CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Lastly, These main Reasons being laid down then we may add, Christ prayed for our example also; It's wonder any should be so transported with pride as to think themselves above prayer, that they need not to pray, when we see Christ himself diligent in this Duty, So that as we are to learn of him, and imitate the Zeal, Patience, and Love that was in him, so we are the Religious Conversation also of Christ, which was manifested in his fervent Prayers unto God upon all occasions, yet though Christ did thus pray, there was a great difference between Christs Prayers and ours.

Lastly, These main Reasons being laid down then we may adde, Christ praied for our example also; It's wonder any should be so transported with pride as to think themselves above praier, that they need not to pray, when we see Christ himself diligent in this Duty, So that as we are to learn of him, and imitate the Zeal, Patience, and Love that was in him, so we are the Religious Conversation also of Christ, which was manifested in his fervent Praiers unto God upon all occasions, yet though Christ did thus pray, there was a great difference between Christs Praiers and ours.

For first, If we speak absolutely of Christ as a person, so he needed not to pray, ¹for being in that respect God as well as man; Therefore he could have done all things the humane Nature desired without any humble Supplication unto the Father; It was then in respect of his humane nature only, and his voluntary Humiliation of himself, otherwise being God as well as man, He might have done all things by sole power and authority; Indeed there are some who hold that Christ still in Heaven as man, doth pray to God the Father, properly and formally in respect of his Church, and so understand those places where he is said to be an Advocate with the Father, and where he is said still to make intercession for us, not (say they) that he prayeth in such a servile humbled manner as he did here on Earth, yet they say it's more then mere a representation of himself, or will that the Father fulfil what he hath purchased; It's true and formal praying, neither (say they) is this any more indecent and unbeseeming Christ as man in Heaven, then praising of God, which yet as man he doth; Howsoever this be, yet it's sure that when he did pray on earth, yet it was not with such an absolute necessity and indigency as any man, or the whole Church doth pray for, they cannot in any Consideration help themselves.