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How Christ by his death, overcame death. [ 1997]
IT is said of the Leopard,* 1.1 that he useth a kind of policy in killing such Apes as do molest him; First, he lyeth down as dead, and suffereth the Apes to mock him, trample upon him, and insult over him as much as they will; but when he perceiveth them to be weary with leaping and skipping upon him, he revives himself on a suddain, and with his claws and teeth tears them all in pieces. Even so our Saviour Christ suffered the Devill and death, and all the wicked Iews, like so many Apes to mock him, to tread upon him, and tram∣ple him under foot, to crucifie him, to bury him, to seal up his grave, and set a guard of Souldiers to watch him,* 1.2 that he should not rise any more, and did indeed what they list with him; but when he saw they had done their worst, and that they could do no more, Then he awaked as a Giant out of sleep, and smo••e all his Enemies on the cheek-bone, spoyl'd Principalities and powers, led Captivity captive, and brought them unto shame and confusion of face for ever.