An exposition of the festiuall epistles and gospels vsed in our English liturgie together with a reason why the church did chuse the same / by Iohn Boys ... ; the first part from the feast of S. Andreuu the Apostle, to the purification of Blessed Mary the Virgin.

The Gospell

LVK. 24.13.

Behold, two of the Disciples w••nt that same day to a towne called Emmaus, &c.

THis Scripture containeth a sweet conference be∣tweene Christ and two Disciples, as they iourneyed in the way from Hierusalem to a town•• called Emmaus. The f 1.1 summe whereof is, that Christ Iesus is truly risen ag••••ine from the dead as hauing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all things which Moses an•• the Prophets haue spoken of him. The whole may be diuided into three parts: A

• Prologue which occasioned the conference, verse, 13.14 wherein these circumstan∣ces are con∣siderable:
  • Who, two of the Disciples.
  • When, that same day.
  • Where, in the way betweene Hierusalem and Emmaus.
  • What, they talked together of all the things that had happened.
• Dialogue, or the conference it selfe wherin Christ sheweth his tender care toward his Disciples, in
  • drawing neere to them, vers. 15.
  • walking & talking with thē, v. 17.19.
  • correcting them for their errour, v. 25
  • directing them in the truth, and that by
    • words arguing g 1.2 frō
      • reason, v. 26.
      • authority, v. ••7
    • deeds, hee s••t at table with them, hee tooke bread▪ &c vers. 30.
• Epilogue, declaring what ensued vpon the confe∣rence, to wit,

• an
  • ingenuous confession of the faith in the two Disciples, did not our harts burne within vs? &c.
  • earnest desire to confirme the same truth in other, and they rose vp the same houre, and returned to Hieru∣salem, and found the eleuen gathered together, and them that were with them, and they told, &c. verse, 33.34.35.

Behold two of the Disciples went the same day] h 1.3 Two are better then one, for if they fall, the one will lift vp his fellow. And ther••fore the Disciples here went not a∣lone, but in company, two, that they might by their mu∣tuall helpe and conference mittigate one anothers griefe. And for this end they went to Emmaus, which is i 1.4 interpreted, a thirsting after good aduice; signifying hereby, that their afflicted soule desired earnestly to bee relieued with healthfull and heauenly counsell in this extremity. Two they were, and two of the Disciples: not of the twelue, (for k 1.5 Iudas had hanged himselfe before this; and it is said in our present text, at the 33. verse, that these two found the other eleuen gathered toge∣ther) but of the l 1.6 seuentie Disciples, as almost all inter∣pretors obserue. Yet (as m 1.7 one notes) it may bee that these were Disciples of Christ in secret, as Ioseph of A∣rimathea was. Ioh. ••9.••8. One of the two Disciples is named here Cleophas, and he was (as n 1.8 Hierome writes) a Citizen of Emmaus, in whose house Christ was en∣tertained at table, and so knowne by breaking of bread. That other Disciple not named is thought by o 1.9 Gregory the great, p 1.10 Theophylact and q 1.11 other, to be S. Luke con∣ce••••ing his owne name out of modesty. But it is appa∣rent in the proem of this euangelicall history, that Saint Luke receiued his relations from other, and therefore not ••robable that he was one of these two. See Iansen. conco d. cap 146. & Maldonat. in Luc. 1▪1.

r 1.12 Epiphantus saith expresly that this disciple was Na∣thaniel, s 1.13 Origene coniectures it was one Simeon, t 1.14 Am∣brose calleth him Am••on, u 1.15 in this dissention of opini∣ons obserue two things especially. 1. That it is fruit∣lesse to search after this name curiously seeing the spirit of truth and wisedome concealeth it. 2. That traditi∣ons are vncertaine though ancient, and therefore wee must build our faith vpon the word written, and not vpon tales vnwritten. These two disciples went the same day Christ arose from the dead out of their Colledge, but they went not out in Aposta•••••• like to them of whom Saint Iohn 1. Epist. 2. cap. 19. vers. They went out from vs, but they were not of vs: for if they had bin of vs they would haue continued with vs. Neither went they forth in curiosity like to x 1.16 Din•• who went out to see the daughters of the land; but they went out from the rest of their company like y 1.17 bees out of their ••iue, that they might returne home laden with honie: for their com∣munication is answerable to the present doctrine and griefe of their Colledge, they gather sweet from the flowers of Christs speech, hearing him expounding the law and the Prophets attentiuely, compelling him im∣portunately to stay with them, & neuer leauing him vn∣till in breaking of bread they knew him. And then as be∣ing filled with heauenly food (which is z 1.18 sweeter then hony and the hony combe) they returned home to the blessed Apostles and other disciples at Hierusalem, and 〈…〉〈…〉 things were done in the way.

To a towne called Emmaus] a 1.19 Pl••nie reckoneth Em∣maus among the Toparchies of Iudea, called afterward b 1.20 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vpon the c 1.21 victory which Augusthus Caesar 〈…〉〈…〉 Antonius and Cleopatra. This 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was 〈…〉〈…〉 famous as I finde in the records of d 1.22 antiqui∣••••, but our Euangelist ••••eth it here not for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the towne, e 1.23 but for the certaincie of the truth.

And 〈…〉〈…〉 of all the things that had

happened f 1.24 of the death of Christ, and of the Iewes in∣humane cruelty who put him to death, of the •• womens going to his sepulchre, and of their report vnto the bre∣thren: their heart was fixed on Christ, and out of their hearts abundance their mouth spake.

Quicquid agit Cleophas, nihil est Cleophae nisi Christus, Si gaudet, si stet, si tacet ••unc loquitur.

The newes at Hierusalem how Christ was crucified, dead, buried, and risen againe, are called things that happened and chanced g 1.25 in respect of the disciples igno∣rance, not in respect of Gods knowledge: for as con∣cerning the passion of Christ, it is said expresly by Saint Peter Acts 3.23. that hee was deliuered, and crucified, and slaine by the determinate counsell and foreknowledge of God, and so nothing happened casually, seeing euery thing was aforetime h 1.26 written of him in the law of Mo∣ses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalmes. And as for the i 1.27 resurrection of Christ, himselfe saith in this present Chapter at the 25. verse, O fooles and slow of heart to be∣leeue al that the Prophets haue spoken, ought not Christ to haue suffered these things and to enter into his glory? and he began at Moses and all the Prophets and interpreted vnto them in all Scriptures which were written of him. k 1.28 Mistically these two disciples are prayer and meditati∣on, the which are two so neerely coupled together as that they talke together often. In prayer our meditati∣on is illuminated, and by meditation our deuotion in praying in flamed. Meditatio ruminat liuores vulne∣rum fixuras clauorumdanceam •• acetum, persecutorum sauitiam, Apostolorum 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & ••oortem turpissimam, corporis sepulturam: oratio ••undit suspiria, piae deuotio∣nis stillat aromata tota resoluitur in l••menta.

And it chanced while they communed together and rea∣soned, ••esus himselfe drew neere l 1.29 the Lord is nie to such as are of a contrite heart, and in the m 1.30 mids of such as are gathered together to praise him. In the tap-house where the communication is idle prophane, scandalous,

and in euery respect vnsauorie: there the diuell is in the drunkards heart, and eares and tongue: n 1.31 but in Gods house when wee meet together to magnifie his name, nay in our owne house when as we meditate on Christs precious death and buriall and other mysteries of holy beliefe, Iesus himselfe o 1.32 standeth behind our wall, looking forth of the windowes, shewing himselfe thorow the grates, and p 1.33 putting in his hand at the hole of the ••••ore to helpe vs, he drawes neere to vs, and walketh along with vs as hee did with the two disciples here, neuer leauing vs vntill he perceiue that we be thoroughly confirmed and comforted in the truth. q 1.34 Ambulat cum illis in via & non dum illi ambulabant in via, inuenit enim eos exorbi∣tasse de via: he which is the way seeing his disciples out of the way, shewes them his r 1.35 pathes, and s 1.36 leades them forth beside the waters of comfort: and for this end he doth aske what manner of communications are these? t 1.37 not as doubting himselfe, but only to put them out of doubt: u 1.38 quaerit ab eis quid inter se loquerentur, vs quod ipse sciebat idi faterentur. He doth aske them and vrge them againe and againe, x 1.39 that he might haue fit occa∣sion and ample matter of discourse: and when he found them vpon conference to be dullards in his schoole, he chides them, O fooles, and slow of heart, &c. fooles in vn∣derstanding▪ slow in affecting the truth. y 1.40 Arguit eos a∣mentiae in parte cognoscitiua, & tarditatis in parte affecti∣••a. But yet in calling them fooles he brake not his owne law z 1.41 (whosoeuer shall say foole to his brother is worthie to be punished with hell fire) because this rebuke proceeds out of a a 1.42 spirituall zeale for their good, and not out of any carnall hatred for their hurt. And such a reproofe is not a reproch, it is officium, and not conuitium, a worke of charity, and not a marke of malice. So b 1.43 Paul called his Galathians foolish, and hee gaue this precept vnto c 1.44 Timothie, improue, rebuke, but with all long suffering and doctr••ne, for Christ here did not only correct his di••∣ciples ••••••our, but also direct them in the truth, and that

by words and deeds. By words, vrging the truth of his death and resurrection. First, by reason; ought not Christ to haue suffered these things and to enter into his glory? 2. From authority, hee began at Moses and all the Pro∣phets, and interpreted vnto them in all Scriptures which were written of him. Here first note the sweet harmonie betweene the two Testaments, in that both agree to∣gether, and meet together in Christ, as being alpha and omega, the beginning of the Gospell, and the end of the Law. 2. That the grounds of all our sermons are to be taken out of holy writ; the d 1.45 Ministers and messengers of God ought o deliuer the e 1.46 words of God. 3. That in our preaching we should vse such scriptures as are most apt and fit for our present occasion, as Christ heere cited not all the Scriptures in all the law, but onely such as were written of him, euen those which euidently proued his death and resurrection. He did interpret vnto them in all Scriptures, and yet named none, * 1.47 that hee might incite vs hereby to the diligent searching and examina∣tion of them.

Secondly, Christ instructed his Disciples in this pre∣sent controue••sie with his actions; for as it is said at the 19. verse, hee was a Prophet mighty in deed, and word. * 1.48 That is, in soundnesse of doc••rine, and sanctity of life. First (as * 1.49 Theophyla••t obserues) powerfull in deed, and then powerfull in word. For he perswadeth vnto vertue most, who liueth best. As in this place Christ himselfe was knowne by breaking of bread, i 1.50 sooner then by preaching of the word. Or as k 1.51 other, powerfull in his miracles, and powerfull in his teaching. His actions here mentioned concerning the bread, are foure; He tooke it, and blessed it, and brake it, and gaue to them. Among all which, he was onely knowne in breaking of bread, l 1.52 for that hee did miraculously breake bread with his hands, as other cut it with a knife. The which hee did often in his life, and so by this easily knowne after his rising from death.

m 1.53 By this dialogue you may see that Christ is especi∣ally knowne in the Scriptures, and yet not in the Scrip∣tures, except he first open our eyes, and breake and giue to each one the bread of life. And in the conclusion or epi∣logue following, you may see likewise the fruit of inter∣preting Scriptures, how the n 1.54 ministry of the word ma∣keth the fire of Gods spirit to burne, first in our selues, and then ofterwards to shine towards other. As the two Disciples heere, so soone as their eyes were opened to see Christ, instantly the same houre they rose vp, and re∣turned to Hierusalem, and found the eleuen gathered to∣gether, and they told what things were done in the way, and how they knew him in brea••ing of bread, the circum∣stance of the time, and distance of the place manifestly shew; their ••ealous affection in relating these newes vnto the brethren. Emmaus (as our Euangelist in the 13. verse) was about threescore furlongs from Hierusa∣lem, o 1.55 eight furlongs make an ordinary mile, and so threescore furlongs are about seuen miles and an halfe. Some Diuines affirme that it was a iourney of p 1.56 three or q 1.57 foure houres on foot. If then it were towards night when Christ vpon their importunity sat at table with them, as we read at the 29. verse; then it was (as we may coniecture probably) midnight before they could come to Hierusalem; and yet (saith our text) they went the same houre, neither deferring the time, nor preferring their priuate businesse before the publike good. How∣soeuer they were (doubtlesse) after trauell wearie, and after meate in the night sleepie: yet they r 1.58 would not suffer their eyes to sleepe, nor their eye lids to slumber, nor the temples of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 head to take any rest, vntill they had published vnto the brethren how Christ was risen againe from the dead, and how they knew him in brea∣king of bread. That we may performe the like diligence toward Gods people, as occassion is offered in our seue∣rall esta••es and callings, let vs pray with our mother the Church:

Almighty God, which through thy onely begotten sonne Iesus Christ, hast ouercome death, and o∣pened vnto vs the gate of euerlasting life: wee humbly beseech thee that as by thy speciall grace preuenting vs, thou doest put in our minds good desires: so by thy continuall helpe, we may bring the same to good effect, through Iesus Christ our Lord, &c.

Notes

• f 1.1

  Culman. ce••. 1. in. lo••.
• g 1.2

  Ardens.
• h 1.3

  Ecclesiast. 4.9.
• i 1.4

  Bernard. hom. deduobus Disc. euntibus in Emaus.
• k 1.5

  Mat. 27.5.
• l 1.6

  Luk. 10.1.
• m 1.7

  Maldonat. in loc.
• n 1.8

  In epitap Pau∣lae ad Eustoc. other, apud Maldonat. in loc conie∣cture that hee was brother to Io•••••••• husband to Mary.
• o 1.9

  Praes••t. in ••••b. lib.
• p 1.10

  In loc.
• q 1.11

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••rus lib. ••. cap. 34.
• r 1.12

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 23.
• s 1.13

  〈…〉〈…〉
• t 1.14

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 12. 〈…〉〈…〉.
• u 1.15

  〈…〉〈…〉
• x 1.16

  Gen. 34.1.
• y 1.17

  Arde••••.
• z 1.18

  Psalm. 19.10.
• a 1.19

  Hist. lib. 5. cap. 14.
• b 1.20

  〈…〉〈…〉
• c 1.21

  〈…〉〈…〉
• d 1.22

  〈…〉〈…〉
• e 1.23

  〈…〉〈…〉
• f 1.24

  Augustin. ser. 144 de temp.
• g 1.25

  A••••tius.
• h 1.26

  Luk. 24.44.
• i 1.27

  Suarez Tom. 2. in 3. Thom. disp. 45 sect. 1.
• k 1.28

  Bernard hom. de duobus disci∣peuntibus in Emaus.
• l 1.29

  Psalus. 34.17.
• m 1.30

  Mat. 18.20.
• n 1.31

  Beda Bernard. Calman.
• o 1.32

  Ca••••. ••.9.
• p 1.33

  Cant. 5.4.
• q 1.34

  August ser. 140. de temp.
• r 1.35

  Psalm. 25.3.
• s 1.36

  Psalm. 23.2.
• t 1.37

  Calain. L••dolphus.
• u 1.38

  Augustin. ser. 144. de temp.
• x 1.39

  Aretius.
• y 1.40

  Caietan.
• z 1.41

  Mat. 5.2••.
• a 1.42

  Marlorat.
• b 1.43

  Gala••. ••.1.
• c 1.44

  ••. Tim. 4.••.
• d 1.45

  1. Cor. 4.1.
• e 1.46

  1. Pet. 4.11.
• * 1.47

  Aretius.
• * 1.48

  C••••••••.
• * 1.49

  In loc. idem ••ansen. & al••.
• i 1.50

  Ardens.
• k 1.51

  Euth••m. ••••do••ph. A••••t.
• l 1.52

  C••••••tan.
• m 1.53

  Cuba••. con. 4. in loc.
• n 1.54

  Marlorat.
• o 1.55

  ••ide Maldo∣••at. in loc.
• p 1.56

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• q 1.57

  Ar••••••••••.
• r 1.58

  P••••••. 132.4.