In Hope to be delivered from the Bondage of Corruption.

ΙΟΙ

Adam, when he ftood at the Head of our Sect. 17.

Race, as a publick Person, and by his Tranfgref- Rom. VIII.
fion brought us into fo deplorable a State.
De- 21.
plorable indeed! but bleffed be GOD not intirely
abandoned; fince it is ftill in Hope, that the Sal-
vation fo happily begun, shall at length be much
more widely extended; that the Creation fhall,
at least in Ages to come, be fet free from the
Bondage of Corruption, by which Men are now
abufing themselves and the inferior Creatures;
and that they fhall even be brought into the glo-
rious Liberty, of which we Christians are poffeffed,
in Confequence of our being the Sons of GOD:
As it is certain the Creation would be made in-
concievably happier, than it is, if this blef-
fed Difpenfation, by which we are introduced
into God's Family, and taught to do our outmost
to diffufe Good to all around us, were univerfally
to prevail. In the mean Time, fuch is the 22
State of the whole World, that it feems to call
in the most importunate Manner for this great
Interpofition of Divine Power and Mercy in its
Favour; yea, I may fay, in Reference to it, we

know that the whole Creation, ever fince the first
Apoftacy of our Nature from GOD, groaneth to-
gether, and travaileth together until now; it la-
boureth in ftrong Pangs to bring on this impor-
tant Birth of Sons and Daughters unto the most
And not only doth the whole Crea-
tion feem [o] to travail in Pangs around us, when
we furvey these Parts of it where the Gospel is

23 And not only they high (b).

but

yet.

(b) Bring on this important Birth, &c.] It is indeed true, that to be in Pangs like a Woman in Travail fometimes only fignifies being in great Diftrefs, where there is no Reference to any expected Birth; but it seems to me very probable, that the Apostle in thefe Metophors here alludes to what he had been saying before, (Verfes 14,-17, 19, 21.) In all which Places he defcribes Chriftians as the Children of GOD, and fo here expreffes the general Prevalency of the Gospel by the Birth of many more, with which Nature was pregnant, and of which it longed, as it were, to be delivered: Thereby beautifully representing: the fad Condition of those, who while they have Faculties fitting them for ftanding in fuch a Relation to GOD, as his Children, are loft in Darkness and in Vanity, while ignorant of GOD and the Way of Salvation; during which Time they were even pained by the Excellency of their Nature, it having no fuitable Object to act upon. And this is the well adjufted, but generally unobferved Gradation I referred to above, Note (a): The World feems to wait and call and groan, for the Spreading of the Gofpel, and thofe, among whom it prevails, are still travailing, as it were, with the Hope and Defire of a yet more exalted State after the Refurrection.

(c) The

23

1

102

And Chriftians groan for the Redemption of the Body. Sect. 17. yet unknown, but even we Chriftians ourselves, but ourselves alfo, which who have received the first Fruits of the Spirit, Spirit, even

23.

have the Firft-fruits of the

Body:

we ourselves Rom. VIII. and thereby have attained no inconfiderable Degroan within ourselves, waitgrees of Liberty and Deliverance, even we groan ing for the Adoption, to within ourselves under many remaining Imperfec- wit, the Redemption of our tions and Burthens; while we are yet waiting with ftrong Defire for the great Event, which may, by Way of Eminence, be called our Adoption (c), as it fhall be the publick Declaration of it, when, our heavenly Father fhall produce us before the Eyes of the whole World, habited and adorned as becomes his Children. You will eafily perceive, I now refer to the Redemption of our Bodies, their final Deliverance from the Power of the Grave at the general Refurrection (d), which fhall introduce us to a Happiness, incomparably exceeding the freeft and must glorious State, into which the Earth fhall ever be brought, even by the greatest Triumph and Prevalency of the Gospel.

24

24 For we are faved by feen, is not Hope: For what Hope But Hope that is a Man feeth, why doth he yet hope for?

This, I fay, we are longing and breathing after, and we fhall ftill be fo, while we continue here: For we are faved by Hope; the firm Belief and chearful View of this compleat Salvation is our great Security amidst so many Evils, Temptations, and Dangers. But Hope, which is feen, that Hope, which relates merely to Objects now vifible, is not worthy the Name of Hope. For what a Man fees, how doth be yet hope for? the more we know of thefe worldly Things, the lefs fhall we amufe ourselves with any high Hopes and 25 Expectations concerning them. But fince we hope for what we fee not, for a Happiness far ex- with Patience wait for it. ceeding any Thing we have ever feen, or can fee, we patiently wait for it, and find something in the Greatness of the Profpect, to repay the Tedioufnefs of the most afflicted Circumftances, and

to

25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we

(c) The Adoption, &c.] I intirely agree with Mr. Howe, (Works Vol. i. pag. 680, 681.) that here is an Allufion to the two Kinds of Adoption among the Romans; the first of which was private; the fecond, publick in the Forum, when the adopted Perfon was folemnly declared and avowed to be the Son of the Adapter. Compare Luke xx. 36.

(d) Deliverance, &c.] That Redemption fometimes fignifies Deliverance, is Compare Luke xxi. 28. Eph. i. 14 Heb. xi. 35,ons

very

certain.

(e) Lendeth

In the mean Time, the Spirit helps their Infirmities.

26 Likewife the Spirit also helpeth our Infirmities: For we know not what we

fhould pray for as we ought: But the Spirit itself maketh Interceffion for us with Groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that fearcheth the Hearts, knoweth what because he maketh Interceffion for the Saints according to the Will of GOD.

is the Mind of the Spirit,

103 to excite us to prepare for it by cultivating a fui- Sect. 17. table Temper in all its Branches.

26.

Such Hope doth our holy Profeffion admini- Rom. VIII.
fter to us, for our Support amidst all the Difficul-
ties of our Chriftian Courfe; and we have more-
over this important Privilege, that the Holy Spi-
rit of GOD graciously lendeth us his helping Hand (e)
under all our Burthens and Infirmities; fo that
we are not left to fuftain them alone: Which is
of vaft Moment in many Refpects, and particu-
larly in the Conduct of our Devotions, for we
are furrounded with so much Ignorance and Pre-
judice, that in many Inftances we do not know
what we should pray for as we ought, because we
know not on the whole what may be best for us:
But the Spirit itself manages thefe Affairs for us,
guiding our Minds to fuitable Petitions, and ex-
citing in them correfpondent Affections, and
fometimes infpiring us with that intenfe Ardor of
holy Defire, which no Words can exprefs, but
must therefore vent themfelves in unutterable

Groanings. But tho' we are not able to speak 27
thefe Defires, they are not concealed from GOD:
He who fearcheth the inmoft Receffes of human
Hearts, knoweth what [is] the Mind of the Spi-
rit (f); he reads all these fecret Agitations of our
Spirits which answer to the Emotions of his; for
be manages Affairs for the Saints according to [the]
gracious [Will] and Appoinment [of] GOD (g):
A Circumftance which we cannot recollect with-

out

(e) Lendeth us his helping Hand.] I know not how better to render that expreffive Phrase, ourariauBavilas num, which literally expreffes the Action of one who helps another to raise or bear a Burthen, by taking Hold of it one Side, and lifting it or bearing it with him; and fo it seems to intimate the Obligation on us, to exert our little Strength, feeble as it is, in Concurrence with this almighty Aid.

(f) The Mind of the Spirit.] The Phrase is here Opornua le vμalos, the very fame, that was used Verse 6. and expreffes not merely the Meaning, but the Temper and Difpofition, of the Mind, as, under the Influences of the Divine Spirit, pursuing and breathing after fuch. Bleffings, as fuits its rational and immortal Nature.

(g) Manages Affairs for the Saints, &c.] I agree with a late ingenious Writer, feveral Times mentioned before, in rendering alyxave up ayor, manages Affairs for the Saints, as the Office of an Interceffor with GOD is fo peculiarly that of Chrift, our Advocate with the Father. I John ii. 1. As for the Phrafe xala Ouor, it is capable of many different Significations; but I don't think it here fignifies the fame with cromo le 8, in the Prefence of GOD, but rather on the Part of GOD, that is, by his Appointment, or perhaps, as we render it, according to the Will of GOD. I have therefore retained our Verfion, and included both the Senfes in the Paraphrafe.

104

Sect. 17.

Rom. VIII.

27.

Reflections on the Aid, and Firf-fruits of the Spirit.

out the greatest Pleasure, and the most chearful
Expectations of receiving every fuitable Bleffing
in Confequence of it, and in Anfwer to these
Prayers, which are prefented to GOD under fuch
Influence.

Ver. 26.

Ver. 27.

Ver. 18.

Ver. 19:

Ver. 20.

Ver. 21.

Ver. 22.

Ver. 23

Fo

IMPROVEMENT..

OR ever adored be the Divine Goodnefs, in fending down his Spirit on fuch finful Creatures, to help our Infirmities; to implant, and to excite Graces in our Hearts, to be a Source of prefent Delights, and of eternal Happiness. May we feel him helping our Infirmities, and improving our Joy in the Lord, to fuch a Degree, that all our Devotions may be animated Sacrifices. Let not the Want of Expreffion in that Cafe trouble us; thefe unutterable Groanings are fometimes the fweetest Mufick in the Ear of GOD.

Well may fuch fervent Groanings be excited, when we view that great and glorious Object, which the Gofpel proposes to our Hope. Let us encounter the Sufferings of the prefent Time, with a Fortitude becoming those, that fee them fo fhort, and fo far overballanced by the immenfe and boundless Profpects, which lie beyond them: Profpects of unclouded Luftre, and unmingled Felicity.

When we confider the State of that Part of the World, in which Christianity is unknown, or of thofe, among whom it is a mere empty Form; when we confider the Vanity, to which that Part of God's Creation is fubject, let it move our Compaffion, and our Prayers, that the State of glorious Liberty into which GOD has already brought thofe, who by Faith in Chrift are his Children, may become more univerfally prevalent; and the Knowledge of the Lord cover the Earth, as the Waters cover the Channel of the Seas. Oh that Divine and Omnipotent Grace may give a Birth to that grand Event, in the Expectation of which Nature feems in Pangs; fuch a Birth, that Nations might be born in a Day; and where the Children are born, may it give a more abundant Growth and more happy Increase.

We have received what the travailing Creation has not, the first Fruits of the Spirit, and they muft furely excite us to groan after the Redemption of our Bodies: Yet ftill with humble Submiffion to the Will of God, waiting his wifely appointed Hour for the Diffolution, and for the Restoration of them. That GOD, in whofe Hand thefe important Events are, beft knows how long to exercife our Faith, whether in this mortal World, or in the intermediate State; nor fhould any Delay be esteemed long by thofe, who have fo chearful an Hope, of enjoying God for ever.

SECT.

All Things work together for Good, to them that love GOD;

SECT. XVIII.

The Apostle represents other Advantages for Holiness, which the Gofpel gives us; particularly thofe, which arife from an Affurance, that all Things fhall work together for our Good; and from the View we have, as true Chriftians, of an eternally gracious Plan, which GOD has laid for our Happinefs, in Pursuance of which he hath already done fuch great Things for us, efpecially in fending his Son for our Redemption; whence his People may be affured, that no Accufation fhall prevail against them, and no Temptations feparate them from his Love. Rom. VIII. 28, to the End.

ROMANS VIII. 28.

A

ND we know that all Things work together for Good, to them that

love GOD, to them who are the Called according to bis Purpose.

ROMANS VIII. 28.

105

Rom. VIII.

28.

I HAVE taken Occafion to hint at many Sect. 18. Priviledges, which, in Confequence of participating of the Gofpel, you enjoy: And now I must add this to the reft, that though our Afflictions may lie heavy upon us, and tho' our Burthens may continue long; yet we affuredly know, that all Things, which occur in the Course of Divine Providence, either in their present and immediate, or future and more remote Confequences, do and fhall work together for real and everlasting Good to them that fincerely and prevalently love the bleffed GOD (a), and are by Divine Grace called, and formed to this happy Principle, according to [his] gracious and effectual 29 For whom he did Purpose. We have this Confidence, I say, before- caufe GOD in his eternal Counfels defigned this,

and

(d) All Things, which occur in the Courfe of Divine Providence, &c.] It is fo plain, from the whole Context, that the Apoftle only speaks of providential Events, and it is fo evident, that the univerfal Expreffion all is fometimes to be taken in a limited Senfe, that it muft argue, I fear, fomething worse than Weakness, to pretend that Sin is comprehended in the Apostle's Affertion. Plato's Sentence so nearly parallel to this, is a Commentary infinitely preferable to such an Explication, "Whether a righteous Man be in Poverty, Sickness, or "any other Calamity, we muft conclude that it will turn to his Advantage, either in Life, "or Death." See Plato de Rep. Lib. IX.

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