The Triumph of a True Christian Described, Commentary on verse · Verse 22
VERSE 22.
For we know that eueryevery creature groneth with vsus alſo, and trauelleth in paine together vntounto this preſent.
IN this Verſe our Apoſtle concludes and ſhuts vp his firſt argument, by which he prooues, that the glorie wherewith Gods children ſhall be inueſted in heauen, ſhall be both exceeding great, and alſo moſt ſure and certaine, taken from the expectation of the creature, that the creature waites with feruent deſire for the manifeſtation of that glorie; and therefore it ſhall be both exceeding great, and alſo moſt ſure & certaine. I ſay the Apoſtle here ſhuts vp that argument, as before we ſhewed, by ſetting downe the greatneſſe of the bondage the creature is ſubiect to, that it is ſo great, as it doth preſſe the creature as it were an heauie burden lying on it, and make the creature grone vnderunder the weight of it, and as it were trauell in paine vnderunder it for deliuerance. Yea the Apoſtle ſaith, EueryEvery creature, or the whole creation, as we hauehave it in the New tranſlation, is vnderunder this great bondage, and grones and trauels in paine together one with another, and that to this houre, to this preſent: and further ſets out that as a thing commonly knowne, We know (ſaith he) that euerie creature groneth together alſo with vsus.
I will ſtand a while to open the ſence and meaning of the words of this verſe. We know. That is,Interpretation. it is a thing well knowne to vsus, we certainly know it ſo to be, partly by ſenſe we ſee it ſo to be, and partly by the word of God reuealing and making knowne to vsus the cauſe of it, and the end of it. That euerie creature, or the whole creation. Some thinke the Apoſtle here intends more by the word creature, then he did in the 3. verſes foregoing, becauſe he ſaith, euerie creature: yea ſome would hauehave the good Angels here included, which cannot be, for they grone not vnderunder the bondage of corruption: but by creature, we are ſtill to vnderſtand as before, the whole frame of this viſible world, conſiſting of celeſtiall and heauenly bodies, the viſible heauens with all their goodly furniture, the earth and all her ornaments. And the Apoſtle here ſaith, Euerie creature, or the whole creation: thereby ſignifying, that all and euerie creature in this viſible world, do agree in this, that all and euerie one of them do grone and trauell in paine for deliuerance from the bondage of corruption. Howſoeuer euerie particular foule, beaſt, or fiſh (as before I ſhewed) ſhall not at the day of iudgement be reſtored, and hauehave that particular being as now they hauehave, or hauehave had, and that an euerlaſting being, and therein partake with the children of God, but onelyonly ſome particulars of euerie ſort and kinde; yet euerie particular ſhall then ceaſſe to be miſerable, euen thoſe particulars which ſhall not be reſtored, ſhall yet be reſolued into the elements out of which they were taken, and there reſt, and ſo ceaſſe to be any more vnderunder the bondage of corruption: the elements being now reſtored to their originall integritie and excellencie in which they were created. And ſo though euerie creature ſhall not be deliuered into the glorious libertie of the ſonnes of God, yet euerie creature grones and trauels in paine for deliuerance. Theſe words, Groneth and trauelleth in paine, are metaphoricall and borrowed termes. The firſt from one that is laden with an heauie burden, vnderunder which it pants and grones, and longs to be eaſed of it: and the other from a woman in her paines of child-bearing and of bringing forth her child, who earneſtly deſires deliuerance. And ſo the meaning is this, that as a man laden with an heauie burden, vnderunder which he pants and grones, and longs to be eaſed of it, and as a woman in trauell of child, and in her paines of bringing forth her child, earneſtly deſires to be deliuered, ſo earneſtly and ſo vehemently doth euerie creature in this world long and deſire to be eaſed and to be deliuered from that vanitie and that bondage of corruption it lyes vnderunder. Together, grones together. That is, as it were with one heart, and with one conſent. Ʋnto this preſent: or to this moment of time, or as yet, and ſtill, ſo the word ſignifieth. Thus then conceiue we the meaning of the words of this verſe, as if the Apoſtle had ſaid.
For we certainly know, partly by ſenſe, and partly by the word of God reuealing it to vsus, that the whole creation, euen all and euerie creature in the frame of this viſible world, do as it were grone and trauell in paine, as a woman in paines of child-bearing, euen earneſtly and vehemently long and deſire to be eaſed and to be deliuered from that vanitie and that bondage of corruption they now lye vnderunder: yea all creatures ioyntly together, as it were with one heart and with one conſent, do thus grone and trauell in paine, deſiring deliuerance, and that to this preſent, to this moment of time.
Now to take things in order, obſere we, the Apoſtle here affirmes this, that euerie creature grones and trauels for deliuerance from vnderunder the bondage of vanitie and corruption, as a thing certainly knowne to himſelfe and to the beleeuing Romans. We know (ſaith he) that eueryevery creature groneth with vsus alſo. Whence note briefly.
That we are not to be ignorant of this, that the poore Doct. 1 creatures in this world as it were grone vnderunder the burden of vanitie and corruption, and as it were trauell in paine vnderunder it,We are to conceiue of the creatures lying vnderunder the burden of vanitie & corruption, as we are taught to conceiue of it by the holy word of God. longing for eaſe and deliuerance from it: we muſt be able to ſay with the Apoſtle, we know this, yea we muſt be able to ſay, we certainly know this, not onelyonly by ſenſe and by experience, but that we know it from the holy word of God; and that we are come to the vnderſtanding of it by the word of God, the word of God reuealing it to vsus, that the earth is curſed for the ſinne of man, as we reade Geneſ. 3.17. and that all and euerie creature in the world lyes vnderunder the curſe for mans ſinne.
How far from this are many men and women in the world, Ʋſe. they cannot chuſe but ſee and diſcerne (if they be not ſottiſhly or wilfully blind) that the poore creatures in the world as it were grone vnderunder the burden of vanitie and corruption:Reproofe of ſuch as do not thus conceiue of it. their owne eyes and ſenſes may teach them thus much. But alas, this they conceiue not as they are taught to conceiue of it by the holy word of God,The fruit of their miſconceit of it. as that the poore creatures lye vnderunder this as vnderunder the curſe of God; this they are not acquainted withall, and that makes them many times aſcribe the alterations and changes that befall the creatures, and the weakeneſſe of the creatures to do them ſeruice and to yeeld them comfort, to chance or fortune, or to ſecondarie cauſes, Well, we muſt be able to ſay, we know that euerie creature grones and trauels in paine vnderunder the burden of vanitie and corruption, not onelyonly by ſenſe and experience, but from the holy word of God, that we are come to the vnderſtanding of this by the word of God, and that indeed we vnderſtand it as the holy word of God makes it knowne vntounto vsus, that the poore creatures lye vnderunder this burden as vnderunder the curſe of God. And ſo much be ſpoken briefly of that.
In the next place obſerue we, the Apoſtle here puts on the creatures as it were a perſon, he brings them in groning and trauelling in paine vnderunder the burden of vanitie and corruption, and longing after and deſiring eaſe and deliuerance from it. He makes the poore, dumbe, and liueleſſe creatures as it were ſenſible of their miſerie, of that vanitie and corruption they lye vnderunder, yea ſo ſenſible of it, as that in their kind they grone vnderunder the burden of it, and as earneſtly deſire to be eaſed of it and deliuered from it, as a woman in trauell of child, that is full of paine, deſires to be deliuered of her child. And what may this teach vsus? ſurely thus much.
That we to whom God hath giuen reaſon and vnderſtanding, Doct. 2 are much more to be ſenſible of our corruption and miſerie,The corruption of ſinne that cleaues to our ſoules & bodies, ought to be felt as an heauie burdē, with an earneſt deſire to be eaſed of it and eſpecially of that corruption of ſinne that cleaues to our ſoules and bodies, and of our fearefull miſerie in regard of that, we are much more to grone vnderunder the burden of ſinne preſſing our ſoules, and moſt earneſtly to deſire to be eaſed of that burden, and to be deliuered from it. Chap. 7. of this Epiſtle verſe 24. the Apoſtle cries out, O wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliuer me from the bodie of this death? He was ſenſible of the very remainder of ſin ſtill abiding in him, and he groned vnderunder that burden, and deſired deliuerance from it, and that moſt earneſtly. Philip. 1.23. he ſaith, He deſired to be looſed: that his ſoule might be looſed from his bodie: indeed chiefly (as there he ſpeakes) that he might be with Chriſt: that he might hauehave immediate fellowſhip with Chriſt, and enioy fulneſſe of ioy and glorie with him in heauen: yet no doubt one cauſe of his deſire was, that he might be freed from the burden of ſinne ſtill abiding in him. And thus doubtleſſe it is with all Gods children, they are ſenſible of that corruption of ſinne that ſtill cleaues to them, and of their fearefull miſerie and thraldome, and bondage in regard of that, and they grone vnderunder the burthen of the remainder of ſinne ſtill abiding in them, and earneſtly deſire to be deliuered from it. And it ought to be thus with eueryevery one of vsus, we are to be ſenſible of the corruption of ſinne cleauing to our ſoules and bodies, and of our miſerie in regard of that, & earneſtly to deſire to be eaſed of that burthen, and to be deliuered from it: and there is reaſon Reaſon. for it: for why, Sinne cleauing to our ſoules and bodies, is the onelyonly thing that makes vsus miſerable, and our ſinnes are the cauſe of all miſerie that comes either to our ſelues or to the creatures, and therefore we are to grone vnderunder that burthen, and to trauell in paine to be deliuered from it.
But alas where is almoſt the man or woman, Ʋſe. that doth thus take ſinne to heart,The wonderfull dulneſſe & dead heartedneſſe of many in regard of ſinne, diſcouered & iuſtly reprooued. and thus grone vnderunder the burthen of their owne ſinnes, and trauell in paine to be deliuered from them? Indeed ſuch as hauehave true grace in their hearts, do ſigh and grone vnderunder the burthen of the relickes of ſinne ſtill abiding in them, and vnderunder their ſinfull infirmities, and with the woman Luke 7.44. they waſh the feete of Chriſt with teares, but as for others, they go lightly vnderunder the burthen of many fearefull and groſſe ſinnes, they are drunkards, and filthy perſons, and yet they can laugh and ſing, and be exceeding iocond and pleaſant: and this argueth the wonderfull hardneſſe of heart, that through the cuſtome of ſinne they are become ſenſleſſe of ſinne. Conſider it thou that art a drunkard, a blaſphemer, or the like; doth the dumbe and dead earth grone vnderunder the vanitie and corruption it lyeth vnderunder, and doſt not thou grone vnderunder thy corruptions and ſinnes that cleaue to thy ſoule and bodie? Yea doth the earth grone vnderunder thee, and is it wearie in bearing of thee, and would it faine open her mouth and ſwallow thee vp, becauſe of thy vile and groſſe ſinnes? and doſt thou go lightly vnderunder the burthen which makes the earth grone vnderunder thee? Thou art then more dull and dead hearted then the very earth thou treadeſt on, and thou going on in that hardneſſe and deadneſſe of heart, and vnfeelingneſſe in regard of ſinne, the dumbe and dead earth ſhall one day riſe vp in iudgement againſt thee: thinke on it, and learne thou to be ſenſible of ſinne, yea let eueryevery one of vsus learne by the example of the creatures, to be ſenſible of our corruptions and ſinnes, and of our fearefull miſerie, thraldome and bondage in regard of them, and to grone vnderunder the weight and burthen of them, and to trauell in paine to be deliuered from them, as earneſtly as a woman in paines of child-bearing deſires to be deliuered of her child: and to that end learne we to apprehend ſinne, and to take notice of it, in the true nature of it, and as indeed it is in it ſelfe, namely: That it is odious in the ſight of God, and displeaſing to the Lord, and in it ſelfe and of it ſelfe, Note.makes vsus liable to the wrath of God, and the curſe of God, which no other thing in the world doth. Not any miſerie whatſoeuer we endure, whether pouertie, ſickneſſe, impriſonment, or ſuch like, makes vsus miſerable and liable to the curſe of God, in it ſelfe, and of it ſelfe, but onelyonly our ſinnes. And if this be rightly apprehended and duly conſidered, it will make vsus wearie of our ſinnes, and make vsus grone vnderunder the burthen of them, and earneſtly deſire to be deliuered from them, and to vſe all good meanes, that we may be freed and deliuered from the burthen of them.
Now in that the Apoſtle ſaith, eueryevery creature in this viſible world grones and trauels in paine vnderunder the burden of vanitie and the bondage of corruption, euen all and eueryevery one without exception of any, I might note the extent of Gods anger and wrath againſt the ſinne of man, and that the curſe of God for mans ſinne hath a long extent, and reacheth farre, but that was partly touched before, and therefore I paſſe by it.
We are to marke further, that the Apoſtle here bringeth in the creatures, groning and trauelling in paine, and that ioyntly together, as it were with one heart, and with one conſent. He makes the dumbe and ſenſleſſe creatures, not onelyonly after a ſort ſenſible of their miſerie, of that vanitie and corruption they lie vnderunder, but as it were to condole and bemone one another, and to hauehave as it were a fellow feeling of one anothers miſerie, and ſo to grone together, and to trauell in paine together one with another, longing for eaſe and for deliuerance. We find that the Lord by his Prophet bringeth in the dumbe creatures, as it were hearing the complaint one of another. Hoſea 2.21.22. ſaith he, I will heare the heauens, and the heauens ſhall heare the earth, and the earth ſhall heare the corne, and the wine, and the oyle, and they ſhall heare Izreel. Now what is our leſſon from hence? Surely this.
That men and women to whom God hath giuen ſenſe, yea Doct. 3 reaſon, and will, and affections, are much more to hauehave a fellow feeling of one anothers miſerie, and to grone together vnderunder the burden one of another, eſpecially vnderunder the burden of ſinne, preſſing the ſoules one of another, and lying heauie on the conſcience,A fellow feeling of one anothers miſerie, and a groning together vnderunder the burthen one of another, eſpecially vnderunder the burden of ſin preſſing the conſcience, is required of vsus and the miſerie they lie vnderunder in reſpect of their ſinnes. Rom. 12.15. the Apoſtle ſaith in expreſſe termes, that we are to weepe with them that weepe, and we are to grone with them that grone. And Heb. 13.3. ſaith the Author of that Epiſtle, Remember them that are in bonds, as though ye were bound with them, and them that are in affliction, as if ye were alſo afflicted in the bodie: hauehave a fellow feeling of their bonds, and of their afflictions, as if your ſelues were preſſed with them, and did lie vnderunder them. And this was Pauls practiſe, as himſelfe ſaith, 2. Cor. 11.29. Who is weake, and I am not, and I beare not part with him in his weakneſſe? Who is offended and I burne not? It is the exhortation of the Apoſtle, Coloſ. 3.12. that we put on tender bowels, or bowels of merciemercy. The words there vſed are very ſignificant, foreign,foreign. they carrie this ſence, that we are to hauehave our hearts poſſeſt with a true touch & feeling of ye miſeries one of another, yea with a liuely ſenſe of them, as if we our ſelues were in the ſame caſe with our brethren that are in any diſtreſſe: we are to grone with them, when they grone vnderunder the burden of any miſerie, eſpecially vnderunder the burden of ſinne preſſing their ſoules, and lying heauie on their conſciences, and for the miſeries they lye vnderunder in reſpect of their ſinnes: for why, the reaſon Reaſon. & ground of this truth is this.
All men and women in the world, are of one and the ſame mould and matter, they all partake of the ſame ſubſtance, they are all of one fleſh, Iſai. 58.7. And the Lord hath made of one bloud all mankind, Acts 17.26. And ſuch men and women as are true beleeuers, are members of one and the ſame body; and the Lord hath layd it as a law on the members, that if one ſuffer all ſuffer with it, 1. Cor. 12.26. And therefore men and women are to hauehave a fellow feeling of one anothers miſerie, and to grone together vnderunder the burthen one of another, and eſpecially vnderunder the burthen of ſinne preſſing the ſoules of one another, and lying hard on the conſcience: and therefore for the vſe.
Ʋſe 1 On this ground we may conclude, that it ought to be farre from eueryevery one of vsus to inſult ouer ſuch as are in miſerie, and to make our ſelues merrie with their afflictions, or to take aduantage thereupon to deale hardly with them,It is moſt barbarous and brutiſh, to adde afflictiō to affliction, by inſulting ouer ſuch as are in miſerie, or by dealing hardly with them. and ſo to adde affliction to affliction, and one miſerie to another, that is moſt barbarous and brutiſh, and after the manner of dogs, to fall on him that is downe in the ſtreets, and it argues exceeding hardneſſe of heart: for the miſeries of others are as viſible Sermons, mouing to pittie and to a fellow feeling; and things ſeene, make a deeper impreſſion then things onelyonly heard of. We then ſeeing others groning vnderunder the burthen of any miſerie, to be ſo farre from being ſenſible of their miſerie, and from groning with them, as that we inſult ouer them, and thereupon take aduantage to deale hardly with them, ſurely it is an argument of extreame hardneſſe of heart, and eſpecially if we deale thus with ſuch as grone vnderunder the burthen of ſinne, as it is the manner of wicked and prophane perſons, when they ſee a man or a woman groning vnderunder the burthen of ſinne, troubled in mind and conſcience for ſinne, they make but a mocke and a ieſt of it, and they commonly ſay, ſuch perſons are but melancholicke fooles, or mad men or women. This argues extreme and monſtrous hardneſſe of heart, and this is to perſecute thoſe whom the Lord hath ſmitten, and to adde to the ſorrow of them whom he hath wounded, Pſal. 69.26. and that in an high degree. And this prouoketh the Lord to anger exceedingly, as he ſaith by his Prophet Zach. 1.15.Zach. 1.15. I am greatly angrie againſt the careleſſe heathen, for I was angrie but a little, and they helped forward the affliction. And they that thus do, ſhall be ſure at one time or other to find the heauie hand of God on their owne ſoules.
And ſo for a ſecond vſe, learne we the dutie now made Ʋſe 2 knowne to vsus,A neceſſarie dutie to be learned. euen to hauehave a fellow feeling of one anothers miſerie, & after the example of the poore dumbe creatures, to grone together vnderunder the burthen one of another, and eſpecially vnderunder the burthen of ſinne, preſſing the ſoules of our brethren, and lying heauie on their conſciences. When we ſee a man or a woman groning vnderunder the burthen of ſinne, and troubled in mind and conſcience, we are to grone with them, to mourne with them, to pray for them, to comfort them, and to helpe them what we may: yea we are to grone for the ſins of thoſe who grone not for themſelues, being hardened in their hearts, and hauing no ſenſe nor feeling of them. Thus did good Lot, as the Apoſtle witneſſeth of him, 2. Pet. 2.7. he was vexed and grieued with the vncleane conuerſation of the filthie Sodomites: he fetched many a ſigh and ſob, and many a grone for their filthineſſe, who as the Apoſtle ſaith, Epheſ. 4.19. Being past feeling, gaue themſelues to worke all vncleanneſſe, euen with greedineſſe. And we hauehave the example of the Lord Ieſus, Marke 3.5. the text ſaith, He looked about on the people angerly, and mourning alſo for the hardneſſe of their hearts. They had hard hearts and groned not for themſelues, they groned not for their owne ſinnes, but the Lord Ieſus he mourned and groned in his heart for them, and thus are we to do; we are to grone with them who feele the weight of their ſinnes lying heauie on their ſoules, and do grone vnderunder the burthen of them.Note. Yea we are to grone for their ſinnes who hauehave hard hearts, and neither do nor can grone for themſelues; and our eyes are to poure out flouds of teares for them who keepe not Gods Law, as Dauid ſaith and did, Pſal. 119.136. And if we do ſo, ſurely it is an argument that the Lord hath giuen vsus ſoft and melting hearts, yea it is an euidence to vsus to our comfort, that we truly feele the burthen of ſinne on our owne ſoules, when we can grone with others in reſpect of ſin preſſing their ſoules: let it be thought on and remembred.
One thing yet remaines to be noted in this verſe, I will but touch it in a word. The Apoſtle ſaith, EueryEvery creature groneth together with vsus, and to this preſent, to this very moment and minute of time. Thus ſpake the Apoſtle in the time when he writ this Epiſtle, and thus may we ſtill ſay, that eueryevery creature grones with vsus to this very moment, it is ſtill ſo: and ſo the point hence is this.
Doct. 4 That the poore creatures in this viſible world, do ſtill as yet to this very moment of time, grone and trauell in paine vnderunder the burthen of vanitie and corruption, and they ſhall lye vnderunder that burthen till the end of the world,The viſible creatures in this world ſhall lye vnderunder vanitie & corruption till the end of the world. till the day of iudgement.
For why, ſinne ſtill abides in the world, which is the cauſe of that vanitie and corruption that cleaues to the creatures, and till ſinne be taken out of the world, which ſhall not be till the day of iudgement, Reaſon. the poore creatures ſhall not be freed from that burthen. And howſoeuer ſinne be expiate and taken away from Gods choſen, in regard of the guilt and puniſhment by the bloud of Chriſt, yet the creatures ſhall not be freed from ſubiection to vanitie, and from the bondage of corruption, till ſinne be taken out of the nature of things, and ceaſſe to hauehave any being in the world.
Ʋſe. 1 And therefore for the vſe: firſt on this ground we muſt learne in vſing the creatures, to ſeeke to God that he will be pleaſed to remoue from them the curſe that cleaueth to them.In vſing the creatures we are to intreate God to remoue from them the curſe that cleaueth to them. The poore creatures are ſtill ſubiect to mutabilitie, to corruption, to alteration and change, and they ſtill to this preſent lye vnderunder weakeneſſe, they are not able to do vsus good vnleſſe the Lord remoue the curſe from them, and bleſſe them to vsus, and by his bleſſing make them good and comfortable to vsus: it comes from the bleſſing of God that our meate doth feed vsus, and that our clothes keepe vsus warme. If the Lord ſay the word, his creatures do vsus good, Math. 4.4. If he deny a bleſſing to them, they can do vsus no good at all: we ſee it in experience, ſome pine away in the middeſt of plentie, and hauing abundance of gold and ſiluer. And therefore we muſt remember in vſing the creatures, to intreate the Lord to remoue from them the curſe that cleaues to them, and that he would bleſſe them to vsus, that they may be for our good and comfort.
And for a ſecond vſe, it being ſo that the curſe of God ſtill Ʋſe. 2 cleaues to the poore creatures,How men do adde to the curſe that cleaues to the creatures diſcouered. we muſt take heed we adde not to that curſe. How is that, may ſome ſay? Surely by our deſiring of the good creatures of God, gold, ſiluer, and the like inſatiably, and by ſeeking of them by vnlawfull meanes, by vſurie, by deceit, and the like; we ſo deſiring the good creatures of God, and ſo ſeeking of them, we may haply come to hauehave abundance of them, but withall we hauehave the curſe of God attending on that abundance, and that abundance is giuen to vsus in Gods wrath, and not in his merciemercy. Salomon ſaith, Prou. 10.22. The bleſſing of God it maketh rich, and he addes no ſorrowes with it. There be riches with ſorrow, & with a miſchiefe, and with the curſe of God attending on them; yea riches deſired inſatiably, and ſought after by vnlawfull meanes, and ſo obtained, bring the curſe of God on the ſoules of them who ſo get them. And this ought to abate the edge of our affections from the things of this world, and to make vsus not to louelove them, and deſire them, and to ſeeke after them ſo eagerly as commonly we do. Come we now to the 23. verſe.