Verfe 2o. the Epifltle to the Romans. 289 Gods Eons, the Eons themfelves ought much more fervently to defre it; be- cauCe the glory of the creature doth but depend upon the glory of Gods chil- dren, and is very far inferiour unto it. Therefore if their defre be great and confiant after it, ours ought a great deal more fo to be, fecing that glory fhallbefully revealed chiefly for our fakes, and our frate (hall by many de- grees exceed the Rate of all other crea- tures. T i M. What ufe is to be made of this Doíirine ? S i L. It is two -fold; both in re- fpc& of the godly, and ungodly. In re- fpe& of the ungodly, it ferveth molt fharply to reprove them as being worfe then the dumb, fenfleffe, un- reafonable creatures,in that they have no defre nor longing at all after the glory to come ; whereas even the crea- ture doth covet it fervently. The heart of the wicked is fit upon riches, they truft in uncertain goods, they miede earthly things, their portion and their treafure is here; and therefore their joy is here, they do not once look after heavenly glory, whatfoever they pro - feffe,much leffe feriou fly : nay they do perfecute the fervants of God which do put their truft in God, and hope for his glory, 2 Tim.r s. I2. alto 2, 9, io. Thus the love of the world, & ftrength of finful corruption hath quenched that defre and hope of the wicked concer- ning heavenly glory,which fill lives in unreafonable creatures : this is a mile- rabic condition.Secondly,in relpe& of the godly,this muff ferve firft, to check and reprove the weakneffe and cold neffe of their defies after celeliall glo- ry,whereofthe very creature is fo gree- dy. Secondly, to provoke and whet themfelves to a more eager thirfr and longing after it by example of the crea -' ture,and in confideration that the fame glory doth efpecially belong to themin a more (pedal manner and meafure,and therefore ought in an efpeciall fort to be coveted of them; for which purpofe very great care mutt be had as for the mortification of all finfull corrupti- Vfe. ons, fo chiefly for the crucifying of the world to themfelves ; becaufe heaven is more or leffe defined, as worldly things are more or Ieffe beloved of us. T i M. What is the.reafon that the crea- ture is kept from his defied end, to wit his perfeïfion ? S i L.That is declared in the 20 verl to be vanity, that is, the vanifhing and fleeting condition of the creature, con . lifting in bondage and corruption. T i M. What is Meant by being fisfje3 unto this vanity? S i L. To be put under fuch a con- dition, or to be ordained to be tinder filch an eltateas is vain and corrupti- ble. Which vanity cometh unto it not by its own will and inclination, ( for we all know that all creatures do defre their ownprefèrvation and)erfeérion) but by the commandement and will of their Creator, which hath thereunto futrdued it. T i M. What Doeirine arifeth from bence ? S i L. That all the creatures of God which be under the third heaven,be li- able to vanity, being at the firlt crea- ted of God in a molt noble and excel- lent condition. The reafons hereof, is, l?eafon. finii, mans finne deferving it to be fo. Secondly; Gods counfell appointing and ordaining it to be Co, to wit, that they being made for mans fake, Ihould ftand or fall together with him. T r M. What ufeof this Doîtrine? S i t. It admonifheth us how much Vfe. God is offended with mans finne, in that he punifheth his very creatures for it Secondly, to humble man, in confe- deration that all the creatures are im- paired and made the worfe for his fin. Thirdly, feeing all creatures partake m ghmous with us in our punifhment, it Mould! g.rds the caule us to be. merciful] unto them I beaßf airk which need our mercy, and be in our sstsmep. danger. What concerns this matter, (hall be further handled in the next verfe. ij IA-
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