The Institution of Christian Religion

But that when they felt them selves by the law to be both oppressed with estate of bondage, and wearied with un•••e•es of conscience, they s•ed to the succour of the Gospel, and that therefore it was a peculiar fruit of the new testament, that beside the common law of the old testament they were exempted from these evils. Moreover, we will deny that they were so endowed with the spirit of freedom & assuredness, that they did not in some part feel both fear and bondage by the law. For how soever they enjoyed that prerogative which they had obtained by grace of the Gospel, yet were they subject to the same bonds and burdens of observation, that the common people were. Sith therefore they were compelled to the careful keeping of those ceremonies, which were the signs of a schooling much like unto bondage, and the handwritings whereby they confessed them selves guilty of sin, did not discharge them from being bond: it may rightfully be said, that in comparison of us they were under the testament of bondage and fear, while we have respect to that common order of distribution that the Lord then used with the people of Israel.

But that when thei felte them selues by the lawe to be both oppressed with estate of bondage, and weried with vn•••e•es of conscience, they s•ed to the succoure of the Gospell, and that therefore it was a peculiar frute of the newe testament, that beside the common lawe of the olde testament they wer exempted from these euels. Moreouer, we wyll denye that they were so endewed wyth the spirit of freedome & assurednesse, that they did not in some part fele both seare and bondage by the lawe. For howe soeuer they enioyed that prerogatiue whyche they had obteined by grace of the Gospell, yet were they subiect to the same bondes and b•rdens of obseruation, that the common people were. Sithe therefore they were compelled to the carefull keeping of those ceremonies, whyche were the signes of a scholing muche like vnto bondage, and the handewritinges whereby they confessed them selues gylty of synne, did not discarge them from being bonde: it maye rightfully be saide, that in comparison of vs they were vnder the testament of bondage and feare, while wee haue respecte to that common ordre of dystribution that the Lorde then vsed wyth the people of Israel.