An exposition of the Symbol of the ApostlesAn exposition of the Symbole of the Apostles

Who (that is to say Christ) in the days of his flesh did offer up prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was also heard in that which he feared, and though he were the son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered, and being consecrated was made the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey: where also this is to be observed, that the willing obedience of Christ is seen in that same descending of Christ. And therefore Saint Peter also 1. Epistle cap. 2 calleth Christ the Pastor of souls. Now although that Christ in his passion did only feel these sorrows of hell for a time, yet notwithstanding this same humiliation of the son of God, into those same extreme sorrows of hell enduring only for a time, is equal with those everlasting pains, which in sinning against the eternal God, we have deserved: seeing that same person God is everlasting who hath so humbled it self in his human ⟨p. 174⟩nature, that it felt the sorrows of hell. Which also is the cause why those same sorrows in Christ, could but last only for a time, under which the ungodly lie overwhelmed for ever. Neither is there any cause why any man should think, that these things which are attributed unto him of the Evangelists, to wit, heaviness, fear, and to conclude, sorrow, all which do spring of infirmity, to be unmeet for the person of Christ. First for because Christ not for his own, but for our cause took these things upon him of his own accord, and therefore they withdraw nothing from his power and strength. Moreover this infirmity of Christ was pure and free from all sin, aswell because he continued in true obedience, so that he suffered such great torments without any blasphemy against God, as also because he left not off, to have hope in God, admit he were vexed above measure, when he ceased not to call him his God, of whom he crieth out that he was forsaken. Hebrews. 5. verses 7.8.9.

Who (that is to say Christ) in the dayes of his flesh did offer vp prayers and supplications, with strong crying and teares vnto him that was able to saue him from death, and was also heard in that which he feared, and though he were the sonne, yet learned he obedience by the thinges which he suffred, and being consecrated was made the author of eternal saluation vnto all them that obey: where also this is to be obserued, that the willing obedience of Christ is seene in that same descending of Christ. And therefore Saint Peter also 1. Epistle cap. 2 calleth Christ the Pastor of soules. Nowe although that Christ in his passion did onely feele these sorrowes of hel for a time, yet notwithstanding this same humiliation of the sonne of God, into those same extreame sorrowes of hell enduring onely for a time, is equal with those euerlasting paines, which in sinning against the eternal God, we haue deserued: seeing that same person God is euerlasting who hath so humbled it selfe in his humaine