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Rom. vi.

ness of life in Christ, and in those that are his, as it is said afore.

By this also we see, into what poverty Christ submitted himself: he that in his life-time had neither house nor place where to lay his head, is now covered with strange cloth, and laid in a strange sepulchre. In the which thing, though Christ's body was alway uncorrupt, we are taught fruitfully to consider the corruption of our body. We are earth, and to the earth we must yield and pay earth again. Ashes we be, and into ashes we must return. Why brag we then? Why are we proud and high-minded, seeing that shortly we shall become foul dung and carrion? Why have we such desire to the wicked world, considering it casteth us out so vilely? We should alway remember, that within a small short time we shall be laid down into a foul pit. There is the harborough' of all flesh; there lie the rich and poor together in one bed. There is no difference between the noble and base of blood; there neither goods help the rich, nor subtle craft the witty. There the tender is worms' meat, and he that a little while ago went bragging up and down in costly apparel, is now an ugly smell to the nose: there the hardy giant is fain to play stout gallant's part; the praise and commendation of such as are puffed up in foolish pride departeth as the dust before the wind. Thus passeth away all mankind, and all flesh falleth to the place from whence he came, being dissolved by reason of original sin.

Wherefore let us learn in this time so to live, and so to subdue the flesh through the Spirit, that when the flesh corrupteth, our soul may be taken into eternal peace and rest.

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For all we that be baptized into Christ Jesus, are baptized into his death, being buried with him through baptism into death; that as Christ was raised up from the dead through the glory of his Father, so we likewise might walk in the newness of life. For if we be graffed in him through the similitude of his death, we shall assuredly also be partakers of his resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be emptied, and that we should serve sin no more; for he that is dead is made righteous from sin. If we now be dead with Christ,

[1 Harborough: harbour. Spenser.]

we believe that we shall also live with him."

the whole sixth chapter to the Romans.

Look upon

We must die from the world, and from our own flesh, that the world may be crucified and dead unto us, as we unto the world. The old Adam, who in us did live and rule, must be subdued and mortified, that Christ only may live and reign in us. We must bury our bodies with myrrh and aloes, that is, with lamentation and sorrow for our sins, with weeping, with fasting, and with abstinence; which works of repentance are bitter unto the body. But like as those bitter things, aloes and myrrh, do keep the body from corruption; so the cross and adversity sent of God, and borne for his sake, preserveth our flesh from sin.

If we thus die with Christ from the world, and be buried in his death, we shall rise again to a new life, here and in the world to come; and so, as for death, we need not be afraid of it. For the sepulchre is new, and lieth in the garden: which noteth unto us the return to the pleasant garden of paradise, which is opened us through the death of Christ. For he as a guide is entered in before us (John xiv. Heb. ix. x.), that we also after a new sort might escape from death, and rise again to a new life. For in the death of Christ is death killed, overcome, and wholly renewed, and as much as altered into a sleep. For we live unto God; and our bodies, as the scripture testifieth, shall also live again. And this is the cause, that the scripture affirmeth those which are dead in Christ to be asleep. Isai. xxvi. 1 Thess. iv.

Afore-time had death mightily and openly reigned, even over those also that had not sinned like unto Adam, (yet had they put on Adam's image, and were therefore subdued unto the curse:) but when the second Adam, namely, Christ, ap- 1 Cor. xv. peared, he purchased life again for mankind, through the death of his flesh, destroying the dominion of death, and rising from death again. Then was death renewed and changed, and became like unto a sleep: for it destroyeth us not for ever, but is a gate and entrance into a better and eternal life. Therefore have we a much more perfect hope of the resurrection in Christ, than they of old; which therefore buried the bodies so costly and honourably, because they hoped in the resurrection to come. As for us, we must bestow such cost upon Christ in his members, clothing and

feeding the poor, and being ready also to lose all things for his sake.

Grant unto us, O God, that as concerning the world and the old life we may die with thy Son our head, and be truly buried in his death; that with him, and in him, we may rise again to a new life; that we, weak and feeble, may with Joseph and Nicodemus grow in virtue and stedfastness, daily laying somewhat to the heap of godly exercises, being ever still renewed in the spirit; that we in our hearts laying up Christ, who died for our sakes, may so in thankful remembrance bury him, to the intent that our body and soul may still remain pure and unspotted until the coming of our Lord. Amen.

[Matthew xxvii. 61-66. Mark xv. 47. Luke xxiii. 55, 56.]

MARY MAGDALENE and Mary Joses, sitting over against the sepulchre, beheld where Jesus was laid. For certain women there were, which coming with him from Galilee, and following him, beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. Those returned back and prepared sweet odours; but upon the sabbath they rested, because of the command

ment.

The next day after the day of preparation the high priests and Pharisees came unto Pilate, and said: Sir, we remember, that this deceiver said, while he was yet alive, that after three days he should rise again. Cause therefore the grave to be kept until the third day, lest his disciples happily come and steal him away, and say unto the people, that he is risen from the dead; and so shall the last error be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have watchmen; go, and keep it, as ye know. They went and kept, and provided the sepulchre with watchmen, and sealed the

stone.

DOCTRINE AND FRUIT.

HERE we learn to have an earnest, diligent, and fervent love unto Christ, hearing with what zeal and ferventness that

devout women cleave unto him, and serve him in life and death. Him whom they loved in life, will they not forsake in death; but cheerfully with constant minds they jeopard their life and goods. What availeth us then, that we cannot shew friendship, love, and service unto Christ, as well as these women? Seeing we have not Christ always bodily with us, who now, being in his kingdom, needeth no corporal ministration and service, we ought to bestow the same upon his poor ones, whom we have always with us. Herein ought

we to spare neither goods nor money to serve and please Christ, who unto death did jeopard and give his body and life for us.

But like as in the women there was a devout gesture and good mind toward Christ; so in the Jewish priests and Pharisees there was found a great malice and hatred against Christ. They were not satisfied in persecuting him while he was alive, but undertook also to hinder his resurrection. Yet God by his wisdom useth their wickedness to the glory of Christ; that even the enemies themselves, albeit against their will, must bear record of his burial and resurrection, in that they keep the grave with watchmen, and seal the stone. The truth is immortal: the more it is opprest, the more it breaketh forth. Therefore ought we to beware, that we never go about to hinder the truth; for if we should do so, we should both labour in vain, and procure unto ourselves everlasting hurt.

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[COVERDALE.]

[CHAPTER III.]

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST OUT OF THE
HOLY EVANGELISTS.

Mark xvi.

Luke xxiv.

Matt. xxviii.

John xx.

[Matthew xxviii. 1-7, 11-15. Mark xvi. 1-7. Luke xxiv. 1-3. John xx. 1.]

AND when the sabbath was now past, even the sabbathday at even, Mary Magdalene, Mary James, and Salome, bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint Jesus. The evening when the sabbath is ended, and the first day dawneth after the sabbath, namely, the first day of the week, while it was yet dark, and the sun brake forth and began to arise, the women came to the sepulchre to see it. But there happened first a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord came down from heaven, and went and rolled back the stone from the mouth of the sepulchre, and sat upon it. His countenance was like the lightning, and his raiment white as snow; and for fear of him the keepers were astonied, and became as dead men. And behold, some of them that had watched the sepulchre, came into the city, and told the high priests all the things that had happened. Then gathered they themselves with the elders, and took counsel, and gave large money unto the soldiers, saying: Say ye, that his disciples came by night, and stole him away while ye slept. And if this come to the ruler's ears, we will persuade him, and save you harmless. So they took the money, and did as they were taught. And this saying is noised among the Jews unto this day.

Now as the women were in the way going, they said among themselves: Who will roll us the stone away from the Matt. xxviii. door of the sepulchre? (for it was a very great one.) And

as they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away. Then went they into the sepulchre, and found not the body

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