The Fountain of Life Opened

First, The time when it was uttered; about the ninth hour, (i. e.) §1about three of the clock after noon. For as the Jews divided the night into four quarters, or watches: so they divided the day in like ⟨p. 448⟩manner into four quarters, or greater hours. Which had their names from that hour of the day that closed the quarter. So that beginning their account of their lesser hours from six in the morning, which with them was the first, their ninth hour answered to our third after noon. And this is heedfully marked by the Evangelists on purpose to show us how long Christ hanged in distress upon the Cross, both in soul and body, which at least was three full hours. Towards the end whereof his soul was so filled, distressed, and overwhelmed; that this doleful cry brake from his soul, in bitter anguish. My God, my God, &c.

First, The time when it was uttered; about the ninth hour, (i. e.) §1about three of the clock after noon. For as the Jews divided the night into four quarters, or watches: so they divided the day in like ⟨p. 448⟩manner into four quarters, or greater hours. Which had their names from that hour of the day that closed the quarter. So that beginning their account of their lesser hours from six in the morning, which with them was the first, their ninth hour answered to our third after noon. And this is heedfully marked by the Evangelists on purpose to shew us how long Christ hanged in distress upon the Cross, both in soul and body, which at least was three full hours. Towards the end whereof his soul was so filled, distressed, and overwhelmed; that this doleful cry brake from his soul, in bitter anguish. My God, my God, &c.

Secondly, The matter of the complaint. It is not of the cruel tortures he felt in his body, nor of the scoffs and reproaches of his name; he mentions not a word of these, they were all swallowed up in the sufferings within, as the River is swallowed up in the Sea, or the lesser flame in the greater. He seems to neglect all these, and only complains of what was more burdensome than ten thousand Crosses. Even his Fathers deserting him, my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? It is a more inward trouble that burdens him, darkness upon his spirit, the hidings of Gods face from him, an affliction he was totally a stranger to, till now. Here he lays his hand in this complaint. This was the pained place, to which he points in this dolorous out-cry.