The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as…

The fourth thing our Saviour did for preparing him for his Passion, was the choice of the place where he would begin his Passion: and therein two things are worthy to be considered: viz. The kind of place he chooseth, and his great willingness to suffer for us. The place he chose was a Garden: and that he did of purpose, for as the first sin was committed in a Garden, so he is pleased to offer himself to suffer the first part of his great Passion in a Garden. Thus is our blessed Saviour pleased by his obedience in a Garden, to make satisfaction of the sin of Rebellion committed by our first Parents in Paradise: The next is the demonstration of our Saviours willingness to suffer for us, which he shows plainly in choosing the place: for first it would be hard for the Priests to apprehend him in the City, because of the people, therefore he gets out of the City to a place that was near. Again, the Evangelists note that he went to a place he was accustomed to go to, that so it might not be difficult to find him, Luke 22. 39. And to make it out of all doubt, S. John saith, That Judas that betrayed him knew the place. And it is profitable for us to know that our Saviour did suffer willingly, because that adds to the price of his satisfaction; for unless his Passion had been voluntary, there had not been a just satisfaction for our sins to Gods Justice: And besides, that circumstance should the more stir up our hearts to admire the greatness of his love to us. And finally, it is a most lively president to teach us with all willingness to take up our cross and follow him, that hath so willingly suffered such grievous things for us.

The fourth thing our Sauiour did for preparing him for his Passion, was the choice of the place where he would begin his Passion: and therein two things are worthy to be considered: viz. The kinde of place he chooseth, and his great willingnesse to suffer for vs. The place he chose was a Garden: and that he did of purpose, for as the first sin was committed in a Garden, so he is pleased to offer himselfe to suffer the first part of his great Passion in a Garden. Thus is our blessed Sauiour pleased by his obedience in a Garden, to make satisfaction of the sin of Rebellion committed by our first Parents in Paradise: The next is the demonstration of our Sauiours willingnesse to suffer for vs, which hee shewes plainly in choosing the place: for first it would be hard for the Priests to apprehend him in the Citie, because of the people, therefore hee gets out of the Citie to a place that was neare. Againe, the Euangelists note that he went to a place he was accustomed to goe to, that so it might not be difficult to finde him,