace such benefit with a believing heart.11

Q. 61.  Why sayest thou that thou art righteous by faith only?
A.  Not that I am acceptable to God on account of the worthiness of my faith,12 but because only the satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ is my righteousness before God;13 and that I cannot receive and apply the same to myself any other way than by faith only.14