( 521 ) DISCOURSE X. THE FIRST FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT, ORTHE FORETASTE OP HEAVEN. nom. viii. 23. And not only they, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adop- tion, that is, the redemption of our body. SECTION I. IT is by a beautiful figure ofspeech the apostle had been describing, in the foregoing verses, the unnatural abuse which the creatures suffer through the sins ofmen, when they are employed to sinful purposes and the dishonour of God their Creator. Permit me to read the words, and represent the sense of them in a short paraphrase ; 'Verse 22. " We know that the whole creation groaneth and travelled' in pain together until now." The earth itself may be, represented as groaning to bear such loads of iniquity, such a multitude of wicked men who abuse the creatures of God to the dishonour of him that made them The air may be said to groan to give breath to those vile wretches who abuse it in filthiness and foolish talking, to the dishonour of God, and to the scandal of their neighbours; it groans to furnish men with breath that is abused in idolatry by the false worship of the true. God, or the worship of creatures which is abominable in his sight : The sun itself may be said to groan to give light to those sinners who abuse both day-light and dark- ness in rioting andwantonness, in doing mischief among men and committing fresh iniquities against their Ma- ker: The moon and stars are abused by adulterers and- thieves, sand other midnight sinners, when they,a.ny way afford light enough to them to guide them in their pursuit of wicked ways and practices. The beasts of burden may be said also to groan and be abused, when they bear the wicked sons and' daughters of Adam to the accorn plishnient of their iniquities : And even all the parts of. '.,the brutal world, as well as of the inanimate creation, are
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