The Resurrection of our Saviour.
And his Appearing to Mary Magdalen, &c
ALtho' our Blessed LORD lay buried in the Sepulchre, yet this did not satisfie the Jews; for they were afraid lest it should be publish'd, That he was Risen; and therefore they went to Pilate, telling him, that this Impostor had said, when he was living, That he would Rise again after his Death. And therefore they en∣treated him to set a Watch by the Sepulchre, lest his Disciples should steal away his Body, and afterwards give out a Report amongst the People, That he was Risen.
They blinded themselves with their own Wisdom; for designing to hinder before∣hand (as much as in them lay) our Saviour's Resurrection, they confirmed the Belief there∣of by notable Proofs.
For the Sepulchre being thus guarded, and the Stone which secured it, sealed; there immediately arose a great Earthquake. The Angel of the LORD descending from Hea∣ven, roll'd away the Stone which lay before the Sepulchre, and sat thereon: His Eyes shi∣ned like Lightning, and his Garments were as white as Snow.
The Guards that lay near the Sepulchre were struck with Terror, and became as Dead Men; wherefore they hastned to Je∣rusalem, and told the Priests what had hap∣ned. Whereupon they immediately as∣sembled, to consult together what they had to do in this Case.
They could not find out a better Reme∣dy against a thing so evident, than to cor∣rupt these Soldiers with a great Summ of Mo∣ney which they gave them; for which they were to say, That whilst they slept, his Disci∣ples came and stole it away.
In the mean time Mary Magdalen, and some other Holy Wom••n, whose Love was the same to Jesus both living and dead; being come early to the Sepulchre, to perfume our Saviour's Body with Spices, argued amongst themselves, who should roll away the Stone that shut up the Passage to the Sepulchre. But they were greatly surpriz'd, as they drew near to it, to see it open; and yet more, when they were entred in, not find∣ing him whom they searched for.
Mary Magdalen ran immediately to give notice of this to the Apostles; and S. Peter being come to the Sepulchre with S. ••ohn, saw the Linen Cloaths wherewith the Body of Jesus Christ was wrapped. But they going away in an Astonishment; Mary Magdalen tarried behind, shedding Tears in the Sepul∣chre. When two Angels cloathed in white Raiment, one of which stood at the Head, and the other at the Foot of the Place where the Body of ••esus Christ lay, ask'd her, Why she wept? To which she answered, They had taken away the Body of her LORD, and she knew not where they had laid it▪ And the Angel said, Fear not, I know that ye seek JESUS that was Crucified: He is not here, but is Risen, as he said, Come, see the Place where the LORD lay, and go quickly and tell his Disciples, That He is Risen from the Dead; and behold he goeth before you into Galilee, there shall ye see•• him: Lo, I have told you.
Turning about, she saw Jesus Christ in the Form of a Gardner, who ask'd her, What she cry'd for? She answered, That if he had taken her Master's Body, he would be pleased to tell her where he had laid it, Jesus said unto her, Mary; and immediately being transported with Joy, she ran to em∣brace our Saviour's Feet; who hindred her, charging her to go and tell his Disciples what she had seen.
This is the first Appearance which the Gospel denotes of our Saviour's Resurrection; and thus happily was the persevering Love of this happy Sinner recompenced.
Our Saviour's Resurrection hath appeared such a great Mystery to the Saints, that it has made them say, 'Tis better humbly to a∣dore the Greatness of it, than to pry over curiously into it. Nothing can sooner inspire us with an aversation to all worldly Glory, than the Circumstances which accompany it; seeing they all discover to Christians, that they be not what they are for this Life, but for ano∣ther, of which Jesus Christ arising, has open∣ed us the Entrance, in making us victorious over the Death, not only of the Body, but of the Soul.