4. What was the Prayer of Christ, at, or after his Baptism? The Evangelist Luke 1speaks of his Prayer. It came to pass that Jesus being Baptized, and Praying, the Heavens were opened. This was the manner of those that were Baptized, as soon as they were Baptized, to come out of the water and Pray; and some think that these words,2 they were Baptized of him in Jordan confessing their sins, hath reference to this: if so, then Christ having no sins to confess of his own, the tenor of his prayer must needs be to some other purpose: But to what purpose? some say, to the same purpose as his Prayers were usually; as in John 17. that his Father would preserve his Church in Unity and Truth; and that he would Glorify his Church, that they also might be one, even as he and his Father are one; and especially that many might be converted by his Ministry, which he was now beginning. Others think that this Prayer at this time, was for that which followed upon his very prayer (i.e.) that the Holy Ghost might descend, and that the Father would Glorify the Son by a Testimony from Heaven: Indeed, the Text hath laid his Prayer, and the opening of the Heavens so close together, as that it seems to point out what was the tenor of his Prayer, by the consequent of it. Before the Heaven ⟨p. 172⟩was mured up, no Dove to be seen, no Voice to be heard, but straight upon it (as if they had but waited the last word of his prayer) all of them follow: and in another place, we find the like return upon the like prayer;3 Father, Glorify thy Name: then came there a voice from Heaven, saying, I have both Glorified it, and I will Glorify it again: one reason more, if we consider that Christ was now to enter upon the great Work of our Redemption, and the preaching of the Gospel, it will be no less strange to conceive that he prayed for the visible sealing of him to that Work and Office, by the coming of the Holy Ghost.4 To this purpose is that of the Evangelist; for him hath God the Father sealed; it is a Phrase borrowed from them, who give their Commissions under hand and seal; and this is certain that upon his Prayer God sent the holy Spirit, who sealed him, or allowed, and confirmed him to the Office of our Redemption; and therefore very probable it is, that his Prayer might tend to that purpose; but herein take heed of excluding what was mentioned in the former opinion;
4. What was the Prayer of Christ, at, or after his Baptism? The Evangelist Luke 1speaks of his Prayer. It came to pass that Jesus being Baptized, and Praying, the Heavens were opened. This was the manner of those that were Baptized, assoon as they were Baptized, to come out of the water and Pray; and some think that these words,2 they were Baptized of him in Jordan confessing their sins, hath reference to this: if so, then Christ having no sins to confess of his own, the tenour of his prayer must needs be to some other purpose: But to what purpose? some say, to the same purpose as his Prayers were usually; as in John 17. that his Father would preserve his Church in Ʋnity and Truth; and that he would Glorifie his Church, that they also might be one, even as he and his Father are one; and especially that many might be converted by his Ministry, which he was now beginning. Others think that this Prayer at this time, was for that which followed upon his very prayer (i.e.) that the Holy Ghost might descend, and that the Father would Glorifie the Son by a Testimony from Heaven: Indeed, the Text hath laid his Prayer, and the opening of the Heavens so close together, as that it seems to point out what was the tenour of his Prayer, by the consequent of it. Before the Heaven ⟨p. 172⟩was mured up, no Dove to be seen, no Voice to be heard, but streight upon it (as if they had but waited the last word of his prayer) all of them follow: and in another place, we find the like return upon the like prayer;3 Father, Glorify thy Name: then came there a voice from Heaven, saying, I have both Glorified it, and I will Glorifie it again: one reason more, if we consider that Christ was now to enter upon the great Work of our Redemption, and the preaching of the Gospel, it will be no less strange to conceive that he prayed for the visible sealing of him to that Work and Office, by the coming of the Holy Ghost.4 To this purpose is that of the Evangelist; for him hath God the Father sealed; it is a Phrase borrowed from them, who give their Commissions under hand and seal; and this is certain that upon his Prayer God sent the holy Spirit, who sealed him, or allowed, and confirmed him to the Office of our Redemption; and therefore very probable it is, that his Prayer might tend to that purpose; but herein take heed of excluding what was mentioned in the former opinion;
- 1Luke 3.21.
- 2Mat. 3.36.
- 3John 12.28.
- 4John 6.27.
