The True Bounds of Christian Freedom

That the efficacy of Christ promised, ¹was less then of Christ exhibited by many degrees. First, remission of sins although it was certain with God, yet it was less perceived by reason of the cloud of the law, hanging [as it were] between. Secondly, though it was perceived, it afforded less comfort, by reason of the weak sense of sin (which needs must be supposed to be in them, to whom there doth not as yet appear so great a necessity of hearing of it expiated by the death of the Son of God) I say, less comfort by reason of the weak sense of sin, and the dimmer knowledge of that glory and life which doth attend upon remission of sins. Thirdly, the Spirit was poured forth in scant measure on the faithful [of old,] as being a benefit to be referred till the times of Christ, ^mwho, it was meet, should first of all, receive into his humane nature all that boundless measure of the ⟨p. 375⟩Spiritⁿ, and should from thence derive it unto all us. Moreover, seeing the benefit of Christ, was in those times less known unto them; needs, by so much the less inflamed must they be with the love of God and Christ. Fourthly, the spirit of bondage then reigned, because the yoke of the law was yet untaken off. Fifthly, they were not carried on in a direct course to remission of sins, as appears by the form of the Covenant, first entered into at the Mount Sinai; afterwards so frequently rehearsed in the Sermons of the Prophets. Sixthly, then the sense of a life to come was more obscure; as is evident, from the more obscure mention that is made of it in the Old Testament, and from the horror of Death, which seemeth to have reigned in them who lived before the sanction of the New Covenant in the blood of Christ. Seventhly, it seemed not the Fathers had attained to that same pitch of glory we do now attain unto who die in Christ. First, for it was behovefull,