hereof did grow the controversy and contention: and not (of his), how and in what manner the Law hath dominion over every one of us, before that by faith we are set at freedom from the bondage thereof. Let this therefore be determined above all, that Paul in this place doeth compare the Israeticall Church, which was under the old testament, with the Christian Church: that thereby it may appear wherein we agree, and wherein the one of us differ from the other. This comparison containeth a very plentiful doctrine, and the same very profitable. First, ⟨p. 86⟩hereof we gather, That the Fathers under the old testament had the same hope of inheritance, which we at this day have: because they were partakers of the same adoption. for Paul teacheth not (as some brainsick fellows, and among others Seruetus, do dream) that they were for this purpose only elected of God, that they should figure unto us some certain people of God, but that with us they might be the sons of God: and expressly he doeth testify, that the spiritual blessing promised to Abraham doeth no less long unto them than unto us. Secondly we gather, that their consciences were free nevertheless in that outward bondage. for the straight tying to the keeping of the Law did not let Moses, Daniel, all the godly Kings, Priests and Prophets, and all the company of the Faithful, but that they were free in Spirit. They carried than the yoke of the Law on their shoulders, so that nevertheless they might worship God with a free spirit: and chiefly that, being instructed about the free forgiveness of sins, they might have their conscience free from the tyranny of sin and death. Thereof we must determine, that the doctrine hath been always one and the same, and that they were joined with us in a true unity of faith: that they have enjoyed with us the confidence of one Mediator, that they have called up God the Father, and that they were governed with the self same Spirit. To all these it is agreeable, that the difference between us and the old Fathers, is not in substance but in accidents▪ for touching those things that are principal in the Testament or covenant, in those things we agree. the ceremonies, and all that government, in which we differ, are as it were additions. Moreover you must mark, that that time was the child age of the Church.
hereof did grow the controuersie and contention: and not (of his), howe and in what manner the Lawe hath dominion ouer euery one of vs, before that by fayth wee are set at freedome from the bondage thereof. Let this therefore be determined aboue all, that Paule in this place doeth compare the Israeticall Churche, which was vnder the old testament, with the Christian Church: that thereby it maye appeare wherein wee agree, and wherein the one of vs differ from the other. This comparison conteineth a very plentifull doctrine, and the same very profitable. Firste, ⟨p. 86⟩hereof we gather, That the Fathers vnder ye olde testament had the same hope of inheritaunce, which we at this day haue: because they were partakers of the same adoption. for Paule teacheth not (as some braynsick fellowes, and among others Seruetus, doe dreame) that they were for this purpose onely elected of God, that they shoulde figure vnto vs some certayne people of God, but that with vs they might be the sonnes of God: and expresly he doeth testifie, that the spirituall blessing promised to Abraham doeth no lesse long vnto them than vnto vs. Secondly we gather, that their consciences were free neuerthelesse in that outwarde bondage. for the straight tying to the keeping of the Law did not let Moses, Daniell, all ye godly Kings, Priestes and Prophets, and all the company of the Faythfull, but that they were free in Spirite. They caried than the yoke of the Lawe on their shoulders, so that neuerthelater they might worship God with a free spirite: and cheefely that, being instructed about the free forgiuenesse of sinnes, they mighte haue their conscience free from the tyrannie of sinne and death. Thereof wee must determine, that the doctrine hath bene alwayes one and the same, and that they were ioined with vs in a true vnitie of fayth: yt they haue enioyed with vs the confidence of one Mediator, that they haue called vp God the Father, and that they were gouerned with the selfe same Spirite. To all these it is agreeable, that the differēce betweene vs and the olde Fathers, is not in substance but in accidents▪ for touching those things that are principall in the Testament or couenaunt, in those thinges we agree. the ceremonies, and all that gouernement, in which we differ, are as it were additions. Moreouer you must mark, that that time was the child age of the Church.
