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

The .vj. Chapter.

[ The texte.] ¶And he departed thence, and came into his owne countrey, and his disciples folowed him: and when the Sabboth day was cum he begā to teache in the sinagoge. And many that heard him were astonied, and sayde: From whence hath he these thinges? And what wisdō is this that is geuen vnto hym, and suche vertues as are wrought by his handes? Is not this the carpenter, Maries sonne, the brother of Iames, and Io••es, and of Iuda, and Sy∣mon? and are not his systers here with vs▪ And they were offended with hym. Iesus sayed vnto them: a Prophet is not despised but in his owne countrey, and among his owne kinne, and in his owne housholde. And he could there shewe no miracle, but layde his handes v∣pon a fewe sycke folke, and healed them, and merueled because of theyr vnbeliefe.

WHat occasyon soeuer Christ haue to goe any whyther, he is alwayes after one fashyon, and lyke hymselfe: that is, he euer bryngeth healthe, to teache his disciples that accom∣pany hym, how we christians ought neuer to cease to doe the busynesse of the ghospell, but still to goe aboute when∣soeuer occasion serueth thereunto, to make of euell men good, and of good better, whether it happen vs to continew and leade our lyues at home in our owne houses, or els in foreyne and straunge countreys: in publyke place, or in pryuate. Moreouer he that is vnfaynedly indewed with suche vertue and goodnesse as belongeth to christian profession▪

whether it chaunce hym to be in shyppe, or in wagan, or to haue familiar talke and communicacion, or els to be present at feaste or at banket, yea, to make shorte tale, euen when he bourdeth to, or maketh any game or pastyme, he so demeaneth hymselfe, that euer some depart awaye from hym, muche amended in theyr maners and conuersacion, by reason of his companye.

Therfore Iesus, whoe attempted to go vnto the Gerasytes, forsoke the places nighe vnto the waterside, and returned backe into his owne countrey, leste he shoulde haue semed readyer to dooe straungers and foreyners good, then his owne countrey men. For Nazareth deserued to haue this honorable name to be called his countrey, because he was fostred and continued there a long season.* 1.1 There went with hym his disciples, the whiche then folowed him euery where continually. Now when the sabboth was cum, vpon the whiche day the Iewes were wonte according to an auncyent, and right laubable cus∣tome they had, to assemble together, not because they woulde passe the holye time, that is to saye, lose it, with the beholdyng of folyshe syghtes, tellyng of vayne and vnfruitfull tales, vsyng of vnholy pastyme, or syngyng of ydell balades and songes: but by holy communicacion eyther to learne goddes law themselues, or els to teach the same to other: Iesus entred into the Sinagoge in lyke maner as other dyd, to gyue an ensample to his, wherby all men should perceyue what a great shame and dishonestie it shoulde be for vs christian menne, sithens the Iewes so earnestly laboured throughly to learne and know a carnall lawe, which neyther was perfite ne shoulde continewe for euer, and was written but of Moyses a mortal man, yf we woulde not with semblable or rather more diligence, study to knowe the Phylosophye and doctrine of the ghospell, whiche the very sonne of god his owne selfe taught and set forth vn∣to the worlde. Wherefore, when Iesus was teaching in the temple, his autho∣ritie was the lesse estemed of many, because he was ryght well knowen vnto them, as pertayning vnto the fleshe. They knewe his poore parentes, and the symple and homely house that he came out of. But they neuer supposed any thyng at all of his heauenly father, & euerlastyng house, from whence he came downe for our cause. They knew his fathers occupacion, wherwith Ioseph mayntayned and founde his house, the whiche science hymselfe also practysed in his fyrst yeares. He was a ••arpentoure, a conuenient occupacion for hym, by whom the heauenly father once made this whole worlde. By a carpentour mākynde was created and made,* 1.2 and by a carpentour mete it was that man should be repayred. Therfore when those that knew Iesus (who vntil he was almoste thyrtye yeares olde, lyued among his frendes, and neuer appeared to haue any knowleage in the Phariseis learning) heard hym teache with great authoritie, suche thynges as they neuer had heard before, of the excellently well learned Phariseis, they wondered greatly, saying one to another: how is this felow so sodainly chaunged, and becum another man? from whence hath he all these thynges? and what newe kynde of wisdome is this that is geuen hym? from whence hath he this mighty and effectuall power to worke mira∣cles, so great as we neuer heard the like to haue bene in any of the prophetes? Sythe he hath bene from vs but a short whyle, how cummeth it to passe that he is cum againe sodainly altred, and cleane chaunged? Is not this the selfe same Iesus the carpētour, the sonne of Ioseph the wright, and Mary a poore

symple woman? Did not we know hym, and all his kynred, and progenye? Do not the next of his kyn, that is to saye, his brethren and sisters, dwell here among vs? And so they had halfe disdayn at Iesu, that he, who not longe before was taken for an vnderlyng and a persone of no reputacion, was now sodainly exalted to highe estimaciō, and authoritie. For they were offended w^t thimbecillitie, & weaknes of his flesh, wherof they had ouer much knowleage:

* 1.3When the lorde Iesus perceyued this, he sayed vnto them: I prophete is no where more despysed then in his owne, countrey among his aliance, kinnes∣men, and familiares. Ghostly busynesse yll agreeth with fleshlye affeccions, neither is it in anye wyse besemyng that a true prophete or preacher of y^e ghos∣pell, who teacheth vs to set nought by this worlde, who promyseth the ioyes of heauen, who teacheth that we muste be newly borne throughe baptysme in Christ Iesu, who teacheth also that w•• ought to mortify our membres which we haue vpon earthe, to thentent we maye lyue ghostlye in heauen: it is not besemyng, I saye, that suche a one here know either countrey, house, acquain∣taunce, kynred or frendes. Neyther is it any maruayle yf earthly citizens knowe not hym agayne,* 1.4 synce he is nowe made denisen of an other countrey.

Wherfore Iesus, thoughe he were almyghtye, and desyrous to saue as many as myght be, yet could he not there among his countreimen worke ma∣ny myracles, for that he was letted so to dooe by the vnbelefe of his acquayn∣taunce and kynsfolkes. For whereas being among alyauntes, he had easely cured very many of all kyndes of diseases, caste out dyuels, and healed lea∣pers, here in his owne countrey, he onely healeth a fewe sicke folkes, and that with the laying of his handes vpon them.

[ The texte.] ¶And he went about by the townes that laye on euery syde, teaching: and he called the twelue, and began to sende them furth, two and two, and gaue them power agaynste vncleaue spirites. And commaunded them that they shoulde take nothyng in theyr iourney, saue a rod only, no scrippe, no bread, no monye in their purse, but should be shooed with san∣daies: And that they should not put on two coates.

For this cause he as one merueylyng at so great vnbelefe of his countrey∣men, departed from thence, and trauayled throughout all the tounes and bo∣rowes there about, sowyng euery where as he wente, the sede of the ghospell. Hereby were the disciples couertly monyshed▪ that in thynges concerning the preachyng and settyng forthe of the ghospell, they shoulde in no wyse truste vnto worldly affeccions (for the selfe same thing whiche then chaunced vnto Iesu in his countrey, shoulde afterwardes betyde them in Iewrye) but goe wheresoeuer they sawe any hope, and lykelyhode of plentyfull encrease. There the preaching of the ghospell bryngeth forth fruite most aboundantly where∣soeuer the hearers are enclined to beleue. Suche inclinacion to beleue, is there neyther among kynred, Phariseis, nor kynges. Kynred despiseth, the Phariseis haue disdayne and enuye, and kynges laughe to skorne the folysh∣nesse of the crosse. Nowe was it hyghe time that the Apostles whiche were by Christ apoynted to the ministracion of the ghospell, and had already a good whyle folowed hym continually, shoulde as it were, make a flourishe before theyr offyce and ministerie, and geue theyr captayne a saye of theyr diligence, and loyaltye. Wherefore he called vnto hym those twelue, whome as moste worthye persons, he specially chose and pycked out to take this charge vpon

them: and beyng assembled before hym, he enstructed them all with one sermō or lesson, to thentent that they sent of one maister, and hauyng like commaun∣dementes gyuen them, should not in any wyse disagree in theyr preachyng one from another. And because they should the more profite and edifie, he sent them out by two and two, puttyng vs in remembraunce by this couplyng of them together, of brotherly charitie, without which there cummeth no profit of the ghospell. He lymited vnto euery couple, as it had bene to certaine deputies, or lieutenauntes, theyr prouince. For this was verye expedient to be done, for the enlargyng of the kyngdome of the ghospell.* 1.5 He sent them out weaponlesse, leste that mans aydes shoulde chalenge any thing in this heauenly busynesse. Further leste theyr authoritie should haue been litle estemed, for as muche as they were but fishers, vnderlinges, simple folkes, and vnlettered, he gaue thē that power, wiche worldlye prynces•• are not able to geue to theyr ambassa∣dours, and deputies. For he gaue them power to deliuer men of diseases, and to caste out diuels. What like thing can y^e Emperour geue? He can geue aboū∣daunce of golde, and syluer, hoostes of men, battayle axes, and all manoure of artyllarye, & engynes belongyng to warre, whereof he hath great store & plē∣tie. But there is no heade officer, or deputie of his, who hathe so great vertue, that he can by calling vpon themperous name, heale so much as mennes iyes when they be bleared. And he gaue this power vnto his disciples vnder con∣dicion that they should therewith, freely and without rewarde takyng, helpe all those that neded the same.

Now to thentent they should be the better prepared to take in hande, and execute that office, whiche requireth suche a ministre as is quicke and spedy, and not a luskyshe loyterer or sluggerde, he charged them to carry no manour of baggage, vitaile, or weapō with them in this iourneye, saue a rodde only, not a scrippe to put theyr vitayles in, not somuche as breade whiche maye be carryed about without a scrip, nor gyrdels laden with money, neyther weare any bootes vpon theyr legges, but only be ••hod with sādals, to kepe the soles of theyr feete, that neyther the stones shoulde hurte, nor thornes pricke them: and fynally to content themselues euery manne with one garment. The entēte of Iesu who gaue these enstruccions was nothing els, but after a grosse ma∣nour, to inculke and beate into the heades of his disciples (who were as yet rawe and ignoraunt) howe suche a one as taketh on hym the ministracion of the gospell, ought to be disburdened, and free from all care of corporall thyn∣ges, leste any sodaine chaunce befall, that maye hyndre the encrease and pro∣cedyng of the heauenly doctrine. As this busynesse was farre diuerse from worldly affayres: euen so was this kynde of ambassade or legacion new, and suche a one as had not bene vsed before. They receyued a fourme of doctrine, leste they shoulde presume to teache any thyng whiche theyr maister had not taught them before. And this thyng helde they commune with the legacions of manne, where it is death to passe the limites of the commaundementes, or commission. They are sent all of one lorde with lyke power, leste any disdaine or priuye malice shoulde aryse among them.

They are sent by two and two together because they shoulde remember bro∣therly charitie and one brother ayde another. They are sent to sundry places and countreyes, to thende that mo should take profite of the gospell.

They haue power geuen them to heale diseases, but in the name of Iesu:

because that lyke as they receyued another mannes lerning to dispence and teache faithfully, and not theyr owne, so should they knowe that it was god∣des power, and not theyrs, wherwith they cured diseases.

He forbad them to carry about eyther scrippe, bread, money, or two coates, because they should with full affiaunce hang vpon the promise of theyr mai∣ster, and haue sure confidence to be safe from all the force and violence of theyr enemyes through his helpe: and perfitlye knowe that by his prouidence they shoulde want nothyng pertayning to the temporall necessitie of the bodye. For where as nothyng is able to suffice sensual••ie and pleasure, so the leaste thing that maye be, sufficeth the necessitie of nature. Neyther dyd the Lorde speake these wordes meaning therby as thoughe it shoulde neuer belefull for those that be ministers and preachers of the ghospell to carry about with thē any necessary litle fardell, or money, since the Apostles, and byshops are not in our tyme afrayed so to do: (Yea paraduenture it is more prayse worthy yf a man woulde on his owne propre coste and charge, teache the ghospell) but by suche manoure of figuratiue speakynges called of the Grekes hyperbole, his entente was to plucke oute of his disciples myndes (who were as yet grosse and rude) all carefulnesse for those thynges that are wont to be an hinderaūce or let vnto the minde, whē it goeth about any heauenlye enterpryse: els wist he well that they would not forget to speake as foloweth: Thou sendest vs out to countreyes that we know not, and makest vs, who are naked and wea∣ponlesse, to be many wayes in ieopardye of our liues. But who shall fede vs if hunger cum vpon vs? who shall defende vs if anye violence be vsed againste vs? who shall clothe vs if it chaunce to be colde weather? Thou wylt haue vs to teache frely. Thou wylt we cure men for naught. But he that liueth in a straunge countrey neadeth many thynges.

This pensyue and filthie carefulnesse, because for the most parte, it sprin∣geth of distruste, he earnestly went about to wede out of theyr mindes, as a thyng not besemyng the greatnesse and weyghte of suche a busynesse as they were deputed vnto. Furthermore the figuratiue manour of speakyng that he vseth, serueth hereunto, that suche thinges as he teacheth them, maie the depe∣lier be fastened in theyr rude and ignoraunt myndes. For the teacher of the ghospell shoulde nothyng offende yf he ware shoes, or had two coates, being amōgest the barbarous people called ••etae, or els yf he dyd take vitayle, and a good summe of money with him, beyng in gate to the sandes of Afrike, or to summe nacion where as there is no ientle entertaynement, and receyuing of straūgers. But what thyng so euer hyndreth the procedyng of the gospell, the same is vtterlye to be renounced. Nowe considre me, with how great a bur∣then they goe charged to the ministracion of the ghospell, who carrie aboute with them princely ryches, dignities, promocions, worldly pleasures, and a gredie desyre to be auenged yf any thyng happen to their griefe, and dis∣pleasure.

This fardell that Christ speaketh of here is rather in the mynde, then in carying about of scrippes, and superfluous clothing. Who so wyll not cast a∣waye all these fardelles (I meane of mynde) the same is not meete to be the messenger and ambassadour of Iesu Christ. Likewyse there is a figuratiue speakyng in the thinges whiche he licenceth them to vse. For he geueth them leaue to vse eche one a wande, and a payre of sandals. The lightest manoure

of shooe that is, is the sandall: and it so saueth the feete from takyng anye harme, that it letteth not a man to make quicke spede in his iourney. Therfore it is but one thing that he monisheth, whiche permitteth them to vse sandals, and forfendeth to weare shooes. For he forbyddeth nothyng els, but slacknesse in doyng of theyr dutie, and exorteth them to vse spedinesse therin.

Agayne it is but one thyng that he warneth them of, whiche geueth them leaue to carie a wande, and taketh awaye from them the vse of staues. For a wande socoureth and stayeth the walkyng manne, and nothyng hyndreth him in his iourneye, but rather causeth him to make quicker spede. Nowe the staffe as it burtheneth a manne to beare it: so is it wont to be caried againste violence. Therfore he that permitteth them to vse no other weapon but a wāde only, and forbyddeth them to carye a staffe, willeth vndoubtedlye that the preacher of the gospell be by no other ayde safely fensed agaynst the assaul∣tes of yuell menne, then by the onelye helpe of Christe. A wande is mete for a wayfairing man, and a staffe for a fighter. Moreouer he that hath the hāde∣lyng of the gospell, must alwayes goe forwarde to thinges of higher perfecci∣on, and be fardest from desyre of reuengement.

[ The texte.] ¶And he sayde vnto them: wheresoeuer ye enter into an house, there abyde styll tyll ye de∣parte thence. And whosoeuer shall not receyue you, nor heare you, when ye departe thence shake of the dust, that is vnder your feete, for a wytnes vnto thē. Uerely I saye vnto you: it shall be easier for Sodome and Gomor in the daye of iudgement, then for that citie. And they went out and preached that men should repent, and they caste out many deuils, and annoynted many that were sycke with oyle, and healed them▪

After that Christe hadde plucked this carefulnesse oute of the myndes of his Apostles, then went he about to shewe them a waye, howe it shoulde cum to passe that they shoulde neuer nede to be carefull for suche thynges. Take ye no thought, sayth he, neither for harborough, ne sustenaunce: but after ye once be entred into village, or citie, wheresoeuer it be your chaunce to be receyued, be the house neuer so poore and homely, there abyde you till suche tyme as you thynke it meete for you to departe sum whither els, moued throughe desyre to set forthe and aduaūce the ghospell. And beyng but fewe in number, and con∣tented with a litle,* 1.6 you shall not be chargeable geastes to anye man. It is in manoure impossible that the•••• be any where any good towne or citie so farre past all grace and goodnesse, wherin there can not one manne be founde who wyll be glad to receiue suche geastes as ye are, synce there are manye whiche will not sticke to wage a phisiciā with a large salarie, and send for him a great waye of. Yf you chaunce to cum to any so vnkynde a citie, or house, that the in∣habitauntes therof wyll not receyue you, notwithstandyng you bryng them of your owne accorde an heauenly gyft or present, wherewith both bodies and soules are healed, yet cease you not for a fewe harde harted persones, to do th•• businesse you haue taken in hande: but yet departe you out of that citie for a season, to other cities: and or ere you go awaye, embrayde suche persons as would not receiue you, with theyr great folye, and madnesse. Gette you out into the streetes, and shake of the dust styckyng on youre feete, that they maye call to remembraunce howe there came summe vnto them, who freely offered them health and sauetie, & brought them the ioyfullest message that coulde be: and maye further perceyue that lyke as so excellente a good thyng cannot by

any manoure of rewarde be worthilye recompensed: euen so suche precions ware and marchandise oughte not to be thruste to anye whiche lotheth the∣same, and is not wyllyng to receiue it: and this do you to thintent they maye blame themselues for theyr owne damnacion, because they woulde rather pe∣rishe, when they might haue been saued: and also know perfectlye howe you soughte for nothyng els among them, but onely the healthe and saluacion of your neyghbours, insomuche that you would not endamage them as muche as with the losse of a litle quantitie of dust. It becūmeth well ynoughe my am∣bassadours to vse such manour of proude demeanure againste frowarde, and disdainfull persons. At your departure speake vnto them this one thyng fo∣lowyng, althoughe they be not wyllyng to heare it: knowe you that whether you receyue vs, or receyue vs not, the kyngdome of God is cumme. If you re∣ceyue vs, it is cum to your greate wealth and commoditie. But yf you receyue vs not, yet shall the same cumme to your great euyll, and confusion. When Christes messengers were furnished with these necessaries for their iourneye, they toke their leaue of theyr maister, and as it was geuen them in commaun∣dement, they moued and exhorted all men to be repentaunte for theyr former lyfe, shewyng them how the kyngdome of God was already presente, whiche through fayth of the gospell would bring vnto all men perfite ryghteousnesse. For the chiefe and principall parte of preachyng of the gospell, is for a man to geue faith vnto the doctrine that he heareth, and to beleue the promyses. Whē the lorde Iesus had with these, and many other lyke lessons, diligentlye en∣structed his disciples, then thesame twelue headmen of the kyngdome of hea∣uen toke theyr iourney, and the mattier went forward, and had good successe. They preached vnto all menne that they shoulde be penitent for their former sinnes, and that no man should truste vnto his owne dedes and merites, but onely haue sure belefe in the promises of the gohspell. And they founde sum that lystened and gaue diligent eare vnto theyr preachyng. There lacked not here a ready power to worke miracles, whiche made theyr wordes to be beleued, thoughe themselues were neuer so symple persons, and vnknowen. They anoynted the sycke people with oyle, and the same were healed. They commaunded the hurtfull spirites to go out in the name of Iesu, and they wente out.

That oyle was not a medicine (for who heateth all manoure of diseases with one medicine) but a sacrament. The skynne was outwardly anoynted with visible oyle, and the body was made whole. But theyr soules whiche a∣non after shoulde be delyuered from the diseases of vice and synne, were to be anoynted with the oyle of grace inuisible, by our anoynted Iesus Christe. Wherfore it was not by vertue of suche prayers, and enchauntmētes as wit∣ches or magicians vse, that they cast out dyuels, but by wordes piththy and effectuall through an euangelike fayth.

This was vndoubtedly the very power of the kyngdom of heauen. What was more abiect, vile, and lessere garded then the Apostles were? But the lesse that theyr power was the more manifestlye did it appeare that all that euer was done, came to passe by the might and power of God. They neyther had riches, learning, office, garde to defende them, nobilitie, fame nor authoritie. To be shorte, they had nothyng els but a plaine and a symple faythe in Iesu, whome they as yet knewe not perfectlye.

[ The texte.]

¶And kyng Herode heard of him (for his name was spread abro••••) I he said: Iohn Bap∣tist is risen agayne from the dead, and therfore myracles are wrought by hym: other saide, it is Helias, some saied it is a prophet, as one of the prophetes. But when Herode heard of by••s, he sayd: it is Iohn, whome I be headed, he is tysen from dea••h▪ agaynt. For Herode hymselfe had sent furth m••nne of warre, and layed handes vpon Iohn, and bounde hym, and caste hym into pryson for Herodias sake, his brother Philippes wyfe (because he had maried her.) For Iohn sayde vnto Herode: It is not lawfult for the to haue thy brothers wyfe. Herodias layed wayte for hym, and would haue kylled hym, but she could not. For Herode feared Iohn, knowyng that he was a iust man, and an holy: and gaue hym reue∣rence. And when he hearde hym, he dyd many thynges: and hearde hym gladlye.

By these thynges, Iesu waxed euery daye more famous then other, so that his name was nowe knowen euen vnto kyng Herode. For it is very late ere kynges knowe Iesu, whome it behoueth firste and chiefly to knowe hym: neyther are there any that know him worse, and lesse for theyr soule healthe, then they do. After that Iesu had wrought so many, and so euident miracles that no man could cauill, and saye they were fayned thynges: and the same myracles had done so many menne good, that no manne coulde sclaunderous∣lye reporte and say they were done by the power and operacion of euill spiri∣tes: And after diuerse menne had diuersly spoken theyr myndes, and conceites what they thoughte of hym, at the length Herode shewed also his opinion. Iohn, sayth he, is rysen from death: and therfore now hath he power to worke myracles.

Agayne, other there were who taking coniecture of the prophecy of Ma∣lachy, sayed howe Iesu was Helye, whiche is promysed in scripture to cum againe before the great, and terrible daye of the lorde. There were other sum, whiche denied hym to be Hely, who was of greatest authoritie among the Iewes, auouchyng him to be one of the meane sorte of prophetes reliued, and rysen agayne. When Herode had hearde all theyr opinions, yet stacke he styll vnto his owne, and sayd: Yea, this is the selfefame Iohn, whose heade I cau∣sed to be striken of. He is alyue agayne, and beyng nowe made a faynete, wor∣keth suche thynges as passeth mannes power. There was none of all those whiche beleued not that the bodies shall reliue. And yet are there manye at this daye who beleue not that Christe rose agayne from death to lyfe. And to thentent thou mayest here perceyue how vnright are the iudgementes of the wicked, they beleued that Iohn, who neuer hadde any name for workyng of miracles, was aliue agayne: and moste stifly denyed the resurreccion of Iesu, whose godly power was so many wayes declared. Consydre also the fōdnesse of wicked kinges: Herode affirmeth Iohn to be alyue agayne, and cōfesseth he hath now greater power then he had, when he was firste alyue: and yet for all that he in a manour maketh his vaunt howe he caused hym to deputte to death, ready to slea hym afreshe yf it laye in his power.

Here it is expedient to heare what occasion Herode hadde to committe so haynous a dede. For at the prouocacion of an vnchaste woman, he commaun∣ded Iohn to be taken, and layed in yrons, not for anye offence committed on his behalfe: but to gratifie Herodias the daughter of kyng Areta, the whiche Herodias, notwithstanding she was maried before vnto Phylyppe one of the fower rulers of the countreyes of Iturea and Trachonitis, the Kyng hee father, by reason of a certayne debate that befell bewixt them, toke awaye from his sonne in lawe Philippe (by whom she had then a daughter) and ma∣ried

her to this Herode brother vnto the sayde Philippe, but yet his enemie. Iohn, to thentent he might the better resemble Helye, who verye frankely re∣buked Achab and Iezabela, could not abyde this vnchaste and filthye matri∣monie, but sayde vnto kyng Herode: It is not lawfull for the to kepe still in house with the thy brothers wyfe, synce he is not barrayne, and is yet alyue.

* 1.7Herodias, who was then diuorced from her former husbande, fearyng leste she should by Iohns procurement by lykewyse diuorced from this, wēt aboute to entrappe him, and sought occasion to make him awaye, but all that euer she went about, came to none effecte. For albeit Herode loued not Iohn hartely, yet did he feare hym. True vertue is of suche force, that kynges, and mightie princes feare it. Herode knewe right well he was a iuste manne, and an holy lyuer, and therfore had hym in awe and reuerence, and folowed his counsayle in manye thynges, and gladlye hearde him speake.

These thynges letted the wicked womanne to destroye hym according as she purposed to do. She entended mischiefe, but occasion woulde not serue therunto, whiche is the thing, that onely lacketh vnto yuell folkes to do harme.

[ The texte.] ¶And when a conuenient daye was cumme, that Herode on his byrthe daye made a sup∣per to the lordes, high capitaines, and chiefe e••ates of Galile, and when the daughter of the same Herodias came in, & daunced, and pleased Herode, and thē that sate at borde also, the kyng sayde vnto the damsell: Aske of me what thou wylte, and I will geue it the, and he sware vnto her: Whatsoeuer thou shalte aske of me I wyll geue it the, euen to the one half•• of my kyngdome. And she went foorth, and saide vnto her mother, what shall I aske? she sayed, Iohn Baptistes heade. And she came in streyghtwaye with haste vnto the kyng, and asked, saying: I will that thou gyue me by and by in a charger, the head of Iohn Bap∣tiste, and the kyng was sorye: howbeit for his othe sake, and for theyr sakes whiche sate at supper also, he would not caste her of. And immediatly the king sent the hangmā, and com∣maunded his head to be brought in: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, & brought his heade in a charger, and gaue it to the damsell, and the damsell gaue it to her mother. And when his disciples heard of it, they came and toke vp his body, and layed it in a graue.

Nowe was Herodes byrthe daye come, a tyme verye propise, and meete to worke this vngracious dede in. It was besemyng that the natyue daye of a wicked kyng, shoulde be polluted with the death of a man of moste holye ly∣uyng and godly conuersacion: and that the m••ddes of the excessiue banketting and courtlye delicacies, shoulde be distayned with the cruell murtheryng of an innocent, and gyltlesse person. Wherfore when that in the honoure of his byrth daye, he made a souper of gorgious, and excessiue furniture, to the prin∣ces, capitaines, and great estates of Galile, because there shoulde be the moo present to beare witnesse of his crueltie, there came into the place where they feasted, a young damsell, daughter vnto Herodias and Philippe, to make the geastes myrth and pastime with her vncumly, and wāten dauncing. And the more vngoodly she daunced, the more she delited the geastes, and the kyng specially, who was now twise mad, because, besydes that he was in amours with the vnchaste womanne Herodias, he was also distempred, and set in a furye with wyne.

Wherfore he sayed vnto the damsell ryghte magnifycentlye as be∣came a kyng. Aske of me whatsoeuer thou wylt, thou shalte haue no denyall therof?

And to make her the bolder to desyre what she woulde,* 1.8 he bounde his dron∣ken promyse with an othe. Whatsoeuer (sayeth he) thou shalte desyre of me, though it be thone halfe of my realme, I wyll geue it the.

Oh fonde and folyshe saing, worthy to cum oute of so folishe, and drōken a kynges mouthe. But the young damsell, as she began to playe this parte at the prouocacion and setting on of her mother (whiche diligently awayted the daye, place, and howre, and trymmed her daughter of purpose to daunce) so durste she not by and by tell the kyng what she woulde demaunde, but depar∣ted out of the feasting chaumber, and asked her mother counsayle, saying: The kyng my father in lawe hath bound it with an othe, that he wyll geue me whatsoeuer I wyll desyre of hym. What shall I therfore aske? Here was vn∣doubtedlye a iuste occasion to doubte, and take good deliberacion, leste so great an oportunitie should haue been loste. But the vnchaste woman her mo∣ther, vnto whome nothyng was so deare, as the death of the moste holye and innocent man, without further deliberaciō takyng, answered: Desyre of him Iohn Baptistes heade. Oh wicked daughter, soone taught, & ready to obey for a mischiefe. She returned strayghtwayes into the kynges priuie cham∣ber (for her mother priuily aduertised her to make haste, and speake with He∣rode before that great heate of his Princely courage were cooled againe.) And then went she vnto the kynges presence, and desyred a rewarde for her wanton and lasciuious dauncyng, saying: I desyre but one messe alonely, I wyll thou geue me withoute farther delaye, Iohn Baptistes heade in a charger.

Here marke me well the aukewarde conscience of the wicked kyng. Where as there is nothyng that suche kynges are oftener wont to do, then to breake all bondes of leages, couenauntes, and religion: yet here he thinketh hymselfe bound in conscience (which was a thyng agaynst all conscience) to performe his moste foolyshe othe, especiallye syth it was made in the audyence of so ma∣ny witnesses. Wherfore leste menne would haue thought hym to haue been a manne of no credence, yf he had refused to perfourme what he promised by an othe to do,* 1.9 swearyng perchaunce eyther by his diademe, the spirite which had the gouernaunce of his body, or the heade of the damsel that daunced before hym: or els leste he shoulde haue seemee vncurteous, and voyde of all good maners, yf he had eyther let the mayde departe from hym all heauy and sad, or with some cloude of heauinesse abated the myrthe and solace of the gestes, whom she had pleased with her pastyme. (O worshypfull fayth, and consci∣ence: O good maner & curtesie worthye to be put in Chronicles) leste I saye, these thynges should haue chaunced, the hangman was forthwith sente out, and the holy head of the moste innocente person broughte vnto the kyng, as it had been a messe of meate in a charger. The kyng toke it vnto the damsell, and she to her mother, vnto whom it was a derer present, then thone halfe of He∣rodes kyngdome.

With this deadly syght this folyshe dotyng and mad kyng,* 1.10 dyd gratify the vnchaste woman, and celebrate or worshyp his na••iue daye. The kyng caused hym to be slayne, the hangman brought the head to the kyng, the damsell ob∣tained it, and in conclusion the same deadly rewarde was geuen to her mother the worker, and well of all this mischiefe. Oh worthy geastes all this while, and mete for suche a feaste maker.

There was none of them al so frendely to the king, that would go about to let hym to do this mischieuous dede. And shall we hereafter maruaile yf kynges other whiles be not a fearde to commit outragious enormities, yf they be of disposicion lyke vnto Herode, that is to saye, enflamed with vnchaste loue, and geuen to riot and sensualitie, and ouer this, haue suche dayly companions, as be eyther fearfull persons, or els fauourers of theyr crueltie?

* 1.11When the bruite of this haynouse dede was cum to the eares of Iohns disciples, they toke awaye the carkas, and buried it honorablye. Howbeit in these thynges lyeth hyd some mystery and secret meanyng. Iohn although he bare the figure of the lawe, and sygnified the same, yet in as muche as he was a forecurrour of the Gospell, he was rewarded with the rewarde therof, that is, with a glorious death, but yet farre diuerse from the death of Christe. For Iohns head was priuily striken of after he hadde layne a whyle fast gyued in pryson. Christ was openly lyfted vp vpon the crosse. The darkenes of the pri∣son agreeth well with the shadowes and fygures of the lawe. It was mete they shoulde geue place vnto the lyght of the gospell, whiche beganne to ap∣peare and shyne abrode. It was conueniente that carnall ceremonies shoulde be diminished, to the entent that spirituall freedome should be encreased. And it was lykewyse nedeful that all, whiche proceded of feare, should be bounde, because the fayth and charitie of the gospell, should the farther be spred abrode and extended. Finally it was mete that mannes heade shoulde be striken of, least the churche shoulde acknowledge any other head saue alonely Iesus. And so the lawe beyng in a maner slayne, and honourably buried, gaue place vnto the Lorde Iesu, when he began to preache his spirituall philosophie and doctrine. For in that we do beleue the ghospell we are muche bounden vnto the olde Testament, whiche so many yeares agoe drewe out Iesus Christ vn∣to vs, with shadowes, and figures, and promysed and described him with the prophecies, and darke sayinges of the Prophetes.

[ The texte.] ¶And the Apostles gathered themselues together vnto Iesus, and told hym all thynges bothe what they had done, and what they had taught. And he sayde vnto them: cū ye alone out of the waye into the wyldernesse, and rest a while. For there were manye cummers and goet••, and they had no leysure, so muche as to eate. And he went by ship out of the waye in∣to a desert place, and the people spied them when they departed, and many knewe him, and ranne a foote thither out of all cities, and came thithe•• before them, and came together vn∣to hym. And Iesus went out, and sawe muche people, and had compassion on them, because they were like shepe, not hauyng a shepeherde, and he began to teache them many things.

Whiles these thinges were done, the Apostles after they had finished their message, drewe themselfes together, and returned to Iesus the heade of the whole busynesse. All thynges procede from him, and to hym all thynges must be referred. From hym, after they had receyued their commission, they depar∣ted al of one mynde and accorde, to thentēt that whatsoeuer it should fortune them to doe, they should likewise do it in his name: and to hym they returned with semblable concord of myndes, desyrous to haue all that they had done, by him approued. And so at their retourning they recoūted vnto him y^e whole historye and processe of theyr legacion, seuerally rehearsyng euery thyng that they hadde taught and done with greate ioye and gladnes,* 1.12 and shewing also howe the matter had successe euen as themselfes desyred. The Lorde after he had alowed theyr syncere faythe, but yet restrayned them from glorying or re∣ioycing

in their actes, toke them awaye with hym into a solitary place, which was the wildernesse of the towne of Bethsaida, to thentent that after theyr great trauaile and laboure, they should there reste a whyle, and sumwhat re∣fresh themselfes. This goyng aparte into wyldernes was not for recreacion and pastyme, but because they should quicken and renewe the strength of the spirite by secrete contemplacion, and prayer, y^t they myghte bee the more able to sustayne suche trauayles and paynes as they should soone after be put vnto afreshe. For the teacher of the gospell must very little care for the body. More∣ouer for as muche as he that exerciseth the office of an apostle or preacher of goddes worde, is compelled to haue to do both with weake & strong, with learned and vnlearned, with good and bad, it can not be chosen but he muste other whiles be greatly wrasted from that perfite quietnesse, and tranquilli∣tie of mynde. And whensoeuer it so chaunceth, then must he seuer his mynde from worldly matters, and wholly geue hymselfe to secrete and most deuout prayers, and to purest contemplacion of heauenly thynges, that beyng made stronger in spirite therby, he maye soone after returne from this his godlye meditacion, to the helpe and comforte of his euen Christen. For vnto the place where as at that season they found the lorde Iesu, there resorted an vnnu∣merable multitude of people,* 1.13 so that it semed as it had bene an ebbing and flowyng of cummers and goers, the whiche would suffer the Apostles being then weary by reason of theyr iourney, to take no reste: no not so muche as to eate their meat. Wherfore after the people were sent away, they toke shippe, and sayled to the syde nighe to Bethsaida, & from thence went with the Lorde into a solitary place. But neyther chaunced it them here long to kepe themsel∣fes close and secrete. For the light of the ••angelike veritie can in no wyse be hydde. This going aparte did nothing els but make the people more gredy to folowe them. Some there were who diligently marked whyther they wēt, that is, howe they toke their gate to the wyldernesse marchyng on the citie of Bethsaida: and byanby as it was noysed abrode that Christe woulde make hys abode there, a great multitude of all sortes of people resorted thyther a foote out of all the tounes there aboutes, who made so good spede in their iourney, that many of them came thyther soner a foote, then Christ and his disciples, whiche had the vauntage of the water. A manne would haue sayde that the tyme had bene alredy present, when the people woulde goe about forcibly to enter into the kyngdome of heauen. When Iesu perceyued howe an vnnumerable multitude of people was assembled together, whiche had with very muche payne and difficultie trauayled thyther a foote, so true is it that he gate him not out of the waye, nor commaunded them to departe for theyr importunacie, that he came out of the secrete place, where he was, in manoure to meete them, goyng about to teache his disciples by sundrye wayes and meanes, howe they should at all tymes be willing & ready to set forth the gospell. And so when the moste gracious Lorde Iesus came forth, & sawe a very great, but a confuse rablement of all sortes of people (for there were men, wemen, & children) he was moned with compassion, and shewed with iyes, countenaunce, & as we commonly say, euen with the verye fore∣head, an vnfayned sorowe of mynde, fashionyng thaffeccion that ought to be in him, who is a teacher of the gospell. The people thirsted after holsome doctrine. And that was plainlye declared both by the quicke spede they

made, and also by the paynes they toke in their iourney. Loue made theim swifte of foote: But they were as it had been a sort of shepe wandring hither and thither, for lacke of a good shepheard. For the Priestes, Phariseis, and Scribes, nothing regarding theyr flocke, fed their owne belyes. Therfore Iesus takyng compassion on these simple, and disordered people, began to exercise thoffice of a faythfull shepheard. Firste of al he refreshed theyr myn∣des with great aboundaunce of the meate of holye doctrine, and then im∣mediatly healed the sycke folkes, whom they brought with them.

[ The texte.] ¶And when the day was nowe far spente, his disciples came vnto him, saying: this is a deserte place, and now the tyme is farre passed, let them departe, that they maye goe into the countreye round about, and into the townes, and bye them bread, for they haue nothing to eate: he answered, and sayd vnto them: g••ue ye them to ••ate: And they sayd vnto hym: shall we go and bye two hundreth peny worth of bread, and geue them to eate? He saied vnto thē: howe manye loaues haue ye▪ go and loke. And whē they had searched, they sayd: fiue, and two fyshes. And he commaūded them to make them all sitte doune by companies vpō the greue grasse. And they sa••e doune here a rowe, and there a rowe by hundredes, and by fiftyes. And when he had taken the fiue loaues and the two fishes, and loked vp to heauen, he blessed, and brake the loaues, and gaue them to his disciples, to set before them: and the two fishes deuided he among them all. And they all dyd eate, and were satisfyed, and they toake vp twelue baskettes full therof, and of the fyshes. And they that dyd eate, were about fyue thousand men.

After that muche tyme was spent herein, and now the thing it selfe gaue a watche worde that the multitude had lykewise nede to be fedde with cor∣porall foode, the disciples folowing the mercy and pitiefulnesse of their Mai∣ster, aduertised him therof, saying: Lorde thou seest how a very great num∣ber of people is cum thus far without any vitayles and purueyance. And this is a deserte place, and meale tyme is past. They desyrous to heare thy doctrine, forget themselues, and can in no wise be seuered from the. Wher∣fore let them depart, to thentent they maye repayre into the countrey, and villages nexte here about, to by them eates to eate. Then Iesus teachyng his disciples how a multitude should be fedde, made answere: yea do ye ra∣ther who shalbe shepheardes in tyme to cum, now accustome your selfes to play the shepheardes: geue them of your owne vitayles to eate. The disciples not perceyuing for what purpose he spake these wordes, answered agayne according vnto their rude capacities, saying: Thou commaundest vs to do a thing vnpossible. For thou knowest right well, how slenderly we be prouided of vitayles necessary for our iourney. Shal we goe, and bye two hundred penyworth of breade for this multitude, the which will not be ynough to suf∣fice them, insomuche that euery man shall scarcely haue a lyttle morsell to sauour his mouth? Then Iesus preparyng theyr myndes by little and little vnto the myracle, sayed: Howe many loaues haue you in store? and because they had not their answere ready: Go ye (sayed he) and loke howe well ye be prouided of vitailes. They loked, & shewed hym y^t there were fiue loaues, & two fyshes. It was not vnknowen vnto y^e Lord what they had: but his will was,* 1.14 to haue y^e Apostles perfectly to know, how smal s••oore of vitayles ther was, to thentēt they might y^e more acknowleage Goddes power in y^e miracle. And because they myght the better discerne what a great multitude and com∣paignie ther was, he commaunded them to bydde all the people to sitte doune vpon the grene grasse, so deuyded into compaignies, that in euery cōpaignie

should sitte an hundred persons, or els fiftie together. The apostles did as the Lord bad them, and lykewyse the people were obedient vnto the Apostles: so greate was the confidence they had in theyr guyde, and shepeheard Iesu. Then toke he the fiue loaues, and two fyshes, and lifting vp his iyes, accor∣dyng vnto his accustomed manour to heauen, gaue thankes vnto the father, thorough whose beneficiall goodnesse, the busynesse of the Gospell dyd so well goe forward. That do••n, he brake the loaues, and gaue thē vnto his disciples that they shoulde sette them before the multitude. In like maner deuided he the fishes into sundrye porcions, and gaue them vnto his sayd disciples, to be likewyse distributed among all the people. All were refreshed, and dyd eate theyr fyll:* 1.15 none of them all lacked, inso muche that after the feast was done, the Apostles, by the Lordes commaundement, gathered together the reuersion, and therwith fylled twelue baskettes. Furthermore the number of the peo∣ple (whiche myght easely be knowen, by reason they were thus deuyded into compaignies, and satte in rowes) was fyue thousand men, besydes children, and wemen. By thys myracle Iesus bothe prescribed vnto his disciples a fourme or rule howe to feede a multitude with the foode of the Gospell, & also pulled oute of theyr myndes all pensyue carefulnesse to prouide for corporall sustenaunce. Therfore whosoeuer thou be that arte a Bishop, Curate, or pa∣stour of Christes flocke, thynke not thus with thy selfe: I am a Doctoure of diuinitie: I am an excellent cunnyng expounder of holye scripture: I haue great store of learning wherwith to enstruct the people, and may take inough out of my riche store house stuffed with cunning, to feede them with al, be they neuer so hungry. Yea rather loke, and acknowledge how small store of vitay∣les thou hast at home, for the whiche, whatsoeuer it be, thou arte a debtoure vnto the Lorde. But bryng suche store as thou haste vnto the handes of Iesu. Desyre hym to vouchesafe to handell, and breake it. That done, what he hath deliuered thee, the same dooe thou, euen as he toke it the, minister vnto the peo∣ple as y^e Lordes meate, and not thine: and minister it not mistrusting, not put∣tyng difference betwyxt this meat & that, not trusting to thine own strength: and so in conclusion shall it be a very euangelyke banket, and the mindes of the faithfull shalbe more refreshed, and filled with this holsome foode, thus mini∣stred by a simple person, then if the supersticiouse Pharisey, the arrogant Phi∣losophier, or eloquent Rhethorician, would for the aduauncyng and settyng forthe of them selfes make vnto the people an artificiall oracion or sermon, whiche they had diligently studied, and long tyme prouided for aforehand. Now for as much as he cōmaūded his disciples before to cum vnto the mini∣stery of the gospell, without any prouision of corporall foode, here hath he de∣clared by very dede, howe those shall wante nothing, who whiles their myn∣des be wholly set vpon the kyngdome of God, and the righteousnes therof, do not passe vpon these temporall thinges, for the which the common sorte of people taketh great thought and care, yf so be there lacke not in them a syn∣cere, and true faith in the Lorde Iesu.

[ The texte.] ¶And strayghtway he caused his disciples to go into the s••ip and to go ouer the Sea before vnto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. And as soone as he had sent them a∣way he departed into a mountain to praye. And when euen was cum, the shippe was in the middest of the Sea, and he alone on the lande, and he saw them troubled in rowing, for the winde was contrarye vnto them. And about the fourth watche of the night he came vnto them walking vpon the Sea and would haue passed by them. But when they sawe him walkyng vpon the Sea, they supposed it had bene a spirite, and cried out, for they all

sawe hym, and were afraide. And anon he talked with them, and sayed vnto them: be of good cheare, it is I: be not afrayed. And he wēt vp vnto them into the shippe, and the winde ceassed, and they were sore amased in themselues beyond measure, and maruayled, for they remembred not the loaues because theyr hartes were blinded.

It was but a small benefite that he filled their hungry belies, in respecte of those benefites whiche they daylye receiued of his most bounteous good∣nesse. It procedeth of a greater liberalitie to fede the mynde or soule, then the bellie. And yet for all this the grosse common sorte of people are wonte (suche is their vnright, and aukeward iudgement) to set most store of all by that whiche is of leaste price and value. Therfore Iesus knowyng it would cumme to passe that they would nowe after their bellyes were fylled, imagine howe to make him a Kyng, compelled his disciples (for it was muche a do to sunder them from so liuely, and amiable a Lorde) to take ship, and go ouer the water before him vnto Bethsaida, whiles he in the meane whyle sent awaye the people,* 1.16 whō beyng dismissed, he conueyed himselfe priuily to a mountayne there to pray alone, and make peticion vnto the father, that lyke as the affaires of the ghospell had begun well, and properously, so might they with lyke successe go forward. In the meane time the night approched, and the disciples sayled in the myddes of the sea without their maister: and as they were sayling there arose a tempest. How can it be chosen but there must nedes be night, where that Su••ne and light of the world Iesu, is not present? How can it be chosen but that ship must nedes be in ieopardie, wherin Christ lacketh? How can it be chosen but the Apostles must nedes be troubled, when the comforter of all men, Iesus is awaye? how can it be chosen but contrary wyndes must nedes staye and hynder the successe of mans diligence, if Iesus helpe not for∣ward? He is many times awaye: but yet doeth he not forsake sucke as be his vnto thende. He semeth sumtymes to forsake them for a season, because to exercise them in aduersyties, and to learne theym to haue sure beliefe and confidence in hym. For now was he cum doune from the mountayne: now stode he on the sea banke, but alone without any company.

The disciples sawe hym not: neuerthelesse he sawe them. Wherfore we muste not despayre, what trouble or distresse soeuer we be in: but in oure hartes conceyue this stedfaste belefe that the Lorde (although he no where appeare, and shewe hymselfe vysyblye) wyll not fayle to helpe hys when tyme requireth.* 1.17 Nowe standeth he on the shore, and seeth what laboure and payne they take in rowing. For the wynde was against them. When ther∣fore they had thus striuen a pretye whyle with the waues and bousteous wyndes of this worlde, and were at the next doore to desperacion, about the fourth watche of the nyght, that is, a litle before the daunyng of the daye, Iesus came vnto theim, not in a shippe, but quietlye walkyng on the wa∣ter (for the element knewe it maker) and made semblaunt as thoughe he woulde haue passed by them. For so doeth he other whiles suffer his to conti∣nue in aduersytie and tribulacion, as thoughe he passed not vpon theim at all, whereas in dede he neuer stynteth to care for them.

The Apostles after they had spyed him in the darke walking vpon the wa∣ter, forgetting so many miracles as they had sene hym worke before, and beleuing it to be vnpossible for the liquid clement to beare the massy bodye of a man, supposed he had been sum spirite or ghost, whiche had deceyued

theyr iye sight with a vayne and phantasticall illusion. Wherefore they were sore afrayed, and for feare cried oute. For they all sawe the verye shape and like∣nes of Iesu, and yet beleued not it was he. The Lord is euer terrible vnto those that beleue he is an auenger,* 1.18 and knowe him not to be a sauiour. Neyther is it possible for him to be knowen in the great darkenes of this worlde, vnlesse he brynge himselfe into our knowledge. Wherefore he suffered not his disciples to be any lenger dismaide with feare, but straigth waies spake vnto them with the voyce whyche they knewe right well, and sayed: Be of good chere, it is I, feare ye not. And then came he vnto them into the shippe, and furthwith the tempest ceased. Nowe after their feare was past and gone, then beganne they to maruayle howe a mannes body might walke vpon the water. They were so dull, so rude, and forgetfull, that they remembred not so muche as the miracle whyche they sawe hym worke a litle before, when he filled so manye thousand folkes belies with fiue loaues, and two fishes. And theyr hartes were so blyn∣ded, that they thought it a thyng muche to bee wondred at, to see Iesus walke vpon the water: wheras in deede it was a muche more wonderfull facte, to suffice so muche people with so litle meate. The Lord suffered this brutishe dulnesse to continue in his disciples, to the entent they also should enure them∣selues to beare with the dulnes, and simplicitie of weaklynges, till they were cum to more perfeccion.

[ The texte.] ¶And when they were ouer the water, they came into the l••nd of Genazareth, & drew vp into the hauen. And assone as they wer cum out of the ship, strayght waye they knewe ••••m, and ••anne furth throughout all the region rounde aboute, and began to cary aboute in bed∣des, those that were sicke, when they heard that he was there, and whither soeuer he en∣tred, into tounes, cittes, or villages, they layed the sicke folkes in the streates, and prayed him that they myght touche and it were but the hemme of his vesture: and as manye as touched hym, were safe.

In the daunyng of the daye, they came vnto the shore, and arriued at the hauen where they appoynted to arriue, in the lande called Genazareth. Iesus was scarcely entred the lande, but thither were cum diuers of the inhabitaun∣tes that knew him. For now was the sunne disclosed, & the night gone, whiche had darkened the myndes of the disciples: and manye there were who marked him, whithersoeuer he went. Besyde this he was now knowen vnto very ma∣ny, euen by the phisnamye: but a great mayny mo knewe hym by the fame of his doctrine, and miracles. Now those that sawe him, and knew who he was, byanby as though they had cum as spyes, departed awaye from hym, and wente throughe all the region,* 1.19 and shewed howe Iesus was landed. As sone as this rumour was once noysed abrode, very many beganne to cary aboute sicke folkes in beddes.

And whithersoeuer Iesus went, whether it wer to the countrey, tounes, or cities, there was euer present a greate number of importune and vnquiet peo∣ple, more carefull to be delyuered of theyr bodily diseases, then to be cured of the diseases and maladies of theyr soules: whiche layed out in the stretes piti∣full sightes of sicke folkes, diseased with diuerse sickenesses: and besoughte I••∣sus as he passed by, that they might touche euen but the hem of his garmente. For there was suche a busines, and hurly burly amonge them, that harde and scarce any one could be suffred so to do. It came not of any daungerousnes, or difficultie on his behalfe, that they coulde not touche him, who grutched not to touche, and handle the Leper: but the ensample of theyr fayth highly plea∣sed

him, the whiche his pleasure was to haue set forth and commended to all men: and good cause why it should so be. As manye as touched him were hea∣led, what diseases soeuer they were payned withall. They with perfite beliefe touched the hemme of his garment, whiche afterward those persons chaūced to haue, who crucified him, and put him to death: and by touching therof, were rid of theyr corporall diseases. How muche more then ought all men to ende∣uour themselues to touche Iesus himselfe with harte and minde, to the intent they maye be healed of the infirmities of their soules? Touchynge auayle the nothing without faith. The cruell Iewes that buffeted him, that bound him, that scourged him, that nayled him on the crosse, touched his bare bodye: but that they so touched him did nothing profite any of them at all. Thou readeste the ghospell, and in so doynge thou toucheste Iesu: but thou readeste it to this ende, to disproue it, or els thou readest it negligentlye, and takest no heede ther••∣unto, and therefore thou touchest Iesus in vayne. Reade it with a pure and a syncere fayth, and then shalt thou anon be healed▪ But thou must sue vnto Ie∣sus by prayer and peticion, that thou maiest touche him. That man is neuer the better for touchyng hym, whome he hath not foretouched. If thou be not able to attayne that secrete wysdome, whiche S. Paul speakethe of amonge such as are perfite, then the hem of his garment touched, so that thy faythe be perfite wall, shall restore the to health. The hemmes of the Phariseis garmen∣tes, be they neuer so brode, are not of power and vertue to do the lyke. There is nothyng so lowe in the Lorde Iesu, that through fayth geueth not healthe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  And when the sabboth daye was come.
• * 1.2

  And many that heard hym were astonied. &c,
• * 1.3

  Iesus said vnto them. a prophete is not des∣pysed. &c.
• * 1.4

  And he could there shewe no myracle. &c.
• * 1.5

  A•••• gaue thē power agaynst. ••c.
• * 1.6

  And whoso euer shal not receiue you, nor heare you. &c.
• * 1.7

  It is not lawfull. &c.
• * 1.8

  Aske of me what thou wylt. &c.
• * 1.9

  And imme∣diatlye the kyng sent y^e hangmā &c.
• * 1.10

  And gaue it to the dam∣sell. &c.
• * 1.11

  And whan his disci∣ples hearde of it. &••.
• * 1.12

  And he said vnto thē. &c.
• * 1.13

  And he wēt by shippe out of the waye. &c.
• * 1.14

  And he cō∣maunded. &c.
• * 1.15

  And they that did eate. &c.
• * 1.16

  He depar∣ted into a∣mountayne to praye &c.
• * 1.17

  He came vnto theym walking on the sea. &c.
• * 1.18

  And anon he talked. &c.
• * 1.19

  And began to carye a∣bout ī bed∣des. &c.