Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

where he distinguisheth the rational Creature from the Creature he had spoken of before: If he had meant the believing Creature by that Creature that desired the liberty of the Sons of God; what need had there been of that additional distinction, and not only they, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan within our selves? Whereby it seems he means some Creatures below rational Creatures, since neither Angels nor blessed Souls can be said to travail in pain, with that distress as a Woman in travail hath, as the word signifies, who perform the work joyfully which God sets them upon^*. If the Creatures be subject to vanity by the sin of man, they shall also partake of a happiness by the restoration of man. The E•••h hath born Thorns and Thistles, and venomous Beasts; The Air hath had its Tempests and infectious Qualities; The Water hath caused its Floods and Deluges. The Creature hath been abused to luxury and intemperance, and been tyrannized over by Man, contrary to the end of its creation: 'Tis convenient that some time should be allotted for the Creature's attaining its true end, and that it may partake of the peace of Man, as it hath done of the fruits of his sin; otherwise it would seem that sin had prevailed more than grace, and would have had more power to deface than grace to restore and things into their due order.

where he distinguisheth the rational Creature from the Creature he had spoken of before: If he had meant the believing Creature by that Creature that desired the liberty of the Sons of God; what need had there been of that additional distinction, and not only they, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan within our selves? Whereby it seems he means some Creatures below rational Creatures, since neither Angels nor blessed Souls can be said to travail in pain, with that distress as a Woman in travail hath, as the word signifies, who perform the work joyfully which God sets them upon^*. If the Creatures be subject to vanity by the sin of man, they shall also partake of a happiness by the restoration of man. The E•••h hath born Thorns and Thistles, and venemous Beasts; The Air hath had its Tempests and infectious Qualities; The Water hath caused its Flouds and Deluges. The Creature hath been abused to luxury and intemperance, and been tyranniz'd over by Man, contrary to the end of its creation: 'Tis convenient that some time should be allotted for the Creature's attaining its true end, and that it may partake of the peace of Man, as it hath done of the fruits of his sin; otherwise it would seem that sin had prevailed more than grace, and would have had more power to deface than grace to restore and things into their due order.