University of Virginia Library

One cured of the Palsie, lying sicke in his bed, the Rulers Daughter raysed, a woman healed of a bloudie Issue, two blind men receyue sight, a dumbe man possessed, healed. Math. 9.

From Brutish Gergesenes our Sauiour goes,
That were so farre their owne soules mortall foes,
They from their coast did banish the most high'st,
Esteeming more their cattell, then their Christ,
Who leauing those ingratefull, wicked men,

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By ship did passe to his owne City then,
VVhere being come, the people to him brought,
One sicke in's bed of palsie, and besought
That he would heale him; when he saw their faith,
To the distressed creature, thus he sayth,
Sonne, be of comfort, and reioyce herein,
For I remit and pardon all thy sinne:
Whereat the Scribes within their hearts did say,
This man blasphemeth, and is farre astray.
When Iesus saw, in thought they did him blame,
(For with hearts hid from him that made the same)
He thus reply'd; Why doth this ill arise?
Which you in cogitation doe deuise:
Tell me, which speech is easiest, for to say,
Arise, and walke, or sinnes are done away?
But that you all may know the truth of this;
My power on earth can pardon sinnes amisse,
Then sayd he to the sicke, thy selfe prepare,
Take vp thy bed, and to thy house repayre.
Then came a man of woe, with sorrow pain'd,
A Ruler of the Iewes, and he complain'd,
Iesus, my daughter euen now is dead:
But thou that lifes true path doest onelie tread,
Come, and vpon her doe but lay thy hand,
And she shall liue; giue death a countermaund:
The Lord was moued with his sad lament,
And as he sorth with his Disciples went,
A woman with a bloudy issue greeued,
That could not be in twelue yeeres space releeued:
Behind him came, and toucht his vestures hem,
Being assured faith could helpe all them,

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Which did beleeue; resoluing thus in thought,
If I but touch his garment, health is wrought:
This faith with Iesus such a comfort found,
He turn'd and sayd, Daughter thou art made sound:
And as he spake, that very instant houre,
She was made perfect by his perfect power.
Then came he to the Rulers dwelling place,
And (as the custome was, in mourning case)
He found the Minstrels, and much people there,
With noyse of dolefull musicke to the eare:
Those he did will forbeare such quoyle to keepe,
The mayde (quoth he) is onely but a sleepe,
She is not dead, Ile life to her restore;
But scornfully they laugh'd at Christ therefore,
Being all thrust out from thence and put away,
He came whereas the breathlesse body lay,
And tooke her by the hand, wherewith she rose:
And this great wonder to the people showes,
Who to behold her in amazement stand,
And spred the fame thereof throwout the land.
As Iesus passed from the wondring crow'd.
Two blind men met him, and they cryde alowde,
Oh sonne of Dauid, some compassion take;
Haue mercy on vs, for thy mercies sake.
To whom he sayde, doe you belieue aright,
That I haue power to giue you both your sight:
Yea, Lord (they sayd) besides thee no man can
Giue sauing health, which art true God and man.
Iesus reply'd, vnto your faithfull mind,
As you beleeue, so cease from being blind.
Then brought they one possessed that was dumbe,

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Forth whom when Christ commanded Sathan come,
The dumbe he spake; the people sayde, we weene,
In Israel the like was neuer seene.