Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

(4.) Again, How could the Creature, the world or any part of it be said to be delivered from the bondage of Corruption, ^*into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God; if the whole Frame of Heaven and Earth were to be annihilated, Rom. 8.21? The Apostle saith also that the Creature waits with an earnest expectation for this manifestation of the Sons of God, v. 19. which would have no foundation, if the whole frame should be reduced to nothing. What joyful expectation can there be in any of a total ruin? How should the Creature be capable of partaking in this glorious liberty of the Sons of God?^* As the World for the sin of man lost its first dignity, and was cursed after the fall, and the beauty bestowed upon it by creation defaced; So it shall recover that ancient glory, when he shall be fully restored by the Resurrection to that dignity he lost by his first sin. As Man shall be freed from his corruptibility to receive that glory which is prepared for him; so shall the Creatures be freed from that imperfection or corruptibility, those stains and spots upon the face of them, to receive a new glory suited to their nature and answerable to the design of God, when the glorious liberty of the Saints shall be accomplished.^* As when a Princes Nuptials are solemnized, the whole Country echo's with joy; So the inanimate Creatures, when the time of the Marriage of the Lamb is come, shall have a delight and pleasure from that renovation. The Apostle sets forth the whole world as a person groaning, and the Scripture is frequent in such Metaphors; as when the Creatures are said to wait upon God, and to be troubled^*; the Hills are said to leap, and the Mountains to rejoice: The Creature is said to groan, as the Heavens are said to declare the glory of God, passively, naturally, not rationally. 'Tis not likely Angels are here meant, though they cannot but desire it; since they are affected with the dishonour and reproach God hath in the world, they cannot but long for the restoration of his honour in the restoration of the Creature to its true end: And indeed the Angels are employed to serve man in this sinful state, and cannot but in holiness wish the Creature freed from his corruption: Nor is it meant of the new Creatures which have the first fruits of the Spirit, those he brings in afterwards, groaning and waiting for the Adoption