148 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. [SeE. XXVII.
SERMON XXVII.
For the earnest expectation of the creature tvaitcth for the manifestation of the sons of God. — Eom. VIII. 19.
The apostle's intent in this parapjraph is to set forth the excellency of that glory which shall be revealed in the children of God. The argu- ment is, because when this is brought to pass, there shall be a general renovation of all things. It is figuratively expressed ; all things are by a natural inclination carried to their most perfect estate ; so are the creatures to this renovation and restoration, as if they did wait and long for it ; ' ioT the earnest expectation/ etc.
In the words,— (1.) Who waiteth? The creature. (2.) How it waiteth ? With earnest expectation ; as it were looking attentively for the time. (3.) For what, or the term of its waiting? For the manifestation of the sons of God : —
First. Let us explain these circum.stances. Secondly. Consider how much they suit with the apostle's scope.
First, For explication.
1. Who waiteth ? The creature : but what creature ? Some under- stand man, designed elsewhere by this appellation, creature : Mark xvi. 15, ' Preach the gospel to every creature,' that is, to all mankind ; so here they understand man, because there are afi^ections and disposi- tions atributed to the creature here spoken of, which are only proper to such a creature as is reasonable ; but they are metaphorically to be understood ; they do, as it were, long for and expect. Well then, let us see what creature is intended. Not the good angels ; for they are not subject to vanity, and they are in possession of this glory: Mat. xviii. 10, ' They always behold the face of our heavenly Father.' Not devils or evil angels ; they do not earnestly expect these tilings, but tremble at them : Mat viii. 29. Not men, not the wicked, the reprobate world, for they care not for these things, }'ea, they scoff at them : 2 Pet. iii. 3, ' There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, saying, Where is the promise of his coming? ' Not the saints and believers ; for they are distinctly spoken of by thercselvss, ver. 23, and are opposed to this expecting, groaning creature, ' And not only they, but we ourselves also.' Not the beasts, for they are inca^iable of a prospect of futurity, and are made to be taken and destroyed. Therefore it is meant of the whole frame of the universe, heaven, and earth, and the creatures in them ; they do, as it were, expect the time when they shall bo restored to the primitive state of their creation. The whole frame nf the universe was first made in a beautiful state for the glory of God, and the use of man ; it is subject to many changes, and at length to destruction. The earth and the elementary bodies shall he burnt up as a scroll, but they shall be renewed and restored when the children of God come to their glorious estate ; the deformation of the creature began with man's sin, and the reformation with his complete happiness.
2. How it earnestly expecteth and waiteth ? The word signifieth, it expecteth with head lifted up, and stretched out. The same word
VeK. 19.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. 149
is used, Phil. i. 20, ' According to my earnest expectation.' When a man longingly expecteth anything, he lifts up the head, sendeth his eyes after it, that he may see it afar off : As Judges v. 28, ' The mother of Sisera looked out of a window, and cried tliroiigh the lattice, Why is his chariot so long a-coming ? ' But how can this be applied to the creature, which is without reason and sense ? I answer, By a metaphor it is translated from man to them ; because there is something ana- logous, as they are directed and inclined to sucli an end ; as in the scripture the floods are said to clap their hands for joy, and the moun- tains and bills leaping and skipping like rams. And in the desolation, the city of Jerusalem is said to ' weep sore in the nights ; her tears are on her cheeks;' and again, Lam. ii. 18, 19. The wall is said to 'cry in the night.' Yea, our Lord himself speaketh to the sea, as if it had ears : Mark iv. 39, ' He said to the sea. Peace be still ! ' So the apostle speaketh of the creature as if it had will, desire, hope, sorrow, and groaning.
3. For what ? The manifestation of the sons of God. Manifesta- tion is the discovery of something whicli before was obscure and hidden ; and by sojis, — the subject for the adjunct, — is meant the I'ight and privileges of God's children. Tliat is, that the glory prepared for them may visibly appear, when they shall be set forth with splendour and n:ajesty, becoming the sons of God ; for ' the righteous shall shine like the sun in the kingdom of the Father,' Mat. xiii. 43. And it is said ' sons,' comprehending all of tliat sort ; Christ is not excluded, and all believers are included ; your happiness dependeth on the glory of Christ : Col. iii. 4, ' When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory ; ' 1 John iii. 2, ' But we know, that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.' And the creature is said to expect it, because their perfect estate dependeth on our happiness : Acts iii. 21, ' Whom the heavens must receive until the time of the restitution of all things.' ' We look for new heavens, and new earth, 2 Pet. iii. 12, 13, wherein dwelleth righteousness.'