Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Nevertheless it is a good thing, that this slavish bondage is abolished in time among the faithful, howbeit that there continue still some remnants of it in some places, but yet is the same much more tolerable than so rough a law could have bin. For whereas there are some persons which are still taxable (as they term it) at this day, whether it be in their goods or in their persons: it is of the old slavery, & they be of the race of such as were very slaves in old time, & of such as might have bin handled as bondslaves by rigour of Law. But as I said, this may well be borne with: and it was a virtue worthy of commendation, that the parties which had such bondslaves, released them upon a certain qualification.

Neuerthelesse it is a good thing, yt this slauish bondage is abolished in time among ye faithful, howbeit yt there continue still some remnantes of it in some places, but yet is ye same much more tollerable thā so rough a law could haue bin. For wheras there are some persons which are still taxable (as they terme it) at this day, whether it be in their goods or in their persons: it is of ye olde slauery, & they be of ye race of such as were very slaues in old time, & of such as might haue bin handled as bondslaues by rigor of Law. But as I sayd, this may wel be borne wt: and it was a vertue worthie of cōmendation, that the parties which had such bondslaues, released them vppon a certaine qualification.

But now let us come again to the Law that is given here to the Jews. It is said that such as were sold should serve by the space of six years: and the seventh year is privileged here in honour of the Sabbath day, that is to say of the rest, whereby our Lord meant always to reduce the Jews to gentleness, by bringing them back to himself. As if he should say, assure your selves that your using of such mercy towards your neighbours, is an acceptable service unto me. For the day of rest was the very mark of Gods spiritual service, as is declared unto us in many places of the scripture,¹ both in Exodus & Ezekiel where our Lord speaketh precisely of the day of rest, & also in yt xvii. Chapter of Jeremiah. Yea & he speaketh in such wise of it, as though all his service consisted therein. And why is that? Because that on the day of rest, he called the people to himself, as if he should say, know me, let me be worshipped, let every man give his mind to consider my goodness, my Justice, my wisdom, & my power. And therewithal rest your selves in me, and let every of you forbear his own will, and his own likings, that ye may be, as it were subjected under my yoke, and I govern you. We see then that the day of rest was as the principal service of God. Now forasmuch as men cannot acquaint themselves with the doing of good to their neighbours, nor will willingly give over their right when they have them at a vantage, & can hardly