The Institution of Christian Religion

But how doth the boasting of the works of supererogation agree with that rule which is taught us, that when we have done all things that are commanded us, we should say that we are unprofitable servants, & that we have done no more then we ought?¹ To say before God, is not to fain or to lye, but to determine with thy self, that which thou art assured of. The lord therefore commandeth us unfeignedly to think & consider with our selves, that we do not any free beneficial doings to him, but to render due service. And worthily. For we are servants indebted in so many services, as we are no able to discharge, although all our thoughts & all our members, were turned into dutiful deeds of the law. And therefore that which he saith, When ye have done all things that are commanded you &c. is as much in effect, as if the righteousness of one man were more than all the righteousness of men. How therefore may we (of whom there is none that is not most far distant from this mark) be so bold as to boast that we have added a heap to the full measure? Neither is there any cause why any man may take exception & say, that nothing withstandeth but that his endeavour may proceed beyond necessary duties, which in some behalf ceaseth those that be from necessary. For this we must altogether hold, that we can imagine nothing that availeth either to the worship or the love of God, which is not comprehended under the law of God. If it be a part of the law, let us not boast of voluntary liberality, where we are bound to necessity.

But how doth the bosting of the works of supererogation agre with that rule which is taught vs, that whē we haue done all things that ar cōmaunded vs, we should say that we are vnprofitable seruantes, & that we haue done no more then we ought?¹ To say before God, is not to fain or to lye, but to determine with thy self, that which thou arte assured of. The lord therfore cōmandeth vs vnfainedly to think & consider with our selues, that we do not any fre beneficiall doings to hī, but to render due seruice. And worthily. For we ar seruantes endetted in so many seruices, as we ar no able to discharge, although al our thoughts & all our membres, wer turned into dutieful deeds of the law. And therfore that which he saithe, Whē ye haue done all things yt are cōmāded you &c. is as much in effect, as if the righteousnesse of one man were more thā al the righteousnes of men. How therfore may we (of whom there is none that is not moste farre distant frō this marke) bee so bolde as to boste that we haue added a heap to the ful measure? Neither is ther any cause why any mā may take exceptiō & say, that nothing withstādeth but that his endeuour mai procede beyōd necessary duties, which in som behalf ceasseth those yt be frō necessary. For this we must altogither hold, that we cā imagin nothing that auaileth either to the worship or the loue of God, which is not comprehedēd vnder the law of God. If it be a part of the law, let vs not boaste of voluntary liberalitie, where we are bound to neccessitie.