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

The .ii. Chapter.

[ The texte] Whan Iesus was borne at Bethleem a towne is Iewrye, in the tyme of Herode the Kyng: beholde there came Magians from the Easte to Hierusalem saying. Where is ••e whiche is borne the kyng of the Iewes? For we sawe his starre in the Easte, and are cum to wurship him.

HItherto ye see howe many thynges do accorde and agree with the godly sayinges of the prophetes. He is borne of the same auncetours and of the same tribe and familie, that the prophecy promised he should be borne. Also the suppu∣tacion and counte of the wekes, when Daniel prophecied that he shoulde cum, dothe consente and agree. Also the strange Natiuitie dothe agree, in that that he was borne of a virgin without helpe of man. And the name doth agree. A Sauiour was promysed, a Sauiour was loked for, & Iesus signifieth a Sauiour. Further∣more the name of the countrey, and of the towne, doth answere to the fayth of the Prophetes, for he was borne not farre from Hierusalem in a litle towne called Bethleem, and that in the countrey of Iewry, (for there is a towne in Galile also of this name, in the tribe of zabulon,) and he was borne in the time when Herode an Idumean by birthe and not a Iewe, obteyned the Kyngdom ouer the Iewes, that no man neded for to doubte but that now was the time that Messias should be borne, the whiche Iacob the Patriarche many yeres before prophecied should cum to passe, saying: The scepter shall not be taken from Iuda, nor a ruler from his thighe, till that he cum which should be sent. Truely this is he, the holyest of all, at whose entring all the anoynting of the Iewes ought to haue ceased, and geue place. Nowe ye shall vnderstande by what wonderfull meanes he began by litle and litle to be knowe to the world. For he would be manifest & open vnto all, whiche came to saue all, that bothe he might be knowen vnto good men to theyr saluacion, & that he myght take awaye from the wicked all excuse of ignoraunce. He was promised chiefely to the Iewes, he was borne of them, he was firste preached vnto thē of the An∣gels, syngyng glory on high vnto God, and in the yearth peace emong men of good will. The shepherdes beyng taught by the voyce of the same Angels, & told of the childe y^t was borne, offered the first fruites of fayth at the maunger where the babe was borne. By the secrete inspiracion of the spirite he was knowen of Elizabeth, of Simeon & Ann•• the prophetisse. Firste of all he she∣wed himself vnto poore & humble persones, whom he knew to be most pres•••• & redy to receaue fayth. For the proud woulde not lightly receyue him beeyng hūble, nor the riche, him being poore, nor the stoute him beyng meke: nor they that wer intangled with the desyres of this worlde, woulde receyue him that was heauenly. And because he was promised not to the Iewes only, but also to the Gentiles, yea to al the nacions of the world, he would euen at the very entery of his begynnyng, be knowen of them also, to thin••ent he might declare and showe, that saluaciō was also offered vnto them, and that he might styrre and prouoke the Iewes by their example, to cum to fayth and to beleue.

And he did not drawe all men by one meane to the knowledge of himselfe, but he allured euerye mane by lytle and litle by suche thynges as they alreadye

knewe and were well acquainted with. The Iewes gaue fayth vnto the Pro∣phetes, they were moued with signes and woonders, therefore he entised thē by the allurement of these thynges. The Persians and the Caldeans dyd at∣tribute muche to the starres, as menne muche geuen to this kynde of Philoso∣phie, throughe the knowledge whereof they had perswaded themselues, that there should be a certayne wonderfull restorer of the worlde. Therfore they had knowledge of the birthe of the chylde, not by any Prophete or Angell, but by a certayne straunge and a woonderfull apperyng of a starre, trulye of that starre, the whiche the prophecie of Balaam dyd shewe before to rise out of the house of Iacob. And now they had knowledge by the common fame that this king was chiefly promised vnto the nacion of the Iewes, and that he was not a meane kyng, and of the common sorte, but very notable, and without com∣parison: of whose power, of whose wisedome and of whose goodnes, far ex∣cedyng the power, wisedome, and goodnes of man, the whole worlde shoulde haue experience. Further (as the yll man when he hath occasiō is made wurse, and a wyse man as he hath occasion is made wiser,) certayne Magians (for by this name the Persians called them that be notable in the science of Philo∣sophie) to thintent they might come nere and learne more exactlye the thyng that the starre shewed vnto them as in a dreame, beyng nothing afearde at the great iourney, they come vnto Hierusalem, the star guydyng them the waye: eyther because there dwelled the Scribes and Phariseis whiche were verye expert in the law and the Prophetes, or because they vnderstode that the king should be borne not farre from Hierusalem. For now knowyng certaynly that he was borne, only they inquired what place it was y^t was made happy with so noble a birthe. For they thoughte that the natiuitie of so great a prince could not be hid emong them, whiche loked for his byrthe so many hundred yeares, especially seing he should be borne not onely emong them, but also of them. But Christ is no where later or with more difficultie knowen, than in riche▪ ci∣ties, and in princes courtes, and emong them that be arrogant in the professi∣on of wisedome. But they, ignoraunt of these thynges, inquire simplye and o∣penly. Where is he ({quod} they) whiche is lately borne the kyng of Iewes? For we knowe by a sure token that he is borne. For when we were farre hence in the Easte, we sawe his starre of a meruelous bryghtnesse and bewty. We sawe the starre and felte the inspiracion. Therfore because we know that he is borne to the commoditie and profite of all men, though we be straungers, yet be we come hither to honour and wurship him, and to geue the first fruites of honour due vnto the newe kyng. Knowing well that they shall be happy and blessed, that shall haue his power and might mercifull vnto them.

[ The texte.] ¶Whan Herode the kyng heard these thynges be was troubled: and all the citie of Hie∣rusalem with him. And Calling together all bishops and Scribes of the people, asked them where Christ should be borne: And they sayed to hym. At Bethleem in Iewrye. For so it is written by the prophet: And thou Bethleem in the land of Iuda, acte not the least emong the princes of Iuda. For out of the, I shall haue a captayne come, that shall gouerne my people Israell.

What tyme they had suche communicacion simply with all men, by and by the rumoure and tidynges was brought to Herode the King, whiche a good while had feared & trembled at the name of him that should be borne, fearyng

lest he shoulde be set besyde the kyngdome, whiche he beyng a stra••••gier than held, if so great a prynce had been borne of the stocke of y^e Iewes. For Herode dreamed of nothing els, but of an earthly kingdome, litle knowing that Christ brought in another kynde of kyngdom, whiche shoulde perteyne vniuersallye to all men. Therfore after that he hearde that he was borne, whom he feared to be borne, and hearde it of the Magians, men both of learnyng, and (as con∣cerning worldly port) not to be despised, truely he was troubled in his minde, and with him also the whole citie of Hierusalem: diuers men diuerslye, either fearyng or hopyng. But the wisedome of God so ordered the affections & en∣deuours of men, that both the simplicitie of the godly, and also the rage of the vngodly set furth the glory of Christ on euery syde, and made the thynges that were incredible the more to vse beleued. And this was the cause that the loode sterre of the waye, left the Magians for a tyme entering into Hierusalem: that theyr enquirie might showe abrode the fame of the childe that was borne, and yet the place where the chylde was borne, should be kept secret from the cruell king. Therfore king Herode blynded with enuy and anger, beyng wholly bent to destroye the chylde that was borne, pretended a cloke of Godlines vnto his wicked crueltie. He calleth vnto him all the chiefe of the order of priestes, and the Scribes of the people of Iewry, whose speciall profession was this, that if there were any newe matter that dyd aryse, they should make answere out of the sayinges of the Prophetes, and theyr godly bookes, because they profes∣sed the exacte knowledge of them, to thintent that both the nu••ber and the au∣thoritie should make the thyng of more credite. Therfore when these were cal∣led together, the king so muche the more wicked, because he counterfeited god∣lynes, demaunded of them in what place the orasies or sayi••ges of God, did promise that Christe should be borne. And they not yet rageing with haired agaynste Christe, whome they had not seen, answered simplye and withoute delaye: In Bethleem of Iuda. And lest theyr authoritie should haue but lit∣tle weyght, beholde they, haue in a redines the prophecie of the Prophete Mi∣theas: And thou Bethleem in the lande of Iuda, art no•• the least among the Prynces of Iuda, for out of the shall spryng a ruler whiche shall rule my peo∣ple of Israel.

[ The texte.] Than Herode priuily calling the Magians, diligently inquired of them what tyme the ••lette app••ted. And sendyng them to Bethleem, sayde: G••thither and searche diligent∣ly for the chylde. And whan ye haue founde him, bryng me woorde agayne, that I maye come and wurship him also.

And these thynges then answered the priestes and the Scribes, who after∣warde procured hym to be slayne, bryght and notable with miracles, & doing good vnto all men. The king fyrste of all greatly moued with the saying of the Magians, was vtterly amased with this so ripe and ready an answere▪ chiefe∣ly that the prophecie promised manifestlye a ruler of Bethleem whiche should rule the people, of whom he was borne. Wherfore the priestes & the Scribes beyng sent awaye, because he was in despeyre for to deceyue them, he calleth y^e Magians priuily vnto him, leste the Iewes might suspect any crafte or guile, and so opening the matter on eche syde as though he and they both purposed one thing, inquired of thē diligently how long it was synce the sterre appered fyrst vnto them, by whose showing & poynting they had passed ouer so great

a iourney, and came to Hierusalem: meaning and purposing this, the more certeinly to vse and exercyse his crueltie to the distruccion of that one new borne childe. The Magiās (for godlines is not suspictouse) kepe nor hide nothyng from him, not thinking him to be so cruell & fierce that he would shewe crueltie vpon an infante yet skante borne, neither so furiouse that he would suppose to suppresse by mannes deuise, the thyng that was doen by goddes might: When they had shewed the tyme, he of the other syde shewed the place whiche he had learned of the Scribes. And now he con∣ceiuing a sure hope that the childe might be takē by these two shewinges, geueth commaundement in his owne name to the Magians, which of thē∣selues were willyng to go, that they should go to Bethleem, and seke out the childe with great diligence: and when they had found him, to returne eftfones vnto Hierusalem, and geue him knowledge of all the matter: (he pretended a verye godly cause, and nothyng displeasaunte to the myndes of the Magians) that I also ({quod} he) maye folowe you and wurshyp hym. He himselfe woulde firste haue knowledge of the childe, to the inten••e he mighte destroye hym before that the people of the Iewes had cleare vn∣derstandyng that he was borne. God in the meane tyme made this proui∣sion, that the Magians returned safely to preache Christe in their owne countreyes. Otherwyse yf this vngraciouse man had not bene deceyued of his hope, he would haue vsed extremely the Magians themselues, which brought him so vnlucky tydynges.

[ The texte.] ¶Whan they had heard the king, they went forward: and lot, the starre which they saw in the East went before them, tyll it came and stode ouer the place where the childe was. And when they sawe the sterre, they were merueilously glad, and went into the house, and found the childe with Mary his mother, and fell downe and wurshipped him, and opened their treasures and offered vnto him gyftes: gold incense, and myrre. And beyng warned of God in their sleape that they shoulde not go agayne to Herode, they turned into their owne countrey another waye.

The godly simple Magians, after that they had hearde the king, made haste vnto Bethleem, whom the sterre which called them furth, for a time did forsake, to the intente, that the barbarouse people should fyrst shew vnto the Iewes that Christ was borne, whome they lokyng for so many yeres, afterward did put to death. But when they had passed ouer this parte of Goddes ordinaunce, agayne appered that wonderfull starre, whiche serued their Godly purpose in suche wyse, that it shewed vnto thē not onely Bethleem, but also the cotage it selfe, beyng very lowe, poore, and bafe, and therfore verye harde to fynde, yea and hangyng very nere o∣uer the chyldes head, it did shewe and pointe, as it were with a finger to the infant, whom they so feruently desyred. Therfore when the starre be∣gan to appeare agayne, it shooke of and put a waye all carefulnes frō their myndes: and nowe replenyshed with sure hope and ioye, and passyng litle vpon mennes tellynges, but folowing the heauenly guyde, they espye the palace of the newe kyng: a filthy and a vile cotage or stable. Sincere Godlynes is nothyng troubled with these thynges. They enter in: they fynde the infante not differyng in apparaunce from others: they fynde the mother nothyng gaye or gorgious to loke to. All theyr stuffe shewed and testified pouertie and simplicitie. The Magians whiche did not worship nor fall downe before Herode, magnifying hymselfe in his seate with a

kingly pompe, fall downe at the cradle of the crying babe: they adoure and honour grouelyng on the grounde, hym that could not yet speake. And theī were not content with this godlynes, but they take out of theyr boxes, giftes purposely apoynted of those thinges with increase of the whiche, the nacion of the Persians was chiefly enriched, that is, golde, incense, & myrre▪ lest that he which shortly after should be compelled to flee, should lacke in his vyage. And with these fyrst fruites of fayth, the Gentiles that were farre of preuenting the Iewes, which were thought to be next vnto God, do constitute Christe to be theyr kyng: and of the other side do de∣dicate themselues vnto hym, offeryng a new sacrifice in three kyndes of thinges. And now as by a ryddell or a darke figure, they professed that in∣effable Trinitie of the father, and the sonne, and the holy goste, acknowle∣gyng also in ••ne man mortalitie, priesthode, and kingdome. For golde is for a kyng, incense for a prieste, myrre for hym that shall dye. He was borne mortall, he did sacrifice on the crosse, he conquered rising frō death, he reygneth in heauen. The Iewes sawe so many wonders, and when they knewe hym, they kylled hym. The Magians sawe no notable thyng as cō∣cernyng theyr bodely iyes, and they reioyce that they had so fortunate a iourney. But what tyme they deuysed with themselues whether they shoulde returne vnto Herode to satisfy his mynde and desyre, they were admonished in theyr slepe, by the diuine oracle, not to returne agayne to Herode. For that was neyther suertie vnto them, neither to the childe, nei∣ther expedient for such a weightie matter, whiche in tyme and by parsell meale, should be promulgated and published vnto the world. They spede∣ly did obey thoracle, and returned into theyr countrey another waye, to be newe preachers of the newe kyng among theyr countrey men.

[ The texte.] And when they were departed, behold the Aungell of the Lorde appered to Ioseph in his slepe, saying: Aryse and take the chylde and his mother and flye into Egypte, and abyde there, tyll I bryng thee worde. For He••ode wyll seke the chylde to destroye it. So whan he awoke, he toke the chylde and his mother by night, and went asyde into Egipte, and was there vnto the death of Herode, that it might be fulfilled, whiche was spoken of the Lorde by the prophete, saying: oute of Egipte haue I called my sonne.

Now the helth and safetie of the Magians was prouided for, and that the tranquillitie both of the mother and of the chylde might forthwith be seen for, and that also the vngodlines of Herode accordyng vnto his deser∣tes, might more and more be exasperated & greued to the glory of Christe: thesame heauenlye messinger whiche sente awaye the Magians, appered vnto Ioseph in his slepe, exhortyng hym that now beyng priuye vnto the mistery, he would conueye awaye secretely the mother and the chylde into Egypt: whereby the diuine counsel intended this, that that region also be∣yng wholy geuen to the monstreous worshippyng of goddes, whiles it is become the hoste and re••eyuer of him that is fled from his countrey: by the touching and hauing to do with him, it might be prepared and made re∣dy to some entry and beginning of true godlines. Therfore the angel spake vnto Ioseph with these wordes: Aryse, and take with thee the chylde and his mother, and flee priuily into Egypte, and tary there vntyll I returne vnto thee, and shewe thee the tyme to come hither agayne. For it will come

to passe, that Herode shall seke by all meanes to destroye the chylde. Not that it is harde vnto God sodenly to extinct and kyll Herode, and to preserue the childe, yf it please him, but this ordre of the matter is more profitable for the confyrmacion and establyshment of faythe. For it is goddes wyll that the fury and the rage of the tyranne shall set forthe his glory. Ioseph not tarying, toke the mother a mayde, and the chylde, and flying in the night seasō conueyed them into Egypte, there remaynyng tyll that Herode was deade. Truely this thyng chaunced not by the feare of man or by fortune, it was the will of God to prepare and to establyshe the kyngdome of his sōne by these aduersities, by the whiche, worldly thynges be worst to be decayed and brought to naught, leste that the world should take vpon it any thyng in diuine matters. And that thou mayest the better beleue it, God who would this thyng to come to passe, prophecied many yeares past by the mouthe of his prophete Osee, saying: out of Egypt I called my sonne.

[ The texte.] Than Herode whan he sawe that he was mocked of the Magians, he was greatly greued, and sent furth men of warre, and kylled and slewe all the chyldren that were in Bethleem, and in all the coastes therof, as many as were two yeare olde or vnder, accordyng to the tyme, whiche he had diligently knowen of the Magians.

In the meane season kyng Herode, after that he perceyued in dede that the Magians had deceyued hym, now rageing in anger, caste away the cloke of godlynes and bruste out into manifest rage, and sendyng furth ministers of his madnes, kylled all thinfantes as many as were in Bethleem, and as many as were in the coastes and the compasse of the same towne, which were of the age of two yeare or yoūger, folowyng the supputacion of the tyme, in the whiche the Magians tolde him, that they sawe fyrste the starre of the chylde. Crueltie enlarged the tyme and the place, compassing in al the young chyldren, supposing that by this wycked counsell, he had prouided surely y∣nough, that he should escape by no meanes, whom onely he desyred to be ex∣tincte and slayne. But in vayne trauayleth the crafte of menne againste the counsels of God. By these thynges was shewed a manifest example, what they should suffer of wycked prynces, that would beleue the gospel, & what they should preuayle that by crueltie traueyled to extinguishe the faythe of the gospell, beyng yet tender and springing vp in the hartes of the godlye. To be killed for Christ, is to be saued. Herode had an occasion to repente, and not to rage, yf gredines to reygne and to beare rule had not blynded his mynde. But while he through his owne default turneth al thinges into mat∣ter of greater madnes, by his maliciousnes he did set foorth the iustice of god. For it is manifest to al men, that the innocent children were slayne, with great crueltie, and that he is worthy an horrible distruccion, wherewith af∣terwarde he was surely payde.

[ The texte,] ¶Than was that fulfylled whiche was spoken by the Prophet Hieremy, where as he sayeth. A voyce was heard in Rhama: lamentacion, wepyng and greate mournyng: Rachell wepyng for her chyldren, and would not be comforted because they were not.

But lest any manne might doubte, that this thing came to passe by the or∣dinaunce of God: harke to the prophecie of the Prophete Hiermy, seeyng through Goddes inspiracion this thyng, as though it had than been doen al∣ready, whiche many yeres after should come to passe. I voyce ({quod} he) was heard in Rhama, a voyce sore wepyng, sorowfull and lamentable. Rachel

dyd bewayle hir children and would receyue no comforte because they wer all slayne. Rachel bearing Beniamin, that is to saye, the sonne of sorowe, by and by vpon hir deliuery dyed, and was buryed not farre from Bethleem, wherof the Prophet dyd expresse in her persone the sorowe and waylyng of the mothers, lamentyng theyr children whiche Herode kylled.

[ The texte.] But whan Herode was deade, beholde the Angell of the Lorde appered in a slepe to Ioseph in Egypt, saying: aryse and take the chylde and his mother, and go into the lande of Israel, for they are deade whiche sought the childes lyfe. And he arose and toke the childe and his mother, and came into the lande of Israel.

In the meane season after that Herode was taken out of the worlde by punishment and vengeaunce moste worthy for hym, the angell agayne which gaue counsell to flye awaye, apperyng to Ioseph in his slepe, moueth hym to leaue Egypte, and to bryng agayne the childe and his mother into the lande of Israell. For he sayed that they were dead that woulde haue the chylde destroyed. And he redely obeying in all thynges the will of God, con∣ueyed Mary beyng mayde and mother together with her swete babe, into the countrey of Israell. For it behoued him firste to be knowen vnto them, vnto whome chiefely he was sente, to thintente the people of harde belefe, should haue nothyng why they might make any reasonable pretence of their vngodlynes, denying hym to be theyr Messias, but to be some other apoyn∣ted vnto the Gentiles.

[ The texte.] ¶But whan he heard that Archelaus reygned in Iewry, in the roume of his father He∣rode, he was afrayde to go thither, but beyng warned of God in a slepe, wente asyde into the coastes of Galile, and wente and dwelte in a citie called Nazareth, that it mighte be fulfilled whiche was spoken by the Prophetes: he shalbe called a Nazarite.

And as soone as Ioseph entred into the coastes of his countrey, and had knowledge there by a constante fame that Archelaus the soonne of Herode that was deade, hauyng the one halfe of his fathers kyngdome reygned in Iewrye in his fathers place, fearyng leste the soonne had succeded hys fa∣ther in cruelues, lyke as he dyd in his kyngdome, durste not go thither: and agayne beyng establyshed by the aunswere of the Aungell, whereof nowe he wholy did depende, wente aparte into the coastes of Galile, whiche parte had than chaunced vnto Herode the Tetrarche brother to the king that was deade. Here the Aungell promised all thing to be safe, also the loue of the countrey was an inuitacion, and the counsell of God wrought withall, that Christ by many occasions should be made common to many, whose cumming was to euery manne. Bethleem doeth glorye of his byrth, at Hierusalem he was circumcised and purified, Egypt was happy of so noble a geast, Naza∣reth maye well glory of his brynging vp. For this was the countrey of his mother, in the whiche she conceyued her sonne, a base and a poore vyllage of Galile, a countrey not regarded but dyspised of the Iewes, but it was a se∣crete corner, so muche more meete for the child against the crueltie of Arche∣laus. And this pointe herein god doth teache vs, that there is no nede of hel∣pes, riches, power, partetaking, or nobilitie of birth, in those thinges which are doen by the wyll of god. Nay these thinges annexed and put vnto, rather

obscure and darken the glory of God among men. For that this thyng came not to passe by fortune it maye appere, in that the prophecie long before decla∣red, that the Messias should be called a Nazarene, the whiche to be doen, euen the tytle doeth declare, which Pilate ignoraunt of the prophecie, commaunded to be set vpon the crosse. Iesus of Nazareth the kyng of Iewes. And at this daye they that professe Christ be therfore of many called Nazarenes. And the worde it self hath his mistery. Nazareth among the Hebrewes hath his name of a floure, because that that godly and swete floure the sanctifier of all virgi∣nitie was borne of a virgin, lyke as Bethleem signifieth vnto the Hebrewes the house of breade, out of the whiche came that heauenly breade, which who∣so eateth, shall lyue euerlastingly. He therfore ••yued certaine yeares as one vn∣knowen, with his mother and his foster father Ioseph, whose sonne he was thought of all menne, vntyll the tyme he came vnto mannes state, and then he shewed hymselfe vnto the worlde by doctryne, miracles, death, and resurrec∣cion, beyng knowen or notable in nothing, nor exc••lyng other menne, but that he went forwarde dayly and encreased in all kynde of honestie, and heauenlye giftes, that euery man loked for some great and notable thyng in the chylde. He was also in the meane season a diligent obseruer of the lawe, because he would geue none occasion vnto the euyll wyllers, of euyll saying or backe by∣tyng, but satisfye all men in all thynges. He had rather for a tyme by kepyng of the lawe, to bring the Iewes to more perfeccion, than by despysyng it, to alienate and withdraw theyr myndes cleane from hym. Onely once he shewed himselfe at Hierusalem, beyng twelue yeres of age, at what tyme he priuely leauyng his parentes, was founde in the temple sitting emong the doctours, hearing them, and by course questioning with them, insomuche that he was a won∣der to them all. Euen than his godly disposicion had a desire vnto those thinges for whiche he was sent into the worlde: but as this was a praise of a redy mynde, so it was the example of moderation and obedience to tarry the tyme prescribed of his fa∣ther.

Notes

• Whan Ie∣sus was borne. &c.
• Beholde there came &c.
• For we saw his starre in the East. &c
• And they said to him: At we••hi•••• in Iury. &c.
• And whan thei sawe y^• starre. &c.
• And fell downe flat & worshyp∣ped hym.
• And beyng warned of god. &c
• Aryse and take with thee y^e child
• That it myghte bee fulfilled. &c