 | The Countesse of Pembrokes Emanuel |  |
The Passion, Buryall, and Resurrection of Christe.
Christe, whose blessed byrth causd Angells for to be singing:
Christe, whose louing life forst diu'ls themselus to be wondryng,
Christe, whose bitter death made templs vayle to he rentyng,
Grau's to be op'nyng, earth to be quaking, heu'ns to be lowring,
Geue mee the grace, sweete Christe, since euery thing is a mournyng,
For to recount these pangs, this crosse, this death by my mournyng.
Christe, whose louing life forst diu'ls themselus to be wondryng,
Christe, whose bitter death made templs vayle to he rentyng,
Grau's to be op'nyng, earth to be quaking, heu'ns to be lowring,
Geue mee the grace, sweete Christe, since euery thing is a mournyng,
For to recount these pangs, this crosse, this death by my mournyng.
When that apoynted fight, that feareful combat aproached,
Fight with pangs of death, and hells vnsuffrable horrors,
Combat with mans syns, and Gods vnspeakable anger,
Then cursed capten Caiphas with his hellish adhærents
Contryued platforms, conspyred ioyntly togeather
For to beetray that man which was mans only redeemer.
Fight with pangs of death, and hells vnsuffrable horrors,
Combat with mans syns, and Gods vnspeakable anger,
Then cursed capten Caiphas with his hellish adhærents
Contryued platforms, conspyred ioyntly togeather
For to beetray that man which was mans only redeemer.
Yf that he hould on thus such wonders stil to be working,
Then farewell Pharisees, with Scribes, and onely renowmed
High Priests; and therfore its more than tyme to preuent hym.
Yet forbeare for a while, till solempne feasts be determynd,
Least this strange murder may chaunce to be cause of any vproare.
O dyuine doctors, deuout Priests, woorthy protectors
Of Salomons temple, good graybeards; that for a feast day
Can vouchsaufe to delay this murder, this bloody outrage,
Not for loue of God, but for this feare of an vproare.
Then farewell Pharisees, with Scribes, and onely renowmed
High Priests; and therfore its more than tyme to preuent hym.
Yet forbeare for a while, till solempne feasts be determynd,
Least this strange murder may chaunce to be cause of any vproare.
O dyuine doctors, deuout Priests, woorthy protectors
Of Salomons temple, good graybeards; that for a feast day
Can vouchsaufe to delay this murder, this bloody outrage,
Not for loue of God, but for this feare of an vproare.
But Christe foreknowing theyr treachery, came to the leper
Leper Symons howse in Bethany: where when he supped,
Mary, (remembring how herself was lately released
From seu'n tormenters) kneeld downe to her only redeemer,
Washte his blessed feete with trickling teares that abounded,
Wypte hys blessed feete with her hayre that sweetly beseemed,
Kyst his blessed feete; and heade, and feete then anoynted
With precious sweete balme, with most odoriferus oyntment.
Leper Symons howse in Bethany: where when he supped,
Mary, (remembring how herself was lately released
Washte his blessed feete with trickling teares that abounded,
Wypte hys blessed feete with her hayre that sweetly beseemed,
Kyst his blessed feete; and heade, and feete then anoynted
With precious sweete balme, with most odoriferus oyntment.
But that most cursed caytiue, that greedy deuouring
Murdrer, cutthroate, thiefe, with his hellish treason abounding
Judas Iscariot, stil bent to the bag, to the budgett,
Gan to repyne and grudge, that this soe costly anoyntment
Was thus wasted away, which might haue beene by the purser
Sould and geu'n to the poore: but alas this traiterus abiect
Meant t'enrich hymself, and not to be good to the needy,
As by his accursed stratagems it playnly apeared.
Murdrer, cutthroate, thiefe, with his hellish treason abounding
Judas Iscariot, stil bent to the bag, to the budgett,
Gan to repyne and grudge, that this soe costly anoyntment
Was thus wasted away, which might haue beene by the purser
Sould and geu'n to the poore: but alas this traiterus abiect
Meant t'enrich hymself, and not to be good to the needy,
As by his accursed stratagems it playnly apeared.
For, when hee lost this pray, his master he deadly maligned,
And balme box broaken brake Iudas hart ful of enuy,
Damnable, infernall, outragius, horrible enuy:
Soe that noe myschief, noe part of a theefe, or a murdrer
Was by the vile reprobate, by the damned villen omytted,
Vntil hee had this losse, as hee tooke it, fully recou'red,
Vntil hee had for gaine his master falsly betrayed.
And balme box broaken brake Iudas hart ful of enuy,
Damnable, infernall, outragius, horrible enuy:
Soe that noe myschief, noe part of a theefe, or a murdrer
Was by the vile reprobate, by the damned villen omytted,
Vntil hee had this losse, as hee tooke it, fully recou'red,
Vntil hee had for gaine his master falsly betrayed.
Christe fro the mount Olyuet with an asse coms seellyly ryding,
Poorely, without any pompe, to the pompous cytty repayring,
Some with flowring boxes his wayes had freshly adorned,
Some with fragrant flowres his passage sweetly prepared,
Some causd theyr garments by the highe way side to be scattred,
Euery man cry'de out with chearefull voyce to the heauens,
Hosanna sweete ympe of Dauids gracius of-spring,
Hosanna to the King almighty of Israel holy,
Hosanna to the Lord of Lords, to the prince of Olympus,
Soe that on euery syde, Hosanna sweetly resounded,
And sweete Hosanna from rocks with an eccho rebounded.
Poorely, without any pompe, to the pompous cytty repayring,
Some with flowring boxes his wayes had freshly adorned,
Some with fragrant flowres his passage sweetly prepared,
Some causd theyr garments by the highe way side to be scattred,
Euery man cry'de out with chearefull voyce to the heauens,
Hosanna sweete ympe of Dauids gracius of-spring,
Hosanna to the King almighty of Israel holy,
Hosanna to the Lord of Lords, to the prince of Olympus,
Soe that on euery syde, Hosanna sweetly resounded,
And sweete Hosanna from rocks with an eccho rebounded.
Yt was a plague to the Priests, to the fatbely Priests to behould this,
Yt was a death to the Scribes, to the scraping Scribes to abyde this,
Yt was a hell to the prowd Pharisees for a truth to beleeue this;
Yet, t'was a ioy to the yong and ould, for a truth to report this.
Yt was a death to the Scribes, to the scraping Scribes to abyde this,
Yt was a hell to the prowd Pharisees for a truth to beleeue this;
Yet, t'was a ioy to the yong and ould, for a truth to report this.
And for a truth, both yong and ould went straight to the temple,
Straight to the temple went with Iesus seellyly ryding,
And yet on his poore asse with a princelyke glory triumphing.
Straight to the temple went with Iesus seellyly ryding,
And yet on his poore asse with a princelyke glory triumphing.
Into the Church when hee came more lyke to a fayre or a market,
Then Salomons temple such chapmen hee quyckly remoued,
Ouerturnd theyr seates, and tables iustly de[illeg.]aced,
His fathers orders, and seruice rightly reuyued:
But to the prowd Pharisees, to the scraping Scribes, to the fatt Priests
It was more then a plague, then a death, then a hell to behould this.
Then Salomons temple such chapmen hee quyckly remoued,
His fathers orders, and seruice rightly reuyued:
But to the prowd Pharisees, to the scraping Scribes, to the fatt Priests
It was more then a plague, then a death, then a hell to behould this.
Therefore once yet againe themselus they gyn to be styrring
For t'entrappe Iesus: but loe, whil'st this was a woorking,
In comes that cutthroate, that thiefe, yet freshly remembring
How th'Alablaster box of balme his greedy deuowring
Clawes escaped afore: and then to the company hellish,
And Sathans synagogue, his murdring mynde he reuealed.
For t'entrappe Iesus: but loe, whil'st this was a woorking,
In comes that cutthroate, that thiefe, yet freshly remembring
How th'Alablaster box of balme his greedy deuowring
Clawes escaped afore: and then to the company hellish,
And Sathans synagogue, his murdring mynde he reuealed.
Hayle sacred Cayphas, chiefe Priest, and mighty Protector
Of Iewish customes, and Hebriews laudable orders:
Hayle Scribes and Pharisees, that teach and preach the renowmed
Doctrine of Moses: geue eare and mark what I tell you.
Of Iewish customes, and Hebriews laudable orders:
Hayle Scribes and Pharisees, that teach and preach the renowmed
Doctrine of Moses: geue eare and mark what I tell you.
This wandryng vpstart ypocrite, this Christus, Iesus,
Man, God, I know not what, doth abuse and dayly deceaue vs,
Vs fooles his folowers; and mee vnworthyly hating,
Chiefly of all others with slaundrous taunts he reuyleth.
And yet I could forget this abuse and iniury priuate,
But that by these meanes he begins t'aspyre to the scepter.
For, what a sedition, what a styrr doth hee make, what an vproare?
And what a sort be before, what a trayne coms dayly behynde hym?
His woonders woondring, his doctrine vaynly beleeuing,
His wayes with fresh flowres and branches dayntyly dressing,
His delicate fine feete with balmes most costly anoynting,
His royall person with tytles princely saluting,
His foamyng palfray with rich roabes gayly bedecking,
Hosanna singing, and each where freely triumphing?
Yf that I bring hym bound, and soe cause all to be ended,
And people quyeted, say on, what shalbe my guerdon
What shal I haue? for I serue but a snudg, and am but a begger,
Man, God, I know not what, doth abuse and dayly deceaue vs,
Vs fooles his folowers; and mee vnworthyly hating,
Chiefly of all others with slaundrous taunts he reuyleth.
And yet I could forget this abuse and iniury priuate,
But that by these meanes he begins t'aspyre to the scepter.
For, what a sedition, what a styrr doth hee make, what an vproare?
And what a sort be before, what a trayne coms dayly behynde hym?
His woonders woondring, his doctrine vaynly beleeuing,
His wayes with fresh flowres and branches dayntyly dressing,
His delicate fine feete with balmes most costly anoynting,
His royall person with tytles princely saluting,
His foamyng palfray with rich roabes gayly bedecking,
Hosanna singing, and each where freely triumphing?
Yf that I bring hym bound, and soe cause all to be ended,
And people quyeted, say on, what shalbe my guerdon
What shal I haue? for I serue but a snudg, and am but a begger,
Hereat Caiphas smylde, and Iews all greatly reioyced;
And of theyr syluer, they peeces thyrty apoynted
For this vile butcher, which causd that Lambe to be slaughtred.
And of theyr syluer, they peeces thyrty apoynted
For this vile butcher, which causd that Lambe to be slaughtred.
These things dispatched, those fathers ghostly departed,
Counsell's dissolued: Iudas back slyly returned.
Counsell's dissolued: Iudas back slyly returned.
Christe with a curse by the way (most fearful signe to the saythles)
That fruyteles figg tree causd euermore to be fruytles.
That fruyteles figg tree causd euermore to be fruytles.
Christe rose from table (most perfect signe of a meeke hart)
And washt his fryends feete, teaching them for to be lowely.
And washt his fryends feete, teaching them for to be lowely.
Christe foretould his death (most doubtles signe of a true God)
And did note to the rest, that shameles desperat outcast.
But woe woe to the wretch, but alas woe woe to the traytor,
Better he were not borne, then borne to a damnable horror.
And did note to the rest, that shameles desperat outcast.
But woe woe to the wretch, but alas woe woe to the traytor,
Better he were not borne, then borne to a damnable horror.
Christe tooke bread and wyne (most sacred signes to the faythful)
And gaue thancks to the Lord, and brake and gaue it among them,
Most cherefull sacrament, most loul' and lyuly remembrance
Of Christ his body crost, and blood shed freely for all men.
And gaue thancks to the Lord, and brake and gaue it among them,
Most cherefull sacrament, most loul' and lyuly remembrance
Of Christ his body crost, and blood shed freely for all men.
And now that Renegate that damned Apostata Iudas
Coms to the Priest Caiphas, and there his brybe he receaueth,
Brybe for blood Lambs blood, Gods Lambe: and bringeth a great rowte
Of swearing cutters and souldiers duely prepared,
With lynckes and lanterns, with swerds and staues for an onsett,
Marching all in aray in due and martial order,
As though some fyeld were to be fought, or king to be conquer'd:
Whereas alas noeman was there with force to resist them,
But some feawe fishers, and theyr poore mayster Iësus.
Coms to the Priest Caiphas, and there his brybe he receaueth,
Brybe for blood Lambs blood, Gods Lambe: and bringeth a great rowte
Of swearing cutters and souldiers duely prepared,
With lynckes and lanterns, with swerds and staues for an onsett,
Marching all in aray in due and martial order,
As though some fyeld were to be fought, or king to be conquer'd:
Whereas alas noeman was there with force to resist them,
But some feawe fishers, and theyr poore mayster Iësus.
O valyant Iudas, of a warlike company capten:
These be the synners plagues, these these be rewards to the wicked,
That not a mouse can creepe, not a leafe can shake, not a wynde blowe,
But theyr sowls with syn, theyr mynds with murder aboundyng,
Stil be a trembling, stil be a quiu'ring, stil be a quaking,
Quaking stil for dreede and feare of an hasty reuenging
Afterclapp to be giu'n by the thundring Prince of Olympus.
These be the synners plagues, these these be rewards to the wicked,
That not a mouse can creepe, not a leafe can shake, not a wynde blowe,
But theyr sowls with syn, theyr mynds with murder aboundyng,
Stil be a trembling, stil be a quiu'ring, stil be a quaking,
Quaking stil for dreede and feare of an hasty reuenging
Afterclapp to be giu'n by the thundring Prince of Olympus.
Christe after supper, gaue thancks, rose vp fro the table,
Came to the mount Olyuete; then these woords gracius vttred;
My faythfull folowers and fryends, my dearly beloued
And best companyons; this night you shalbe molested,
And sore offended, to behould some villanies offred:
For soe t'was written long since, and truly reuealed,
That your fryendly shepherd must needs at last be remoued,
And his Sheepe scattred, wandring for want of a sheepsman.
But faythfull folowers and fryends, but dearly beloued
And best companyons, your mayster shalbe reuyued,
And by death kill death, and ouer death be triumphing,
His faythfull folowers visyting, his dearely beloued
And best companyons and fryends in Galyly seeing.
Came to the mount Olyuete; then these woords gracius vttred;
My faythfull folowers and fryends, my dearly beloued
And best companyons; this night you shalbe molested,
And sore offended, to behould some villanies offred:
For soe t'was written long since, and truly reuealed,
That your fryendly shepherd must needs at last be remoued,
And his Sheepe scattred, wandring for want of a sheepsman.
But faythfull folowers and fryends, but dearly beloued
And best companyons, your mayster shalbe reuyued,
And by death kill death, and ouer death be triumphing,
His faythfull folowers visyting, his dearely beloued
And best companyons and fryends in Galyly seeing.
Scarce had he sayd thus much but Peeter stowtly replyed;
Not soe, sweete Master, though euery man be amased,
Euery man fly back, yet Peeter's fully resolued.
For noe loue of life, noe feare of death to be startyng:
Great woords, small woonders: But Iesus gaue hym a watch-woord,
His weaknes knowing, his rashnes meekly rebuking,
And sayd: Poore Peeter, pray, and leaue off thy protesting,
This night quickly, for all thy stowt and manly presuming,
Ere that a Cock crow twise, thou shalt thrice flatly deny mee.
Not soe, sweete Master, though euery man be amased,
Euery man fly back, yet Peeter's fully resolued.
Great woords, small woonders: But Iesus gaue hym a watch-woord,
His weaknes knowing, his rashnes meekly rebuking,
And sayd: Poore Peeter, pray, and leaue off thy protesting,
This night quickly, for all thy stowt and manly presuming,
Ere that a Cock crow twise, thou shalt thrice flatly deny mee.
And now when that night, that dreadfull night was aproaching,
Christe did watch hymselfe, and wyld hys friends to be watching,
Christe prayd thrice himselfe, and wyld his friends to be praying,
Christe with fearefull pangs, and dropps of blood was abounding,
Christe fell flat to the ground, and wisht that cup to be passing,
(Yet not his owne conceipt, but Fathers will stil obeying)
Christe at length came back, and found his friends to be sleeping:
Come, let's goe (quoth hee) now, its more than tyme to be styrring,
Loe here com's Iudas, with a cursed kisse to betray mee.
Christe did watch hymselfe, and wyld hys friends to be watching,
Christe prayd thrice himselfe, and wyld his friends to be praying,
Christe with fearefull pangs, and dropps of blood was abounding,
Christe fell flat to the ground, and wisht that cup to be passing,
(Yet not his owne conceipt, but Fathers will stil obeying)
Christe at length came back, and found his friends to be sleeping:
Come, let's goe (quoth hee) now, its more than tyme to be styrring,
Loe here com's Iudas, with a cursed kisse to betray mee.
Eu'n as hee spake these woords, that martial army apeared,
Lynkes gaue light to the night, and causd their swoords to be glistring,
And fore-man Iudas for a guyde went iollyly marching,
That vile vipers kisse, for a signe and token apoynting.
Then with a brazen face, past grace, Christe Iesus he kissed,
And sayd, Hayle Mayster; to the which Christe mildly replyed,
Friend, Wherefore comst thou? But Peeter rashly reuenging
Christs disgrace, as he thought, who first came, first he requited,
And Malchus right eare from his head with a swoord hee diuided.
Lynkes gaue light to the night, and causd their swoords to be glistring,
And fore-man Iudas for a guyde went iollyly marching,
That vile vipers kisse, for a signe and token apoynting.
Then with a brazen face, past grace, Christe Iesus he kissed,
And sayd, Hayle Mayster; to the which Christe mildly replyed,
Friend, Wherefore comst thou? But Peeter rashly reuenging
Christs disgrace, as he thought, who first came, first he requited,
And Malchus right eare from his head with a swoord hee diuided.
Whoso strikes with a swoord, with a swoord must looke to be stricken,
And blood seekes for blood: Stay Peeter, learne to be lowly,
If that I meant to reuenge, sayd Christe, and make a resistance,
Could not I ten thousand Angells haue quickly procured,
Whose strength these forces might haue most easily daunted?
But then my Fathers edict should not be obeyed,
And scriptures verifyde: This spoken, he strangely refixed
Malchus his eare to his head: O meeknes, charity, mildnes,
Of true God, true man, long suffring, infinit, endles:
This was enough t'haue causd brute beasts themselues to be tamed,
Ragged rocks to relent, and harts of flynt to be yeelding.
And blood seekes for blood: Stay Peeter, learne to be lowly,
If that I meant to reuenge, sayd Christe, and make a resistance,
Could not I ten thousand Angells haue quickly procured,
Whose strength these forces might haue most easily daunted?
But then my Fathers edict should not be obeyed,
And scriptures verifyde: This spoken, he strangely refixed
Malchus his eare to his head: O meeknes, charity, mildnes,
Of true God, true man, long suffring, infinit, endles:
This was enough t'haue causd brute beasts themselues to be tamed,
Ragged rocks to relent, and harts of flynt to be yeelding.
This done: Whom doe yee seeke, quoth Christe? To the which the renowmed
Craking swashbuklers, like meeke and humble obeyssants
Their mouth's scarce op'ning, sayd thus: Wee seeke for Iësus.
Then, quoth Christe, He is heere: which words diuinely proceeding
From that sacred mouth, causd Iudas sowle to be trembling,
Theyr captens quaking, and euery man to be reeling,
And falling backward to the grownd, extreamely amased,
Lyke to a towre throwne downe by the roaring crash of a thunder,
Or to a man that's scorcht by the feareful flash of a lightnyng.
Craking swashbuklers, like meeke and humble obeyssants
Their mouth's scarce op'ning, sayd thus: Wee seeke for Iësus.
Then, quoth Christe, He is heere: which words diuinely proceeding
From that sacred mouth, causd Iudas sowle to be trembling,
And falling backward to the grownd, extreamely amased,
Lyke to a towre throwne downe by the roaring crash of a thunder,
Or to a man that's scorcht by the feareful flash of a lightnyng.
Christ for a while conceales that greate dyuynity dreadful,
Stayes that breath which makes heu'n, earth, and hell to be quaking,
Geu's them leaue to arise, and then more myldly demandeth,
Whom doe yee seeke? Iesus, say they, of Nazareth only.
Haue not I sayd, he was here, quoth Christ? What need's any further
Search? What neede yee to bring swerds, staues, and armor abowt you?
As though some famous thiefe, or notorius owtlaw
Were to be suppressed? did I not walk dayly among you?
Did not I day by day teach, preach, and woork many woonders?
Then might your Ealders and Scribes haue sought to represse mee.
But the prefixed tyme, the predestinat howre was apoynted,
And this is it: Therefore my Fathers Will be obeyed,
Noeman shall withstand, noeman shall make any stryuing:
Loe here take Iesus: But these, must not be arested,
Let them alone for a while, till greater things be reuealed.
Stayes that breath which makes heu'n, earth, and hell to be quaking,
Geu's them leaue to arise, and then more myldly demandeth,
Whom doe yee seeke? Iesus, say they, of Nazareth only.
Haue not I sayd, he was here, quoth Christ? What need's any further
Search? What neede yee to bring swerds, staues, and armor abowt you?
As though some famous thiefe, or notorius owtlaw
Were to be suppressed? did I not walk dayly among you?
Did not I day by day teach, preach, and woork many woonders?
Then might your Ealders and Scribes haue sought to represse mee.
But the prefixed tyme, the predestinat howre was apoynted,
And this is it: Therefore my Fathers Will be obeyed,
Noeman shall withstand, noeman shall make any stryuing:
Loe here take Iesus: But these, must not be arested,
Let them alone for a while, till greater things be reuealed.
Christ then caught and bound; his fryends with terror amased,
Euery man fled back, as Sheepe that wanted a sheepesman,
Or vanquisht souldyers disperst for want of a Capten.
Euery man fled back, as Sheepe that wanted a sheepesman,
Or vanquisht souldyers disperst for want of a Capten.
Whoe can alas that night, that cursedst night of a thowsand,
Those woorks of darcknes, that mockery, villany, treason,
Those byndings, beatings, spyttings, and fylthy reuylings
Counteruayle with woords, or thoughts, or streames of abounding
And still trickling teares? They brought hym bound to the high Priest,
Late high Priest Annas, sage Father, whoe for a pastyme,
Disdainefull pastime, not for deuotion, asked
Christ many ydle toyes and fond, not worthy the hearing,
Of fishmen folowers, and poore contemptible abiects,
Of newfound doctrine on brainesick fantasy grownded.
Those woorks of darcknes, that mockery, villany, treason,
Those byndings, beatings, spyttings, and fylthy reuylings
Counteruayle with woords, or thoughts, or streames of abounding
And still trickling teares? They brought hym bound to the high Priest,
Late high Priest Annas, sage Father, whoe for a pastyme,
Disdainefull pastime, not for deuotion, asked
Christ many ydle toyes and fond, not worthy the hearing,
Of fishmen folowers, and poore contemptible abiects,
Of newfound doctrine on brainesick fantasy grownded.
All that I spake, sayd Christe, was spoken abroade to the whole world,
All that I taught was taught in temple, among many thowsands,
In corners not a woord, in secreat place not a woonder,
They can tell what I taught, what I wrought, let them be reporters,
Ask them. What Iack sawce, quoth a blewcoate knaue, be yee thus taught
With noe more reuerence and humble duty to awnswere
This reuerend Father? learne, and take this for a lesson:
Soe from a woord to a blow, with a sinfull syste hee defyled
That synles sweete mouth, which these woords peaceably vttred;
Fryend, if I haue sayd yll, beare witnes, let mee be punisht,
Yf but well, why then doest thou vnworthyly stryke mee?
All that I taught was taught in temple, among many thowsands,
In corners not a woord, in secreat place not a woonder,
They can tell what I taught, what I wrought, let them be reporters,
Ask them. What Iack sawce, quoth a blewcoate knaue, be yee thus taught
With noe more reuerence and humble duty to awnswere
This reuerend Father? learne, and take this for a lesson:
Soe from a woord to a blow, with a sinfull syste hee defyled
Fryend, if I haue sayd yll, beare witnes, let mee be punisht,
Yf but well, why then doest thou vnworthyly stryke mee?
Here any man might thinck, that Christ thus fowly abused,
Should haue beene pytyed, should haue bene fryendly releeued
Of this sage Father: but alas, tis an Asse, not an Annas,
And sends Christ to the chiefe of theyre good company Caiphas.
Should haue beene pytyed, should haue bene fryendly releeued
Of this sage Father: but alas, tis an Asse, not an Annas,
And sends Christ to the chiefe of theyre good company Caiphas.
Scarce was hee come to the howse, but anone they fall to reuylings,
Here's that princely Prophete, that towld vs soemany tydings,
Here is Gods owne Sonne, that wrought vs soemany wonders,
Famous carpet knight, and pardoner only renowmed,
Sorcerer, inchaunter, taleteller, noble abuser
Of fooles and matrones, that casts out diu'ls by the diu'ls help,
Plucks downe Gods temple with a trice, and buyldeth a better
Only within three dayes: as twooe rogues falsly suborned,
Hyr'de by the owld hyrelings, had most vntruly deposed.
Here's that princely Prophete, that towld vs soemany tydings,
Here is Gods owne Sonne, that wrought vs soemany wonders,
Famous carpet knight, and pardoner only renowmed,
Sorcerer, inchaunter, taleteller, noble abuser
Of fooles and matrones, that casts out diu'ls by the diu'ls help,
Plucks downe Gods temple with a trice, and buyldeth a better
Only within three dayes: as twooe rogues falsly suborned,
Hyr'de by the owld hyrelings, had most vntruly deposed.
Then good Syr Caiphas, with greate integryty asked,
What sayst thou feallow, to the crymes obiected against thee?
Christ sayd iust noething, his damned iniquyty loathing.
What sayst thou feallow, to the crymes obiected against thee?
Christ sayd iust noething, his damned iniquyty loathing.
Caiphas gan to be hoate, and tooke on lyke to a Prellate,
And coniuring Christe, charg'd hym by the mystery sacred
Of Gods dreedfull name, to declare it playnly among them,
Wheather he were that Christe, Gods Sonne, borne from the begynnyng;
And coniuring Christe, charg'd hym by the mystery sacred
Of Gods dreedfull name, to declare it playnly among them,
Wheather he were that Christe, Gods Sonne, borne from the begynnyng;
Thou hast sayd, quoth Christe, yet marck what further I tell you:
You shall see this Christ sitting on a mighty tribunall,
On Gods owne right hand, in clowds with glory apearing.
You shall see this Christ sitting on a mighty tribunall,
On Gods owne right hand, in clowds with glory apearing.
Then that puft-vp Priest from a badman, turnd to a madman,
Rent his roabes in a rage, and, Blasphemy, blasphemy, roared,
What doe wee seeke for proofes hereof, what need any wytnes?
Our selus haue heard all, hymself hath playnly reueald all.
What's to be herein doone? or what, doe ye thinck, he deserueth?
Death, sayd euery man, Death, death with an eccho rebounded.
Rent his roabes in a rage, and, Blasphemy, blasphemy, roared,
What doe wee seeke for proofes hereof, what need any wytnes?
Our selus haue heard all, hymself hath playnly reueald all.
What's to be herein doone? or what, doe ye thinck, he deserueth?
Death, sayd euery man, Death, death with an eccho rebounded.
Then those lewd rakehells with poysned rankor abounding,
His sweete face, ô griefe, with spyttle fylthy defyled,
His bloody cheeks, ô hell, with buffetts all to be bruysed,
Some stroake him blindfyeld, and then thus scornefuly taunted,
Now, good Christe arread, and gesse whoe gaue thee the buffet?
His sweete face, ô griefe, with spyttle fylthy defyled,
His bloody cheeks, ô hell, with buffetts all to be bruysed,
Some stroake him blindfyeld, and then thus scornefuly taunted,
Now, good Christe arread, and gesse whoe gaue thee the buffet?
Peeter saw all this, Peeter that manly protester,
Peeter styr'd not a foote; Peeter that mighty protector,
Peeter, stowt Peeter, by a gyrle, by a paltery damsell
Is dasht, is vanquisht, forsakes his Mayster Iësus,
Thrice forsakes, and twice fore-sweares his Mayster Iësus.
Peeter styr'd not a foote; Peeter that mighty protector,
Peeter, stowt Peeter, by a gyrle, by a paltery damsell
Thrice forsakes, and twice fore-sweares his Mayster Iësus.
And now Cock gan crow, and giu's him a friendly Memento,
That mans flesh is frayle, that man's but a smoke, but a vapor,
His pride nought but dust, and all his glory, but ashes.
That mans flesh is frayle, that man's but a smoke, but a vapor,
His pride nought but dust, and all his glory, but ashes.
Peeter in his cursing heard this Cock chearefuly chaunting,
And saw Christe then a sharp soule-searching sight to be turning,
Yet with a louely regard, with a merciful eye to be looking.
Euery eye was a bowe, and euery looke was an arrow,
Eye and eye-arrow pierst Peeters hart in a moment,
Peeters hart and sowle: and there inflicted a deepe wound,
So deepe wound, that it had been no way possibly cured,
Were not his owne soules-wound with his owne teares all to be washed.
And saw Christe then a sharp soule-searching sight to be turning,
Yet with a louely regard, with a merciful eye to be looking.
Euery eye was a bowe, and euery looke was an arrow,
Eye and eye-arrow pierst Peeters hart in a moment,
Peeters hart and sowle: and there inflicted a deepe wound,
So deepe wound, that it had been no way possibly cured,
Were not his owne soules-wound with his owne teares all to be washed.
Now he remembreth alas, his first foole-hardy presuming,
Now he detesteth alas, his last vnfriendly reuolting:
Now that wan countnance, which feare of death had apaled,
All on a fire is set for shame of duty neglected,
Sith that blood, fro the face to the hart which lately retyred,
Back fro the hart to the face with speede is freshly repayred.
Now his maysters eyes in his eyes are euer apearing,
And therein doth he seeme his whole offence to be reading.
Now Cock crowes in his eares, and calls foorth day to be wytnes,
Wytnes of euery woord that Peeter spake to the darcknes.
Cock with an open mouth, and lowd voyce bowldly proclaymeth,
That bragging seruant his mayster cowldly renounceth.
Euery sight, each sound, iust accusation offreth,
And self-wounding sowle, self-condemnation vrgeth.
Noe rest, noe harts-ease: now loathed lyfe he detested
More, yea much more now, than death at first he abhorred.
Now he detesteth alas, his last vnfriendly reuolting:
Now that wan countnance, which feare of death had apaled,
All on a fire is set for shame of duty neglected,
Sith that blood, fro the face to the hart which lately retyred,
Back fro the hart to the face with speede is freshly repayred.
Now his maysters eyes in his eyes are euer apearing,
And therein doth he seeme his whole offence to be reading.
Now Cock crowes in his eares, and calls foorth day to be wytnes,
Wytnes of euery woord that Peeter spake to the darcknes.
Cock with an open mouth, and lowd voyce bowldly proclaymeth,
That bragging seruant his mayster cowldly renounceth.
Euery sight, each sound, iust accusation offreth,
And self-wounding sowle, self-condemnation vrgeth.
Noe rest, noe harts-ease: now loathed lyfe he detested
More, yea much more now, than death at first he abhorred.
Lyfe, let Peeter dye; lyfe, leaue to be dayly prolonging
These my dolefull dayes, least lyfe soone draw'n to an ending
Cause me to loose that lyfe, which neuer leaues to be lasting.
This frayle life, smale broyles and shortest iarres to be shunning,
Made me the greatest ioyes and endles peace to be leauing,
Made me deny my Lord, of lasting lyfe the begynnyng,
Made me renounce sweete life, for a foolish feare to be dying.
Lyfe let Peeter dye: many dayes heape on many mischifs.
Blessed were those babes that dy'de, when merciles Herode
Seeking one chyldes death, many Mothers made to be chyldeles:
Blessed, most blessed chyldren, whose tymely departure
Parted theyr sweete sowles from such, and soemany thowsand
Woes, who dyed afore they knew what t'was to be synnyng,
And fro the damnable earth to the highest heau'ns be remoued,
Lyke to a Lilly, before it chaunce by the frost to be pypped.
They, instead of mouths, theyre throates then sweetely did open,
And, for want of woords, powr'd foorth theyr blood to the heauen.
O straunge thing, these babes are now with glory triumphing,
Which yet neuer afore did taste any part of a fighting:
Theyr yong heads with crownes of Martyrdome be adorned,
Ere any tender lockes had theyre heads sweetly bedecked:
Yea, theyr feete, that on earth were neuer seene to be treading,
Walk in Olympus now, and there in ioy be abiding.
But Peeters gray heares, draw graceles face to the graues-dore,
Peeters long lyuing, makes Peeters sowle to be doating,
Peeter lyu's, yea lyu's to deny his mayster Iësus,
Lyu's, yea lyu's to renounce his lord and mayster Iësus,
Lyu's, and yet forsakes, forsweares lyfe-geauer Iësus.
Christe, who might commaund that glorius hoaste of Olympus,
Those spotles spirites, those euer-dutiful angels,
Sought, found, and tooke vs from soemany, soemany thowsands,
Vs ragged fishers, from soemany, soemany thowsands,
Vs poore, poorest sowles of soemany, soemany thowsands.
Yet we alas his loue haue most vnlouely rewarded,
And this most kinde Christe haue most vnkindly requited,
Wee, most cursed crewe, of soemany, soemany thowsands,
Wee, woorst vipers broode, of soemany, soemany thowsands,
Wee, the detestedst twelue, of soemany, soemany thowsands.
One with a cursed kisse his deare Lord falsly betrayed,
Ten fled back for feare, when death and danger aproached,
And I, the woorst of twelue, yea after soemany greate woords,
Least, forsooke, forsware, Lord, Sou'raigne, Mayster Iësus.
These my dolefull dayes, least lyfe soone draw'n to an ending
Cause me to loose that lyfe, which neuer leaues to be lasting.
This frayle life, smale broyles and shortest iarres to be shunning,
Made me the greatest ioyes and endles peace to be leauing,
Made me deny my Lord, of lasting lyfe the begynnyng,
Made me renounce sweete life, for a foolish feare to be dying.
Lyfe let Peeter dye: many dayes heape on many mischifs.
Blessed were those babes that dy'de, when merciles Herode
Seeking one chyldes death, many Mothers made to be chyldeles:
Blessed, most blessed chyldren, whose tymely departure
Woes, who dyed afore they knew what t'was to be synnyng,
And fro the damnable earth to the highest heau'ns be remoued,
Lyke to a Lilly, before it chaunce by the frost to be pypped.
They, instead of mouths, theyre throates then sweetely did open,
And, for want of woords, powr'd foorth theyr blood to the heauen.
O straunge thing, these babes are now with glory triumphing,
Which yet neuer afore did taste any part of a fighting:
Theyr yong heads with crownes of Martyrdome be adorned,
Ere any tender lockes had theyre heads sweetly bedecked:
Yea, theyr feete, that on earth were neuer seene to be treading,
Walk in Olympus now, and there in ioy be abiding.
But Peeters gray heares, draw graceles face to the graues-dore,
Peeters long lyuing, makes Peeters sowle to be doating,
Peeter lyu's, yea lyu's to deny his mayster Iësus,
Lyu's, yea lyu's to renounce his lord and mayster Iësus,
Lyu's, and yet forsakes, forsweares lyfe-geauer Iësus.
Christe, who might commaund that glorius hoaste of Olympus,
Those spotles spirites, those euer-dutiful angels,
Sought, found, and tooke vs from soemany, soemany thowsands,
Vs ragged fishers, from soemany, soemany thowsands,
Vs poore, poorest sowles of soemany, soemany thowsands.
Yet we alas his loue haue most vnlouely rewarded,
And this most kinde Christe haue most vnkindly requited,
Wee, most cursed crewe, of soemany, soemany thowsands,
Wee, woorst vipers broode, of soemany, soemany thowsands,
Wee, the detestedst twelue, of soemany, soemany thowsands.
One with a cursed kisse his deare Lord falsly betrayed,
Ten fled back for feare, when death and danger aproached,
And I, the woorst of twelue, yea after soemany greate woords,
Least, forsooke, forsware, Lord, Sou'raigne, Mayster Iësus.
Whyl'st poore Peeter thus with mynde extreamely molested,
With deepe sobbs and sighs, with streames of teares that abounded,
Washed away those spotts, and most syncearely repented;
Mornyng came at last, and then those damnable owtcasts
That condemned Christe, did bring hym bound to be slaughtred,
Bound, bruysd, and beaten to the Romayne Deputy Pilate,
Pilate, who for a Iudg of lyfe and death was apoynted.
With deepe sobbs and sighs, with streames of teares that abounded,
Washed away those spotts, and most syncearely repented;
Mornyng came at last, and then those damnable owtcasts
That condemned Christe, did bring hym bound to be slaughtred,
Bound, bruysd, and beaten to the Romayne Deputy Pilate,
Pilate, who for a Iudg of lyfe and death was apoynted.
In meane tyme, Iudas possest with desperat horrors,
Clog'd with a synfull sowle, with a dogged deadly repentance,
Coms with his afterclapps, when he see's his mayster Iësus
Thus condemnd to the death, and runs in a rage to the high Priests,
Saying, Synned I haue, that guyltles blood to betray thus.
Yf thou haue synned, say they, looke thou to be plagued,
What care wee for that? w'haue kept tutch, giu'n thee thy wages.
Clog'd with a synfull sowle, with a dogged deadly repentance,
Thus condemnd to the death, and runs in a rage to the high Priests,
Saying, Synned I haue, that guyltles blood to betray thus.
Yf thou haue synned, say they, looke thou to be plagued,
What care wee for that? w'haue kept tutch, giu'n thee thy wages.
That woefull wages drew my destruction onward,
That graceles guerdon my death vntymely procured,
That brybe bred my bane: Take there your Mammon among you,
Take back your bloody brybe: soe threw theyr syluer among them:
And flinging headlong, enrag'de with an hellish Erynnis,
Hangd hymself on a tree: fit death for treachery faythles:
His loathed carkas was an ougly detestable obiect,
Spectacle infamous, most fearefull sighte to the people,
With gutts gushing foorth, wyth bowells broken asunder.
That graceles guerdon my death vntymely procured,
That brybe bred my bane: Take there your Mammon among you,
Take back your bloody brybe: soe threw theyr syluer among them:
And flinging headlong, enrag'de with an hellish Erynnis,
Hangd hymself on a tree: fit death for treachery faythles:
His loathed carkas was an ougly detestable obiect,
Spectacle infamous, most fearefull sighte to the people,
With gutts gushing foorth, wyth bowells broken asunder.
Loe here, you Traytors, your treasons iustly rewarded,
Your Mayster Iudas himself hath rightly requyted:
Your Mayster Iudas dealt soe, that now to the worlds end
Of that name Iudas, each traytor's named a Iudas,
Euery faythles fryend from that tyme's called a Iudas.
Your Mayster Iudas himself hath rightly requyted:
Your Mayster Iudas dealt soe, that now to the worlds end
Of that name Iudas, each traytor's named a Iudas,
Euery faythles fryend from that tyme's called a Iudas.
Marck Peeters weakenes, marck Iudas villany, fly from
Both dead despayring, and too much hasty presumyng.
Peeter started asyde for feare of death, with a faynt harte,
Iudas slyded back for loue of a bribe, with a false harte:
Peeter by and by wept sore and truly repented,
Iudas neuer againe came home, but deadly repyned.
Both dead despayring, and too much hasty presumyng.
Peeter started asyde for feare of death, with a faynt harte,
Iudas slyded back for loue of a bribe, with a false harte:
Peeter by and by wept sore and truly repented,
Iudas neuer againe came home, but deadly repyned.
Iudas thus bursting, highe Priests and Scribes be amased,
And consulting long, at last they fully resolued,
With that cursed coyne some peace of ground to be buying,
For straungers buryall, with a fayned sanctyty cloaking
That cursed bloodshed, that most vnnatural owtrage.
Soe this pryce of blood was payd for a fyeld of a potter,
Called a fyeld of blood, for a signe of this bloody murder.
And consulting long, at last they fully resolued,
With that cursed coyne some peace of ground to be buying,
For straungers buryall, with a fayned sanctyty cloaking
That cursed bloodshed, that most vnnatural owtrage.
Soe this pryce of blood was payd for a fyeld of a potter,
Called a fyeld of blood, for a signe of this bloody murder.
Christ is brought to the barr: sir Pilate sits as a bencher,
Priests be his accusers: many captall crymes, many treasons,
And many seditions were there obiected against him.
Soe much sayd, nought prou'd; Christ standing seellyly sylent,
By smoothing Pilates commaunde was sent to the Tetrarche,
Herodes Tetrarche of Galyly, there to be iudged,
Sith Christ seem'd to belong t'his Iurisdiction only.
Priests be his accusers: many captall crymes, many treasons,
And many seditions were there obiected against him.
Soe much sayd, nought prou'd; Christ standing seellyly sylent,
By smoothing Pilates commaunde was sent to the Tetrarche,
Herodes Tetrarche of Galyly, there to be iudged,
Sith Christ seem'd to belong t'his Iurisdiction only.
Herode greatly reioyst, and looked for many woonders
When Christe came: But Christe with sylence wysely rebuked
This Tetrarchs tatling, and Priests vntuely reuylings.
This Tetrarchs tatling, and Priests vntuely reuylings.
Herode contemn'd Christe, when hee saw noe hope of a wonder,
Sent hym back for a foole, to the first iudg deputy Pilate,
All in a long whyte coate, for a scornefull mockery cloathed.
Thus poore Christ, meeke lambe was tost fro the poast to the piller,
Wandring here and there, hence thence fro the Woolf to the slaughter.
Sent hym back for a foole, to the first iudg deputy Pilate,
All in a long whyte coate, for a scornefull mockery cloathed.
Thus poore Christ, meeke lambe was tost fro the poast to the piller,
Wandring here and there, hence thence fro the Woolf to the slaughter.
Pilate seeing Christ fro the Tetrarch saufly retorned,
Spake to the Priests and Scribes: This man seem's stil to be guyltles,
Herode sends him back: its best hee be whipt for a frantike,
And soe loost at large: for I know you looke for a prisner
At this feast, of course: say then, whoe shalbe released?
Barrabas, or Iesus? What needest thou to be asking
O pytyfull Pilate? thou know'st, theyr only desyring
Is t'haue Christ murdred; thou giust this lambe to the woolus iawes.
Kill, kill Christ, say they, and geue vs Barrabas only.
(Barrabas, in theeuing and murdring, barbarus owtlaw.)
Spake to the Priests and Scribes: This man seem's stil to be guyltles,
Herode sends him back: its best hee be whipt for a frantike,
And soe loost at large: for I know you looke for a prisner
At this feast, of course: say then, whoe shalbe released?
Barrabas, or Iesus? What needest thou to be asking
O pytyfull Pilate? thou know'st, theyr only desyring
Is t'haue Christ murdred; thou giust this lambe to the woolus iawes.
Kill, kill Christ, say they, and geue vs Barrabas only.
(Barrabas, in theeuing and murdring, barbarus owtlaw.)
Then people pleasing Pilate, causd Christ to be scourged,
And in a scornefull sort to the Iews to be newly produced,
But kill, kill, they cry, and crucify, crucify Iesus.
And in a scornefull sort to the Iews to be newly produced,
But kill, kill, they cry, and crucify, crucify Iesus.
Pilate seeing Christe by the sowldyers all to be scourged,
Causd him then for a mock with a crowne of thorns to be crowned,
With royall garments and roabes of purple adorned,
And in a throane placed, with a reede in his hand for a scepter.
Some mockt, some spytted, some kneeld and fynely saluted,
Hayle ô King of Iews, for fame and glory renowmed.
Some with his owne scepter that sweete face all to be bruysed,
Euery one tooke paynes, that noe paynes might be omytted,
Noeman spar'd any cost, least Christ might chaunce to be spared:
Yet this was not enough, t'appease theyr villany monstrous,
But kill, kill, they cry, and crucify, crucify Iesus.
Causd him then for a mock with a crowne of thorns to be crowned,
With royall garments and roabes of purple adorned,
And in a throane placed, with a reede in his hand for a scepter.
Some mockt, some spytted, some kneeld and fynely saluted,
Hayle ô King of Iews, for fame and glory renowmed.
Some with his owne scepter that sweete face all to be bruysed,
Euery one tooke paynes, that noe paynes might be omytted,
Noeman spar'd any cost, least Christ might chaunce to be spared:
Yet this was not enough, t'appease theyr villany monstrous,
But kill, kill, they cry, and crucify, crucify Iesus.
Pilates wife in a dreame with Christ then greatly molested,
Perswades her good man for feare, that he might be released:
Yet noe dreames would serue t'appease theyr villany monstrous,
But kill, kill, they cry, and crucify, crucify Iesus.
Perswades her good man for feare, that he might be released:
Yet noe dreames would serue t'appease theyr villany monstrous,
But kill, kill, they cry, and crucify, crucify Iesus.
Then iust iudg Pilate in an open shew to the people,
His pure hands forsooth, with greate solempnyty washed,
Thincking soe fro the guylt of guyltles blood to be quytted:
Noe wynde, noe water, could stay theyr villany monstrous,
But, kill, kill, they cry, and crucify, crucify Jesus.
Crucify coosnyng Christe, his death and blood be requyted
On Iews that now lyue, and Iewish progeny after.
Cæsars faythfull fryend can abyde noe Kyng but a Cæsar,
Therefore looke Pilate, that this King soone be remoued.
His pure hands forsooth, with greate solempnyty washed,
Thincking soe fro the guylt of guyltles blood to be quytted:
Noe wynde, noe water, could stay theyr villany monstrous,
But, kill, kill, they cry, and crucify, crucify Jesus.
On Iews that now lyue, and Iewish progeny after.
Cæsars faythfull fryend can abyde noe Kyng but a Cæsar,
Therefore looke Pilate, that this King soone be remoued.
Christe in his owne coate now to the Iews was lastly presented,
And by Pilates doome (deaths doome) giu'n vp to be crossed:
Whose Crosse, in Latyne, Greeke, Hebriew, had for a tytle
These woords, Here's Iesus, Iewes King, of Nazareth, added.
And by Pilates doome (deaths doome) giu'n vp to be crossed:
Whose Crosse, in Latyne, Greeke, Hebriew, had for a tytle
These woords, Here's Iesus, Iewes King, of Nazareth, added.
Chiefe Iewes tooke Iesus prickt, whip't fro the crowne to the anckles,
Faynt, weake, and feeble, scarce able for to be creeping:
Yet they layd on a Crosse, his shoulders heauyly loading,
Dryuing him foreward, til he fell downe vnder a burden,
Burden with deaths pangs, plagues, griefs, and horror abounding.
Faynt, weake, and feeble, scarce able for to be creeping:
Yet they layd on a Crosse, his shoulders heauyly loading,
Dryuing him foreward, til he fell downe vnder a burden,
Burden with deaths pangs, plagues, griefs, and horror abounding.
Christe and Crosse faln downe, by chaunce one Symon aproached,
Whoe to be Crossecaryer, by the prowd Priests then was apoynted,
Crossecaryer to a place, that in Hebriew's Golgatha called,
Place of deadmens sculls: where Christe they speedyly Crossed,
Feete and hands with nayles, with great nayls all to be mangled:
And, for a greater spyte, two theeues they causd to be hanged,
Hanged on eyther syde, and Christe almighty betweene them.
Whoe to be Crossecaryer, by the prowd Priests then was apoynted,
Crossecaryer to a place, that in Hebriew's Golgatha called,
Place of deadmens sculls: where Christe they speedyly Crossed,
Feete and hands with nayles, with great nayls all to be mangled:
And, for a greater spyte, two theeues they causd to be hanged,
Hanged on eyther syde, and Christe almighty betweene them.
Christe once nayld to the Crosse, now euery knaue is a craking,
Prowd-harted Pharisees, fell Scribes, hypocritical Ealders,
Captens, and Souldyers, greate, smalle, fro the Priest to the Pyper,
Wagging theyre wise heads, laughing, and scornefuly tauntyng,
Thou that sau'st others, now saue thy self from a mischif,
Thou that buyldst temples with a tryce, come downe fro the gallows,
Come Gods deare dearling, come King of Iews fro the gybbett,
Leape from a Crosse to a Crowne, from a cursed tree to a Kingdome.
Prowd-harted Pharisees, fell Scribes, hypocritical Ealders,
Captens, and Souldyers, greate, smalle, fro the Priest to the Pyper,
Wagging theyre wise heads, laughing, and scornefuly tauntyng,
Thou that sau'st others, now saue thy self from a mischif,
Thou that buyldst temples with a tryce, come downe fro the gallows,
Come Gods deare dearling, come King of Iews fro the gybbett,
Leape from a Crosse to a Crowne, from a cursed tree to a Kingdome.
Christe, (ô louing Christe, long suffring Christe) thus abused,
Gaue not a check for a taunt, but alas very hartyly prayed,
Father forgeue them, forget this villany Father.
Gaue not a check for a taunt, but alas very hartyly prayed,
Father forgeue them, forget this villany Father.
Hark and mark that thief, (that thief eu'n brought to the last gaspe)
How he reuyles his Lord: Peace thiefe, geue care to thy fellow,
Wee for a synfull lyfe with death are iustly rewarded,
But Christs synles lyfe hath noe death duly deserued:
Thou Christe, thou Iesus, thou Lord vouchsaufe to remember
Mee, mee, sinfull wretch, mee, when thou comst to thy kingdome.
How he reuyles his Lord: Peace thiefe, geue care to thy fellow,
Wee for a synfull lyfe with death are iustly rewarded,
But Christs synles lyfe hath noe death duly deserued:
Thou Christe, thou Iesus, thou Lord vouchsaufe to remember
Mee, mee, sinfull wretch, mee, when thou comst to thy kingdome.
Christe heard and sayd thus, Thy prayers shalbe regarded,
This day in Paradise with mee thou shalt bee receaued.
O blest thief, curst thief, Sheepe, Goate: Therefore let a synner
Not despaire, one thiefe is sau'd in an howre in a moment:
But let a sinner Feare, let a sinner not be presuming,
One thiefe only repents, and scapes in an howre, in a moment.
This day in Paradise with mee thou shalt bee receaued.
O blest thief, curst thief, Sheepe, Goate: Therefore let a synner
But let a sinner Feare, let a sinner not be presuming,
One thiefe only repents, and scapes in an howre, in a moment.
Christs coate was seameles, for a signe of an absolut, endles,
And perfit kingdome: this coate soe fitly cohærent
And all-wrought ouer, was nothing toucht by the souldyers,
Nor torne in peeces, nor cut, nor parted among them,
But lotts cast, that some one man might wholly receaue it,
That, what was foretold, might haue effectual ending.
And perfit kingdome: this coate soe fitly cohærent
And all-wrought ouer, was nothing toucht by the souldyers,
Nor torne in peeces, nor cut, nor parted among them,
But lotts cast, that some one man might wholly receaue it,
That, what was foretold, might haue effectual ending.
Christe now hangs on a tree, suffring vnsuffrable horrors,
Torments for mans sins, and Gods vnspeakable anger:
Whylst Christe is suffring, whylst fearefull pangs be aproaching,
Sunne for Gods Sons griefe doth greeue, and gyns to be lowring:
Hydes his darckned face, lets golden rayes be eclipsed,
Seeing Light of light with pricking thorns to be crowned:
Heu'n and earth is darck fro the sixth howre vnto the nynth howre,
Heu'n and earth laments, and euery thing is a mourning:
Heu'n and earth laments, whylst Iesus Christe is a dying,
Heu'n and earths comfort, heu'n and earths only reuyuing.
Torments for mans sins, and Gods vnspeakable anger:
Whylst Christe is suffring, whylst fearefull pangs be aproaching,
Sunne for Gods Sons griefe doth greeue, and gyns to be lowring:
Hydes his darckned face, lets golden rayes be eclipsed,
Seeing Light of light with pricking thorns to be crowned:
Heu'n and earth is darck fro the sixth howre vnto the nynth howre,
Heu'n and earth laments, and euery thing is a mourning:
Heu'n and earth laments, whylst Iesus Christe is a dying,
Heu'n and earths comfort, heu'n and earths only reuyuing.
But now Christe gan faint, with an infinit agony troubled,
And Ely Ely, and Lamasabacthany cryed,
Father, deare Father, why should thy Son be refused?
And Ely Ely, and Lamasabacthany cryed,
Father, deare Father, why should thy Son be refused?
Then bitter vineger they raught, when he sayd, that he thirsted,
Which Christe once tasting, said, Father, now it is ended,
Thy will's fulfilled, thy lawes and heast be obeyed,
Take my sowle to thy hands; Then his head he began to be bowing,
With those woords his life and endles passion ending.
Which Christe once tasting, said, Father, now it is ended,
Thy will's fulfilled, thy lawes and heast be obeyed,
Take my sowle to thy hands; Then his head he began to be bowing,
With those woords his life and endles passion ending.
Scarce did he yeeld his breath but straight fro the top to the bottom,
Templs vayle was rent, and torne, and broken asunder;
Earth did quake, stones brake, graues op'ned, dead-men apeared.
Templs vayle was rent, and torne, and broken asunder;
Earth did quake, stones brake, graues op'ned, dead-men apeared.
Then captens, souldyers, men, matrones, all the beholders
Smote theyr breasts, and said, this man was son to the mighty,
Whose strange death eu'n makes lyue dead, and dead to be lyuely.
Smote theyr breasts, and said, this man was son to the mighty,
Whose strange death eu'n makes lyue dead, and dead to be lyuely.
Christe is dead indeede, his bones neede not to be bruysed:
Yet for a further proofe, his side was speedily pearced,
Pearc't with a speare, and thence pure blood, pure water abounded.
Yet for a further proofe, his side was speedily pearced,
Pearc't with a speare, and thence pure blood, pure water abounded.
Then noble Ioseph, with faithfull friend Nicodemus
Did begg of Pilate, that blessed corps of Iësus,
Tooke it downe fro the crosse, fine lynnen duly prepared,
With Myrrh and Aloes themselues it carefuly wynded,
And in a late-made tombe, wherein was no-body chested,
That sweete corps (sweete corps of Christe almighty) reposed,
Rolled a stone to the graue, and so all heauy departed.
Did begg of Pilate, that blessed corps of Iësus,
Tooke it downe fro the crosse, fine lynnen duly prepared,
With Myrrh and Aloes themselues it carefuly wynded,
That sweete corps (sweete corps of Christe almighty) reposed,
Rolled a stone to the graue, and so all heauy departed.
Yet these Priests left not, til they had watchmen apoynted,
And graues stone sealed, least Christe might chaunce to be stollen
By his wel-willers, as they then vainly pretended;
Sots, fooles, and mad-men, stil against this prick to be kicking,
And stil against this streame, this sacred streame to be striuing.
And graues stone sealed, least Christe might chaunce to be stollen
By his wel-willers, as they then vainly pretended;
Sots, fooles, and mad-men, stil against this prick to be kicking,
And stil against this streame, this sacred streame to be striuing.
For when third day came, there came with a terrible earthquake
Gods Angel fro the skies, and rold that stone fro the graues-dore,
And there sate for a while: his face was like to a lightning,
His roabes white as snow, which made those watchmen amazed,
And half dead for feare: but th'Angel spake to the women,
(Twoo Maries, comming of purpose, for to anoynt Christe
With precious spices, with sweete odoriferus oyntments)
You seeke here for Christe, here Christe is not to be sought for,
Christe is quickned againe, and risn', as he truly reported,
And foretold his friends; in Galyly there wil hee meete them,
Loe, where lately hee lay: feare not, but boldly report it.
Gods Angel fro the skies, and rold that stone fro the graues-dore,
And there sate for a while: his face was like to a lightning,
His roabes white as snow, which made those watchmen amazed,
And half dead for feare: but th'Angel spake to the women,
(Twoo Maries, comming of purpose, for to anoynt Christe
With precious spices, with sweete odoriferus oyntments)
You seeke here for Christe, here Christe is not to be sought for,
Christe is quickned againe, and risn', as he truly reported,
And foretold his friends; in Galyly there wil hee meete them,
Loe, where lately hee lay: feare not, but boldly report it.
As they ran to report, Christ Iesus plainly apeared,
And met them by the way, and bade them not be amazed,
But bring news to the rest, that he would in Galyly see them.
And met them by the way, and bade them not be amazed,
But bring news to the rest, that he would in Galyly see them.
This doone, and they gone; poore watchmen ran to the Citty;
And told all to the Priests; whoe then with an obstinat error,
And wilfull blyndenes, these watchmen largely rewarded,
Willing them to report, and tell this abroade to the people,
That Christs disciples stole him by night fro the watchmen,
Whylst they lay sleeping. Which hæresy stoutly, to this day
Stifneckt Iews mainteine: ô curst and damnable error,
O hard-harted Iewes, that giue more eare to a hyreling
And brybed souldier, by the prowd Priests falsly suborned,
Than to the truth it self with soe great glory reuealed,
Than to the eyes which saw, to the eares which heard, to the fingers
And to the hands which felt that which was truly reported,
Hands which felt Chrysts hands and feete and sides to be wounded,
Eares which heard his woords and blessings sweetely delyu'red,
Eyes which saw and knew, that Christe in Galyly walked,
And foure times ten dayes in diuers places apeared:
Eyes which saw Christe eate, and then fro the earth to be lifted
Vp to the highest heu'ns, and there with glory receaued
On Gods owne right hand with iurisdiction endles:
Vntil he come to be Iudg of quick and dead, by the thundring
Sound of a fearefull trumpe: and bring his sheepe to the sheepefold
Immortall sheepefold, and goates throw downe to the darcknes
Æternall darcknes, fro the sacred face, fro the presence
Of God, there to abyde with Lucifer and his adhærents,
Plagud with a dying life, with a lyuing death, with a roaring,
Weeping, and gnashing of teeth, and horrible howling:
Where's nought but woe, woe; but a worme stil greedily gryping,
Nought but a loathsome lake with fyre and Sulphur abounding.
And told all to the Priests; whoe then with an obstinat error,
And wilfull blyndenes, these watchmen largely rewarded,
Willing them to report, and tell this abroade to the people,
That Christs disciples stole him by night fro the watchmen,
Whylst they lay sleeping. Which hæresy stoutly, to this day
Stifneckt Iews mainteine: ô curst and damnable error,
O hard-harted Iewes, that giue more eare to a hyreling
And brybed souldier, by the prowd Priests falsly suborned,
Than to the truth it self with soe great glory reuealed,
Than to the eyes which saw, to the eares which heard, to the fingers
And to the hands which felt that which was truly reported,
Hands which felt Chrysts hands and feete and sides to be wounded,
Eares which heard his woords and blessings sweetely delyu'red,
Eyes which saw and knew, that Christe in Galyly walked,
And foure times ten dayes in diuers places apeared:
Eyes which saw Christe eate, and then fro the earth to be lifted
Vp to the highest heu'ns, and there with glory receaued
Vntil he come to be Iudg of quick and dead, by the thundring
Sound of a fearefull trumpe: and bring his sheepe to the sheepefold
Immortall sheepefold, and goates throw downe to the darcknes
Æternall darcknes, fro the sacred face, fro the presence
Of God, there to abyde with Lucifer and his adhærents,
Plagud with a dying life, with a lyuing death, with a roaring,
Weeping, and gnashing of teeth, and horrible howling:
Where's nought but woe, woe; but a worme stil greedily gryping,
Nought but a loathsome lake with fyre and Sulphur abounding.
FINIS.
| The Countesse of Pembrokes Emanuel | |