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

1. The company was with him, or near to him at the time of his prayer, and so the Text notes that he singled out of all the Disciples three of them whom he loved most, viz. Peter, and John, and James. Now this company he took for two Reasons: First, that they might be witnesses of this part of his Passion. Secondly, he chose them to be by him, as such as to whom he could more freely discover himself: and in this our Saviour did express that which is settled in the natures almost of all men, and so of all godly men, in the businesses of religion. There be some persons before whom a man would more willingly pray or preach or do any duty; and yet others have no just cause to take exceptions as if they were neglected, or it was partiality, for we see here Christ himself did single out these men, and leave the rest of the Disciples further off, Matth. 26. 36, 37. and withal from hence we may learn that the very presence of such as we love, doth us good when we are in distress, though they should say nothing to us; as here our Saviour gives these Disciples a great charge to tarry by him, and yet they say not a word to him, no not when he makes his moan, that his heart was heavy to the very death: yea it seems our Saviour was not willing to be without them, though they ⟨p. 341⟩slept by him, and seemed to take little notice of his distress. Further, these three were they that had seen his Transfiguration on the Mount, and therefore are now the fittest to behold this great abasement, without wavering in the faith of his Divinity, because they had seen him glorious, whom now they are to behold so infirm.

1. The company was with him, or neere to him at the time of his prayer, and so the Text notes that he singled out of all the Disciples three of them whom he loued most, viz. Peter, and Iohn, and Iames. Now this company hee tooke for two Reasons: First, that they might bee witnesses of this part of his Passion. Secondly, he chose them to be by him, as such as to whom he could more freely discouer himselfe: and in this our Sauiour did expresse that which is setled in the natures almost of all men, and so of all godly men, in the businesses of religion. There be some persons before whom a man would more willingly pray or preach or doe any dutie; and yet others haue no iust cause to take exceptions as if they were neglected, or it was partialitie, for we see here Christ himselfe did single out these men, and leaue the rest of the Disciples further off,