A Golden Chain

The fifth point, what is the matter and form of this prayer. Answ. Christ prays to be delivered from the death and passion which was to come, saying on this manner, Father, let this cup pass from me: yet with two clauses added thereto, If it be possible, and, Not my will, but thy will be done. But it may be demanded, how it could be that Christ knowing that it was his Fathers will and counsel that he should suffer death for man, and also coming into the world for that end, should make such a request to his Father without sin. Answ. The request proceeds only of a weakness or infirmity in Christs manhood without sin, which appeareth thus. We must still consider that when he made this prayer to his father, the whole wrath of God and the very dolours and pangs of hell seized upon him: whereby the senses and powers of his mind were astonished, and wholly bent to relieve nature in this agony. For as when the heart is smitten with grief, all the blood in the body flows thither to comfort it: so when Christ was in this astonishment, the understanding and memory, and all the parts of his humane nature (as it were for a time suspending their own proper actions) concurred to sustain and support the spirit and life of Christ, as much as possibly might be. Now Christ being in the middest of this perplexed estate, prayeth on this manner, Father, if it be possible let this cup pass. And these words proceed not from any sin or disobedience to his Fathers will, but only from a mere ^aperturbation of mind, caused only by an outward means, namely the apprehension of Gods anger; which neither blinded his understanding nor took away his memory so as he forgot his fathers will, but only stopped and stayed the act of reasoning and remembering for a little time: even as in the most perfect clock that is the motion may be stayed by the air, or by mans hand, or by some outward cause without any defect or breach, made in any part of it. It may be objected that Christs will is flat contrary to the will of his father. Ans. Christs will as he is man and the will of his father in this agony, were not contrary, but only divers, and that without any contradiction or contrariety. Now a man may will a divers thing from that which God willeth, and that without sin.

The fifth point, what is the matter and forme of this prayer. Answ. Christ praies to be deliuered from the death and passion which was to come, saying on this manner, Father, let this cuppe passe from me: yet with two clauses added thereto, If it be possible, and, Not my will, but thy will be done. But it may be demanded, how it could be that Christ knowing that it was his Fathers will and counsell that he should suffer death for man, and also comming into the world for that ende, should make such a request to his Father without sinne. Answ. The request proceedes onely of a weaknes or infirmitie in Christs manhood without sinne, which appeareth thus. We must still consider that when he made this prayer to his father, the whole wrath of God and the very dolours and pangs of hell seazed vpon him: whereby the senses and powers of his minde were astonished, and wholly bent to releeue nature in this agonie. For as when the heart is smitten with griefe, all the blood in the bodie flowes thither to comfort it: so when Christ was in this astonishment, the vnderstanding and memorie, and all the parts of his humane nature (as it were for a time suspending their owne proper actions) concurred to sustaine and support the spirit and life of Christ, as much as possibly might be. Now Christ beeing in the middest of this perplexed estate, prayeth on this manner, Father, if it be possible let this cuppe passe. And these words proceede not from any sinne or disobedience to his Fathers will, but onely from a meere