 | The Resurrection of Our Lord |  |
1
which deceaved many people, all here rounde about
yet by the Diligent watchinge, of the Bishopps than
they came both to naught, as nowe shall this man
yf we shoulde be more necligent, then they were in this
we myght both be thought, vnworthye our office
yet first we will make, the elders vnto this privye
after that entreat Pilate, their vnto Louynglye.
Exeunt
Pilate
If yt be thus Centuriane, you make me to wonder
Centurione
Yes, and much more sir, which I coulde remember
for though I shoulde lye, which was captayne to those souldiers
whom you appointed, for the execution of those misdoers
they will testifie, that when he suffered without Doubt
their was great Darkenes, on the earth rounde about
and when he yelded vpp the ghost from hym their
the vayle of the temple, Devided asunder
the earth shoucke, the stones brake, the graves opened
so that I sayed playnelye, the sonne of God suffered
Pilate
What he was or shoulde be, that knowe not I
but this I knowe, that they accused hym of Envye
they layed open cryme, never to his charge
but wordes of blasphemye, agaynst their God and vsage
and you knowe howe I woulde fayne have Delivered hym
but that they were so busye on me, for the Death of hym
2
so that my wife troubled in her dreame att his Iudgement
warned me for iudginge, agaynst that Iust innocent
and seyinge I woulde fayne, have ridde my hands of hym
but yt they cried with one voice, hange hym, hange hym
then least the Iewes, shoulde have any title agaynst me
be cause he was named the kynge of Iurye
and so privilye have gone, and complayned to Cesar
vnder whom I am here, Deputie and officer
and for feare of that Debate, betwene Herod and me
I myght have byne wyped, soe from my Dignitie
I gave iudgement of Death, vpon their accusement
and by washynge of handes, from his bloudsheede me innocent
howe coulde I, I praye you, have Donne more for hym
then this that I Did, to have rydde my handes of hym
Centuriane
Yea, your honour doth remember, howe yester nyght last
a worshipfull Senatour here was not agast
bouldlye to request his corps, to be buried
he iudged belike better, then all the rest Did
and as I vnderstand the mans Doynge yt is sayed
he hath buried hym in a tombe, wher never non was Layed
yet woulde you not graunt, his corps with such speade
tell you lerned of me, that he was Deade in Deede
so that when you harde he was Deade so longe before
your honour wondered att yt, and that marveilous sore
Pilate
I wondered att yt, for that the Bishoppes I saye
vpon a superstition, of this their Sabboth Daye
requested that those three, which were condemned
myght be all hanghed, and soe Downe plucked
vpon their requestynge, of this their hanghinge
3
Centurione
But yf yt [shall] please yor honour, when ye souldiers appoyntede
had those, (of either syde hym) their first hanghed
when to hym they came (after) and see hym Deade
they brooke no bone of his legges, in verye Deede
but for suernes, on thrust into his side a speare
were out a non yssued, both bloude and water
but yonder cōmes the high Priestes agayne nowe
I am suer they are come, for to speake with you
Caiphas
My lorde Deputie, we become, to talke wt h yow a fewe words
Pilate
Sitt you downe, and saye what you will my lordes
Caiphas
My lorde, we doubt not, but yow consider yt parfectlye
howe this vagabounde ys comdemned to Death, most iustlye
for besides he was, both a runnagate, and a traytour
he was worthyer death, then any theiffe or murtherer
for he murthered our people, in a faulse beleife
and stale them from our lawe, like a faulse theiffe
nowe because his Disciples, doe creadyt his doctryne
they be soe newe fangell, and to fantasies enclyne
yea trustinge everye worde, whatsoever he Did saye,
Even this? that he woulde ryse agayne the thride Daye
we become vnto you here, my Lorde Deputie
to Desier a watche, for his graves custodye
lest his Disciples, (shoulde come privilye) and steale hym
and saye he were risen, for anger, we Did hange hym
Annas
For all we have Dōne (my Lorde) were in vayne
yf he shoulde be stolne awaye, by any meane
for the people woulde beleeve (verye well) such a tale
4
the commosion that woulde rise, of such a foolishe thynge
theirfore yt were good, to prevent yt by fore seynge
else woulde this last errour, put vs to more busynes
then yt Did att first, for all our circumspectnes
Pilate
My lords, yow shall not be displeased, for nothinge I will saye
for in my mynde, you did not take the best waye
att what tyme, you forsoke hym, and choise Barrabas
which ever a rebell (and a great murtherer) was
I talked with hym alōne, as both you here tell can
and ever he shewed hym selfe, a perfect wise man
and what thynge soeuer, I did of hym requier
he woulde give a direct (and a wise) answere
that yt was harde for any man, any waye furth
to trape hym in any worde, wc h came out of his mouth
theirfore my lordes here, methought, att that season
you were more earnest, then was required of reason
Caiphas
Such fellowes my lorde, as mynde mischeife no Doubt
they haue a craftie wytt, to compasse yt about
for a naughtie nature, never feales want
to studdye out myscheife, he ys in hit soe pregnant
but yf they woulde sett their wytt, all on goodnes
as they bestowe ytt, to invent all vngratiousnes
they myght be great ornaments, to ther countrey & pleasure
and the publike weale, myght have of them a treasure
but as for this fellowe, we praye your lordshippe saye
coulde he Denye any thinge, which we to his charge did laye
Pilate
What he coulde, or coulde not, I am not able to saye
for he let you saye, what you woulde, wt hout resistance aye
but for any wickednes, or synne hitherwarde
5
and yt ys not like, that he was an evil misdoer
for the countrey reportes, that he was a great good Doer
and to take his Doyngs, to be a signe right good
that he was a man, (right highe) estemed of God
and yf yt myght have stande, with your good pleasure
the people, through the countrey, had of hym a treasure
Annas
My lorde, we had our lawe, of Moyses the elected
wc h no doubt of God hym selfe, was highlye beloved
yf he had byne of God, yor Lordshippe, may well knowe
he woulde never kicked, soe sore agaynst our lawe
when we observed the lawes, of our ffathers trulye
then woulde that sturdye knave, appeache vs of ypocricye
and to shewe hatred to the lawes, of our forefathers
he of purpose kept companye, wt h publicanes & synners
theirfore you may perseve here, a verie great likelihoode
that this man so contemptuous, coulde not be of God
Pilate
My lords, concernynge the lawes, of yor private God
which Cæser doth suffer you, to kepe as you thinke good
ys a thinge pertaynes not, att all to my office
therfore I cannot tell you, what your lawe ys
but as for that thinge, wherto I am appoynted
here let the centurione and his souldiers make signe of valour
to see true iustice, amoungst you executed
or that no insurrection, or rebellion may a rise
through tumult or gatherynge, or any other wise
as doth appertayne, to my office and dignytie
as this Iesus, whom you, of many things accused
in suspecte of seditiousnes, by vs was condemned
6
yf he were culpable, he hath suffered theirfore
nowe further because, you doe feare seditione
which thynge pertayneth, vnto my administration
though their be no cause, greatlye of any such feare
you shall have your request, for the watche their
Centurione, call your men quicklye together
that my lorde Bishoppes, may have their desier
goe nowe Centurione, withall the rest
and kepe the Sepulchre, as they shall thinke best.
Exit
Caiphas
Maister Captayne, we desier your favour
in this our busines, without displeasure
Centurione
As I am appoynted (my Lordes) to this service
so shall yt be donne, without slacknes ywisse
Annas
For slacknes herein, or your souldiers neccligence
may be an occasion, of greatter inconvenyence
Centurione
Let inconvenyence come, no other wayes vnto you
and feare noe disquietynge, of your selves nowe
Caiphas
Then Annas first, we will heare seale the stone
that yf yt be sturred, yt may be knowne a none
Annas
Verelie Caiphas, that ys a right suer waye
soe shall yt be knowen, yf he be taken awaye
Caiphas
Nowe Centurione, as we may doe you pleasure
make the watche men, kepe their watche in order
Centurione
My lordes put noe mistrust, in the watche hardlye
yf watchynge will serve, yt shall not faile of our partie
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And vnto you sirs, yf you fynde vs not liberall
we will not desier you, to watche att all
The ffirst Souldier
My lordes, for our true watchinge, put it out of aduenture
yf our true watchinge, may doe you any pleasure
Annas
You shall please yorselves, and vs both
and avoide that evill, which the wicked about goeth
The .ij Souldier
What evill soever, the wicked doth imagine
we be att a poynt, to watche well and fyne
Caiphas
Soe doynge, yow shall doe my lorde Deputie highe service
and you shall fynde vs, better then our promise
Annas
And what pleasure efte, we can to you, in any matter
you may be boulde on vs ever after,
Exeunt. Caiphas and Annas
Centurion
My fellowes in so much, I am yor Captayne nowe
appointed by my lorde Deputie, to see ye orderinge of you
this is my counsayle nowe, that every man
take heede to his watche, wt h all diligence he cane
not to sleape, or absent hym selfe else awaye
when as he shoulde watche, and be present alwaye
for howe soever ye matter, fall out or frame
Doe you, as you shoulde doe, and yow shall beare no blame
The j Souldier
Maister Captaine, perswaide yorselfe (this) throughly
that no Diligence shall faile (vpon our part) suerlye
Centurione
Soe shall you please, first my Lorde Deputie
and have great thankes, of the Bishoppes trulye
The .j Souldier
Exit
Are not these Bishopps, (sirs) earnest and stiffe
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alas poore man, I dare sweare on a booke
theirys non goes about, for to steale hym out
The ij Souldiour
Thou may well call hym a caytiffe, yea a begger
and those which accompanied hym, were litle better
for riches he had non, theirfore yts great follye
to make all this busynes, about such beggerie
The iij Souldier
And I thinke them not foolishe, but rather starke madd
for yf he rise agayne, as they saye, he sayed
I doe thinke the bouldest, of all vs ffoure here
dare not loke of his countenance, for verie feare
The iiij. Souldier
And yf his Disciples, shoulde come, as they saye
and privilye by nyght, to steale hym away
what probation were that, of his wordes and learnynge
which they of them selves, shoulde make good wt h lyinge
for yf he saied, he woulde rise within Dayes three
here they fall downe as deade in hearing the gonnes shott of & thunder Iesus riseth throwynge of Death [& the Angell]
they will trye his saynge, either true or contrarie
The .j. Souldier
after his astonishment
What a wonder, we shoulde be striken with such feare
and dreade
that we coulde not stande, but fell downe like as deade
The .ij. Souldier
I sawe one like lightnynge, come downe alowe
with clothes as white, as ever was the snowe
The .iij. Souldier
And I was soe feared, wt h the earthquake & thunder
that I thought heaven and earth, had gōne together
9
He ys a sore fellowe, what soever he be
and that shall they proue, that resist hym, I see
for when on the crosse, he yelded vpp the ghost
what darkenes was their, rounde about, all the cost
The .iij. Souldier
And howe did the vayle of ye temple teare asunder
that ys made even ye Priests, them selves all to wonder
The .ij. Souldier
Att his death I sawe, great breakinge of stones
att his risynge I feared the breakinge of all my bones
yf he be soe terrible, as he hath shewed here
I woulde ye Bishoppes, had felte some part of our feare
The .j. Souldier
But nowe sirs, the man we were sett, to watche here
ys gone, and all we nowe, cannot tell where
yet is not he stolne awaye, from vs by nyght
but rysen of hym selfe, like a man of myght
let vs tell this tale, to my Lorde Deputie
he wilbe leve no worde, that we saye trulye
againe the Bishoppes obtayned this watche alwaye
lest this mans Disciples, shoulde haue stolne hym away
goe and tell them in order everye worde
they will saye we have slept, and accuse vs to my Lorde
let vs goe theirfore, out of ye waye, to my house right soone
and theyr reason in this matter, what is best to be donne
The .ij. Souldier
Thy councell in this fellowe, ys verie reasonable
theirfore I for my part, wilbe theirto agreable
The .iij. Souldier
2
And seynge we doubt (here) what way to take
10
The .iiij. Souldier
1
And I feale not my witts soe perfect as yet
but that I shoulde condescende to ytt
The .j. Souldier
Then let vs goe, for after our great feare
we shall inquiet, the better seeke our answere
Appendix
Exeunt
You see Christs resurrection, as in ye scripture we it have
then note here, the nature of malicious Envye
which persecuteth innocencye, even vnto the grave
as these Bishopps were not stilde, wt h Christs death onlye
vntill they gott a watche, for his sepulcers custodie
their corrupt conscience, did doubt apart his myght
and dreed them selves, lesse truth at length woulde come-
to light./
Yet this was done, by gods wonderfulle provision
that ye more they went about, to extinct the veritie
the stronger and more perfecter, they made his resurrection
and proved them selves fooles, for all their witt & policie
mans power lets not that, which God sayes once shalbe
as yow see by the watchemen which were not of power
to abide the angels brightnes, but fell downe for feare
Yet note in these Bishoppes, a right honest pretence
they had invented to have extinct Christes name
they made Pilate beleeve, that yf he were stolne thence
yt woulde make a commotion, by meanes of his fame
woulde God their were non such now wc h doth plaie ye same
which diswayes ye people, for readinge of the scripture
lest it make them Heretikes vnlesse they have a Doctor
I would call them Heretikes, in my conceite rather
which can reade and may, and yet will not reade them
11
then the words of them doe, which doe expounde ytt
theirfore I counsall everie man, to seeke his owne profett
and as Christ is risen from ye deade, by his fathers power
so let vs rise from our oulde life, to walke anew manner
Nowe marke the progression of the resurrection
Marie Magdalene .1.
Shall we goe nowe sisters, as yt becometh vs
and annoint that sweete bodye, of our maister Iesus
Marie Solome .2.
Are you suer you can goe to that place directlye
were as you saye, they layed his bodie
Marie Iacobi .3.
It is a question, to be asked aright
for he you saye was buried in the twylight
Marie Iose .4.
Ther is an other thinge (sisters) will more trouble vs
the stone on his grave, both great and comberous
Marie Magdalene
Indeed (sister) we never thought of the stone
[[illeg.]] else we myght have made, for that provision
and we be wemen, of a feeble complexione
nor able to stire or remove the stone
but I am Deceaved, or else I see
the stone layed by, right hansomelye
alas deare sisters, that ever I see this Daye
we be disapoynted, of this iourney
some envyous creature, hath stolne hym hence
even vpon some malitious pretence
Enter Peter and Iohn.
holde my boxe I will tarrye noe longer
vntill I have toulde this vnto Peter
And Peter and Iohn thou greatlye beloued
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they have taken my lorde, out of his grave
and layed hym were we shall never hym have
I came to have anoynted, that innocent sweete bodye
but alas sweat lorde, they have disappoȳted me
Peter.
Yt is not so Marie?
Iohn
Yet Peter we will goe see
Marie Magdalene
Alas sweete Lorde, they were verie cruell
that woulde not lett thy bodye lye stile
Peter
Yt is even soe, as Marie sayed
they have taken hym away, and were else hym layed
Iohn
Ane hainous deede suerly, so to be wreake them, on his bodye
Marie Madalene
Exeunt Peter & Iohn
Was their ever such crueltie as this
that malice with death, shoulde never ceasse?
what man was ever, soe envyed or hated
but his malice with death was abated
and cannot thy corps sweete Iesus lye
still in the grave, for the venome of Envye
here loke towardes Ierusalem
O you envious persons so Divelishe
you shall with your malice, altogether perishe
coulde you not be content, wt h your scornynge and loutynge
buffittinge, spittynge, and all your flowtynge
and after your scourgynge, to hange on the tree
betwene two theives, in dirisione soe shamefullye
and after you tooke of hym, their your pleasure
in all thinge your malice, did you allure
even when you lett out their his hart bloude
13
but that you must burne, yet still in Envye
and feede your malice, vpon his deade bodye
Marie Iose
let Marie here lament
Sister Marie, freate not so in vayne att this thinge
but staye I praye you Lamentynge
Marie Iacobi
For you doe but consume your hart with heavines
about a thinge, that ys remedilesse
Marie Solome
We may peradventure, hereof yt agayne
when we thinke least of yt, and lesse doe complayne
Marie Magdalene
Noe sister Solome, we have lost this labour
they have stolne away my Lorde and saviour
theirfore I will cast my boxe awaye
Marie Solome
Noe sister Marie, keepe I saye
yt will serve for some other tyme playne
yf perchaunce, we may fynde hym agayne
Marie Magdalene
Againe sister? noe noe that will never be
they purpose we shall hym, never agayne see
Marie Iacobi
Yet or we returne home, thus Dismayed
let vs goe to the place, were he was layed
and with our sweete oyntments his grave through engawlme
here doe the women goe to ye sepulcre.
seynge we have not his bodye to enbalme
14
Women, for any thynge you see, be not afrighted
we knowe you seeke hym, which was crucified
even Iesus of Nazereth, which was here buried
he ys as you see here, rysen from the Deade
theirfore marke what we saye, concernynge this matter
and goe and tell his Disciples yt, especiallye Peter
that he goeth before you into Galiley
and their he will shewe hym selfe, vnto you parfectlye
theirfore I saye wemen be not affrayed
Marie Magda-lene lamenteth
for you shall fynde yt true, that I have sayed
Both Angels Speake
Woman, what ys the matter, we praye thee
that thou here dost weape soe tenderlye
Marie Magdalene
For they have taken a way my maister
and layed hym alas, I cannot tell where
The .ij. Angell
Whom seeke you wemen, the lyvinge with the Deade
he ys not here, for he ys rysen in deede
remember what his wordes were vnto you latelye
when he was with you last in Galeley
howe that the sonne of man, shoulde be Delivered
into synnefull [mens] handes, and so be crucified
and after althis rise agayne the thride Daye
which ys come to passe, as trulye as he Did saye
Marie Iose
Sister Magdalene, yt was even soe
as they have toulde vs, therfore lett vs goe
Marie Magdalene
Yet sister Iose, I am not satiffied thus
15
and except I doe perceave, more yet then this
my hart will never be att quietnes
love hath soe pearced, my hart soe strounglye
that If teares coulde redeeme hym, happye were I
Christ like a gardiner
Christ
Woman what thinge ys yt, that makes thee so weepe
or who ys yt here, that thou dost seeke
Marie Magdalene
Sir because thou appearest, to be some Gardener
[OMITTED]
[four leaves missing]
we will buy largelye this your good sylence
nor you shall not neede, to be in any feare
of my Lorde Deputie, yf it be brought to his eare
our reasons for you shalbe of such probation
that he shalbe forced, to credytt our perswasion
that whatsoever tales (att any time) shalbe tolde hym
we will att altymes, be betwene you and hym
The .j. Souldier
Your request (my Lorde) here in ys vnreasonable
and concernynge good conscience, suerlye vntollerable
Annas
For that you seeme to feare, sett the hurt of our conscience
you shall heare what ye lawe, doth speake in such doubttance
which requesteth of all men, in such scrippulous conscience
to suffer a myscheife, rather then an inconvenyence
the myscheife ys this, that all (whole) Moyses lawe
by this mans resurrection, shall have an ouerthrowe
because yt shoulde confirme (so playne) his former preachinge
that the lawe with his sacrifice, shoulde fynishe att his com̄ynge
nowe when God hath confirmed, by Moyses our religion
16
yt is reason, by the Iuggelynge, of a craftie magiscioner
gods truth shoulde be subverted, and brought nowe to be vayne
for though he be rysen, as you reporte he ys
yet all ys but donne, by Deludynge of your sences
you may suffer then this myscheife, for avoydinge an inconvenyence
without danger to your soule, or hurt to your conscience
One of the Seniors
I trust my Lorde Annas, in that yor scripulous sentence
hath answered verie well, for the quietynge yor conscience
nowe lest you shoulde thinke, that any thinge were donne
in all this matter by them two alone
you shall vnderstande, that even the whole senate
have conferred together, and condescended of late
that yf you will saye, his Disciples did steale hym
you shalbe rewarded, ffullye to the bryme
The .j. Souldiour
My lordes, yf their in, we cane doe you any pleasure
we have the want, you have the treasure
Caiphas
Then have here this money, nowe for your hier
more then you woulde aske, wyshe, or requier
but because we requier, in you more honestie
we bynde you vnto vs, with the more liberalitie
The .j. Souldier
My lordes, because yow will have vs, to spreede abrood this tale
that his Disciples by nyght (as we sleapt) did hym steale
whatsoever he be, that will this Denye
we will saye, sweare, yea and fight, for the contrarye
Caiphas
Will you doe the like, good fellowes in this
The .ij. Souldier
We will my Lorde, performe our fellowes promise
17
For he ys our mouth, and what that he doth saye
we are readye the same for to obaye
The .iiij. Souldier
And whatsoever he hath promised in althings
you shalbe suer, to fynde vs noe chaunglyngs
Caiphas
Then will we thinke, our monye well bestowed
and wilbe suer your friendes, in everye your neede
Appendixe
Exeunt
Here lastlye, you haue seene, how ye Bishops redeamed
the souldiers, faithfull sylence, with a great pece of money
and made them blaze this lye, wc h they had imagined
that he was not rysen, but stolnd away privilye
this tale they were hired, to spreade through out Iurye
wherby in their blindnes, they are confirmed I saye
for the Iewes beleeve non other, yet to this Daye
Nowe conferre the messengers, of Christs resurrection
Marie, and the souldiers, and lett vs tast the mysterye
Marie, tolde the Apostles, which toke yt for a delusion
[OMITTED]
[two leaves missing]
18
what shall theirfore (maister) become of me wretche
which in althings thus faith and promise doth breake
Iesus
Yf thou remembrest, when thou Denyest me
I loked backe, and thou weptst tenderlye
which teares I take for full recompensation
for thy periurye, Denyall, and execration
but thou myghtest have beleaved the wemen by right
for Maries hart, coulde not, have byne so light
and for that Ioye, of my first appearynge vnto you
that misterye as yet, ys hyde from you nowe
but my fore tellynge, myght have byne an occasione
to have put thee out of doubt, of my resurrection
for he which sayed that woulde be, which thou saiedst shoulde not be
in all other was thought, to tuche the veritie
And when we were in Galiley (Peter) did not I then saye
that all shoulde come to passe, prophisied, alwaye
howe that the sonne of man, shoulde be betrayed
mocked, scourged, hangheed, and buryed
and that the thride Daye, he shoulde ryse agayne
as all the scriptures affirme yt, well and playne
Peter
But our witts were so grosse (Lorde) and ignorant theirin
that we vnderstoode noe worde of that sayinge
Iesus
And grosse yet it shoulde be, yf yt where not that I
shoulde be taken from you, as I toulde Marie
but as for thee Peter, amoungst my Disciples all
I choise thee heade, and governer principall
that yf they shoulde chaunce, to faulter in their faith
thou shouldest confirme them, in the redye paith
19
that I was Christ (the sonne of God) Doubtlesse
I toulde thee I had prayed for yt, vnto my ffather
that hit att noe tyme, shoulde fayle or alter
but I perceave all my former communycation
ys forgotten of thee, and put in oblivion
yet seynge the mistrust, thou hast layed in me
with remorse of Conscience, for thy Denyall of me
I came with my presence, thee here to comforth
that thou shouldest beleeve me (the better) from hence furth
theirfore goe to thy fellowes, and tell them in their heavines
that I am nowe rysen, as thou canst beare witnes
for through the prerogatyve, of thy prehemynence
they will credytt thy wordes, with more confydence
and byde them beleeve the wemens tales nowe
for they tolde them nothynge, but that which was true.
Peter
Exit
O periured person, vnfaithfull and witlesse
howe hast thou byne blynded in all thys busynes
thou which wast alwayes in his conversation
and see his miracles, and harde his predication
and see many things (he sayed) come to effectuallnes
howe art thou fallen, to such vnthankfullnes
thou mayst saye theirfore, thou hast a maister of mercye
which was noe worse, Displeased with thy periurye
nor toke in worse part, thy myscreadytynge
the wemens declaration, consernynge his rysynge
who coulde have loked, ever for such gentlenes
without great enbradinge, of my wickednes
but such ys the nature, of that his pittie
who ys the well and fountayne, of all mercye
20
that all synners by me, have example to praise God
but nowe I will goe, to my fellowes, in their weepynge
and tell them the truth, of all the wemens sayinge
howe our maister his rysen, and hath appeared to me
whom the better they will creadytt, for my senioritie
Appendixe
We nowe have noe scripture, doth teache vs such appearance
as we have made of Christ (to Peter)
in this order
but that we gather this, even of the circumstance
both of St Luke his wordes, and of St Paules together
which both doth write that Christ appeared vnto Peter
but with what words, or when, or where, doubtles ye scripture
shewes not, but that by conference of places, we coniecture
Saynt Luke writteth, howe yt after, the wemen had declared
howe Christ in deede was rysen, and howe yt they were sent
to bide them goe to Galile, wherto Christ was repayred
wher they alive shoulde see hym, as he on ye crosse was rent
though Peter with the other, thought yt playne Deludement
yet went he to the sepulcher (agayne) wt h doubtfull motion
wher in, the vewe of things? he fell in admyration
In wc h suer admiration, yt seemes to be most likeliest
that Christ shoulde shewe hym selfe, to Peter in his studye
but with what other wordes, then yt is here exprest
lett them iudge, which the Doyngs of other lyst to trye
the order of appearynge, (we Iudge) ys kept Dulye
for this was before that they had, which went to Emavs
as those words in luke showe, in returne vnto Cleophas
Then where have we in scripture, but two words of ye matter
the rest you must then attribute, vnto our invention
and though about the thynge, we can noe more but smatter
lett iudgement passe of vs, as we with good intention
21
yf yt be to your lykynge, we be right well apayd
:N:
and soe I nowe commytt you, to the rest which shalbe played
Cleophas
Whether nowe Brother, I praye you hartelye
Luke
To Emaus brother, yf you will any thinge with me
Cleophas
Verelye brother, I will kepe you companye
for my iurney that way furth also Doth lye
but what make you to sighe, and to looke so sadlye
Luke
The matter which chaunced, amoungst vs soe latelye
when I remember our master Iesus conversation
his miracles, his Doctryne, and his communycation
howe the fowle spirits ever obayed his commaundement
howe the wynddye stormes, to hym were obedient
I thought litle, that ever he woulde have suffered
hym selfe so shamefullye, to have byne hanged
for yf he had byne, the greattest mysdoer that lyved
they coulde not have handled hym, more cruellye then they did
Cleophas
And I brother att that, noe lesse then you doe marvayle
for hither to I have taken hym, for the redemer of Israell
for whosoever did note, his innocencye in his lyvynge
with the circumspect answeres, & maiestie in his preachinge
woulde have sayde, that no man but hym selfe alone
coulde have had such gyfftes, as he had many one
and he woulde many tymes talke of Israels captivitie
and howe his Deliverance, did Drawe verye nyghe
that his Apostles strove oft for the prehemynance
who myght sytt next hym, in his magnificence
22
that the Bishops apprehended hym, by the treason of Iudas
and that he was soe spitefullye mocked and derided
and lastlye to the cursed crosse, crucified
both his Apostles, and other, Disciples all?
were even discomforted, and Dismayed with all
yet his wordes before his Death, did move an expectation
of waytynge for a promyse, of his resurrection
Luke
But we heare nothynge of that, but yt ye foolishe wemen
came to Peter and sayde, that he was rysen
whose saynge was counpted, but phantasticall follye
and their vpon I lefte them, and came into the countrey
Cleophas
Euen soe I, for yt I harde noe more of his resurrection
thought nowe to goe to Emaus, halfe in desperation
Iesus
My frendes what communycation ys this, yt yow two have had
and talke either with other, and walke soe sadde
Cleophas
All Ierusalem speakes of our talkynge
and as thou were anewe come, and knewe nothynge
dost thou of vs nowe, these thynges enquyer
and knowest not these Dayes, what hath byne dōne their
Iesus
What be those things, I praye you
Cleophas
Of Jesus of Nazereth, we Did talke nowe
which was a man of great estymation
both before God and man, in worde and operation
he was a man suer beloued of God
and the people, toke for a prophett of God
this man was condemned of Death, and crucyfied
by the Priests and elders, which hym accused
23
for the redemption of Israell, to have byne Delyvered
but that hope hath fayled vs everye Delle
by meanes of that, his soe shamefull death and cruell
for before we toke hym, to be the messias
yf yt had not byne, for this straunge case
yet we thought ever, that he woulde rise agayne
as before his passion, he spake yt playne
that the thride Daye, he woulde ryse, which ys this?
but we harde nothynge of hym yet, but onlye this
which the wemen tolde vs, that he shoulde be rysen
that the Angels reportted yt, to them their then
when with their oyntments, they went ye mor̄ynge earlye
in mynde to have anoynted in the grave his bodye
where with astonyed, went certayne of our companye
straight way to his grave their saynge to trye
where they founde severallye, his sheate & napkyn layed
but his bodye was gone, as the wemen sayde
this was the talke, we had betwene vs
of this good man, whom we called Iesus
Iesus
O fooles, and starke Dullerds that you be
in the vnderstandynge of the scriptures trulye
why beleeve you not the sayngs of all the prophetts
seynge yt come to passe, so playnelye as yt ys
which all the determynation of God did testifie
that Christ shoulde suffer all this, and so enter to his glorye
thought you that Christ, shoulde be a worldlye conquerour
and yt his kingdome [ftan] stands not rather by invisible power
then am I a better scoller (I perceave) then you be
and did take better heede, to his Doctryne Daylye
for you myght have perceaved, yf you had not byne carnall
that his kyngdome ys to be vnderstoode spirituall
24
which shoulde blesse vs in God, and revoke the curse in deede
which curse hangs still over vs by our first disobedience
and was expiated, by this seedes obedience
and was shadowed in the lawe, with everye Ceremonye
that the seede of the woman, shoulde onlye make vs free
and not the worke theirof, or any our sacrifice
for that thynge was left to his office
and yf you be desierous, the truth theirof to knowe
I will open yt to you, by the meanynge of the lawe
Moyses brought vs from bondage, to ye lande of promisse
yet was he but a fygure their, of the true Moyses
which delivered mankynde, out of the Devels thrall
and brought vs to the libertie, of the lawe Evangelicall
were God wilbe worshipped, with a spirituall service
and not with a carnall, and bodilye sacrifice
of this Moyses? the first Moyses playne prophicied
when he promised a prophet, of our breatherne & kynred
one in all poynts as myghtie, as ever he was
whose wordes he bade marke, when yt was come to passe
for the lorde had promised, he woulde put in his mouthe
all his whole mynde, to be vttered [to such] [which] suche?
that who to his wordes gave noe attendance
shoulde sure for the same, suffer gods vengance
This Moyses did prophesye, nowe goe and conferre yt
yf ever after Moyses, their were ever man as yet
to be compared vnto hym, in all deedes fortunate
but only this man, which you speake of a late
Moyses brought the lawe written, in tables of stone
Christ brought them written, in the hart of man
Moyses in the hill, talked with God in the cloude
Christ came from heaven, from the bosome of God
[Moyses from the hill, talked with God in the cloude]
25
Moyses from the hill, brought the lawe Iuditiall
Christ one the hill, taught the lawe spirituall
Moyses fasted fortye Dayes, Christ Did the same
hitherto betwene them, you heare, howe althings frame
Moyses was the ancker, of the oulde lawe I saye
which with the bloude of beastes, was consecrate alwaye
and Christ was the ancker of the new testament
which wt h his precious bloude, had his consecrament
Moyses taught the shadowe, Christ taught the veritie
then Christ ys even that Moyses, which ye first did prophesye
Moyses brought the lawe, but wt h muche tirriblenesse
Christ came meeke and quyet, without any busines
yet this same before, Esayas, Did prophesye
that he shoulde not crye, or his voice be harde lowdlye
And that he meake? came to call the meeke
and turne murnynge and sadnes, into myrth & gladnes
nowe vnto these prophesies, compare his owne saynge
were those wc h be burdened, he calles to refreshynge
callynge his yoke pleasant, and his burthen easye
biddinge everie man learne, howe meeke he was & lowlye
and shoulde fynde quietnes, vnto their soules vndoubtedlye
except you woulde referre this, vnto Salaman rather
which was a quiet man, and theirfore called a pacifier
which buylt vs a temple, in moynt Sion gorgious
and made an order theirin, most godlye and marveylous
but then the prophets saye, that ye lawe wt h his ceremonyes
att the com̄ynge of messias, shoulde ende and their ceasse
and that Ierusalem, with the temple shoulde come to confusion
because they forsooke (when yt came) their salvation
then this ys not that Salomon, which the prophet Nathan
promysed to David, shoulde possesse his seate than
for Nathan promysed David, of his seate a kynge
26
then this cane agree, to that Salomon never
whose house ys possessed, nowe of a straunger
and howe can you call ytt a faithfull house either
when David was a mankiller, and Salomon an Idolater
then this Iesus ys this Salomon, the true pacifier
whose bloude Did reconcile, both God and man together
and stablisheth the Church, his spirituall kingdome
with invisible faith, which never shall see confusion
nor this temple ys not, which the lorde Did saye
should be buylded, where he shoulde rest for ever and aye
for the temple which Salomon buylt, shalbe Destroyed
and God no more in yt, shalbe praysed or worshipped
but the temple which Christ shall buylde shall raigne eternallye
and their he shalbe worshipped in [the] spirit and veritie
he ys a spirit and theirfore he Delighteth
in spirituall things, as his nature requireth
the Church ys his kingdome, where he raygnes spirituallye
in the hartes of men, with ffaith, Love, and Charitie
hitherto I have proved hym, the true Moyses, ye true Salomon
which shoulde buylde the true temple in Moynt Syon
Cleophas
This ys strange Doctryne brother to vs
which we never harde, of any our Doctors
Luke
Noe for who soe speakes agaynst Moyses Solomon or the temple
shalbe made an heretike, yf he escape so well
Iesus
Nowe herken to David, howe God to hym Did sweare
to sytt in his tempell, a newe Priest forever
not instituted of the lawe, but of God almyghtie
after the order of Melchisedecke, as pleased the Dietie
to offer vnto hym, the most pure sacrifice that coulde be
27
which was sheede vpon the crosse, to redeeme mans captivitie
this ys that Priest which Helye had in promysynge
which shoulde Doe althings, to gods mynde according
which with faithfullnes shoulde buylde, a faithfull house & faire
were he shoulde walke before his anoynted Pristes forever
this house ys his Church, of the faithfull elected
to God in his bloude, both kyngs and Priests consecrated
of his priests in his Church, which ys his house spirituall
shalbe offered a sacryfice, of his bloude & bodye mysticall
renewynge so their bishops Death, wt h a thankfull remembrance
which offered hym selfe once one the crosse for mans deliverance
with this sacrifice he consecrate, ye new testament verelye
that yt shoulde be a bonde of love betwene hym & vs eternallye
yf you doe not knowe this aske the twelve yt rather
what thinge yt was he institute, att the last supper
yf it were not of that Sacrifice, of his bloude and bodye
a communion of the elects, and a thankefull memorye
renued
you have harde nowe, how this pristhoode ys renved
and howe the sacrifice of the lawe, ys to be abolished
thus Christs comynge from heaven, makes carnall things spirituall
the Cittie, temple, prieshoode, and the sacrifice withall
nowe yf you will compare the prophises of the messias
vnto althings nowe, as they are brought to passe
you shall then have noe cause, to Doubt or be offended
but rather to acknowledge hym nowe come, as he was promysed
The place first of his birth, by the prophet ys Declared
Michaby. 5. 2
to be Bethelem of Iuda, and of the stocke of David
[where Doubtlesse he was borne, of the same stocke & kynred]
28
Esaye. 7. 14
and note Esaias watchworde of messias commynge well
that a mayede shoulde conceave, and bringe a childe & his name Emanuell
though this misterie (to the Iewes) was not [openlye] knowne openlye
yet yt was not hyde, from Ioseph, and his companye
which Ioseph was a witnes, of this misterie most
that she was a virgin, and had conceaved, of the holye ghost
further I am suer, concernynge his nativitie
you have harde of the Magies, wc h visytt apparantlye
Esaye. 60
which both Esaye and Dauid, longe afore did prophesye
Psal: 71.
of such as shoulde bringe presence, from Saba and Arabie
Iere: 31. 15
The slaughter of the innocents did not Ieremye aforehande tell
representynge yt vnto vs, in the person of Rachell
bewaylynge sore her childrenes death, & would not be coumforted
to see them all so cruellye, of their lyves bereaved
And concernynge his miracles, both many folde & wonderous
Esaye. 61
did not Esaye writte the same, in the spirit most mervelous
that the blynde Deaffe and Dumme, wt h ye lāme and leprosye
shoulde att the cōmynge of Messias, be healed of their infirmytie
and all this you sawe hym doe, with greatter to certayne
why doe you not receave hym, the prophises beinge so playne
Math. 11.
Agayne when that Iohn Baptist, was cast nowe into pryson
and sent two of his Disciples, and asked of hym this question
art thou he which shall come? he bade then Iohns Disciples
goe straight to Iohn agayne, and to hym tell his miracles
as who shoulde saye, yf I tell hym not, I am ye sonne of man
lett hym goe to the prophetts, and they will tell yow, who I am
He came into Ierusalem, rydynge vpon an asse
Zacha: 9. 9
did not Zacharies prophesye, their then come to passe
Loe Ierusalem (saieth he) thy kynge cōmes, thy rightuous saviour
29
he that came thus poorelye, came with noe worldlye pompe
yet did he thus subdue, the Divels pride, and his pompe
notwithstandynge this ys povertie, offended ye weeke ever
so that when he was taken, the twelve hym forsoke ther
and was yt not (by Zacharie) longe before prophisied
that the sheaphearde shoulde be smytten, & ye sheepe dispersed
Agayne, yet what saye you nowe, to the treason of Iudas
was yt not tolde before by David, howe it shoulde come to passe
well
saynge ye man of my peace, wc h did eate my breade, & whom I trusted well
hath lifte vpp his heele against me, like a traytour fell
and the money he was soulde for, was it not by Zacharie prophesied
howe yt shoulde by a fyelde, wher straungers shoulde be buried
ffurther the conspiracie of them, which hym accused
was yt not by David, playnelye prophesyed
howe the kyngs of the earth (and ye heades) were algathered
against their lorde and Christ, vnto yt office annoynted
cryinge hange hym, hange hyme, he ys no other worthye
and saved a thieffe for hym, that they might see hym Dye
Nowe of his accusement of blasphemye, was not Ioseph a figure
soulde by his breatherne to ye Ismalyts in great anger
exod. 37.
for that his Dreames, shoulde seeme by the interpretatione
that he shoulde be their lorde, and they in his subiection
and came yt not to passe, that he their lorde prouyded
for them foode in that dearth, or else they must haue perished
even so, whom yow here speake of, [h]is counpted of his breatherne
to be but a blasphemer, for whom, yet God did ordayne
that he shoulde be their stuwarde, & even their sole provider
for foode in yt great banyshement, which their soule should suffer
30
did not Esaye and Dauid both make theirof demonstration
likenynge hym to the sheepe, leede vnto the slaughted
and as still as the lambe, which lyeth before the sheerer
he was scourged, scorned, crowned wt h thorne, and spite vpon
and shewed to the people, to make a laughynge stocke vpon
here Esaye, in the person of the people, as he myght
doth prophisye and lament, that most dolourous sight
saynge we did take hym (onlye) for a cast awaye
and as cleene given over, of his God, for alwaye
but he was thus wounded, for our faultes rather
and his woundes, hath healed vs, nowe for ever
yf he were thus wounded, for our synnes by Esaye
then yt must needes followe, that Messias must needes Dye
yf he must needes Dye, then the scribbes and pharises
have deceaved them selves, with their false glossees
which beleeve and teach, like most vayne Deceyvers
that ye Messias shall not Dye, and so makes ye prophets lyers
Gene. 22. 6.
Nowe the carrynge of ye crosse, did not Isaake figure like wise
which carried the woode hym selfe vnto ye place of sacrifice
Nomb. 21. 8.
yet further in the lawe, Did not the brasen Serpent
his hangynge on the crosse, vnto vs playne represent
that whosoe looked vpon him, with the eye of faith
shoulde be cured of the serpents stinge (his synne) and be safe
Also ye grave & stone, was yt not tutchd of Ieremye
which in his person sayeth, in the lake, they have cast me
and further besides that, they have layed a stone vpon me
agayne in the grave, that he shoulde not their putryfye
doth not David in his person, speake yt playnelye
Psal: 16. 10
thou shalt not leave my soule in hell, any season
31
ffurther concernynge his resurrection, harken
howe the Iewes Desiered, of hym some token
who answered? you shall have non other token of me
but even Ionas, three Dayes kept in the whalles bellye
how woulde you requier here, a more playne fygure
to declare his resurrection, or more true myrrour
Ionas was cast in the sea, to pacifie the tempest
Christ was cast from heaven to ye earth, to bringe man to rest
Ionas swallowed of the whalle, was cast out ye thride Daye
Christ was buried in ye earth, to rise againe the thride Daye
accordynge to the sayinge of Osaye, which spake thus
after two dayes he will revive vs, and ye thride daye raise vs
Here nowe you have harde, althings nowe come to passe
which were ever shadowed, or prophisied of ye Messias
his kyngdome, his priesthoode, his birth, his povertie
his preachinge, his miracles, his passion, as you see
why doe you stande in Doubt then, of his resurrection
havinge of all the other thyngs, soe faire a probation
but be you asleape, and possessed with Drowsynes
that you can neither heare nor see, the scriptures witnes
else you myght have beleeved, the wemen lightlye
which tolde you he was rysen, and that they did hym see
Cleophas
Howe saye you (brother) was not this a good scoller
which did take soe good heed, to his preachinge ever
Luke
Yea brother, for non of his Apostles whom he choyse cheiffely
did ever recorde his doctryne vnto vs soe playnelye
therfor we may be called fooles, and starke Dullerts all
which toke so lytle heede, to his Doctryne Evangelicall
Cleophas
Yea and this ys to me, a wounderfull strangh thinge
that he coulde never, with all his playne teachinge
32
we conceaved of oulde, of ye Scribbes & Pharisies learnynge
but we become to the towne, we will take vpp our Inne heire
Iesus
Then God be with you? for I must goe further
Cleophas
Nay sir, we have had good communycation of you
with yor leave, you shall not depart from vs nowe
therfore we praye you tarrye, for you shall farre as we farre
and ye nyght drawes on apace, & yow cannot goe farre
Iesus
Seynge needes yow will have my compayne
I am content to tarrye
Luke
Yea God sende me such companye whensoever I travell
that will passe furth the tyme, wt h such godlye councell
I have had through Iurye, many a sundrye walke
yet in all my iournynge, I never harde such talke
theirfore (Sir) you are right [hartelye] wellcome to our companye
and I praye yow let vs enioye yt, as longe as may be
Cleophas
Brother, yf yt myght stande, wt h his good pleasure and will
woulde God he woulde tarry, and contynewe with vs still
for he did our maisters doctryne, muche better regarde
then any of vs all yet, that ever I harde
theirfore (Sir) we doe here praye you hartelye
to thinke your selfe welcome, vnto our companye
Sir here ys such poore pittance, as we are able to prepare
but take in good worth (we beseeche you) this poore farre
Iesus
Whatsoeuer yt be, you sett before me
33
Here Christ takes the breade, breake yt and gives yt vnto them, and so sodenlye departeth
Luke
HE YS GONE?
Cleophas
Gonne
here they make gestures of wounder a while
Cleophas
Then I doe perceave, yt was our maister Iesus
that hath opened the scriptures, so pightlye vnto vs
I wondred that any Disciple he had
shoulde be so perfect, in those things which he sayed
but howe chaunceth yt with vs, I praye you good brother
that yt was soe longe, or we coulde knowe our maister
which dissembled with vs so longe in his talke
that he never vttered hymselfe, in all this longe walke
Luke
Brother, did you not marke, when he ye breade did breake
how wt h words of thankes givinge, or ever he it brake
Did first blesse yt, and after to vs reached yt
even as he was wont to Doe, before he suffered
vpon the sight wherof, my hart did give me
in suspition of his talke, that yt was even he
Cleophas
And I vpon the sight, of that his former vsage
in breakynge of the breade, and devotion in his visage
which he alwayes accustomed, in like his other feadinge
had my eyes opened vnto the full acknowledgynge
of his person, to be the same, wc h hangd vpon the crosse
even as the openynge of the scriptures shewes yt he was
Luke
Suerlye brother, we were a sleepe & did slumber
or else his communication did shewe hym vs, much better
in that his much discourse, he made soe playnelye
by Moyses ye prophets, throughout soe orderlye
concernynge his birth, and preachinge [to] of his passion
34
and shewed hym their by, another maner Messias
then the Scribes and Pharises, hath declared to vs
and shewed that through weakenes, death & miserye
he must first passe, and so enter to his glorye
and this conference was made, wt h such spirit & such grace
that yt would have forced any man to acknowledge-
hym Messias.
Cleophas
Yea we myght have acknowledge that, yf we had byne happie
for howe did his talke ravishe vs all inwardlye
for my selfe I cane saye, all the tyme of his talkinge
my spirits were ravished, and rapt with the hearynge
that I coulde have byne glade, yf yt had byne his will
without meate or drincke, to have harde hym talke still
Luke
Sure yf yt did with you, as yt did, with me yore
you were never in such case, with any talke before
for yt pricked, heated, enflamed, and ravished vs
yt kindled and sett a fier our hartes with in vs
the preachinge I saye of the Scribes and Pharises
ys faultie and coulde, in comparison of his
Cleophas
Nowe lett vs dispatche our busynes anon
that we returne to Ierusalem all soone
for me thinke the tyme, verye longe we tarrye
till the Apostels of this matter, be made all pryvie
Luke
For harts anoied, freett with Desperation
woulde be right glade of any consolation
theirfore dispatche anon all your busynes
that we to Ierusalem may withall speedynes
Apendix
Exeunt
Christ here, as you have seene, appeared as a straunger
35
of Christ howe he shoulde dye, and rise of death ye conquerer
that man theirby through faith, might enioye those treasures
of pardon, grace, and favour, and all those heavenlye pleasures
layde vpp in store for them, which will not be offended
att that straunge forme he cōmes, for vs to be amended
As sickenes, hatred, want, banyshement & persecution
by straunge formes (as we thinke) for Christ, to appeare vnto vs
but yf that we give eare, vnto that consolation
the gospell shewes theirin, with promises most ioyous
Christ in his proper forme, will shewe hym selfe efte most maveilous
in forme of liffe and health, had by his resurrection
that noe doubt shall remayne, concernynge full salvation
In such formes he tries out, even by our owne confessione
the secreetts of our harts, our faith or infidelytie
thē cures he our foolishnes, our slouth, and doultishe reason
withall the wordes of God, which speakes of his true glorye
and makes vs apte theirby, for to request his companye
were breakynge to vs breade, the foode of true salvation
[he shewes hym selfe playne lorde, ouer synne, death & hells poyson]
And further we may learne, by these good mens example
in all doubt of our faith, howe symplye for to talke
as Doubtinge not Denyinge, in feare, and yet vnstable
they had theirfore the truth reveled in their walke
so yf with in our hartes, their be noe selfe willd Darke
Christ will by some straunge meanes, ye truth vnto vs open
and the warmenes of the spirit, shalbe theirof a token
Note lastlye, howe that Christ here, whom death coulde never holde
was holden by the prayers, of those two symple persons
teachynge theirby, howe we by prayer, may be boulde
to make Christ tarrye with vs, by inwarde secreett mocions
of truth and godly life) aye poyntynge frutefull lessons
yf we be then in prayer, earnest att all season
36
For the worde teacheth, howe prayer, shoulde be vsed and prayer obtayneth, that the worde hath promised
N
Nowe I will kepe you noe longer. / ffrom ye rest of ye matter
Cleophas
Exit
Were we purposed (brother) to have taried all nyght
we will to Ierusalem agayne, all right
and shewe them in order, howe yt chaunced with vs
peradventure the Apostles, will yet beleeve vs
Luke
For the woulde not beleeve for this cause, the wemen
for that he shoulde appeared (they thought) first to ye men
but for that they doe knowe, howe we departed from them
they will better beleeve, that thinge we shall tell them
Cleophas
Then lett vs goe apace, lesse we be benighted
Exeunt
Luke
here they walke aside and Peter with the Apostles comes in
For I trust we brynge glade tydyngs to them all befrighted
Iohn
And is our maister rysen, indeed Peter?
Peter
In deede Iohn, as I tolde you the matter
Iohn
Then the wemen, did tell vs a true talle
Peter
Euerye worde was true they sayed, without fayle
Iohn
What misbeleife, was in our hartes then
that we coulde never credit the wemen
37
when onlye the fault, was in vs all
Peter
We thought, yf he rose from death agayne
that we had byne they, whom he first playne
woulde have shewed hym selfe to all throughout
and that was the thinge, lapped vs in such Doubt
Andrewe
Then Peter, we will all beleeve thee
for that thou sayest, he hath appeared vnto thee
for thou wast in the same Doubt with vs
in like Dispaire, and Conscience scrupulous
Iames
And I knowe, that Peter coulde not saye ytt
vnlesse yt were true, and to be credit
but who be yonder, which comes so apace
be yt not they, which went to Emaus
Iohn
And breatherne welcome, for synce you were here
we knowe what ys become of our maister
he ys rysen from death, as the wemen sayed
and appeared to Peter, when he was right sadde
Cleophas
We be glade of that, you shall heare nowe agayne
what chaunced by the waye, vnto vs twayne
as we went to Emavs, partlye in despaire
of his resurrection, as all you here where
and makinge our mōne, concernynge the matter
he appeared vnto vs, by the waye like a straunger
and reprovynge our dulnes, in althings and Doubt
he expounded the scriptures of Messias through out
and proved by them, that he must needes Dye
and soe for to enter, into his glorye
but when we came to Emaus, he fayned to goe further
38
then by blessinge, breakinge, and reachinge ye breade to vs
[OMITTED]
[two leaves wanting]
The thride ys of spirites, yf their be such or noe
whom Christ here doth denye, to have fleashe or yet bone
that therbe, Christ doth affirme, but not to beleeve this tho
that they in fleashlye formes, Doe walke as many one
affirme that they have seene them, as they have rydde or gone
those be but lyinge spirites, Delusions of the Divell
to tempt vs in our faith, and drawe vs vnto evill
And though we see Christ eate in sight of his Disciples
yt argues not theirfore, that our immortall bodyes
shalbe susteigned with meate, or other carnall tryffels
were generation ceasses, and althese worldlye studdies
and whereas we shalbe, as the Angels, in all gloryes
but this was a prerogative, for a playne Demonstration
of a right naturall bodie, after resurrection
And here I leave agayne, att this season
:N:
vntill further matter, give further occasion
Peter
Breatherne you knowe howe the scribbes & pharises
doe watche and make search for vs with all polices
and all ys to fynde agaynst vs, some matter
for that great hatred, they beare to our maister
theirfore my counsayle ys, we gett vs to Galiley
yf their peraduenture, we may be more pryvye
and since we see our maister, this ys the eight Daye
were here we have lyen, in great feare all way
and for that we feare nowe, to goe out, by light
we may with more secreetnes, convaye our selves by night
39
here doth Thomas enter
We be ready (Peter) to doe what you will
either to goe, or else to tarrye still
but yonder comes Thomas, I am sorrye that he
hath lost the sight, of our maister, so vnhappelye
Thomas I praye thee, when thou wast last with vs
what was the cause, thou soe Departed from vs
Thomas
I had busynes to doe, which I coulde not Defferre
and yet for all that, I am neever the neere
Iohn
Yf thou hadst tarried, with vs altogether
thou shouldst both have seene, and have harde our maister
Thomas
You may longe tell me, that talle all waye
before you cane make me, beleeve yt I saye
Peter
Dost thou thinke (Thomas) that we iest with thee
and that Iohn doth not tell thee, the truth verelye
Thomas .1.
I thinke you disposed, with wordes so wise
to bringe me, to some foolishe paradice
Peter .2.
Thou deceavest thy selfe (Thomas) for to thinke soe
for we iest nor mocke thee, neither too not froe
for all we sawe hyme, in the same selfe bodye
as I toulde you before, he appeared to me
yf I lye (sirs) you can all testifye yt
was yt so or no, that Thomas may beleve yt
Andrewe .3.
Thomas, the verye same bodie, wc h was hanged on ye crosse
we sawe, but more glorified, then before yt was
40
And that thou shouldst marvayle, a great deale ye more
he came in the Doores shutt, never harde of before
Iames .5
In that we did take hym for a ghost, att first sight
till he spake, and tolde to vs, who he was all right
The .ij. Iames .6
Yea, we doubted as yet, for all his speakynge
vntill with eatynge, he put vs out of Doubtynge
Phillipe .7
Then afterwarde (Thomas) as he was wont to doe
he preached vnto vs, of manye things to
Bartholomewe .8.
And opened the scriptures, concernynge the Messias
howe althyngs before written, are nowe come to passe
Mathewe. .9.
And opened our eyes, that we perceavd well
that he was the promysed saviour of Israell
Symeon .10.
And for the vnderstandynge, of ye scriptures more suerlye
he breathed in vs his spirit, for this nowe our capasitie
Iude .11.
And authorished vs theirwt h, to our office agayne
to bynde and loose synnes (by preachinge both twayne
Peter
Howe sayest thou nowe (Thomas) cane this be aleasynge
when as all thy fellowes, doe affyrme (all) one thinge
Thomas
All my fellowes? and you also (Peter) may be deluded
with some fancye or vision, which you have mistaked
Peter
Yf we be deluded (Thomas) in this
41
dost thou (Thomas) beleeve, that I am Peter
which talkest with thee nowe, and whom thou dost heare
Thomas
Why shoulde I not beleeve yt, when I doe thee sey
in the same selfe likenes, wherin ever I knewe thee
Peter
And we saw our maister, in the selfe same likenes
he honge of the crosse, and was wounded doubtlesse
and offered his bodye, to vs all, to feale hym
that fealynge his woundes, we shoulde not doubt of hym
thou art theirfore (Thomas) farre out of the waye
to thinke three of our sences, so farre beguylde I saye
which woulde not have vs, to beleeve that thinge
which we sawe, harde, and felt, without any doubtynge
theirfore thou makest vs all, here to wonder
what shoulde be the cause, of this thy great errour
Andrewe
What ys the cause? but even meere wilfullnes
to take opinion, of selfe willd, foolishenes
Iohn
Then Andrewe (I saye) yt is a madd opinion
to be thus bent (so strounge) agaynst all reason
Iames
That heade, which thinkes, his owne reason the best
are most part with fancies, ys all possest
The .ij. Iames
Fancies in deede, as proves nowe in Thomas
which letts that to truth he cannot give place
Phillipe
A truth with out witnes, ys for hym most fytt
for wittnesses I see, that he will not creadyt
Bartholomewe
Yf witnesses doe stande, vpon a nomber
I thinke we were sufficient witnesses here
42
But Thomas with hyme selfe allowes noe witnes
but such as herein, shalbe even all sencelesses
Iude
For that thinge which of vs, was felt, harde, and seene
will not sinke in Thomas his heade, by noe meane./
Thomas
And when you have sayd (sirs) all that you cane saye
you cane not all, make me beleeve yt, noe waye
I will not creadit, no not my owne eye
though I shoulde see hym, stande here before me
vnlesse that I see, and feele both those woundes
made in his handes and feete with those hell houndes
which nayled hym to the crosse, without feare or dreade
of their cursed fact, and most heynious deede
and further I will not beleeve my owne sight
vnlesse with the sight, (that also) I myght
even playne have my hande, in the wounde of his syde
which was made with the speare, both large and wyde
except I doe see this, in everye proportion
I will never credit his resurrection
Peter
Thou makes vs to marvayle, to see thee soe stiffe
or what thinge shoulde make thee, soe harde of beleiffe
for though we all at first, did doubt in the matter
yet were not we soe stiffe, to contynewe in errour
Thomas
Stife, or vnstiffe, you cannot all turne me
before I see and feale, those woundes of his bodye
Iesus
The peace of God be amoungst you
Thomas, because thou art here, so harde of beleife
and agaynst all thy fellowes, stands in yt soe stiffe
that thou wilt not beleeve, yet, my resurrection
for all thy fellowes here, their testification
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