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

The .ix. Chapter.

[ The texte.] ¶And Saule, yet breathyng out threatninges & slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went vnto the hie prieste, & desyred of him letters, to cary to Damasco, to y^e Syna∣goges, that if he found any of this waye, (whether thei wer menne or women) he might bring them bound to Hierusalē. And whē he iourneyed, it fortuned that as he was come nygh to Damasco, sodēly there shyned rounde about him, a light from heauen, & he fel to the earth, and hearde a voyce saying to hym: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he sayde: what arte thou lord? And the lorde sayed: I am Iesus, whom thou persecutest. It is harde for the to kycke against the prycke. And he both tremblyng, & astoyned, said: lorde, what wylt thou haue me do? And the lord said vnto him: arise, & go into the citie, & it shalbe tolde the what thou must doe.

WHyle these thynges were in doing, Saule in all his pro∣cedynges againste the Christians, expressed muche cru∣eltie, not onely within the walles of Hierusalem, but where els he perceiued that the disciples, whiche were scattered abrode, had spred also the worde of the gospell purposyng than more and more with himselfe not onely, to threaten them and to enpryson, but to kyll and mur∣ther them in sundry wyse, went vnto the hygh Byshop, to thentent that by maintenaunce of his authoritee, he myght the sooner consume them: & desyred to haue his letters of commission, not onely to cities nygh there about where he had already exercised his crueltie, but vnto Da∣masco, a citie in Phenicea, far of from Hierusalem, dyrected vnto the Syna∣goges of y^e Iewes there dwellyng, for that ende that he might, thorowe their ayde, at commaundement of the high Byshop, bryng fast bounde to Hierusa∣lem, whomesoeuer he had taken faultie in this heresye, ••yther menne or wo∣men. These and suche lyke thinges was Saule moued to doe, of a plaine and no dessemblyng mynde, supposyng with himselfe, accordyng vnto the Lordes saying, that his deuoure and seruice herein, was pleasaunt to God. And ther∣fore God suffered not his handes to be polluted with innocentes bloude, but called hym abacke in the myddes of his rage. For whan he was almoste at his iourneyes ende, not far from the citie Damasco, a sodaine light from hea∣uen, shone about him: and sodainlye, as he was fallen for feare vpon the ground, hearde he a voice, saying vnto hym: Saule, Saule why doest thou persecute me? Thā Saule as one stricken w^t a great maruayle who he should be, that on hygh aboue, and so myghty, complayned of wrōg as it were done by his frēde, and in doubt whether he were some aungell, or els God himselfe, aunswered fearfully: who art thou, O Lorde? Than sayed he: I am thesame Iesus of Nazareth, whome thou supposeste to be deade, whereas I dooe liue & reigne in heauen. But thou in persecuciō of my disciples, & of my name, doest persecute me also, vnawares thereof. But all thy labour is in vaine.

For it shall be harde and paynfull for the, to beate thy heeles againste the prycke. For thy striuyng is not against manne, but againste god, whose wil

no manne is hable to resiste. Wherfore thine offēce herein, is double the more, and nothing shalt thou preuaile therby, and yet doe thy selfe a shrewde turne. Saule hearing this, trembled for feare, and as one amased, saide: Lorde, what wylte thou haue me doe? By this answere, his erroure appeared to haue cumme of plaine ignoraunce, and of no malice. To instructe once suche erp∣sons, it were sufficient. But it was expedient that an high and fierce stomake, were plucked downe, and suche one that mynded nought els but to threaten and kylle, were made afrayed, to thentent he myght be easlye taught. Than sayed the lorde to him: aryse and go into the citie. There shalt thou learne what is for the to do. The lorde stryketh man in suche a sorte, that it maye be for his health: so he casteth downe, that he maye set vp, so ma∣keth he them blynde, that he maye lighten them. Saule beyng in his cruell∣rage, was throwen downe headlyng, but after that he became meke and rea∣dy to obeye, he was byd stande vp.

[ The texte.] ¶The mē which iourneyed with him, stoode amased, hearyng a voyce, but seyng no mā. ••••d Saul arose from the yearth, & when he opened his iyes, he sawe no man. But they led hym by y^e ha••d, & brought him into Damasco. And he was three daies without sight and neither did eate nor drinke. And there was a certaine disciple at Damasco, named Ananias, & to him said y^e lord in a visiō: Ananias? And he sayd: beholde, here I am lorde. And the lord saide vnto him: aryse and go into the strete, whiche is called streyght▪ and seke in y^e house of Iudas, after one called Saule of Tarsus. For beholde, he praieth, and hath sene in a vision, a man named Ananias cumming in to him, and puttyng his handes on hym, that he might receiue his syght.

Whyle these thinges were thus in doyng, the men that went with Saule, in his iourney, stode amased, hearing certainly one talke to Saule, but seing no man. Than Saule vpon good comforte that he toke hereof, arose vp. The first step to vertue is to be set vp on foote. And beholde againe an other my∣racle, although his iyes were open, he could not see. Than those that came in his company, lead him by the hande into the citie of Damasco. And yet was not he than forthwith admitted to the gyfte of the holy ghoste, that it shoulde be noted of vs that came after for an example, howe it were not mete to laye hande forthwith vpon eache person, but firste to see them that are newlye in∣structed, diligently tryed, and prepared by fastyng, & praier. Wherefore than, lyke as the apostles abode at Hierusalem ten dayes space, in expectacion of the holy ghoste, so taryed Saule at Damasco three dayes, seing none yearthlye thyng with his corporal iyes, but thinwarde iyes of his soule, were in y^e meane space clearly illustrate: al that whyle receyuyng no foode, but his mynde was fed the meane time with heauenly doctrine.* 1.1 There was the same tyme at Da∣masco, a disciple, (for so were they than called whiche had receiued the gospel,) named Ananias. The lorde had piked oute this Ananias, by whose handes his pleasure was bounteously to replenishe Paule w^t giftes of his holy spirit. And therfor hym spake he vnto beyng a sleape, in his dreame, and sayd: Ana∣nias? He on the other part anon perceiuing that god called him, made answer: lo I am here lorde: as who sayth disclosyng a true christian herte, ready at all commaundementes. Than sayde the lorde: ryse vp and go thy waye into the streat, whiche they commonly call streyght, and aske at Iudas house for one Saule, who was borne in Tarsus. For lo, there is he in prayer, suyng to haue grace and liberall comforte from vs. At the very same tyme, Saul lykewise as he was in prayer, thoughte y^e one Ananias, had entred into y^e house to hym,

and layde his handes upon him, to thintent he myght receyue againe his iye∣sight. Euen so the lorde prepared in their mutuall vision eache one for other.

[ The texte.] ¶Than Ananias answered: lorde, I haue heard by many, of this man, howe muche e∣uil he hath done to thy sainctes at Ierusalē: and here he hath authoritie of the high prie∣stes, to bynde all that cal on thy name. The lorde sayde vnto him, go thy waye, for he is a chosen vessell vnto me, to beare my name before the Gentiles, and kinges, and the childrē of Israel. For I wyl shewe him, howe great thinges he muste suffre for my names sake.

But Ananias sore afrayed at the name of Saule, who for his cruelty, was than muche spoken of among the christians, made aunswere: I haue heard lord, of many one, howe sore this man hath vexed thy blessed saintes at Hie∣rusalem, and yet not so contented, but nowe is he hither come also, beeyng put in authoritie by a streyght commission from the hygh byshoppes, to laye thē al fast in fetters, that call vpon thy name. Herunto the lorde agayne made aunswere: I knowe right well howe ye my shepe are muche afrayed of that rauenous wolfe.

But there is no cause why thou shouldest feare. For that wolfe haue I chaun∣ged into a right gentle shepe. Wherefore see thou go vnto hym boldly. For hym I haue chosen to myne owne selfe, as a notable instrument, to carye my name before the Heathen, before kynges of the yearth, and the chyldren of Is∣rael. What he hath done hytherto, was not done of malyce, but of a zele to the lawe of his countrey. And forasmuche as of plaine ignoraunce, his iudgemēt failed him, sum tryall hath he shewed of his towardnesse, how earnest a defen∣dour of my gospell, I am lyke to haue of him, in tyme to cum. Hitherto hath he scryuen against the professours of my name, beyng armed therunto with bul∣les from the high byshoppes, with threatnynges, and with fetters for them. Hereafter more manfully shall he fight and stoutly, beyng armed but with my spirite, and gyrte with the sworde of my euangelicall worde, againste all them that hate my name. For the glory and renoume wherof, far greater af∣fliccion shall he willyngly suffre, than nowe of late he prepared againste you.

[ The texte.] ¶And Ananias went his waye, and entred into the house, and put his handes on him, and sayde: brother Saule, the lorde that appeared vnto the in y^• waye, as thou cammest, hath sent me, that thou myghtest receyue thy sighte & be fylled with the holy ghost. And immediatly there fell from his iyes, as it had ben scales, and he receiued sight: & arose, and was baptised, and receyued meat, and was comforted.

Ananias, well encouraged at these wordes, departed thence, and entred in∣to Iudas house: he founde Saule praying, and layde his hande vpon hym, and sayde: brother Saule, the lorde Iesus Christe, that appered vnto the in the waye▪ as thou waste cumming hither, hath sent me to the, to thintent thou shouldeste receiue thi sight againe, and be replenished with the holy gost. Ana∣nias had vneth spoken these wordes, but there fell from the iyes of Paule in the same place, as it were certaine scales of a fishe, & so recouered he his sight. And immediatly he stode vp, and was baptised. After that, whan he had recei∣ued sum foode, he was well strengthned. In this maner that excellent capi∣tayne of Christes gospell, & he that shoulde soone after obscure the glory & re∣nowne of other his apostles, receyued at the hand of Ananias, a poore and hū∣ble disciple the holy ghost, before that he receiued baptisme. But nothing is done out of ordre, that is done at Iesus Christes cōmaundement, whō Paule hadde for hys teacher. For so had he gyuen his apostles authoritie, that he

woulde neuerthelesse reserue vnto hymselfe, the higheste authoritie of all the whole matter.

[ The texte.] Than was Saule certayne dayes with the disciples, which wer at Damas••o. And streight waye preached Christ in the Synagoges, howe he was the sonne of God. But al that hearde him, w••re amased, and sayed: is not this he that spoyled them which called on this name in Hierusalem, and came hyther for that entent that he might bring them bounde vnto the highe priestes? But Saul encreased the more in strength, & cōtoūded the Iewes whiche were dwelling at Damasco, affirmyng that this was very Christe.

Than Saule beyng sodainly chaunged, abode for certaine dayes in com∣panye with the disciples, whiche were at Damasco. And without any fur∣ther delaye, he begonne furthwith e••en there, contrary to the byshoppes com∣maundement, to sette vpon the office that he was appoynted vnto by Christe. And he went into the Iewes Synagoges, and published openly and frank∣ly, affirming that Iesus of Nazareth was the sonne of god, for whose sake a∣lone, all men shoulde haue profered them, accordyng to the Prophetes fore∣sayinges, health euerlasting. The Iewes, which knew of Saules cruel fierce∣nesse agaynst the Christians, by the rumoure that was bruted abrode, reioy∣syng that they had gotten suche a valiaunt defendour of Moses lawe, whan they had hearde that he did so earnestlye preache Iesus name of Nazareth, they maruayled what had chaunced vnto the manne, that he was so sodainlye quyte altered, and sayde amongest themselues: is not this the same Saule, who of late did all that euer he could, assaulte theim that called vpō this name at Hierusalē, whiche name he blaseth nowe abrode, and famously publisheth: and nowe but of late came hyther, purposely to take all suche persons, (yf he myght fynde any here) and to bryng them faste bounde to the highe Bys∣shoppes, there to be punished at theyr wyll and commaundement? Howe cummeth this to passe, that he hathe so sodaynly caste of his Iewyshe condi∣cions, and forsaken Moyses, and hathe become a professoure of the crucified? But Paule, whome that name in veray dede than better agreed with, after that he once became of a troublesome person, a teacher of sobernesse and quiet libertee, so litle was afrayed at suche manier sayinges of the Iewyshe, that he beyng euery daye the better strengthened with spirituall coumforte, confoun∣ded and muche troubled the Iewes that were dwellynge at Damasco, affir∣myng constauntly, and prouing by the testimonies of holy scripture, that Iesus of Nazareth, whome he had before of ignoraunce persecuted, and dyd nowe preache, was the trewe Messias that was promysed to the worlde, and that none other should be borne hereafter, at whose handes the Iewes ought to looke for euerlastyng health.

[ The texte.] ¶And after a good whyle, the Iewes tooke councel together, to kyll him. But their laying wayte was knowen of Saule. And they watched the ga••es daye and nyght to kil hym. Than the disciples toke him by night, and put him thorowe the walle, and let him downe in a basket. And whē Saule was cumme to Ierusalem, he assayed to couple him∣selfe with the disciples: but they were all afrayed of him, and beleued not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas tooke him, and brought hym to the Apostles, and declared to them, how he had seene the Lorde in the waye, and that he had spoken vnto him, and how he had done boldely at Damasco in the name of Iesu. And he had his conuersacion with them at Ierusalem, speakyng boldely in the name of the lorde Iesu.

Whan Paule had taken suche an enterpryse vpon him, many dayes at Damasco, no litle to the disciples ioy and comforte, and not without a greate

rumble and murmour of those, that did not than beleue, the Iewes at lengthe layed their heades in councell togither, to thintent that they might (by ly∣ing in wayte for him) slaye hym. O what a nacion is this that murthereth men? Paule reasoned, taught, and vanquished the Iewes with testimonyes of their owne lawe, as it were with their owne weapons. But there was nothyng els with them, but conspiracies, stockes, prisons, stripes, and sondry kyndes of deathe. But this had the lorde by promisse, assured his welbeloued seruauntes of, that they shoulde not lose, no not a heare of one of their heades, excepte his father suffered it. The tyme was not than come for that excellente warryoure to dye in the gospelles cause, he had than many battels behynde, to fyght for Christes people, many daungerouse perylles were to come, for him to sustayne in fyght of battell, many cities and countreys wer lefte for him to subdue by goddes holy worde, and to call vnto Christes yoke. Wherfore Paule,* 1.2 as it was goddes wil, had warnyng that y^e Iewes laye in wayte for him, insomuche that they kept the gates day and night in watche for him, that he should not away escape, but that they would kil him. To bring this acte to passe, they had procured them ayde of the Lieftenaunt of the citie, who was the debytie of king Aretas, to thintent that yf theyr priuey watche had not wel proceded to theyr purpose, they would neuertheles openly & by force slay him. The disciples than, conceyuing in their myndes, how that the lesse the person cared for himselfe, the more was he worthy to be saued, woulde not suffer, so valiant a warryer in Christes worde, peryshe. Wherfore they hydde him, and by night let hym downe by a corde of the towne walles, in a basket. Euen so oftentymes, yea, bolde and valiaunt capitaines do runne awaye, to thintent that they maye, accordyng to the prouerbe, be able to fyght againe.

O what a woondre is it to see y^e course of thinges turned vpside down? Nowe lurketh he in corners & starteth away, who a litle before with many sore thret∣nynges persecuted: and now prouide they to saue Paules lyfe, whome he be∣fore inuented crafty meanes to slay. After this, whā he was once come to Hie∣rusalem, and would haue accōpanyed with the disciples, with whome the olde Saule was to well knowen, Paule as thā vnknowen, al were afraied of him, as the shepe of the woulfe: not trustyng his woordes that he was a disciple, callynge well to their remembraunce what crueltie he was wonte to expresse, in persecutyng Christes flocke. They suspected than that some priuie wyles had been cloked vnder the name of a disciple. But Barnabas the Leuyte, of whome we spake before, that knewe what was done concernynge Paule, brought him to thapostles, before whome, he declared all the whole matter, how the lorde had appeared vnto him as he was goyng to Damasco, & spake to him, and how sodenly his mynde was chaunged, and how frāckly and frely he had preached the gospel in Iesus name the lord. Thapostles reioysed there∣at, and with theyr honeste rehersall, commended him to the whole companye. So was he for a time, busylye occupyed at Hierusalem, kepyng companye with thapostles, and disciples, & boldely there professyng, and preachyng the name of the lorde, whiche he had of plaine ignoraunce, persecuted.

[ The texte.] ¶And he spake, and disputed againste the Grekes, but they went about to slay him, whiche whan the brethren knewe, they brought him to Cesarea, & sent him forth to Tar∣sus. Then had the congregacions reste throughout al Iewry and Galile, and Samaria, and were edified, and walked in the feare of the lorde, and multiplied by the coumforte of the holy ghoste.

And that did not he onely before the people of Hierusalem, nothyng afray∣ed of the reprochefull name of an Apostata, because he had swarued from the byshoppes trade in religion, but preached lykewyse Iesus name before the Gentyles, whiche for the great renowne of that citie, dwelled than at Hieru∣salem, and before the Iewes, whiche were borne among the Grecians, reaso∣nynge with them, and by verye testimonies of the lawe prouyng that Iesus was the sauiour of the worlde. But in no wyse coulde they abyde suche liber∣tie of speache, & therefore resorted to suche, as they were wonte to do for ayde againste him, whome they were not able in disputacions to vanquyshe, sear∣chinge out some waye to slaye Paule. Suche bee their disputacions, that are of Iewyshe condicions. And euen than were priuie wyles also inuented to betrappe him withal, whan that he leaste thought vpon any suche daungier, After that the brethren knewe of this, lest any thinge shoulde betyde hym o∣therwyse then well, they conueyed hym a waye vnto Cesarea Philippi, whiche is a cytie in Phenicea, and sente hym eftsones thence vnto Tarsus, in Cilicia where he was borne. For by meanes of Paules wanderyng about, and his leadyng from place to place, the gospell well prospered. In the meane while, after the tyme of persecution was well ouerblowen, the congregacion of dis∣ciples, whiche than were disparsed thoroughout all the partes of Iurye, Ga∣lile, and Samarye, in the whiche cuntreys principally taught the lorde, and where before all other places, he commaūded that his gospell shoulde be prea∣ched, lyued at some reasonable quietnes, takynge comforte eache one of other, thorowe mutuall vnitie and concorde: and what for the smalle regard they had to mannes threatninges, and the dayly increase besydes of theyr nūber, they were well edifyed in Christes faythe, lyuyng in feare of the lorde, and replenished in tyme of aduersitie with spirituall consolacion of the holy ghost. This was it vndoubtedly that the lorde had promysed them: in the worlde ye shalbee well assured of trouble and aduersitie, but in me shal ye haue quietnes of mynde, and ghostelye comforte.

[ The texte.] ¶And it chaunced as Peter walked thorow out al quarters, he came also to the sain∣tes, which dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a certaine man named Eneas, which had kept his bed eyght yeares, and was sicke of the palsey. And Peter said vnto him: Eneas, the Lorde Iesu Christe make the whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immedy∣atly. And al that dwelt at Lydda and Assaron, sawe him, and turned to the Lorde.

It befell that Peter, whyles he as a vigilant shepehearde, of a stoute cou∣rage, wente abrode, trauelyng many countreyes, nowe these to visyte, nowe those, came also vnto the holy sainctes that dwelte at Lydda. That Lydda is a citie on the sea syde in Palestine. There foūde he one called Eneas, who had layne bedred eyght yeares before. For he was taken with a palsey. Peter thā remembryng the lordes commaundement, that what house soeuer they came into they should heale the sicke, for it were not syttyng for bodely diseases to raigne, where spirituall phisycions be present, sayde to hym: Eneas, Iesus Christ make the whole. Aryse, and make thy bed. Immediatlye vpon these wordes spoken, he rose vp whole, and made his bed himselfe. This was a to∣ken of perfyte health. Whan they sawe hym sodenly made whole by vertue & power of Iesus name, who had layne bedred so many yeares, as many as dwelt at Lidda, & Sarona, a towne on the sea coaste nyghe vnto Lidda, were cōuerted to the Lorde, and professed the name of Iesus Christe. And so of one

whiche was restored to his corporall health, were many a one moued to health of soule.

[ The texte.] ¶There was at Ioppa, a certaine woman, named Tabitha (whiche by interpretaciō, is called Dorcas) the same was ful of good workes and almes dedes, which she did. And it chaūced in those daies, that she was sicke and died. Whom whē they had washed, they layd her in a chamber. But forasmuche as Lydda was nygh vnto Ioppa, & the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent vnto him, desyryng him that he would not be greiued to come vnto them.

There was agayne at Ioppa, a disciple called Tabitha, whiche with the Grekes signifyeth Dorcas, with y^e Latynes Caprea, whiche name gyue they of the cleare sight of the iye. This woman had bene vertuously occupied in all maner godlynesse, but chiefly in workes of mercy, wherwith she releaued the poore. It befell thesame time that Peter was busye in his office at Lidda, that she dyed of thesame disease that she had bene sicke of. And whan they had done with washyng the dead corps, accordynge to theyr accustomed maner, they layde it in a highe chamber for to be annointed. And for as muche as Ioppa was not far from Lidda, and the disciples had vnderstandyng that Peter was there, thei sente two men in message to him, desiring that he would vouchsafe to come vnto them.

[ The texte.] ¶Peter arose, and came with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the chamber. And all the wyddowes stoode rounde about him, weaping, & shewyng the coa∣tes, and garmētes, which Dorcas made, while she was with thē. And Peter put them al forth and kneled downe, and prayed, and turned him to the body, & said: Tabitha, arise. And she opened her iyes, and whan she sawe Peter, she sate vp. And he gaue her the hād & lifted her vp. And whan he had called y^e saintes and widdowes, he shewed her aliue. And it was knowē thorow out al Ioppa, & many beleued on the Lorde. And it fortuned that he taryed many dayes in Ioppa, with one Symon a tauner.

Peter than declaryng in himselfe an example of a good shepehearde, came to them vndelayedly. After his cumming within the house, they brought hym vp into the chamber, to the intent he shoulde be moued at the sight of the dead corps, to take sum pitie or compassion for her death. There stode about Peter all the wydowes, who among other ministeries, whiche were prayse worthye, chiefely were commended for seruing the holye in all their necessities: they mourned her with wepyng teares, whiche they let fall, more of pitie towarde the poore whome she was wunt to refreshe with many good turnes, then for her ••ake that was departed. Their weapyng was then a sufficient openyng to hym of theyr myndes what they desyred to haue.

They called not to rehearsall her good dedes, but brought forth to syght, the coates and other garmentes, whiche Dorcas had already made to clothe the holye withall. But this her indeuour in doyng good, was by death interrup∣ted. Then Peter hauing in remembraunce Iesus example, where as he ray∣sed vp the chiefe priestes doughter of the Synagoge, after the multitude of those that mourned were first of all put oute of doores, commaunded them all to go furth. For the widowes were onely they that mourned. And weping is a let to prayer. And moreouer because that women, whiche of their owne na∣ture are weake spirited, shoulde not be troubled at the rysyng vp of the deade bodye he would haue none of them to be present▪ but he all alone, prayed, kne∣lyng on his knees. For the holy ghost, by whom all miracles are wroughte, is not at all times in like force with mā. But his vertue by prayer, is quickened,

like as fayth is also:* 1.3 without the whiche no miracle at al is wrought. Whan Peter had made his prayers, and conceyued spirituall strength of the holye ghoste, he turned hym to the bodywarde, and sayde: Tabitha, rise vp. Than shee, as these wordes were spoken, awaked, as though shee had ben in a slepe, and loked vpon Peter. And after that she had behelde him well, sate her down agayne. Peter than putting forth his hande to ayde her withall, set her vp, beyng thā on liue and lastly. After this maner must they be lifte vp vnto god∣lines, whiche be of their owne selues weake: First of all muste god be prayed vnto, that he would take mercy vpon them. That done they muste be taughte what to do, rebuked for theyr lyfe mispent, and exhorted to amende. Finally they muste haue ayde as Dorcas had, to be lyfte vp by good example, to more perfeccion of lyfe.

Whan Peter had called the holy brethren and widowes, whome he before had bidden go forthe, into the chambre againe, whiche were likewise their sel∣ues occupyed in praier, lokyng for the mercifulnes of the Lorde, he shewed them the woman on lyue for them all to beholde. That miracle was soone bruyted abrode ouer all the citie of Ioppa, and caused manye one to beleue in Christe. For that is the very chefe commoditie that cummeth of miracles. For it shoulde not otherwyse muche auayle to call one or two amongest so manye thousandes, that come by tymes into this worlde and departe thesame, vnto lyfe againe, whiche muste neuertheles soon after dye. And this was an occa∣sion for Peter to tarye manye dayes at Ioppa. For where shoulde he that fis∣sheth for mennes soules abide more to his contentacion, than there as manye cummeth vnto his nette? All this meane whyle abode Peter the chiefe of all the apostles, and he that by reason of so greate myracles whiche he hadde wrought, both was famous and mighty, at one Simons house, a tanner by his occupacion.

Notes

• * 1.1

  And there was a cer∣tayne discyple.
• * 1.2

  They wat∣ched the ga∣tes day and nyght to kyll hym.
• * 1.3

  And turned hym to the body & said: Tabitha, aryse.