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

The .xiiij. Chapter.

[ The texte.] ¶After two dayes was Easter, and the dayes of swete bread: and the hie priestes and the Scribes sought howe they might take him by crafte and put him to death. But they saye•••• not in the least daye, leaste any businesse aryse amonges the people.

NOwe that moste holye, and solemne feaste of Easter drue nyghe, that is to say, of Phasc, whiche worde signifiethe in the Hebrue tongue, a passing ouer, on the whiche daye y^• holy bloud of the vnspotted lambe should delyuer vs from the vengeaunce of the sleying swerde, and beynge brought out of Egipt through the red sea, and wildernesse of this world, bring vs vnto the heauenlye Hierusalem, into a countreye flowing with milke and honye. For the Iewes passeouer, whiche they yeare∣lye

celebrate and kepe moste highe and holye, was nothing els but a figure and shadowe of this sacrifice, like as was this ceremony, that they did on these daies forbeare leauened breade, exhorting vs hereby, to suche puritie and clea∣nesse of lyfe, as becummeth a professour of y^e gospel. After two dayes expired, the daye that they called the preparyng daye should be. But as the chiefe prie∣stes and S••ribes, deuoutly prepared and made themselues readie to cele∣brate this corporall passeouer: so did they like vnwise felowes, wickedly make haste to offer vp thatsame trewe lambe whiche that solemne sacrifice had so many hundred yeares figured. For nowe were they at a full poynt to slea Ie∣sus: but because they durste not openly do it, for feare of the people, they thought good to laye handes vpon hym, and put hym to death by gyle & trea∣son. And for this their purpose, that daye of all other, was moste conuenient to thentent the thyng of the newe testament,* 1.1 shoulde agree with the fygure of the old. They themselues, dyd not chose this day, but it was foreapointed vnto this sacrifice by the eternall decree and ordinaunce of the father. For they counseylyng to gether how to slea Iesus, saied: Not on the feaste daye, leste there arise any busynesse and hurly burly among the people. Doubtlesse it is a Iewyshe feare to stande in awe of menne, and all this whyle nothynge to dreade god at all. Iesus knowyng the tyme was cum, in the whiche it was the fathers wyll to haue that same euerlasting sacrifice to be made, departed not from Ierusalem, leste he shoulde haue semed to haue fayled at the place foreapointed vnto this businesse.

[ The texte.] ¶And when he was at Bethania in the house of Symon the leper, euen as he sat at meate there came a woman hauyng an alabaster bo••e of oyntment, called Narde, that was pure & costly: and she brake the bo••e, and powred it on his heade. And there were sum that were not contented within themselues, and sayed: what nede this waste of oyntmente? For it myght haue bene sould for more then three hundred pence, and haue bene geuen vnto the poore, and they grudged against her.

When he therfore feasted at Bethany with his frendes, in the house of Sy∣mon, surnamed the leper, one of the geastes that feasted with hym was La∣zarus. Thys house presenteth vnto vs, the agreyng, and frendly felowshyp of the churche: the whiche being vncleane, he washed & purified with his pre∣uous bloude: and beyng dead through sinne, and vnrighteousnesse, he made alyue againe by his death and passion. With suche persones, Iesus loueth to sit at table, rather then with the priestes, & phariseis, who thought themselues ••leane, and alyue, notwithstandyng they were suche in soule, as Symon, and Lazarus were in bodye. As they thus feasted, there came in a certaine womā hauing and alabaster boxe full of pure, good, and precious oyntement, called the oyntment of ryght Narde: whiche brake her boxe: and powred al the oint∣ment vpon the Lordes heade, as he sate there at the table. Iesus who was neuer delited with the pleasures and delicacies of this worlde, loueth to be anoynted with suche manoure of oyntment, after the spirituall meanyng. The churche is lauishe and prodigall in bestowing this oyntment vpon her dere and welbeloued spouse. What precious thing soeuer she hath, thesame reserueth she not to herselfe, but powreth it vpon Iesus heade, vnto whom all honour and glory is due. The house of y^e churche is in most ample wyse enlar∣ged & spred abrode throughout all y^e whole world: but the swete sauour, and fragraūt smell of this ointment hath filled euery corner and part therof. This swete sauour allureth and causeth many a one to desyre that they maye be ad∣mitted

into the same house, wherin Iesus sitteth at meate with his frendes. But there be sum which of spite & enuy, speake against the delicacies of Iesu: as the Iewes, who rather seke theyr own profit, glorie, & cōmoditie, then the glory & honour of Iesu Christ. For so did certaine of his disciples y^• yet sauou∣red of the flesh, but specialy Iudas Iscarioth: who being not contented in his mynde, & muttryng with himself againste this womannes fac••e, sayed on thys wyse: what neded it to wast or cast away this so pure good oyntment? For it myght haue been sold for thre hundred pence, and with that money many a poore body haue been relieued. And the losse of this oyntment greued them so muche, that they made a great murmuring agaynst the godly prodigalitie of the woman. That thyng is well loste, which is employed vpō Christes glorie: Yea, to saye the trueth, there is nothyng that lesse perisheth. The sinagoge is sparing to Christeward,* 1.2 and wastefull or prodigall to her owne person. Con∣trarilie, the churche regardeth not the price and valewe of that she hath recei∣ued of Christe, but breaketh the vessell, and rashlye powreth out all that euer she hath vpon her spouses heade. The poore wydowe whiche cast a farthing into the treasurie, pleased Christ hyghly. So doth this woman content hym also, whiche for his loue and sake, hath lost her precious oyntment. The wi∣dowe knowleagyng her pouertie, broughte forth all the poore substaunce she had, and caste it into the treasurye: and the other beyng now riche & wealthie through the lordes liberalitie, did not onely geue him all that euer she had, but also sustained the lose of her vessel. The one gaue her goodes and lyuyng: the other gaue euen body and soule, yf that can perishe whiche is geuen vn∣to Iesu. Where be they now that grudge and murmoure against this prodi∣galitie, whiche is so pleasaunte and acceptable to the aucthoure of grace? Christ geueth of his owne plentifully, to thentent that the good sauour of his liberalitie, maye the more be spred abrode: He requyreth no rewarde for anye thynge he geuethe: but here onely he is ambicious or desirous of honour. He willeth that we knowleage his well doing and benefites, not because he hath any nede of suche prayse and commendacion, but it hath pleased hym by thys meane to geue vs his gyftes and riches.

[ The texte.] And Iesus sayed: let her alone, why trouble ye her? She hath done a good worke on me. For ye haue poore with you alwaies, and whensoeuer ye wil, ye may do them good, but me haue ye not alwayes. She hath done that she could, she came aforehand to anoynt my body to the burying. Uerely I say vnto you: wheresoeuer this Gospell shalbe preached thorowe out the whole world, this also that she hath done shalbe rehearsed, in remembraunce of her.

The Lord (of whome alone it is sufficient to be alowed) defendeth the god∣ly diligence of the woman agaynst his disciples muttryng and murmuryng against her.* 1.3 Why, saith he, make you this busines with this woman? Suffer her to take her pleasure. She hath done me a good turne. For whereas you cloke your couetousnesse with a pretence to socour the pore, knowe ye y^• what∣soeuer is geuē to me, thesame is geuē to a poore body. These commune poore folkes, and beggers, you shall euer haue with you, whom you maye do good vnto, and helpe as oft as ye wyll: but ye shal not alwayes haue me present, to wyn my fauour by such corporall benefytes. I haue been but once in my lyfe tyme thus honoured, and the thing that is done, is not done to thentent that many should take ensāple therby, to vse such manour of bodilye refreshinges: but because all men should after the spirituall sence and meaning doe the like. This womā wotteth not what she doth, & yet with a godly endeuour and di∣ligence

doeth she as muche as lyeth in her to do. My death is nere hande, then will she desyre to anoint my body that muste bee buried. And because she shall not then haue tyme so to do, she preueuteth the tyme: and yeldeth me that ho∣nour whiles I am aliue, which she cānot geue me whē I am dead. But so true is it that her godly endeuoire (whiche you speake and murmour against) shall not lacke it condigne and worthye prayse, that when my death shall by prea∣ching of the gospel, be renoumed and spokē of throughout al the whole world, she shall lykewyse bee remembred and spoken of, because she honoured it wyth suche a gyft and present before I dyed.

[ The texte.] ¶And Iudas Iscarioth one of the twelue, went awaye vnto the hye priestes to betra••e hym vnto them. When they hearde that, they were glad, and promysed that they woulde geue hym moneye. And he sought howe he might conueniently betraye hym.

With these wordes the Lorde caused his disciples to cease their muttring. But Iudas Iscarioth one of the twelue (who vntruely dispensed the common money geuen for the reliefe of the poore) could in no wyse suffer the losse of this oyntment,* 1.4 but went streightwayes vnto the highe priestes, to betraye Iesus vnto thē. For it was not vnknowen vnto hym, how they studyed to take him by deceyte and treason. After the highe priestes hearde this, they were ryghte glad. It pleased them very well that one of householde with Iesu, shoulde bee the chiefe worker of this mischiefe. They agreed of the sum of money that Iu∣das shoulde haue for his labour. And there was mutuall faith founde in that wicked counsell, and conspiracie, whiche is seldome kept in honest and leafull couenauntes. Iudas beleued the bare promise of the priestes, without eyther wrytyng, witnesses, or sureties. He ymagined with himselfe whiche waye he might betraye Iesu vnto the sayed priestes, and Scribes after such a sorte, as they desyred: that is to saye, in tyme, and place conuenient, leste anye busynesse or insurreccion should ryse hereof. For this condicion was expressed in the coue∣naunt. In the meane time, whyles Iudas, and the hye priestes counsayled to∣gether how for to destroye him, Iesu went about the businesse of mannes sal∣uacion.

[ The texte.] ¶ And the fyrste daye of swete bred (when they offered Passeouer) his disciples saied vnto him: where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou maiest eate the passeouer? And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith vnto them: Go ye into the Citie, & there shal mete you a man bearing a pitcher of water, folowe him: and whithersoeuer he goeth in, saye ye to the goodman of the house, the maister saith: where is the geste chamber where I shal eate passeouer with my disciples? And he will shewe you a greate parloure paued and pre∣pared. There make ready for vs. And his disciples wente forth and came into the citie, and founde as he had sayed vnto them, and they made ready the passeouer.

Nowe was the fyrst daye of the feast of swete breade cum, on the which daie the Iewes were wōt to offer vp their easter lambe. Therfore Iesus disciples said vnto him. Whither wilt thou that we go, and prepare thee thy easter sou∣per? Iesus sent out two of them to make prouision therfore saying vnto them: Go ye into the citie, and assone as ye bee entred in, there shall meete you a man carying a pitcher of water: him folowe ye, & into what house soeuer he entreth in, saye these woordes to the good man of the house in my name. The maister saith, where is the soupyng chāber where I maye eate my easter lambe with my disciples? and he shall straightwayes shewe you a large souping chamber, paued, and already prepared for the feast that shalbe made therin. There pre∣pare you for vs our easter souper. Here marke me the simple obedience of the Apostles, suche an obedience as they also shewed before, when they were sente out to fetche the Asses foale. Marke also this, that there is nothyng hyd and

vnknowē vnto the lorde: so that it is manifest and plaine hereby, that he both foreknewe, and willyngly suffered whatsoeuer he suffered for our cause. Fur∣ther, marke his authoritie. At the naming of this worde (Lorde, or Maister) the asse was byanby let go. Againe at the naming of thesame worde, the sou∣pyng chamber was furthwith shewed them, so that it appeareth hereby, that it was in his power to do whatsoeuer he woulde: he could with a becke haue restrained the priestes, & phariseis, who went about cruelly to tourment hym and put him to death. The disciples went theyr waye, and came into the citie, and founde one carying a water pitcher: whom they folowed, and entred into the house where he went in, and declared vnto the goodman of the house, their maisters commaundement. He without any tarying shewed them a soupyng chamber, wherin the disciples prepared theyr easter lambe, that is to saye, the last and mysticall souper, whiche should both represent the fygure of the olde lawe, and also sacramentally present and exhibite vnto them, the sacrifyce of the newe lawe, and gospell.

[ The texte.] And when it was nowe euentyde, he came with the twelue, and as they sate at borde, and dyd eate, Iesus sayed: Uerely I saye vnto you, one of you (that eateth with me) shall betraye me. And they began to be sory, and to saye to him one by one, is it I? And another sayd, is it I? He answered and sayde vnto them: it is one of the twelue, euen he that dippeth with me in the platter. The sonne of man truly goeth as it is wrytten of him, but wo to the mā by whō the sonne of mā is betraied. Good we•• it for that mā, if he had neuer been borne.

In the euentyde Iesus folowed with his twelue disciples, whom only as chosen felowes, his pleasure was shoulde be witnesses of all that shoulde bee doen in this moste holy feast or maundye. When they were all set at the table, and takyng their repast, Iesus sayed vnto theim: I assure you that one of you that eateth with me, shall betraye me. As he had so sayed, eleuen of them were stryken with great sorowe and pensiuenesse. For there was none of them all that knewe himselfe fautie, saue Iudas only. But yet durste they not truste to the weakenesse and frailtie of mans nature. Therfore eche of them desyrous to be delyuered of this pensiue carefulnesse by the lordes discrying of the tray∣toure, sayed vnto hym: Is it I? Neyther was Iudas, who knewe hymselfe culpable, ashamed to saye with the rest: Maister am I he? Iesus to shewe vn∣to his disciples a perfite ensample of leuitie and mekenesse, thoughte it better to suffre them a while to be troubled with heauinesse, then to bewraye the traytoure: vsyng all the wayes and meanes he coulde, to cause hym to returne from his wicked and mischieuous purpose. Therfore he sayd: It shall be one of the twelue,* 1.5 who is so familiare with me, that he dippeth in the same platter that I do. And this is the rewarde whiche he will geue me for my gentle and familiar entertainement. Nowe Iudas perceiued that it was not vnknowen vnto the lord where aboutes he wēt: and he sawe also suche mekenesse in hym, as the lyke had not been heard of before. Iesus would not discrie him (of whō he should anone after be moste falsly betrayed vnto death) vnto the residewe of his disciples, because they would peraduenture if the treason had been ope∣ned, haue cruelly handled hym for theyr maisters sake. But oh vncurable ma∣lice. What stone, what diamōd, would not so great gentlenesse make to relent, specially of hym who could hurt and displease with a becke? But thesame gē∣tlenesse more encouraged the wretch to do this wicked and mischieuous dede. Then went Iesus foorth with his tale in this wyse: howbeit as concernyng me, nothing shall be doen otherwise then I will my selfe: but as the prophetes

haue sayed and prophecied of the sonne of man, so shall it be. It is expedient for a great many that he be delyuered and betrayed to death. But yet woe bee to hym throughe whose malice and wickednesse,* 1.6 he shalbe betrayed. He procu∣reth a thing which shal be soule health to other, and to himselfe vtter confusiō. It had been better for him that he had neuer been borne. Howbeit this wic∣ked mynde, & purpose of Iudas, was neuer a whit refourmed, neither with so great mekenesse of the lord, nor yet for dread of the great horrible punishmente whiche he threatned him withall: so great a michiefe is couetousnesse.

[ The texte.] ¶And as they did eate, Iesus toke bread, and when he had geuen thankes, he brake it, & gaue it to them, and sayd: Take, eate, this is my body. And he toke the cup, and whē he had geuen thankes he toke it to them, & they all dranke of it, and he sayde vnto thē. This is my bloude of the new testamēt which is shed for many. Uerely I saye vnto you, I will drynke no more of the fruite of the vyne vntill that daye, that I drinke it newe in the kyngdom of God. And when they had sayed grace, they went out to mount Oliuete. And Iesus sayth vnto them. Al ye shall bee offended because of me this night. For it is wrytten, I will smite the shepheard, and the shepe shall be scattered. But after that I am risen againe, I wyll go into Galile before you. Peter sayd vnto hym: And though all men be offended, yet wyll not I. And Iesus sayeth vnto him. Uerely I saye vnto the, that this daye, euen in this nighte before the Cocke crowe twise, thou shalt deny me three times. But he spake more vehemēt∣ly▪ no, if I shoulde dye with the, I will not denye the. Likewise also sayde they all.

Furthermore in this souper, Iesus commended vnto his disciples that moste holy sacrement or signe of his death, and of the perpetuall couenaunt made with those that would continue in the euāgelike & christiā faith: for this cause he toke bread, and after thankes geuen to god the father, brake it, and gaue it to eche of them, saying: Take, eate, this is my body. Also he toke the cup, and after thankes geuen, gaue it them, and they all drāke therof. Then he said vn∣to them. This is my bloud of the newe testamēt which shall be shed for many▪ Be you well assured of this that I shall tell you: from henceforth I wil drinke no more of the fruit of the vine tyll that daie that I drinke it new in the kyng∣dome of God. When the souper was done, and grace sayde in the laude and praise of god, according to their manoure and custome, the same nighte they departed from Ierusalem vnto moūt Oliuete. We must euer thanke, & praise God both in weale and woe.* 1.7 There Iesus knowyng the frailtie and weake∣nesse of his disciples, prepared and strēgthned theyr myndes, that they myght be able to suffre the storme of persecucion which hanged ouer their heades. All ye, saith he, shall be troubled this night for my cause. And this thyng did Esay also prophecie of before. I wyll smyte, saith he, the shepherd, and the shepe shall bee scattered abrode. But dispayre ye not. As my death shall trouble you, and cause you to disperse and scatter abrode, so shal my resurreccion recomfort you, and gather you together again. For I wil reliue, as I said, on the thyrde day, and being reliued, will go before you into Galile. After ye haue there sene me, you shall put away all sorowe and heuinesse. When Peter, who as yet knewe not his owne weakenesse, heard him say so, he answered again very manfully, but yet rashely withal, saying: Although all the residewe be offended with thy death, yet truly will I not be troubled therwith a whit. Iesus desyrous cleane to wede and plucke out of our myndes all truste of our selues, sayth vnto him: O Peter, thou deniest that that thyng shalbe done, whiche both the prophetes, and I my selfe (whom it had bene thy parte to beleue, and in no wise to gain∣saye or contrary with wordes) haue tolde before shall cum to passe. O thou rashe promiser: Yea, the stronger thou thynkest thy selfe to be, the more nota∣bly

shalt thou be troubled aboue all other. This thyng I assure the of: before the cocke crow twise this same very night, thou shalt thrise deny me. Yet is the presumpcion of Peter nothing abated herewith,* 1.8 insomuche that he maketh a more stoute, and greater promise of himselfe, then he dyd before, saying: Yea, if there be no remedy, but I must nedes euen dye with the, yet I wyl neuer deny the. As Peter sayd, so sayd the rest of the disciples, to thentent that they erring together, shoulde bee all refourmed together of theyr errour, and knowe howe vnable they were to do any thyng by their owne strength and power, and fi∣nally perceyue how it was not possible for any thyng to bee vaine or vntrue, which came out of Christes mouth. A litle before, they al agreed together in cō∣fessing truly who Christ was, and the cōmune opinion of them al was praised in Peter. Here they agree altogether in a rashe confidence and trust of thēselues: and in Peter alone the rashenesse of them all is rebuked. Only Peter denied Iesu, and the rest would haue doen the like, if occasion had been geuen them so to do. For they would haue denied him, yf they had not fled awaye. The bolde stomacke of Peter, the whiche was more constaunt in hym then in the other, brought him into this daunger. None of all these thynges chaunced vnto the disciples of any set malyce, as it happened to Iudas, but onely through mans imbecillitie and weakenesse. And therfore Iesus vsed the obstinate wickednesse of Iudas, to our saluacion: and would haue the weakenes and frailtie of his apostles diuersely declared, because to teache all other by them, how no manne shoulde warrand hymselfe ought to his owne strength, but whensoeuer the storme of yuels and aduersities aryseth, wholely to hang vpon the heauenlye ayde and socoure: whiche so muche the more presently helpeth man, as he di∣strusteth his owne strengthe and power. The apostles coulde not yet bee re∣proued by worde: but the time would cum when the experience of the matier should at the lengthe make them to knowe themselues.

[ The texte.] And they came into a place whiche was named Gethsemany. And he saieth to his disci∣ples: Sit ye here whyle I go aside, and praie. And he taketh with hym Petre & Iames, and Iohn, and began to waxe abashed, and to be in an agony, and sayeth vnto them: My soule is heuy, euen vnto the death. Tary ye here and watche. And he went foorth a lyttle, and fel downe flat on the gound, and prayed that if it were possible, the houre myght passe from him. And he sayd: Abba father, all thinges are possible vnto the, take away this cup from me: Neuerthelesse not that I wyll, but that thou wyll be doen.

Therfore they came into a place called Gethsemamy. This Gethsemany is a valey lying at the foote of moūt Oliuete. No man can mounte vp to the crosse of Iesu, vnlesse he first cum downe vnto this valey: vnlesse he hūble and abase himselfe by renouncyng of all the aydes and socours of mans pride & loftinesse. Here commaunded he the other eight to tarrie, and takyng vnto hym three, that is to saye, Peter, Iames, and Iohn, gate him awaye not farre of, because he woulde geue himselfe to praier and contemplacion. Behold here the engines, and artilerye of the gospell against the violence of persecucions. There were two thinges in Iesu moste contrarye: that is to wete, his diuine maiestie, thē whiche there was nothyng higher, or of more excellencie: and his humayne weakenesse, then whiche there was nothing more vile, or of lesse reputacion. Because vnto these three disciples he had giuen before some taste of his high∣nesse and diuine maiestie, it was his wyll and pleasure they shoulde nowe be witnesses of his greatest abasyng of hymselfe, and humilitie: to thentent that in the same Christe, they should learne, both what they ought to counterfayte and ensue, and also what to hope after. Here nowhere appeared his face all

shynyng, and glisteryng lyke the Sunne: no where his apparayle whyter then the snow: no where Moyses and Hely cōmunyng with hym: and to bee shorte,* 1.9 no where was hearde the fathers voyce as it was before, but as a man vtterly forsaken and destitute of all helpe and socoure, he beganne to bee soore troubled with feare, and dismayed with great anguish and agony of mynde: for he was a very naturall man, and notably expressed in hymselfe, what is wont to chaunce vnto those persones, who are nothyng els but men, whenso∣euer any suche storme hangeth ouer them. Neyther dyd he cloke and dissemble the thing amōg his frendes. I thorowly, sayde he, feele in my minde, sorow & heuinesse lykest vnto death. He sought for comfort euery where, & found none at all. But yet is it a certaine kynde of solace and comforte, to complayne vnto our frēdes of our calamitie, though they will not helpe vs. Therfore he com∣maunded also these three to tarry here, and watche. That done, he went forth a litle, and as one cleane destitute of all worldly comforte, and vtterly forlorne and paste helpe (as touchyng mans helpe) fled vnto the father for socoure: of whom yet he should not byanby be eased of his griefe. Wherfore he fell down flatte on the grounde: and lying grouelyng, prayed the father, that (if it were possible) the tyme of this battaile might passe awaye. The nature of his body feared the tourment, & death that was nye hand. Abba father (sayd he). Thou canste do all thinges: take awaye this cup from me, that I drinke not therof. Neuertheles let that be doen that thy will hath decreed, whiche wylleth, no∣thing but what is moste expedient and best: and not as the weakenesse of this body desyreth.

[ The texte.] ¶And he came and founde them sleping, & saith to Peter: Symon▪ slepest thou? Couldest not thou watche one houre? watche ye, and praie, lest ye enter into temptacion. The spirite truly is ready. But the fleshe is weake. And agayne he went asyde, and prayed, and spake thesame wordes. And he returned, and found thē aslepe agayn. For their ••yes were heauy. Neyther wyst they what to answere him. And he came the thyrde tyme, & sayde vnto them: slepe hence forth, & take your ease, it is enough. The houre is cum, beholde the sonne of man is betrayed into the handes of sinners, ryse ye vp, let vs go. Loe, he that betrayeth me, is at hand. And i••mediatly, whyle he yet spake, climeth Iudas (which was one of the twelue) and with him a greate numbre of people, with swerdes and staues, from the hye priestes, & scribes, and elders. And he that betrayed him, had geuen thē a general token saying: Who∣soeuer I do kisse that same is he, take him, and leade hym away warely. And as sone as he was cum, he goeth streightway to hym, and saieth vnto hym. Maister, maister, and kyssed hym. And they layed theyr handes on him, and toke hym. And one of them that stoode by, drue out a swerde, and smote a seruaunt of the hie priest, and cut of his eare.

When he had thus prayed, he returned vnto his three disciples whome he left behinde him and found them nowe sleping. And then called he Peter, who a litle before had made so stout a promyse, saying: Simō, slepest thou? Coul∣dest thou not watche as much as one houre with me? This tyme admitteth no sluggishenesse. For he slepeth not that goeth about to destroye vs. Watche, and praye, lest ye entre into temptacion, because ye shall bee in ieopardy to bee ouercomen therwith, if it cum vpon you when ye are nothyng prepared. The perill is like commune vnto vs all. I watche and praye for your health & safetie:* 1.10 doe you like wyse watche, and praye as I do, that you maye ouercome with me. The spirite is ready, and wyllyng, but the fleshe is weake. The spi∣rite must be stayed and stablyshed with watchyng, and prayer, leste, the fleshe haue the vpper hande. When Iesus had thus spoken he went eftsones to the place frō whēce he came, & made his prayers vnto the father, with like tenour of wordes as he dyd before: desyring hym, that he might not drinke of the cup

which was at hand: and anon he returned to his disciples and founde them a∣gayne slepyng. They napped in the beholdyng of his maiestie, insomuch that Peter wiste not what he sayde. In like manour do they here slepe in the behol∣dyng of his infirmitie and weakenesse, and knowe not well what answere to make hym rebukynge them. Iesus returned the third tyme from prayer vnto his sayed disciples: and the thirde time he founde them a slepe. Bothe they and we had perished, vnles Iesus had watched, and prayed for vs al. Therfore af∣ter they were wakened, he rebuked them because he would by them styrre vp and awaken all slewthfull persons. Slepe ye, sayde he, from henceforth, and take your reast. You haue slepte ynoughe. The thing selfe will now waken you whether you will or no. The very point, and momente of the tyme is alrea∣dy cumme. Lo, the sonne of manne shall anon be betrayed, and delyuered into theyr handes that are all set on mischiefe.* 1.11 Ryse vp, and let vs go mete them. For now the lord Iesus had by prayer made himself strong in mynde against the storme of affliccions that was at hand. Neither shewed he any time after∣ward any token of feare, or werines: but gaue vs an ensāple of moste cōstaunt and stedfast pacience vnto the last houre. He had no sooner spoken these wor∣des, but Iudas Iscarioth one of the numbre of the twelue chosen disciples, & amonges them taken for the chiefe, was cum, and with hym a great bende of souldiers fensed with sweardes and staues, against Iesus being without ar∣mour, and weaponlesse. Neither lacked there here authoritie. The hie priestes, scribes, and head men of the people, sent this power. Here marke me (good rea∣der) the notable conflicte of the euangelike and christian godlynesse againste fayned and counterfayte holynesse. Thus is the truthe of the ghospell daylye assaulted: thus doeth it alwayes ouercum and get the victorie. There is none meter to betraye it then he, who professing hymselfe to be a preacher & teacher of thesame, teacheth those thinges that are of the fleshe. There is muche more ieopardie of false doctrine, then of the swerdes and staues of souldiours, that are notorious and open misdoers. Yet dyd not Iudas well trust to his owne strength and policie, when he should betraye the lorde. He ioyned vnto hym a great bende of souldiers wel weaponed, & besydes them, the authoritie of both the states, that is to saye, both of the spiritualitie, and tēporalitie. And all these thynges dyd they in the night, hauing awayted as well oportunitie of place, as of tyme. There muste nedes be moste horrible darkenesse, where Iesus is bound, and taken. This was the power of darkenesse: & Satan was suffered a whyle to seme to haue vanquished and ouercum Christ. What greater blind∣nesse could there be then to go about by mannes policie to betraye hym, vnto whom nothyng is vnknowen? then with swerdes, and staues to assault him, who with a becke can do what hym luste? Iudas dyd not openly shewe hym∣selfe to be the captaine of this vngracious compaignie, but gaue them firste a token, saying: whomsoeuer I kysse, the same is Iesus: Laye ye handes vpon hym, and leade hym charely, lest he scape frō you. The priestes were well ware of this, that the money should not be disbursed vnlesse Iesus were in their han∣des and custodie. Then began Iudas to go a prety waye before the souldiers, as though he had goen about sumwhat els: but yet he went so before thē, that he was euer in their sight. And anon as he was cū vnto Iesus, he saluted and kyssed him, according vnto his accustomed manoure. Neyther dyd Iesus here abate any parte of his ientilnesse towardes the traytour. He only nipped him

by the conscience, saying: My frende for what entent art thou cumme? He knew right wel howe he would neuer tourne from his wickednesse, and yet v∣sed he all the meanes that myght be,* 1.12 to refourme hym: teachyng vs hereby to vse all the gentlenesse, and fayre meanes we can possible towardes synners, because we be vncertaine whether they will one daye tourne and cum to amēd∣ment. If they amend, then haue we wun the soule health of our euenchristen: yf they amēde not, yet shall not our gentle demenure be vnrewarded. A kysse is a sygne of mutuall loue & charitie. Charitie declareth vs to be the disciples of Iesu. Wherfore there is no greater point of enmitie, then a fayned kysse. Cer∣tes such a kysse do false prophetes, e••ē in these dayes gyue vnto Iesu, whiche vnder pretence of christian godlynesse, serue their belyes, and seke after the prayse of the world: and in stede of the spirituall fredōe, teache a very Iewishe religion. At the token of this ve••••mous kysse, the souldiers layed handes on hym, and bound hym. The disciples when they sawe this rufflyng and busy∣nesse, waxed fumishe and angrye. And nowe Peter cleane forgettyng what y^e Lorde had tolde hym before, thought the tyme was cum wherin it shoulde be his part to do summe worthy feate, according as he had right couragiouslye and lyke a bolde man promised to do. He drewe out his swearde, and strake the high bishops seruaunt called Malchus, because he more fierse then the rest,* 1.13 first hasted to laye handes on Iesus. Howbeit the Lorde so ordred the stroke of his right hande, that he dyd Malchus no other harme, saue alonely cut of his right eare: the whiche thesame moste gracious lord anone as he had rebuked his disciple, restored agayne, and so made hym amendes for the hurt of this small and daungerles wounde. So beneficiall was Iesus to all men, that we ought to be ashamed to haue, so muche as a wyll or an entente to be reuenged vpon any man: I will not saye to hurte suche, as hath not deserued our displeasure.

[ The texte.] ¶And Iesus answered, and sayde vnto them: ye be cum our as vnto a thefe, with swerdes and with ••••aues for to take me: I was dayly with you in the temple teaching, and ye toke me not. But these thinges cum to passe, that the scriptures should be fulfilled. And they all forsoke hym, and ranne awaye. And there folowed hym a certaine young man clothed in lynnen vpon the bare, and the young menne caught hym, and he left his lynnen garment, and fled from thence naked. And they ••••d Iesus awaie to the hye priest of all, and with him came all the hye priestes, and the elders, and the Scribes. And Peter folowed hym a great waye of (euen tyll he was cumme into the palace of the hye prieste) and he sate with the ser∣uauntes, and warmed hymselfe at the fyre.

Further, as Iesus will not be defended with any other aydes, then with the swerd of the gospel, the whiche pearceth to the innermost partes of mens hartes, so was it his wil that this armed company of souldiers should know that he could not haue been apprehended by any puissaunce or power of man, vnlesse he had both willinglye and wittingly put hymselfe into their handes to be taken.* 1.14 Therfore he turned him vnto them, and sayed: sirs what ayleth you to cum out hyther to me at midnight, with sweardes and stanes, as vnto a thefe that woulde stand at his defence with lyke weapon? I was daylye at Ierusalem, not priuely, but openlye where euery body might see me: in the place where moste haunt and resort of people is, I meane in the temple: hea∣lyng sycke folke, and teachyng the trueth. I was euer weaponlesse, and accō∣panied but w^t a small number of disciples, who wer likewise without armour and weapon. Why dyd ye not there take me? Surely you might haue done it then with lesse businesse, if it had been so decreed.

But this is your tyme: insomuche that you may by goddes sufferaunce, do nowe to me what ye luste. And that it shoulde so be, the scriptures, whiche cā••∣notlye, haue foreshewed many yeares sithens. Whan he had sayd ••o, there was but who might firste lay handes on hym: and anon the disciples fearyng themselues, forsoke theyr lorde, and rāne awaye, sum to one place, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to another. It is lawfull for weake persons to flye, who are not as yet 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and able to suffre persecucion. Albeit there chaunceth a tyme, when that to flye, is nothyng els, but to deny Christe. There must we not flye, but euen of our own accorde hasten to dye. When that by thy death the Gospel taketh more dispro∣fite, then commoditie, then flye awaye, and hyde thy selfe. But when that by thesame, the ghospell hath muche profyte, and contrarily greate disprofite and hinderaunce, if thou auoyde the daunger therof, then sticke not to go and mete the hangman.* 1.15 There was among the twelue, a certayne young strypplyng y^• loued Iesus more thē the rest, & folowed hym being led with his armes boūd like a captiue or prysoner: whose ba••e bodye was clothed with one finelynne•• garment only. Hym they knewe, and toke. But he caste of his lynnen vesture, and so escaped out of theyr handes, sauing his lyfe by the losse of his garment. He that so flyeth after the spirituall sence, flyeth happely. For what els is this bodye but the vesture and garmente of the soule? As ofte as Satan layethe hande vpon the soule, passe not vpon the linnen garmente, and so saue thy selfe, and escape out of his daunger. Nowe beholde howe theuangelike veri••ie is handeled after it is betrayed of a wicked disciple. The eruell garison of soul∣diers leadeth it bounde to the chiefe menne of bothe the states, who are in a cō∣spiracie to destroye it. Fyrste it is brought vnto the hyghest priest. There is no more mortall an enemy vnto Iesu, then is a wicked Byshop. Nowe because the matters should seme to be done with more auctoritie, thither assembled all the priestes, Scribes and elders. This is the authoritie of this world, whiche is in a conspiracie aganste poore, symple, and playne veritie, but yet inuincible withal. Al this while Peters hert fayled him not. Howbeit he folowed Iesus a loofe, and was nowe a cloked disciple: and no meruayle, sithe the tyme drewe nere, when he would deny him. For mans bolde stomacke is good for nothing els of it selfe, but to make the synner more outragiously to offende. Therefore he preased into the palace of the highest priest, & there sate amidmōg the lewde and vngracious companie of seruauntes, and warmed himselfe by the fire, as one that would be rather a beholder of the Lordes passion, then a folower.

[ The texte.] ¶And the hye priestes, and all the councel, sought for witnesse agaynst Iesu, to put hym in death: & found none, for many bare false witnesse against hym, but their witnes agreed not together. And there arose certayne & brought false witnesse against hym, saying: We hear•• hym saye. I wyll destroye this temple that is made with handes, and within three daies. I will builde another, made without handes. But yet theyr witnesses agreed not together.

In the meane season suche of the priestes as were chiefe in dignitie (amōg whom as euery one was higheste in authoritie, so was the same more wicked then the other) and with them the residue of the counsell, leste they shoulde haue semed to be rather murtherers, then auengers of heresye, and vngodlynesse, sought for sum witnesse agaynst Iesus, wherby they might put him to death. They desired nothyng els, but his death and destruccion, who freelye offered all men life euerlastyng. Yet could there no mete witnesse be found. Iesus one∣ly was he, against whom mans craftines coulde fynde no cōuenient witnesse

For nowe there came in many before the Iudges,* 1.16 who deposed against hym, but their witnesse was so simple and slēder, that it appeared not to those moste vniust felowes themselues, sufficient to condemne him, whome they hadde in very dede cōdemned alreadye among themselues, before he was brought vnto his arraignement. At the length there rose vp certain persons who gaue sore euidence against hym, saying: we will denounce vnto you, suche thynges as we knowe certainly to bee true. For we hearde hym saye (with these eares) I will destroy this temple made by mannes handes, and after three dayes expi∣red, I will builde another,* 1.17 that shall not be made with the handes of manne. They woulde that this saying shoulde appeare to be a blasphemye spoken a∣gainst the Lordes temple. Yet did not their witnesse (albeit to aggrauate the haynousnes of the crime, it conteyned sum truthe) seme lawfull and sufficient. A man would haue sayed, that the iudges had taken conscience in the matter, and fauoured the defendaunte: Howbeit this diligence of the priestes was for nothing els, but bicause Iesus should not by any meanes be quit and escape this iudgement.

[ The texte.] ¶And the hye priest slode by amongest them, and asked Iesus, saying: answerest thou nothing? How is it that these beare witnesse against the? But he helde his peace & answe∣red nothing. Agayne the highest priest asked hym, and saied vnto hym: Arte thou Christ, the sonne of the blessed? And Iesus sayd: I am.

Yet all this while is there nothyng doen agaynst hym. There nedeth the helpe of the highest priest or bishop of all, to destroye Iesu. He therfore percey∣uing that the matter wēt but easily forward, rose vp in the middes of the coū∣cel, and began to speake vnto Iesus, sekyng sum occasion of his wordes, wher∣by he might condemne him. Hearest thou, sayth he, what crimes are layed vn∣to thy charge? Haste thou no answere to make hereunto? Iesus held his peace and gaue hym not a word to answere. For, for what purpose shoulde he haue answered to those thynges, which themselues iudged but light matters, and of no wayght? Therfore the highest Byshoppe styll sought occasion, and que∣stioned with hym, saying: Art thou that selfsame Christe the sonne of God, who is euer to be praysed? Iesus confessed he was. For it was not his parte to denye that thyng, whiche it behoued all men to knowe.

[ The texte.] ¶And ye shall see the sonne of man sitting on the right hande of power, and comming in the cloudes of heauen. Then the hye priest rent his clothes, and sayed: what nede we of any further witnesses? ye haue hearde a blasphemy, what thinke ye? And they all condemned hym to be worthy of death, & sum began to spyt at him, & to couet his face, and to beate him with fistes, and to saye vnto hym: Areade. And the seruauntes buffetted hym on the face.

And because he knewe they woulde not beleue in hym, or at the leastwise woulde contemne him, by reason of the weakenesse of his body: he added an other sentence to feare them withall. You shall see ({quod} he) the sonne of manne sitting on the right hande of the diuine maiestie, and cummyng on hygh in the cloudes of heauen, with great glory, and many aungels waytyng vpon him. He meant of his seconde cumming: when he will retourne, not lykewyse lowe as he was then, but in diuine maiestie a iudge both of the quicke, and dead. The wicked priestes were ignoraunt in the lawe: yet mighte they haue learned of the Phariseis, that both the cumminges of Messias, were prophecied of by the prophetes: the one not regarded and passed on, the other royall, and dreadfull. But they had no leysure to compare Iesus dedes, with the prophe∣cies, and foresayinges of the prophetes. All that euer they wente aboute was

nothyng els, but to bryng hym to destruccion. Here the highest priest clokyng his wickednesse with a vysure of Godlynesse,* 1.18 rent and tare his clothes therby to make the blasphemy to appeare more haynous and detestable.

What nedeth there, saieth he, any further witnes: yourselues haue heard an open blasphemy. The wicked Bishop desyrous to set forth his owne glorye, coulde not abide to heare Christes glorye aduaunced: supposyng that what glory and prayse soeuer had been geuen to Christ, thesame shoulde haue been to the great derogacion and minishyng of his maiestie. ••oodnesse caused him a litle before to ryse out of his place: and yet in so doyng, he gaue reuerence vn∣to the sonne of god. Now doeth he rente his clothes, prophecying hereby, how it shall cum to passe, that the true bishop raignyng the carnall and figuratiue bishophode shalbe cleane abolished and set aside. The glorious sinagoge was rent, but Christes coate remaineth still whole. What is farther from blasphe∣my, then to set forth the glory of the sonne of God? then to testifie that all shall come to passe, whatsoeuer the Prophetes haue prophecied to cum? And yet the vngracious bishop iudgeth this to be suche a blasphemye, as nedeth no wit∣nesses. What, saith he, thinke you here in? All they with one cōsent gaue iudge∣ment that this saying was an offence worthy of death. Forsothe a mete and a worthy councell for suche a priest. Nowe is it to be considered howe theuange∣lyke veritie is entreated in such councels, where as a wicked priest, who faine would be taken for a god,* 1.19 cannot abide to haue the glorye of the sonne of god auaunced: where the Scribes do not vtter what thei haue learned of the pro∣phetes: where the head men, and elders of the people, be in a conspiracie with the chief prelates of the temple: where suche waged seruauntes, & hyred soul∣diers beare a stroke, as are of theyr owne naughtie disposicion enclined to all mischiefe. For now some of them began to spitte at Iesus, as thoughe he had been lawfully condemned: and other some couered his face with a vayle, and after they had buffeted hym, sayed: Prophecie, and arrade who hath striken the. Thus they reprochefully scorned hym, because he suffred the people to take hym for a prophete. Furthermore the priestes seruauntes dyd lykewyse beat and buffet hym. These thinges were more fell, and cruell then death: but this ensample was ordeined for our enstruccion. In sufferyng of reproche and vylany none passed Iesus: but in workyng of myracles there were some, that went beyond hym

[ The texte.] ¶ And as Peter was benethe in the palace, there came one of the wenches of the highest priest, and when she saue Peter warming himself, she loketh on him, and sayeth: waste not thou also with Iesus of Nazareth: And he denied, saying: I know hym not, neyther wot I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porche, & the Cocke ••tem. And a damosel, (whā she sawe hym) begā again to saye to them that stoode by: this is one of them. And he denyed it agayne. And anone after they that stode by, sayde agayne to Peter: surely thou arte one of them, for thou arte of Galile, and thy speache agreeth therto. But he began to curse, and to sweare, saying. I know not this mā of whome ye speake. And agayne the cocke crewe, and Peter remembred the worde that Iesus sayed vnto him. Before the cocke crow twise thou shalt denye me three tymes. And he began to wepe.

While all these thinges were doen vnto Iesu, Peter beyng a fearful behol∣der, sate in the neyther parte of the palace among the wicked bishop seruaun∣tes. For there was a conuenient place for hym, sithe he woulde denye Iesus. Hither came a certaine wenche of y^e highest priest, whiche, after she had espyed hym warmyng himselfe with other by the fier, and hadiyed hym diligentlye, began to knowe his shape and phisnamie, and sayed vnto hym: Yea thou too

wast with Iesus of Nazareth. Peter frayed with these wordes denied it say∣ing: I know not the man, nor wote not what thou meanest. It was conueni∣ente that this stoute promiser, because he might the better know his own frail∣tie, should be made afearde of a wenche, to thentent that he afterwarde bold∣ly professyng the name of Iesu before rulers, and princes, should knowe that his boldnesse and constant courage of mynde, came not of mannes strength, but of the holy ghoste. He therfore beyng now afearde, and halfe mistrustyng that place, gate hym out of the hall. Yet departed he not out of the byshops pa∣lace. Whiles he abode here, the cocke crewe. Peter heard that, and yet remem∣bred not what Iesus had tolde hym: so greatly was he afrayed. Then a cer∣taine damosell (when she sawe hym) began to detect hym again to them that stode about her, saying: This is one of theyr number. Peter eftsones auoyded her saying with a lye, denying flat that he was any of the apostles. And anon after when the seruauntes whiche stoode by whyles the damosell knewe and discryed him, had themselues well vewed his fauour and appara••le, they lyke∣wise began to knowe hym, and sayed: Uerily thou arte one of them. For thou arte of Galile. The firste that detected hym was a woman. Oh what a peril it is for Christes disciple to be knowen in bishops, and princes courtes? Unlesse he vtterly denye hymselfe to bee Christes disciple, he standeth in ieopardie to lose his life. Peter is also in ieopardie, by reason of his mother tongue & coun∣trey language. Suche manour of courtes can abyde no syncere and pure ve∣ritie. Nowe shall Peter at the length, be made a right courtier vp and downe. For he begynneth to sweare depely,* 1.20 and to curse withal, that he neuer in al his lyfe tyme knew this Iesu, whō they spake of. And as he had spoken the word, the cocke crewe agayne. Peter came not to hymselfe agayn, before Iesus loked vpon hym. Therfore at the length callyng to his remembraunce the wordes that Iesus had spoken vnto him, when he saied: before the cocke crowe twise, thou shalt thryse deny me: he wente forthe of Cayphas house, and braste out a wepyng. Yet went he not to hange himself, as Iudas did, bycause he fell not of obstinate iuelnesse, but by mannes frailtie and weakenesse, and that by the sufferaūce of God, bycause his fal should be our instrucciō. But this showre of teares which braste out of his iyes, quenched the lyghtning of Goddes wrathe and anger. He wept not before he was goen out of Caiphas palace. For there the more naughtie packe that euery one is, the more he estemeth and fauou∣reth himselfe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  But they say not in y^e ••east daye. &c.
• * 1.2

  What nede this waste of oyntmēt &c.
• * 1.3

  For ye haue poore. &c.
• * 1.4

  When they heard that, they were glad.
• * 1.5

  It is one of the twelue, &c.
• * 1.6

  But wo is that man.
• * 1.7

  All ye shal•• be offended▪ &c.
• * 1.8

  Before the cocke crowe twyse. &c.
• * 1.9

  My soul is heuy, euē vn¦to the death
• * 1.10

  And againe he went a∣syde. &c.
• * 1.11

  And imme∣diatlye while he yet spake &c
• * 1.12

  And he tha•• be••rayed hym had geuen them &c.
• * 1.13

  And one of them that ••••ode by▪ &c.
• * 1.14

  I was day∣ly with you in the tem∣ple.
• * 1.15

  And there folowed hī a certayne young man
• * 1.16

  For ma•••• bare false witnesse.
• * 1.17

  But yet theyr wit∣nesses.
• * 1.18

  Then the hye prieste rēt his cl••∣thes.
• * 1.19

  What thīk ye▪ &c.
• * 1.20

  Peter re∣mēbred the worde.