[A methodical preface prefixed before the epistle to the Romans ...] Made[A methodicall preface prefixed before the epistle to the Romanes ...] Made

And this now at length is the true liberty and freedom from the law and sin, of which the Apostle here disputeth, even unto the end of this Chap. As for this liberty it is such, that we may willingly from our hearts do good without any exaction of the law. Therefore it is a spiritual liberty which doth not take away the law: but giveth and imparteth a certain power, and spirit to fulfil the law: namely, a cheerful mind, a ready will, and fervent desire to work well, whereby it doth then satisfy the law: insomuch that it hath not any thing to exact at his hand, or to charge him withal.¹ Even as if thou were indebted to a certain creditor of thine, & didst owe him a great ⟨image 29⟩sum of money, thou mightest after two ways satisfy him, and so discharge the debt: First by a free forgiveness of the debt, and cancelling of thy handwriting. Secondly, by surety of another man, who will give his faith and truth for thee, promising to stand to the payment of all the foresaid money, and so by his word and faith given for the obligation, wherewith thou wast bound, may be blotted and cancelled, as void, & of none effect. Likewise Christ hath delivered us from the law as from a creditor. Wherefore that liberty is not carnal, whereby it is lawful to do what thou wilt: but is altogether laboursome and painful, which willingly doth good works: so that it needs not any exaction ⟨image 30⟩of the law.

And this now at length is the true liberty and freedome from the law and sin, of which the Apostle heere disputeth, even vnto the end of this Chap. As for this libertie it is such, that wee may willingly from our hearts doe good without any exaction of the law. Therefore it is a spirituall libertie which doth not take away the law: but giveth and imparteth a certaine power, and spirit to fulfill the law: namely, a cherefull mynde, a ready will, and fervent desire to worke well, whereby it doth then satisfie the law: insomuch that it hath not any thing to exact at his hand, or to charge him withall.¹ Even as if thou were endebted to a certaine creditor of thine, & didst owe him a great ⟨image 29⟩