The first tome or volume of the Paraphrase of Erasmus vpon the Newe Testamente

The .xxvi. Chapter.

[ The texte.] And it came to passe whan Iesus had finished all these sayinges, he sayed vnto hys disciples: ye knowe that after two dayes shall be Paaste daye. and the sonne of man shall be deliuered vp to be crucified.

THan whan Iesus had ended this communication, where with so many wayes he established the myndes of his dis∣ciples agaynst affliccions now beyng at hande, that they should not vtterly be dismayed whan they should shortly after see theyr lorde caryed awaye to a shamefull punish∣mente: at laste he was bolde to open vnto them the daye and the manner of hys deathe. The mention whereof▪ he doth inculcate and beate into this disciples myndes, leste whan they should see it, they should be so amased at it, as a thyng vnwares & not loked for, that they should be vtterly discouraged: chiefly whan thei should perceyue that Iesus came vnto hys deathe willynly, whiche he mough•• haue escaped, nor coulde be kylled before the day came, whiche he had hymselfe apoynted for his death. And that was the Paasse daie, which emong y^e Iewes was kepte wyth great deuocion, renewyng the yearely remembraunce of that daye, in the whiche in tyme paste amonge the Egypcians, the postes beyng sprinkeled with the bloude of the lambe, they were deliuered from the kylling aungell, and passed ouer safely the red sea. In remembraunce of thys thyng, they offered yearely a lambe of one yeare withoute spot: and of the passyng by of the angel, and of the lucky passyng ouer the sea, they called it P••asse. But this was a figure of Iesus Christe, whiche shoulde redeme the whole worlde with hys most holy bloud, from the tyrannye of synne, who alone was cleane from the spottes of all synne. Iesus putryng his disciples in remembraunce of this thyng, sayth: ye knowe that after two dayes the Paasse shall bee offered, and the same daye the sonne of man shalbe deliuered to be crucified.

[ The texte.] Than assembled together the chiefe priestes and Scribes, and the elders of the people into the palace of the chiefe prieste, which was called Cayphas, and helde a counsell to take Ie∣sus by deceyte, and kyll hym. But they sayed, not on the holy daye, leste there be an vprore among the people.

Therfore when that holy and chereful daye was nere, for the keping of which it was mete for menne to prepare themselues with godlye woorkes, the chiefe priestes and seniours of the people wer gathered together, whose authoritie, yf there hadde bene any rage emong the people, oughte furthwith to haue pa∣cified it. And they were gathered together in the courte of the chiefe of the priestes, whiche was called Caiphas: For these chiefly conspired agaynst Ie∣sus, because they feared leste (yf he shoulde bee preserued) they shoulde leese theyr luere and authoritie. Therfore it was de••red there through wicked coun∣sell, that they shoulde laye handes vpon Iesus and kyll hym, not openlye and violently, but by deceite and gu••le.

Therfore when these greate men agreed emong themselues vngraciouslye of the murder, they consulted of the tyme. For although they thyrsted sore for the innocent bloud, beyng madde with enuye and hatred, yet they thoughte beste to differ the deathe to an other tyme, because the daye cheeflye holye and festi∣ual emonge the Iewes was at hande. For they feated if they shoulde sette vp∣on hym on that day, that the people be wonte to resort together, leste any tu∣multe or busynesse shoulde ryse, because there were manye emong the people, whiche seing hys miracles, and hearyng hys meruaylouse doctrine, and mar∣kyng••he great sobernes, and gentilnes of hys manners, had a greate opinion of hym. They feared the people, whyche feared not god: nor feared not to de∣fyle the holy daye with murder, whyche durst not eate leauen breade. Sathan gaue them this counsell, desyring to kepe close that sacrifice whiche shoulde bryng health and saluacion to the worlde. But it pleased otherwyse to the de∣uyne counsell. For it was not semely that the sacrifice shoulde be priuely caste awaye, whiche the father would to be offered not onely for the saluacion of the Iewes, but for the saluacion also of the whole worlde.

[ The texte.] Whan Iesus was in Bethanie in the house of Simon the lepet, there came to him a woman, hauyng an alabas••er bore of precious oyntment, and powred it vpon hys head as he sate at the bourde. But the disciples when they sawe it disdayned at it, saiyng: what nede this waste? For this ointment might haue been wel sold, and geuen is the poore. Whā Iesus knewe thys, he sayed, What trouble ye the woman? For she hathe w••ough••e a good worke toward me. For ye haue alwaies poore folke with you, but me ye haue not alwaies: and in that she hath ••a••e this oyntmente on my body, she did it to burye me. Uetely I say vnto you: Whersoeuer this gospel shall be preached in all the world, that also that she hath done, shalbe tolde for a memoriall of her.

Therfore whan Iesus was in Bethania, nere vnto Hierusalem, where he should be crucified, and sate at meate in the house of one Simon called Lepet, a certayne woman came vnto hym, hauyng can alabaster of precious oynte∣ment, who broke the alabaster, and powred the oyntment vpon hys heade. The disciples seeyng a thing of so great price powred and caste oute at once, they disdayned and murmured at it. For they knewe that Iesus was not wont to vse suche delicacies, and that it shoulde haue bene more for his appe∣tite, yf the woman had deliuered her alabaster whole, that the oyntmente be∣yng solde, the poore men myght be relieued with the value hereof. To what purpose is it ({quod} they) to leese suche a precious thyng? For it myghte haue bene solde for muche, and the value therof geuen to the poore? Thus sayde the dis∣ciples not vnderstandyng to what purpose Iesus suffered this to be done. For he was not in loue with suche delicacies, but he woulde haue his deathe to be adorned with suche honour, whiche death he would suffer of no necessitie, but of hys owne wyll, for the health of the whole worlde. For whereas in all hys lyfe he behaued hymselfe most lowlye, yet he honoured hys deathe with a cer∣tayne magnificence, by the which deathe he should ouercum the deuil. And therefore once he was caryed into Hierusalem with a greate tryumphe: and than, as preuentynge the honoure of hys buryall, he was embaumed with a swete oyntmente: and whan he was deade, he woulde bee buryed in a newe sepulchre grauen in stone: and he woulde bee wynded in a cleane shete: and he would be buried with the busy care of a noble man. The karkases of ryche and honorable men: be wont to be embaumed with precious oyntmentes, eyther for honour, or elles to preserue theyr bodyes from corrupcion. And because he

shoulde reuiue and ryse agayne, before that hys frendes shoulde do hym thys honoure, he suffered this pompe of buriall to bee bestowed vpon hym before hys death: to the intente he myght imprinte by manye meanes in his disciples myndes the mention of his deathe, and by honoure, to mitigate the horrible∣nes therof.

Therfore when his disciples beyng ignoraunt of these thynges murmu∣red and grutched at the costes and expenses, Iesus refrayned them saiyng: Why he ye grieued with this woman? She hath done a godlye office and a louyng benefite to me, whiche shall shortly dye. It is not meete that ye should haue enuy at thys my last honoure. Poore men of the common sorte ye haue alwayes with you, to whom ye maie doe good, but ye shall not euer haue me. This oyntment is not lost, but this woman gessing that I should shortely dye, with her offyce and duetye hath preuented my buryall, and hath powred vpon me beyng alyue, that that is wonte to be powred vpon the dead. Therefore de∣praue not her godlinesse, whiche is so acceptable vnto God, that whereas the gospell of my deathe shalbe preached throughout all the worlde, this woman also shallbe mencioned: whiche with a godly and an holy duety, hathe preuen∣ted my sepulture.

[ The texte.] Than one of the twelue which was called Iudas Iscarioth, went vnto the chiefe priestes, and sayed vnto them: What will ye geue me, and I will deliuer hym vnto you? And they appoynted to hym thiety denaries. And from that tyme furth, he sought oportunitie to, be∣traye hym.

Where as this communicacion hadde repressed the disdayne of others, which erred of a simplicitie, not knowyng the misterye: yet it pacified not Iudas Is∣carioth, whiche falsely pretended care for the poore, where as ••ucre and gayn•• were more pleasaunte vnto him. For he bare the purse, and was wount to steie sumwhat of y^e thynges which were geuen of the liberall frendes of Iesus, to be distributed emōg the poore, hereof by litle and litle he encreased his money. Therfore whan he was wholy geuen to the filthy disease of auarice, myndyng to recompense that, whiche he counted lost in the oyntmente, with the pryce of the Lorde, he wente vnto the chyefe pryestes and offycers, whome he knewe with bent myndes had conspired the deathe of Iesus, and that there was no∣thyng to lette them, but that he myght be taken withoute tumulte or busines. To bring this to passe there wer done more mete, thā sum of the number thē whiche were familiare with the lord, and nexte aboute hym, who knewe cer∣taynely whyther Iesus was wont to go. For he had hys secret places to praie in. And there was one found in that chosen and piked humbre of twelue, whō Christ toke vnto hym to bee the chiefe ouer all: whiche loued better wycked gayne, than so mylde and so beneficiall a lorde. So greate a poyson is auarice, if it possesse wholy the mynde of man. But Iesus woulde signifye by thys ex∣ample that there should be mē, which beyng corrupt with the desyre of money, woulde betraye the woorde of the gospell, and this mischiefe shoulde chieflye cum of them, who beyng the chiefe and heades of the religion of the churche, semeth to be priuy of the secretes of theyr lord: with whom they be so familiar that with wrong interpretacion they betray his doctrine to the wicked & pro∣phane rulers, whiche seke for nothyng elles, but the destruccion of the truethe of the gospell. Iudas therfore goyng vnto the officers, sayd: what reward wil ye geue me, if I delyuer you hym into your handes? And thei bargayne wyth

hym for thyrty denaryes. With so litle wages could he be ••yered to so beaste∣ly and cruell a dede: so lyghtly and vilelye was that precious bloude estemed, whiche was sufficient to redeme whole mankynde. Therefore Iudas gredye and gapyng for the money that was promysed hym, by and by from that time forwarde sought for occasion to betraye Iesus.

[ The texte.] But the fyrst day of the vnleaueued bread, the disciples came to Iesus, saiyng vnto hym: where wile thou that we prepare for the to eate the Paasse? And he sayde: Go into the citie to suche a man, and saye vnto hym: The mayster sayeth, my tyme is at hande, with the doe I kepe my Easter with my disciples. And the disciples dyd as Iesus had appoynted them, and made ready the Paasse.

Therfore whan the first daye of seuen was at hand, in the whiche the Iewes were accustomed to abstayne from leauen breade, after the eatyng of the pas∣••hall lambe, the disciples go vnto Iesus, saying: Lord where wyll ye that we shall prepare you a place to feaste and kepe youre Paasse? so greate was the scartenes, that neyther he, nor his disciples had any house of theyr own to go to. But Iesus to shewe that this whole matter was mistical, and not doen by chaunce or necessitie, but that all thynges were done by the prescience and coū∣sell of God, he answered them: God into the citie, and anon as ye entre in, there shall meete you a certayne manne bearyng a potte of water, folowe hym, and wheresoeuer he goeth in ye shall go in, and saye to the houesholder, the maister sayeth: My tyme is at hande, at thy house I kepe my Paasse with my disci∣ples. He shall shewe you a great and a fayre parlet, there prepare my Paasse. The disciples went and founde all thynges, as Iesus had tolde them before, and prepared hym a feaste in the place that he commaunded.

[ The texte:] Whan the euen was cum, he sate downe with the twelue, and as they were eatyng, he said: Uerely I saye vnto you: One of you shall betraye me. And they were exceadyng sorowful, and beganne euery one to saye: Lord is it I? He answered and sayde. He that dippeth hys hand with me in the dyshe, the same shal betraye me. The sonne of man goeth as it is writ∣ten of hym. But wo vnto that man, by whom the sonne of man is betrayed. It hadde been good for that man, yf he had not bene borne. Than Iudas whiche betraied hym, answered and sayed. Mayster, is it I? He sayd vnto hym: Thou hast sayed.

And towarde nyght Iesus went thither, and sate downe to suppe with his twelue disciples. And now as they were at supper, Iesus sayeth vnto thē: one of you shall betraye me. This he sayed to declare that nothyng at all was hyd from hym, and also that the conscience of the traytour beyng touched, myght be turned vnto penaunce. At this woord al theyr hartes began to be very he∣uy. Euery man suspected and distrusted hymselfe knowyng the weakenes of man. They desyryng therfore to bee deliuered from this heauines, began for to aske seuerally: is it I Lorde? Than Iesus sūwhat to confirme and establyshe the others, almoste dead for feare, and to touche the conscience of Iudas more sharpely, yf perhappes he myght be moued vnto penaūce, pointed the authour of the dede with a more certayne sygne, and withal put hym in remembraunce of the great familiaritye, whiche ought to haue withdrawen him from such a mad mischiefe, faiyng: He that putteth his hand with me in the dishe, and is my felow not onelye of the table, but also of the dishe, shall betraye me, and for the offyce of familiaritye, he shal rendre vnto me the office of extreme enmitie, whereas the communion and felowshypp of breade and salte bee wonte for to ioyne men vnknowen and vnacquaynted, with the bonde of amitie. And that these thynges should chaunce to the sonne of man, it was ordeyned heretofore of the father, and prophecied before of the prophetes. But yet wo be to that man, through whose wickednes, the sonne of man is betrayed.

The diuine wisedome dothe vse hys wickednes to the saluacion of mankynde, but yet he is no lesse in fault, which through his owne malice was brought to this dede, whereas I omitted nothyng whereby I myghte heale hys mynd. Wherfore for so wicked a deed, he shall be cruellye punished, vnlesse he repente, that it had bene better for him neuer to haue been borne. This communicacion whiche with shame might haue healed an yll man, or with payne myght haue feared a wicked manne, made Iudas nothyng the better, insomuche that he ioyned impudencie and vnshame fastnes to hys wicked deed, and as thoughe he had knowen himself to be nothing culpable, asked the Lord: Is it I? And here Iesus not forgettyng his wont tentilnes, answered: Thou haste sayde, geuyng an incklyng rather than expressyng playnly that it was he, and maketh as though he had a suspicion, and not knowledge of it.

[ The texte.] Whan they wer eatyng. Iesus toke bread, and when he had geuen thankes, brake it, and gaue it to the disciples, and sayed: Take, eate, this is my body And he toke the cup, and gaue thankes, and deliuered it to them, saiyng: drynke ye all of this, for this is my bloud whiche is of the newe testament, that is shed for many for the remission of sinnes: But I say vnto you: I wyl not drynke hencefurth of this fruit of the vyne tree, vntil the day when I shall drynke it newe with you in my fathers kingdome.

Therfore in this latter supper y^t he made with his disciples, before his deathe, he dyd institute that most holye remembraunce of hys death: that beyng often renewed, it should be a perpetuall memorial emong them, of his great chary∣tie, whereby he sticked not to bestowe his lyfe to redeme mankinde: that the re∣membraunce of that godly sacrifice shoulde neuer out of our myndes, wherein that most pure and immaculate lambe the newe and trewe paasse, offered him selfe in the aulter of the crosse for vs to God the father, whom beyng angrye, he hath made mercifull to vs by hys bloud, sufferyng paynes himselfe for our of∣fenses, whiche were due to our sinfulnes: Iesus dyd institute and consecrate this secrete signe and memoriall in two thynges, by the which amitie emong men is wont to be intertayned: that the charitie by the which Christ gaue him∣selfe to his, shoulde couple vs together also: who oftentymes eate together of one breade, and drynke of one cuppe. And also shewyng by a certayne spiritual figure, the rites and manners of Moses his lawe, in the whiche was no pur∣gacion of sinne, but by bloude of the sacrifice: Furthermore signifiyng that he did consecrate a new league of the euangelicall profession by this misterie. For whan Moses had recited the roll of the lawe, wherin the preceptes of the law were conteyned, and the people had aunswered: We will do al thynges that the lorde hath spoken, and wyll be obediente, wyth parte of the bloude of the sacrifices whiche they had kylled receyued in a vessell, he sprinkeled the people saiyng, this is the bloude of the league, whiche the lorde hath made wyth you touchyng these wordes. And truely all these thynges signifyed with certayne figures and shadowes, this most holye sacrifice, wherin the lorde Iesus dely∣ueryng his body willingly vnto death, and sheding his bloud, went aboute to clense the synnes of the whole worlde, reconcilyng vnto God all men freelye, whosoeuer woulde professe this league of the newe testament. And he would that this sacrifice and this league shoulde be commended, and set furth to the myndes of hys disciples with certayne misticall sygnes, before that it was offered, to thyntente that they shoulde vnderstande that his death was not a common or an idle, but an effectuall sacrifice to purge the synnes not onelye of the Iewes, but also of al nacions and of al tymes.

But (because the deathe of Christe oughte not to bee iterated) leste so greate a∣benifite myght go out of mennes mindes, or leste they myghte forget the holye league once entred, and the authour of theyr health also, he did institute and or∣dayne, that with often communion of y^e holye breade, and the cup, the memo∣rie should be renewed among the professours of the euangelicall lawe. And he would that this sygne should be very holy among hys souldiers, and to be had in such veneracion,* 1.1 that lyke as much godly grace shoulde bee geuen to them, whiche shoulde receyue the body and bloude of the lorde purely and worthely: so they that should take them vnworthely, should be the cause of their grenous dānacion. Therfore Iesus toke the breade into hys handes, and when he had offered the sacrifice of prayse vnto God, he breake it and distributed it vnto his disciples saiyng:* 1.2 Take ye, eate ye, thys is my body. Afterwarde he toke the cup into hys handes, & when he had geuen thankes vnto the father, he drancke before, and reched it vnto them, saying: Dryncke all ye of thys cuppe. For thys is my bloud of the newe testament, which shalbe shed for many, for the forgeue∣nes of synnes. As often as ye shall do thys, doe it in the remembraunce of me. For as often as ye shall eate of this breade, and dryncke of this cuppe, ye shall declare the lordes death vntil he cum, not now as a sauiour, but as a iudge. In the meane time none other sacrifice for synnes shal be loked after. For this one is sufficient for to take awaye the synnes of the whole world. And I saye vnto you, I wyll not eate of this bread hereafter, vntil I shall eate it with you com∣plete and perfect in my fathers kyngdome: and I will drinke no more of this fruite of the vine, vntil I shal drinke it new with you in my fathers kingdom. And the moste meke and gentil lorde did not exclude Iudas the traytour from thys holy memoriall, that by thys so great clemencie and gentilnes, he myght be refourmed. But because he receyued the sygne of the league and testament, hauyng treason in hys harte, he departed more vncleane than he came.

[ The texte.] And whan they had song the hymne, they went out vnto the mount Oliuete: Than sayd Iesus to them. All ye shall be offended because of me this nyght. For it is written: I wyll smite the shepeherde, and the shepe of the flocke ••al••e scatered. But after I am rysen againe, I wil go before you into Galile. Peter answered and sa••ed vnto him: Though al mē be offen∣ded because of the, yet I wyl not be offended. Iesus sayd vnto hym: Uerely I saye vnto thee, that in this nyght before the cocke crowe, thou shalt deny me thryse. Peter sayed vnto hym: Yea, though I should dye with the, I wyll not deny the. Likewise also saied al the disciples.

And after that they hadde song an hymne in the prayse of god, they arose and went into the mounte of Oliues, whiche place he knewe to bee well knowen vnto the traytoure, lest he should seme to desyre to be hyd, as fearyng deathe: but purposelye he withdrawed hymselfe into a solitarye place, that he myghte bee taken without tumulte of the people, which thyng they went about and lo∣ked after. There he telleth his disciples agayne how it should cum to passe, that byanby they should be sore troubled, seing the punishemēt of their lord: but lest they should be vtterly discouraged, he doethe coumfort them with a prophecie, and with the resurreccion that shoulde folowe furthwith, poyntyng also the time and the place nere at hande, where they should see hym agayne: all ye ({quod} he) shall be troubled thys nyghte for my cause. For so God y^e father prophecied by the mouth of hys Prophete zacharye: I wyll strike the sheperde, and the shepe of y^e flocke shal be scatered abrode: But ye nede not to despayre. Deathe shall trouble your myndes, but byanby the resurreccion shal comforte you.

For I will rise agayne the thirde daye, and after that I am rysen, I wyll goe before you into Galile. There I will offer my selfe to bee sene of you. Iesus suffered al his disciples to be thus troubled, to thintent he myght teache thē by the very dedes, howe great the weakenes of mans nature was, and how folish a thing it is for a man to trust to himselfe, that hauing experience of themselues, they myght learne to helpe other mennes weakenes. Peter therefore not well knowyng hymselfe, with a certayne manly and worldly boldnes, denieth that it shall cumme to passe, which Christe by the Prophecie sayed shoulde cumme to passe, and (whiche was a poyncte of more rashenesse) he preferreth hym∣selfe before all other: If all bee troubled ({quod} he) in thy cause, yet I wyll not bee troubled. To whome Iesus aunswered: what sayeste thou Peter, wylt thou a∣lone not be troubled? Nay this I tell the of a suerty, before that the cocke crowe twyse this nyght, thou shalt denye me thryse, Yet Peter not knowleagyng hys weakenes for all thys, aunswered stoutly: yea yf I shoulde dye with the, I wyl not denye the. And the other of the Apostles folowed the rashenes of Peter, who would haue denied Christ also, yf they had bene brought to a lyke streight as Peter was.

[ The texte.] ¶Then came Iesus with them vnto a village whiche is called Gethsemany, and sayed vnto the disciples: Sit ye here whyle I go and praye yonder: and he toke with hym Pe••er, and the two sonnes of zebedee, and began to were sorowfull and ••euy Than sayde Iesus vnto them: My soule is heuy, euen vnto the death. ••arry ye ••ere, & watche with me And he wente a lit••e farther, and f••ll downe on h••s face, and prayed, saiyng ••y fa••her yf it bee possible, let thys cuppe passe from me: Neuerthelesse not as I wyl, ••ut as thou wilt.

Than Iesus knowyng that the tyme drewe nere, that the laste storme shoulde cum, he led aparte his eleuen disciples (for Iudas was gone oute from supper) into a village called Gethsemany. Here he commaunded eight of them to tary, whiche yet were loth to departe from theyr maister, whom they loued hartelye, but as yet with a worldly affeccion. Tary ({quod} he) in this place, whiles I goe into my accustomed place, and praye there. For he durst not make them priuye of his conflicte, sith they were yet but weake, l••ste they shoulde be discouraged, and taketh with hym but only thre, Peter, and the two sonnes of zebedee, that he myght haue them to be witnesses of hys extreme manly weakenesse, whome he tooke with hym into the mounte to beholde hys maiestie: and to teache with all, that as often as any greater storme of suche troubles than mans strength can abyde, is at hande, that we vtterly distrustyng our selues, commit vs who∣ly to the helpe of God. And the feare of deathe, whan it cummeth vpon a man, is more bitter than deathe it selfe: Therfore this horryblenes beganne than to cum vpon Iesus, and he felte great sorow and heuines of mynde. For he would not that hys chosen frendes should be ignoraunt of the griefe of his mind,* 1.3 that they myght playnly see that he was very man, troubled with affeccions bothe of body and mynde: my soule ({quod} he) is heuy euen vnto deathe. Ta••ry here and watche with me. For this time requireth not slepe, but wakyng and earneste prayer. Therfore Iesus goyng forwarde a litle, from hys three disciples, han∣gyng downe his heade,* 1.4 bowed his face to the yearth: and so prostrate, prayed vnto his father, saiyng: My father, if it be possible, take away this cup of death from me, for I feele the affeccion of the body much abhorring from death. Not∣withstanding let it be, not as I wyl, after the weakenes of the body, but as thou wilt, to the health and saluacion of mankynde.

[ The texte.]

And he came vnto hys disciples, and founde them slepyng, and sayed vnto Peter: could ye not watche with me one houre? Watche and praye, that ye enter not into temptacion. The spirite is ready, but the fleshe is weake.

When he had thus prayed, he returned vnto his disciples, and found them sle∣pyng, and sayeth vnto Peter: Thou that diddest crake a litle before that thou wouldest dye with me, couldest thou not wake with me one houre? I wake and praye for you. Wake you with me, and praye to the father that ye fall not into temptacion and be ouercum. The victorye chaunceth not but vnto them that wake. Therfore we must wake, leste the fleshe ouercum the spirite, and the spi∣rite m••ste be susteyned with the helpe of God.

[ The texte.] Againe he went the second tyme and prayed, saiyng: My father, if this cup can not passe awaye from me, but that I drinke it, thy wyl bee done. And he came and found them again slepyng. For theyr iyes were heuy. And he left them, and went agayn▪ and praied the third time, saiyng the same woordes. Than cummeth he to hys disciples, and sayeth vnto them: Slepe now & take your rest. Behold the houre is at hande, & the sonne of man is betrayed into the hādes of sinners: Arise, let vs be going. Behold he is at hand, that doeth betray me.

So hys disciples beyng raysed, Iesus went agayne, and prayed agayne with as many woordes vnto hys father: My father, yf it bee not possible that thys cup shall passe from me, but that I shall drynk of it, thy wyll bee doone. Afterwarde he returned agayne vnto hys disciples, and found them again sle∣pyng. For theyr iyes were very heuy, by the reason of sorowe increasyng theyr slepe. Therfore leauyng them, he wente alone the thyrde tyme to praye for hys disciples, for the weakenes of the fleshe ouercame them. And he prayed likewise the thirde time, to teache vs to praye continually and vehemently, as often as the storme of temptacion is at hande. For than the Angels be present and geue strength to the spirite. Afterwarde he returned vnto hys disciples, and rebuked them for theyr slepyng out of tyme, sith the tyme required great watching. For nowe (sayth he) the tempest is at hande whiche shall fynde you vnreadye, and therfore vnmete and ouermatched: nowe ({quod} he) slepe and take your rest. Lo the houre is cum, that the innocent sonne of manne shall be deliuered into the han∣des of the wicked. Therfore arise, let vs go meete the hurte and displeasure that cummeth agaynst vs. Beholde he is at hande whiche betrayeth me.

[ The texte.] Whyle he yet speake, lo, Iudas one of the numbre of the twelue, came, and with hym a great multitude with swerdes and s••aues, sent from the chiefe priestes and elders of the people. But he that betrayed hym, gaue them a token, saiyng: Whomesoeuer I kysse, th••∣same is he, laye handes on hym. And furthwyth he cummeth to Iesus, saying: Hayle mai∣ster, and kyssed hym. And Iesus sayed vnto hym. Frende, wherefore art thou cum? Than came they and layde handes on Iesu.

Iesus had not ended this communicacion, but lo, Iudas Iscariote one of the numbre of the twelue came, folowyng Iesus his capitayne a lytle before, and now become ouer a wicked cumpany a more wicked captayne. For a great cumpanye of souldiers folowed hym with sweordes and clubbes, whome the chiefe of the priestes, and the seniours of the people, had sent for thys intente, y^t Iesus myght be taken without tumult of the people. For althoughe they hadde purposed to differ this matter vnto another tyme, yet hauyng oportuni∣tie of the traytour, they chaunged their myndes. And therfore Iudas chose bothe the nyghte and the place, in the whiche Iesus was wonte with a fewe to praye. Finally leste they should fayle of the persone, the traytoure taught them by what token they shoulde knowe Iesus: whomesoeuer ({quod} he) I shall kysse, he it is: laye handes vpon hym. Therefore Iudas Iscariote went before

and went vnto Iesus as though he woulde salute hym, saiyng: Hayle Rabby, and therwith kissed hym, whiche in tymes paste was vsed in salutacions, be∣cause of honour and duty. Now Iesus to geue a perfect exaumple of mekenes in euery place to hys disciples, dyd not repell the wicked disciple from kyssyng, nor dyd rebuke hym for hys madnesse, but wyth gentle speakynge touched hys conscience, saiyng: Frende, for what cause art thou cum? For he came wyth a kysse after suche sorte as though he woulde haue tolde hym sum newes. At this token the multitude came runnyng, and layed handes vpon Iesus, and helde hym fast. The disciples myndes were sore amased at this ruffling, whome Ie∣sus suffered to fall into this affeccion, because he woulde vtterlye plucke oute of their myndes, all gredy desyre to reuenge and to defende themselues.

[ The texte.] And beholde, one of them which was with Iesus stretched out his hande, and drewe oute hys swerde, and stroke a seruaunt of the hygh priestes, and smote of hys eare. Than sayed Iesus vnto him: put vp thy swerd in his sheath. For al they that take the swerd shal perishe with the swerd Thinke ye not that I can praye to my father, and he shal geue me more thou twelue legions of angels? Howe than shal the scriptures be fulfylled. For thus muste it be.

And Peter, eyther because he was more feruente euery where than the o∣ther, or elles because he hadde made stoute promyses of hymselfe before, leste he shoulde seme not to doe for hys mayster, plucked out his swerde, and stroke Malcus the seruaunte of Caiphas, and cutte of hys ryghte eare, Iesus so or∣deryng the stroke, that bothe it was a lyght wounde, and whatsoeuer the hurte was, he healed it, and restored the eare agayne. But Peter erred by the reason of a certayne good loue towarde the Lorde, and this errour he tooke in maner of the wordes of Iesus not well perceyued. For he commaunded them to sell their coate and to by swerdes: and whan thei aunswered, there wer two swerdes, he sayed: it is sufficiente. But they thynkynge that he spake of a swerde of y∣ron, whereas Iesus mente a spirituall swerde, after supper they tooke furthe theyr swerdes with them readye to defende theyr Lorde, yf the matter hadde so required, or yf he had commaunded. Therefore to plucke this affeccion vtterly out of the myndes of all hys disciples, he dyd chyde Peter sharpely, saying: put vp thy swerde into his place. They that dooe stryke wyth the swerde, peryshe with the swerde, the recompence of vengeaunce turnyng backe vpon their owne heade. We haue no nede of this tence, whyche doe get the victory better by suf∣fering than by killing. Or els thincke you that I coulde lacke helpe if it pleased me to haue this defence? Could not I make suite vnto my father, and could not he send to helpe me in the stede of twelue disciples, twelue legions of angels? But thus it is thoughte good to my father, thus it was spoken before of the Prophetes. And none of these thinges is done by chaunce or fortune.

[ The texte.] In that same houre Iesus sayed to the multitude: ye be cum out as it were to a thefe with swerdes & clubbes for to take me. I sate deyly wyth you teachyng in the temple, & ye toke me not. But al this is doen that the scriptures of the Prophetes might be fulfylled. Than al the disciples forsoke him and fled. And they toke Iesus and led him to Cayphas y^e hygh priest, where the Scribes and elders were assembled. And Peter folowed him a far of vn∣to the hyghe priestes courte, and went in, and sate with the seruauntes to see the ende.

Than Iesus turnyng to the multitude, sayed: nowe weponed with swerdes and clubbes, ye cum furth to take me. But whan I sate daylye emong you tea∣chyng in the temple, and healyng the sicke and diseased, ye layed no handes vp∣on me. Nowe in the dead nyght, ye seke me out beyng quiet and styl in a secrete

place. But al these thinges be done not by your violence, but by the ordinaunce of goddes counsell, whereof the scriptures of the Prophetes hathe prophecied long before. The disciples hearyng thys, and seing that there was no hope, for asmuche as Iesus offred him vnto deathe,* 1.5 they left theyr maister and ran away. But the mynisters nothyng mitigate with remembraunce of the doctryne and benefite of Iesus, ledde him awaye lyke a prysoner, to the house of Cayphas the chiefe of the priestes, whyther the Scribes and seniours dyd resorte. But Peter alone (for the other disciples beyng afrayed, were fledde euery man hys waye) although hys skirmishe came not well to passe, yet he coulde leaue of vtterly the care of hys maister, whome he loued hartely▪ and yet again he durst not be present with hym, notwithstanding he folowed as it might be a farre of, and at length, in the darke as vnknowen, he entred into the court of Cayphas. Finally entryng in he sate among the ministers warming him at the coles, that whereas he coulde not defende Iesus, yet at the least he myght see what shoulde be the ende of the iudgemente. For as yet Peter had sum hope in hys mynde.

[ The texte.] ¶The chiefe priestes and elders, and al the counsell, sought false witnesse against Iesus for to put hym to deathe, but founde none: yea whan manye false wytnesses came, yet they founde none. At laste cause two false witnesses, & sayed: he sayed, I am able to destroye the temple of God, and builde it agayne in three dayes. And the chiefe prieste arose, and sayed vnto hym: Answerest thou nothyng? why do these beare witnes agaynst thee? But Iesus helde hys peace. And the chiefe priest answered and sayed vnto hym: I charge the by the lyuyng God, that thou tel vs whether thou be Christ the sonne of God. Iesus sayeth vn∣to hym: Thou hast sayed: Neuerthelesse I saye vnto you: hereafter ye shall see the sonne of man, sittyng on the ryght hande of power, and cummyng in the cloudes of the skye.

Further the chiefe priestes and the whole counsel, to make sum apperaunce of a lawfull and iust iudgement, went about to suborne, and set furth false wit∣nesses agaynst Iesus, whose innocēcie was so greate, that it was very harde so to lye of him, that the lye myght haue any colour of truth. And after that many false witnesses came furth,* 1.6 but of suche sorte that theyr testimonies & saiynges were so yll framed together, that they confounded themselfes, insomuche that they were not thought meete, neyther of those iudges, neither of that cumpany. At length cummeth furth two false witnesses, whiche sayed: He sayed, I canne destroye the temple of God & after three dayes make it vp. They toke occasion of this lye by the wordes of Christe, who sayed: looce thys temple, and in three dayes I wyll rayse it vp, meanyng thereby that he shoulde be slayne of them, but within three dayes he should lyue agayne. The witnesses to make the thing more odious, dyd depraue and mystake these woordes whiche they vnderstoode not. For he sayed not I can destroye, but looce ye: and he sayed not, I wyll build agayne, but I wyll rayse vp, appliyng it to hys body whiche should be slayne, and lyue againe. Therfore at thys testimonye because it semed to bee of some weyght, and no nother was found more meete and conuenient, the chyefe of the priestes roose vp, and counterfeityng the person of a iuste iudge, as thought he woulde geue Iesus liberty to defende hymselfe, sayed: Doest thou make no answere to these testimonies whiche be brought agaynst thee? But Iesus helde his peace, knowyng that whatsoeuer he sayed, should be reproued & mistaken. Than the chiefe of the priestes desyryng to wreste out sumwhat, wherby Iesus myght be condemned (for nowe hys madnes was such that al tariyng semed to long) sayeth vnto hym: I coniure the by the liuing God, tel vs whether thou be Christ the sonne of God. This was a crafty question of the wicked byshop.

If he had denied that he was the sonne of God, he would haue cryed out: why than takest thou vpon thee, the thing that thou arte not? If he had affirmed it, he woulde haue falsely accused hym for blasphemy. If he had holde hys peace being required and adiured, he shoulde seme to despise God, and the authori∣tie of the highe prieste. And what was he that dyd adiure hym? A wicked bis∣shop, whiche had boughte of Herode for money the annuall honoure: and he which did assault the sōne of God, adiured him by God. Yet Iesus, as it were shewing a reuerence to the honour that he did beare, beyng demaunded whe∣ther he was Christ the sonne of God,* 1.7 aunswered: Thou hast spoken: so confes∣sing himselfe to be that he was, that yet he auoyded the faulte of arrogancie. And he added a thing whiche oughte to haue reuoked the wicked bishop from his purposed wickednes: yet ({quod} he) thys I say vnto you, hereafter ye shall see the sonne of man sittyng on the ryghte hande of the power of God, and com∣ming with maiestie in the cloudes of heauen. He gaue to vnderstande, that he being than lowe and condemned of the wicked, shoulde once come with the power of God to be iudge ouer all the worlde.

[ The texte.] ¶Than the high priest rent his clothes, saying: He hath spoken blasphemie, what nede ye of any moe witnesses? Lo, now ye haue hearde hys blasphemie, what thinke ye? They an∣swered and sayde: He is worthy to dye. Than dyd they spitte in hys face, and buffered hym with theyr fystes. And other smote hym on the face with the palme of their handes, saying: Tell vs Christe, who is he that smote thee?

The chiefe prieste beyng the more prouoked with this saying, to thyntente that through the counterfeyted zeale of religion, he myghte make the cryme of Christe the more sore, he rente hys garmentes, and sayde: he speaketh blasphe∣mously. He doeth vsurpe and take vpon him diuine honour, wheras he is but man.* 1.8 What nedeth there any more witnesses? Beholde nowe ye haue hearde manifeste blasphemie. What thynke ye? They aunswered: he hath deserued deathe. Than they began to handle hym cruelly with mockes and skornes, as though he had bene lawefully condemned, whiche also Iesus suffered moste mekely, to geue vnto his a perfect example of pacience. They did spette in his face, and coueryng hys face, they gaue hym buffettes and blowes. Agayne, some stroke hym on the face with theyr handes, saying: prophecye and tell vs Christ, who is it that stryketh the? With these skornes and rebukes they caste him in the teeth, because he woulde bee taken for Messias, and because he was honoured of the people, by the name of a Prophete.

[ The texte.] ¶Peter sate without in the courte, and a damsell came vnto hym, saying: Thou also waste with Iesus of Galile: but he denied it before them all, saying: I wot not what thou sayest. Whan he was goen in to the porche, another wenche sawe hym, and sayde vnto them that were there: This felowe also was with Iesus of Nazareth. And he denied it agayne with an othe, saying: I dyd not knowe the man. A whyle after came they that stode by, and sayde vnto Peter: Surely thou art one of them, for thy speche doth bewraye the. Than he began to curse and sweare, that he knewe not the manne, and immediately the cocke cr••we. And Peter remembred the saying of Iesus, whiche he spake vnto hym: before the cocke crowe, thou shalt deny me thryse, and he went out, and wept bitterly.

In the meane season Peter sate without in the courte, beholding a farre of the heauie sight, and loking for the ende of the matter, for he durste not come nere, lest he shoulde be knowen of the ministers. And a certayne wenche came vnto hym, whiche partely knewe hym, and sayde: Thou also waste one of the

folowers of this Galilean. Here Peter beyng amased at the wenches woorde, and forgetting that stout woorde that he spake to Christ: (and if I should dye with thee, I wil not deny thee:) denied his lorde before thē al, saying: I cannot tell what thou sayest. And furthwith the cocke did crowe. And as he prepared to goe out, euen in the doore an other wenche spyed him, which vttering hym to the ministers standyng by, sayeth: Thys man also was with Iesus of Na∣zareth. And agayne he denyed it, swearing that he knew not the manne. And a little after, certayne of them that stoode by, knowing Peter, sayd: Truely thou arte one of this numbre. For not onely thy face but also thy speche doeth vtter thee to be a Galilean. Than Peter being more afrayde, began not onely to ab∣iure and forsake Iesus, but also to execrate and ban himselfe, if euer he knewe the manne. And furthewith the cocke crowed agayne. After these, Iesus dyd beholde him, and speaking (as it were) vnto him with his iyes, monished him. Than at length Peter cumming to himselfe, remembred that Iesus tolde him before, when he craked of hys boldenes and valiantnes: before the cocke crow twise thou shalt denye me thryse. But because he sinned thorough the weake∣nes of man, being amased with feare, and not of purposed malice, he deserued mercy. Christe suffered this in hys chosen apostle, that no man, offende he no∣uer so sore, shoulde dispayre of pardon so that he repent, and washe the spot of his mynde with teares. For Peter, whiche was as it were besyde hymselfe, at the looke of Iesus, by and by came to hymselfe agayne and repented, and go∣yng furth wepte bitterly.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Whan they were eat in &c.
• * 1.2

  I wyll not dricke hence furth. &c.
• * 1.3

  Tary here and watche with me.
• * 1.4

  My father if it be possi¦ble, &c.
• * 1.5

  Thā all the disciples. &c
• * 1.6

  The chiefe priestes and the elders. &c.
• * 1.7

  Ies{us} sayth vnto hym, thou haste sayde.
• * 1.8

  Lo, now ye haue heard his blasphe¦mie. &c.