The Fountain of Life Opened

What! Did he now repent of the bargain? Was all he said before but a flourish, before he saw the enemy? Doth he now begin to wish his bargain dry? and that he had never undertaken such a work, is that the meaning of it? Nothing less. No, no, Christ never repented of his engagement to the Father. Never was willing to let the burden lie on us, rather than on himself. There was not such a thought in his holy and faithful heart: but the resolution of this doubt depends upon a double distinction. Which will clear his meaning in it.

First, You must distinguish of prayers. Some are absolute, and peremptory; and so to have prayed that the cup might pass, would have been chargeable with such absurdities as were but now mentioned: others are conditional, and submissive prayers, if it may be, if the Lord please. And such was this, if thou be willing, if not I'll drink it. But you will say Christ knew what was the mind of God in that case. He knew what transactions had of old been betwixt his Father, and him; and therefore though he did not pray absolutely, yet it's strange he would pray conditionally it might pass. Therefore in the

First, You must distinguish of prayers. Some are absolute, and peremptory; and so to have prayed that the cup might pass, would have been chargeable with such absurdities as were but now mentioned: others are conditional, and submissive prayers, if it may be, if the Lord please. And such was this, if thou be willing, if not I'le drink it. But you will say Christ knew what was the mind of God in that case. He knew what transactions had of old been betwixt his Father, and him; and therefore though he did not pray absolutely, yet it's strange he would pray conditionally it might pass. Therefore in the