The seconde tome or volume of the Paraphrase of Erasmus vpon the Newe Testament conteynyng the epistles of S. Paul, and other the Apostles : wherunto is added a paraphrase vpon the reuelacion of S. John.

The texte.

¶ Let as many seruauntes as are vnder the yoke, counte theyr masters worthye of all honour, that the name of god and his doctrine be not euyll spoken of. Se that they which haue beleuyng masters, despyfe them not because they are brethren: but rather do seruyce, for asmuche as they are beleuinge and beloued, and partakers of the benefyte.

FVrthermore, it is not our parte to rebuke the lyfe of them, that are straungiers from the profession of Christ, it is ra∣ther requisite for vs to prouoke them vnto a better mynde with our good turnes, than to kyndle them with taunting checkes. Religion ought so to be ordred, that it seme not to be occasion or sowyng of sedicion. In suche affaires as we haue necessarilye to doe with the Ethnikes, let thē per∣ceaue by vs that we are become the more diligente to doe good, bycause of religion, and not more vnprofytable nor more ouerthwarte. For by that meanes they shalbe more easylie allured into our felowshyp of re∣ligion. Therfore as many as beyng bonde seruauntes haue obteined Bap∣tisme, let them remembre that they are set at lybertye by manumission from the lordeshyp of synne and not made free from their masters right of autoritie. And therfore it is not semely that vpon trust of their profession they shoulde bristle againste their maisters, as wycked persons and vnworthye that a Christian shoulde doe seruice vnto them. But let them onely consydre that they are their masters, and therfore let them esteme them worthye all honour, that the name of god and the gospelles doctrine come not into an euyll reporte and hate, in case they shall perceaue men become throughe it the more sturdy and more vntrac∣table. But let them rather be more diligent in seruice doynge than they were a∣fore, and more glade to obeye as doynge seruyce with a good wyll, that theyr maisters beyng prouoked with those thinges, maye the more easely receyue the gospell preaching. Than muche lesse ought those seruauntes, that haue Chri∣stian

maisters, to set lesse by them bicause, for y^• profession of the commune saith, in stedde of maisters they are become brethren. But in asmuche as they with∣drawe not their bounden duetie from Ethnike maisters it behoueth them to o∣bey their Christian maisters for two maner of cōsideracions. Fyrst in that they are their maisters, than in that they are felowes in relygion, for stoute stately∣nes, takyng loue: & for awful maisters, beginnyng to be beloued: and for threa∣tenyng maisters▪ become good maisters. For more is to be done for y^• deseruour than for y^e exactour▪ more for the louyng maister than imperious cōmaundyng maister. For y^t is not properly a bondage but to doe one good turne for an other.