Captives bound in chains, made free by Christ their surety

3. Captives are not governed by the same Laws 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 ⟨p. 23⟩the Law of God, which is holy, just, and good, made in favour of, and for the good of the Lord's 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 Lord's spiritual freemen are under the Laws of God, but 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 bond slaves, 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 ⟨p. 24⟩undo themselves, & damn & 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 the glory that shall be revealed, and for the glorious appearing of our desired and longed for Lord and Saviour, in getting assurance of his love, and solacing and delighting our souls with the comfort thereof when we have obtained it, in using utmost diligence to escape the damnation of hell, and the everlasting torments to be endured by the Devils captives in the other endless world, and getting safe to heaven when we dye, in pleasing God while we live. Nay, the most displeasing works to flesh and blood are more delightful and sweet than any, than all the pleasures of sin; as in mourning for sin, weeping bitterly for sin, mortifying of sin, praying against sin, watching against sin, combating and conflicting with sin,