delivered. And he declined everlasting destruction, as a thing he knew he should escape without all doubt or uncertaintie of event, though not without conflicting with the temptations of Sathan, and the enduring of many grievous and bitter things.
These passions in Christ were most pure, because he himselfe was most free from all taint of sin, as if you put cleare water into a cleare glasse, though you shake and stirre it never so much, it will raise no mud.
The effects of this agony were two; Earnest prayer and bloudie sweat. BeingLuk. 22.44. in an agony he prayed more fervently. He fell on his face and prayed:Matt. 26.39. He prayed thrice the same words, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup passe from me: neverthelesse, not as I will, but as thou wilt. As the sense of nature and inferiour reason presented death, and the ignominy of the crosse unto him, as they are in themselves evill, without the consideration of any good to follow, he desired to decline them. But as superiour reason considered them with all circumstances, knowing Gods resolution to be such, that the world should thereby be saved, and by no other meanes, he most willingly accepted of them. Between these desires there was a diversity, but no contrariety: a subordination, but no repugnance or resistance. Consider Christ in private as a man, of the same naturall affections, desires and abhorrencies with other men, and the cup as it was very bitter and grievous, and so most justly he feared and declined it, and could not but decline it, unlesse he had put off the nature and affection of man: But consider him in his publike relation, as a Mediatour, a suretie, a mercifull and faithfull high Priest, and so he most willingly and obediently submitted unto it. And this willingnesse in respect of his office was much the greater, and the comfort we may draw from thence the sweeter, because in respect of nature, his will could not but shrinke for it. If nature had not necessarily shrunke, sweat startled, and stood amazed at that service, Christ had not manifested so much love and free submission to the command of grace, nor could we have had so much comfortable assurance of the truth of our redemption thereby: for it is impossible the nature of man should conflict with the terrible wrath of God, and not dread and tremble. The Apostle saith,Heb. 5.7. Christ in the dayes of his flesh, offered up prayers and supplications, with strong crying andteares,
