Fourthly, Let us consider the manner how he prayed, and that was,
First, Solitarily. He doth not here pray in the audience of his Disciples, as he had done before; but went at a distance from them. He had now private business to transact with God. He left some ⟨p. 287⟩of them,1 at the entering into the Garden; and for Peter, James and John, that went farther with him than the rest; he bids them remain there, while he went and prayed. He did not desire them to pray with him, or for him; no, he must tread the wine-press alone. Nor will he have them with him, possibly left it should discourage them to see and hear, how he groaned, sweat, trembled, and cried, as one in an agony, to his Father.
Reader, there are times, and cases, when a Christian would not be willing the dearest and most intimate friend he hath in the world, should be privy to what passes betwixt him and his God.
Secondly, It was an humble prayer, that's evident by the postures into which he cast himself. Sometimes kneeling, and sometimes prostrate upon his face. He creeps in the very dust, lower he cannot fall; and his heart was as low as his body. He is meek and lowly indeed.
Thirdly, It was a reiterated prayer, he prays, and then returns to the Disciples, as a man in extremity turns every way for comfort; so Christ prays, Father let the cup pass, but in that the Father hears him not: though as to support, he was heard. Being denied deliverance by his Father, he goes and bemoans himself to his pensive friends; and complains bitterly to them, my soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death. He would ease himself a little by opening his condition to them; but alas, they rather increase, than ease his burden. For he finds them asleep, which occasioned that gentle reprehension from him. Matth. 26.40. What could you not watch with me one hour. What, not watch with me? who may expect it from you more than I? could you not watch, I am going to die for you, and you cannot watch with me? what! cannot you watch wi•h me one hour? alas, what if I had required great matters from you? What! not an hour, and that the parting hour too! Christ finds no ease from them, and back again he goes to that sad place, which he had stained and purpled with a bloody sweat: and prays to the same purpose again. O how he returns upon God, over and over, as if he resolved to take no denial!
Fourthly, Let us consider the manner how he prayed, and that was,
First, Solitarily. He doth not here pray in the audience of his Disciples, as he had done before; but went at a distance from them. He had now private business to transact with God. He left some ⟨p. 287⟩of them,1 at the entring into the Garden; and for Peter, Iames and Iohn, that went farther with him than the rest; he bids them remain there, while he went and prayed. He did not desire them to pray with him, or for him; no, he must tread the wine-press alone. Nor will he have them with him, possibly left it should discourage them to see and hear, how he groaned, sweat, trembled, and cried, as one in an agony, to his Father.
Reader, there are times, and cases, when a Christian would not be willing the dearest and most intimate friend he hath in the world, should be privy to what passes betwixt him and his God.
Secondly, It was an humble prayer, that's evident by the postures into which he cast himself. Sometimes kneeling, and sometimes prostrate upon his face. He creeps in the very dust, lower he cannot fall; and his heart was as low as his body. He is meek and lowly indeed.
Thirdly, It was a reiterated prayer, he prays, and then returns to the Disciples, as a man in extremity turns every way for comfort; so Christ prays, Father let the cup pass, but in that the Father hears him not: though as to support, he was heard. Being denied deliverance by his Father, he goes and bemoans himself to his pensive friends; and complains bitterly to them, my soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death. He would ease himself a little by opening his condition to them; but alas, they rather increase, than ease his burden. For he finds them asleep, which occasioned that gentle reprehension from him. Matth. 26.40. What could you not watch with me one hour. What, not watch with me? who may expect it from you more than I? could you not watch, I am going to die for you, and you cannot watch with me? what! cannot you watch wi•h me one hour? alas, what if I had required great matters from you? What! not an hour, and that the parting hour too! Christ finds no ease from them, and back again he goes to that sad place, which he had stained and purpled with a bloody sweat: and prays to the same purpose again. O how he returns upon God, over and over, as if he resolved to take no denial!
- 1Tristitiae mede lam quaerit in praecibus; quibus ut liberius vacare possit, modicum s•cedit.
