Captives bound in chains made free

3. Captives are not governed by the same Law• as freemen are. Laws are made in favour for free subjects; but Laws for slaves and bondmen are more severe, and to make their yoke• more heavy. Souls in spiritual bondage and captivity are not governed by the Law of God• which is holy, just, and good, made in favour of, and for the good of the Lords redeemed ones; but by the Laws of sin and lust, which are unjust, oppressing, and tyrannical, and oftentimes contrary one to another, covetousness imposing one thing upon the sinner, and prodigality the quite contrary. The Lords spiritual ⟨p. 19⟩freemen are under the Laws of God, but the the Devils captives are under the Law of sin.

3. Captives are not governed by the same Law• as freemen are. Laws are made in favour for free subjects; but Laws for slaves and bondmen are more severe, and to make their yoke• more heavy. Souls in spiritual bondage and captivity are not governed by the Law of God• which is holy, just, and good, made in favour of, and for the good of the Lords redeemed ones; but by the Laws of sin and lust, which are unjust, oppressing, and tyrannical, and oftentimes contrary one to another, covetousne• imposing one thing upon the sinner, and prodigality the quite contrary. The Lords spiritua• ⟨p. 19⟩freemen are under the Laws of God, but the the Devils captives are under the Law of sin.

4. Captives and bondmen are put to base employment; To toil and drudge, to dig in the Mine, to work at the Oar, very great and hard burdens are imposed upon them. Thus it was with Israel in the house of bondage, the taskmasters of Egypt denied them straw, and yet required the full number of bricks, so laid hard service upon them. But there is no work so vile and sordid and base, as works of sin; and yet it is the whole and only employment of spiritual bondslaves, to please the flesh and Devil, and gratify their filthy lusts. What is baser slavery than to lead a sensual flesh-pleasing life? What is more sordid drudgery, than to be a servant of Satan and sin? than to be under the commanding power of their own vile affections? to take pains to dishonour God that made them? to work and labour to undo themselves, and damn and ruin their own immortal Souls? Whereas the work and employment of those that are redeemed from their spiritual captivity, is the most noble, rational, high and honourable, the most delightful and profitable as any can be engaged in on this side the everlasting, full, and perfect state of the Saints in glory; such as is our loving of God, conversing with the blessed glorious God, believing on Christ, applying of promises, living by faith, hoping, looking, longing for heaven, waiting for