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

2. As for the substance of the petition, a great doubt may arise in a mans mind how this could be in Christ without sin, or contradiction to himself. He that had foretold his death, and professed so often to be willing to die, and was sent into the world for this purpose, and if he died not all the Elect were undone: how can it be that now he prays that if it be possible he may not die? I answer this objection two ways: first, that he doth not expressly pray against his death, but his words may be understood as well (as I conceive) of the Agony he was in, in his soul: and so what inconvenience can follow, if we grant that he desired of God that it might pass from him, or be quickly removed, if it were possible and might stand with Gods will: there ⟨p. 345⟩was no necessity that his Agony should abide still upon him. Secondly, if it be understood of his death, yet all that might be without sin, because they are the words of Christ, now astonished and amazed, his understanding and memory by the violence of the pain being interrupted in their working for a short time. As a Clock may be perfect, and yet stand by reason of some outward cause, as a mans hand, or the weather, or the like: so the frame of our Saviours affections and desires was most perfect, though by the violence of the hand of God upon him for a time, his nature remembered only the preservation of her self. From this frailty of our Saviour showed in the matter of his petition, weak Christians may gather much comfort, and persuasion, that their weakness and frailties in prayer shall be passed by of God and Christ.

2. As for the substance of the petition, a great doubt may arise in a mans mind how this could be in Christ without sinne, or contradiction to himselfe. He that had foretold his death, and professed so often to bee willing to die, and was sent into the world for this purpose, and if he died not all the Elect were vndone: how can it bee that now hee prayes that if it be possible he may not die? I answer this obiection two wayes: first, that he doth not expresly pray against his death, but his words may be vnderstood as well (as I conceiue) of the Agonie he was in, in his soule: and so what inconuenience can follow, if we grant that hee desired of God that it might passe from him, or bee quickly remoued, if it were possible and might stand with Gods will: there ⟨p. 345⟩