Did offer up prayers and supplications, &c.] §2The second is this, that Christ sought remedy at his hands who was able to save him, that he might be delivered from his troubles. And this he saith to the end none should think that Christ had an heart of brass without feeling. For we must always consider to what end every thing is spoken. If Christ had not bin touched with any sorrow, what consolation would have come unto us by his passions? But when we hear that he felt not bodily pains alone, but also endured sharp torments in his spirit, herein is the similitude showed between him and us. For when Christ (saith he) endured death and other miseries, it was not to the end he should set them light, or not be touched with any feeling of them: for he prayed with cries, and tears, by which he gave testimony of the great anguish that was in his heart. The Apostle then by these tears, and strong cries would express a vehement dolour: it being an ordinary manner of speech to note out that which was done, by the signs. Neither do I doubt but ⟨p. 99⟩that he speaks of that prayer which the Evangelists recite: to wit, Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me, Matth. 26.39. Also another time, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? For the Evangelists recite, that in this second prayer there was a great cry: In the first, we must not imagine that his eyes were dry, whilst drops of blood trickled from his body, by reason of the great sorrow he was in. For it is most certain he was then shut up under extreme anguishes. We need not doubt then whether he were pressed with true sorrows or no, seeing he did thus earnestly pray unto his Father for succour. But what use hath this? Truly that as often as we are pressed under temptations, we learn to fasten all our senses upon the Son of God, who felt the like. Seeing he goeth before us then, 1we have no cause to be out of heart. And withal we are admonished not to sue unto any for deliverance out of our miseries, but to God alone. For what better rule of prayer can we have than the example of Christ? Now he directed his prayer to none but to his Father: O my Father (saith he) if it be possible, &c. Matth. 26.39. And the Apostle showeth us that we are to do the like, when he saith that Christ offered up prayers to him that was able to save him from death.
Did offer vp prayers and supplications, &c.] §2The second is this, that Christ sought remedie at his hands who was able to saue him, that hee might be deliuered from his troubles. And this he saith to the end none should thinke that Christ had an heart of brasse without feeling. For we must alwaies consider to what end euery thing is spoken. If Christ had not bin touched with any sorrow, what consolation would haue come vnto vs by his passions? But when we heare that he felt not bodily paines alone, but also endured sharp torments in his spirit, herein is the similitude shewed between him and vs. For when Christ (saith he) endured death and other miseries, it was not to the end he should set them light, or not be touched with any feeling of them: for he prayed with cries, and teares, by which hee gaue testimonie of the great anguish that was in his heart. The Apostle then by these teares, and strong cries would expresse a vehement dolour: it being an ordinarie manner of speech to note out that which was done, by the signes. Neither do I doubt but ⟨p. 99⟩that he speakes of that prayer which the Euangelists recite: to wit, Father, if it bee possible, let this cup passe from me, Matth. 26.39. Also another time, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? For the Euangelists recite, that in this second prayer there was a great crie: In the first, wee must not imagine that his eyes were drie, whilest drops of blood trickled from his bodie, by reason of the great sorrow hee was in. For it is most certaine he was then shut vp vnder extreme anguishes. We need not doubt then whether he were pressed with true sorrowes or no, seeing he did thus earnestly pray vnto his Father for succour. But what vse hath this? Truly that as often as we are pressed vnder temptations, we learne to fasten all our senses vpon the Sonne of God, who felt the like. Seeing hee goeth before vs then, 1wee haue no cause to be out of heart. And withall wee are admonished not to sue vnto any for deliuerance out of our miseries, but to God alone. For what better rule of prayer can wee haue than the example of Christ? Now he directed his prayer to none but to his Father: O my Father (saith he) if it be possible, &c. Matth. 26.39. And the Apostle sheweth vs that we are to doe the like, when he saith that Christ offered vp prayers to him that was able to saue him from death.
- 1What we are to do in temptations of spirit.VVhat we are to doe in temptations of spirit.
