The works of the Reverend and learned John Lightfoot D. D., late Master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge such as were, and such as never before were printed : in two volumes : with the authors life and large and useful tables to each volume : also three maps : one of the temple drawn by the author himself, the others of Jervsalem and the Holy Land drawn according to the author's chorography, with a description collected out of his writings.

VERS. XIX.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

For the earnest expectation of the creature, &c.

THERE is a twofold key hanging at this place that may unlock the whole, and make the sense plain and easie.

1. The first is, this phrase 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which we render the whole Creation, vers. 22. and we meet with it twice elsewhere in the New Testament, Mark XVI. vers. 15.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Preach the Gospel to every creature. Col. I. 23. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Gospel which was preached to every creature. Now it is apparent enough what is meant by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in both these places, viz. all Nations, or the Heathen World. For that which in S. Mark is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, preach the Gospel to every creature; in S. Matthew is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 go and teach all Nations, teaching them. The very phrase in this place lays claim to that very Interpretation. I have also observed upon that place of S. Mark, that that phrase 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which signifies the same with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, every creature, is ap∣plied by the Jews to the Gentiles, and that by way of opposition to Israel.

2. The second is, that word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, vers. 20. which indeed is not unfitly rendred vanity; but then, this vanity is improperly applied to this vanishing, changable, dying state of the Creation. For 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, vanity, doth not so much denote the vanishing condition of the outward state, as it doth the inward vanity and emptiness of the mind. So the Apostle speaking of the Gentiles (concerning whom he speaks here) tells us, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 they became vain in their imaginations. a 1.1 And again, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind. b 1.2 So also, that The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that they are vain. * 1.3 To all which, let me add this observation further, that throughout this whole place, the Apostle seemeth to allude to the Israelites bondage in Egypt and their deliverance out of it; with a comparison made betwixt the Jewish and the Gentile Church. When God would deliver Israel from his bondage, he challengeth him for his Son, and his first-born, Exod. IV. 22. And in like manner the people of the Gentiles do earnestly expect and wait for such a kind of manifestation of the Sons of God within and among themselves. The Romans, to whom this Apostle writes, knew well enough, how many and how great predictions and promises it had pleased God to publish by his Prophets, concerning gathering together and adopting Sons to himself among the Gen∣tiles; the manifestation and production of which Sons, the whole Gentile World with a neck as it were stretched out, doth now wait for.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Rom. I. 21.
• b 1.2

  Ephes. IV. 17.
• * 1.3

  1 Cor. III. 20.