19 For the fervent. He teacheth that we have an example of the patience he exhorteth unto, even in the very dumb creatures. For to let pass the variety of expositions, I understand this place thus, that there is no element, neither any part of the world, which not being (as it were) touched with the feeling of the present evil, intendeth not upon the hope of the resurrection. And he putteth down two things, namely, that all creatures travail, and yet are sustained by hope. Whereby also it appeareth how great the price of eternal glory is, that it can provoke & draw all things into desire of it. Furthermore, this speech, expectation expecteth, although it be somewhat strange, yet it hath a most convenient sense: for he signifieth thereby, that the creatures being plunged in great anxiety, and hanging in suspense, with great desire, do expect that day, which shall openly declare the glory of the sons of God.1 He calleth that the revelation of the sons of God, when we shall be like unto God: as John saith, for although we know we are his sons, yet it hath not appeared. And I have kept the words of Paul, because the translation of Erasmus seemeth unto me bolder then were meet, namely, until the sons of God be manifest, and yet it doeth not sufficiently express the mind of the Apostle. For his meaning is not, that the sons of God shall be manifested in the last day: but then it shall appear how happy, and blessed their estate is, when they having put off corruption, shall put on celestial glory. For he therefore attributed hope unto the creatures that want sense, that the faithful might open their eyes to behold the invisible life, although it lie yet hid under a deformed habit.
19 For the feruent. He teacheth that wee haue an example of the patience hee exhorteth vnto, euen in the very dumbe creatures. For to let passe the varietie of exposicions, I vnderstande this place thus, that there is no element, neyther any part of the worlde, which not being (as it were) touched with the feeling of the present euill, intendeth not vpon the hope of the resurrection. And he putteth downe two thinges, namely, that all creatures trauayle, and yet are susteyned by hope. Whereby also it appeareth how great the price of eternall glory is, that it can prouoke & draw al things into desire of it. Furthermore, this speech, expectation expecteth, although it be somewhat strange, yet it hath a most conuenient sence: for he signifieth thereby, yt the creatures being plunged in great anxietie, and hanging in suspence, with great desire, do expect that day, whiche shall openly declare the glory of the sonnes of God.1 He calleth that the reuelation of the sonnes of God, when we shall bee like vnto God: as Iohn sayth, for although we knowe we are his sonnes, yet it hath not appeared. And I haue kept the wordes of Paule, because the translation of Erasmus seemeth vnto mee bolder then were meete, namely, vntill the sonnes of God bee manifest, and yet it doeth not sufficiently expresse the mind of the Apostle. For his meaning is not, that the sonnes of God shalbe manifested in the last day: but then it shall appeare howe happie, and blessed their estate is, when they hauing put off corruption, shal put on celestiall glory. For he therefore attributed hope vnto the creatures that want sence, that the faithfull might open their eyes to beholde the inuisible life, although it lie yet hid vnder a deformed habite.
- 1What is meant by the revelation of the sons of God. 1. John. 3.2What is ment by the reuelatiō of the sonnes of God. 1. Iohn. 3.2
