A commentary on the whole Epistle to the Hebrews. By M. John Calvin. Translated…A commentarie on the vvhole Epistle to the Hebrevves. By M. Iohn Caluin. Translated…

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.