A sermon preached at White-hall, on Easter day the 16. of April. 1620. By the Bishop of Winchester

IOHN . CHAP. XX.

Maria autem stabat iuxta monumentum , &c.

Ver. II. But Marie , stood by the Sepulchre , weeping , and as she wept she stouped , and looked into the Sepulchre ,

12. And saw two angels , in white , sitting , the one at the head , the other at the feete , where the body of Iesus had Iyen .

13. And they said to her , Woman , why weepest thou ? She said to them , They have taken away my Lord , and I know not where they haue laid Him .

14. When she had thus said , she turned herselfe about , and saw Iesus standing , and knew not that it was Iesus .

15. Iesus saith to her , Woman , why weepest thou ? whom seekest thou ? She ( supposing He had beene the gardiner ) said to him , Sir if thou have borne Him hence , tell mee where thou hast laid Him , and I will take Him thence .

16. Iesus saith to her , Marie : She turned herselfe , and said to Him , Rabboni ; that is to say , Master .

17. Iesus saith to her , Touch me not , for I am not yet ascended to my Father , But , goe to my brethren , and say to them , I ascend to my Father and to your Father , and to my God and your God .

This last verse was not touched .

IT is Eastr day abroad : And it is so in the text . We keepe Salomons rule , 1. Reg. 8. 59. Verbum diei in die suo : For , all this ( I haue read ) is nothing else , but a report of CHRISTS rising , and of His appearing this Easter day morning , His very first appearing of all . S. Mar. 16. 9. Marke is expresse for it , that Christ was no sooner risen this day , but He appeared first of all to Mary Magdalene : which first appearing of His , is here by S. Iohn extended , and set downe at large .

The summe of it is , 1. The seeking Christ dead ; 2. The finding Him aliue .

The Maner of it is , That Mary Magdalene staying still by the Sepulchre , first she saw a vision of Angels : and after , she saw Christ himselfe . Saw Him , and was herselfe made an Angel by Him , a good Angel , to cary the Euangel , the first good and ioyfull tidings of His rising againe from the dead . And this was a great honour ( all considered ) to serue in an Angels place . To doe that at His Resurrection ( His second birth ) that , Acts 13. 33. at His first birth an Angel did . An Angel first published that ; Mary Magdalen brought first notice of this . As hee , to the Shepherds ; so shee , to the Apostles , the Pastours of Christs flock , by them to be spred abroad to the ends of the world .

To looke a little into it .

1. Mary is the name of a woman :

2. Mary Magdalen , of a sinfull woman .

That , to a woman first ; it agreeth well , to make euen with Eue ; that , as by a woman came the first newes of death ; So , by a woman also might come the first notice of the Resurrection from the dead . And the place fits well : for , in a garden , they came , both .

That , to a sinfull woman first ; that also agrees well . To her first that most needed it : most needed it , and so first sought it . And it agrees well ; He be first found of her , that first sought Him : Euen in that respect she was to be respected .

In which two , there is opened vnto vs a gate of hope , Hos. 2. 15. two great leaues ( as it were ) one that no infirmity of sex ( for a woman we see : ( the other , that no enormitie of sin , ( for a sinfull woman , one that had the blemish , that shee went vnder the common name of peccatrix , Luke . 7. 37. as notorious and famous in that kinde : ) That , neither of these , shall debarre any to haue their part in Christ , and in His Resurrection ; any , that shall seeke Him in such sort , as shee did . For , either of these non obstante , nay notwithstanding both these , she had the happinesse ; To see His Angels ( and that was no small fauour : ) To see Christ himselfe : And that , first of all , before all others , to see and salute Him : And , to receiue a commission from Him of Vade & dic , to goe and tell , ( that is , as it were ) to be an Apostle , and that to the Apostles themselues , to bring them the first good newes of Christs rising againe .

THere are three Parties that take vp the whole Text : and if I should diuide it , I would make those three Parties the three parts ; ¹ Mary Magdalene , ² the Angels , ³ and Christ our Sauiour .

Mary Magdalen begins her part in the first verse , but she goes along through them all .

Then the Angels part in the two verses next . ¹ Their appearing , ² and their speech to her : Appearing , in the twelfth , Speech , in the thirteenth .

And last , Christs part in all the rest . ¹ His appearing , ² and Speech , likewise . Appearing , first , vnknowen , in the fourteenth , and His speech then , in the fifteenth .

After , His appearing , and speech againe , being knowen , in the sixteenth and seuenteenth . ¹ Forbidding her , Mane & tange , to stay , and to touch , ² and bidding her , Vade & dic , together quickly to His brethren , and tell them , His resurrection was past , for ( ascendo ) Hee was taking thought for His ascension , and preparing for that . Thus lieth the order , and the parts .

The vse will be , that we , in our seeking , cary our selues as she did : and so may we haue the happinesse , that she had , to finde Christ , as Hee is now to be found in the vertue of His Resurrection .

VER. 11. But Mary , stood by the sepulchre , weeping , and as shee wept , shee stouped , and looked into the sepulchre .

OF the fauours vouchsafed this same faelix peccatrix , ( as the Fathers terme her ) this day , ¹ To see but Christs Angels , ² To see Christ at all , ³ To see Him first of all , ⁴ But , more then all these , to be employed by Him in so heauenly an errand ; reason wee can render none that helped her to these , but that , which in a place Christ himselfe renders , Quia dilexit muliùm , Luke 7. 47. Because shee loued much .

She loued much : we cannot say , Shee beleeued much . For , by her sustulerunt thrise repeated , at the second , thirteenth , fifteenth verses , it seemes , shee beleeued no more , then iust as much as the High Priests would haue had the world beleeue , Matt. 28. 13. that He was taken away by night .

Defectus fideinon est negandus , affectus amoris non est vituper and us : It is Origen . we cannot commend her faith ; her loue , we cannot but commend ; And so doe : Commend it in her , commend it to you . Much it was , and much good proofe gaue she of it . Before , to Him liuing : now , to Him dead . To Him dead , there are diuers : ¹ She was last at His Crosse , & first at His graue : ² Stayed longest there , was soonest heere : ³ Could not rest , till shee were vp to seeke Him : ⁴ Sought Him , while it was yet darke , before shee had light to seeke Him by .

But , to take her as wee finde her in the Text , and to looke no whither else . There are , in the Text , no lesse then ten , all arguments of her great loue , all , as it were , a commentarie vpon dilexit multùm . And euen in this first verse , there are fiue of them .

The first , in these words ; stabat inxta monumentum , that she stood by the graue . A place , where faint loue loues not to stand . Bring Him to the graue , and lay Him in the graue , and there leaue him : but come no more at it , nor stand not long by it . Stand by Him , while He is aliue , So did many , stand , and goe , and sit by Him . But , stans iuxta monumentum , Stand by Him dead , Marie Magdalen , she did it , and she onely did it , and none but she . Amor stans iuxta monumentum .

The next is in these , Maria autem stabat . But Marie stood . In the autem , the but ( that , helpes vs to another . ) But Mary stood ( that is asmuch to say , as ) others did not , But , she did . ver. 8. Peter and Iohn were there but euen now . Thither they came , but not finding Him , away they went . They went : But Marie went not , she stood still . Their going away commends her staying behinde . To the graue she came before them , From the graue she went to tell them , To the graue she returnes with them , At the graue she stayes behind them . Fortior eam figebat affectus , saith Augustine , a stronger affection fixed her , so fixed her , that she had not the power to remoue thence . Goe , who would , she would not , but stay , still . To stay while others doe so , while company stayes , that is the worlds loue : But Peter is gone , and Iohn too : all are gone , and we left alone ; then to stay , is loue , and constant loue . Amor manens , alijs recedentibus , Loue , that when others shrinke and giue ouer , holds out still .

The third in these , she stood , and she wept ; And , not a teare or two : but she wept a good ( as we say ; ) That the Angels , That Christ himselfe pitie her , and both of them , the first thing they doe , they aske her , Why she wept so ? Both of them begin with that question . And , in this , is loue . For , if , when Christ stood at Lazarus graues side and wept , Ioh. 11. 36. the Iewes said , See how be loued him : may not we say the very same , when Mary stood at Christs graue and wept , See , how she loued him ? Whose presence she wished for , His misse she wept for ; whom she dearely loued , while she had Him , she bitterly bewailed , when she lost Him . Amor amare flens , Loue running downe the cheekes .

The fourth in these , And as she wept , shee stouped , and looked in , euer and anon . That is , she did so weepe , as , she did seeke withall . Weeping without seeking , is but to small purpose . But , her weeping hindered not her seeking ; Her sorrow dulled not her diligence . And , diligence is a character of loue , comes from the same root , dilectio & diligentia from diligo , both . Amor diligentiam diligens .

To seeke , is one thing : not to giue ouer seeking , is another . For , I aske , why should she now looke in ? Peter and Iohn had looked there before , nay had beene in the graue , ( they . ) Ver. 8. It makes no matter : Shee wil not trust Peters eyes , nor Iohns , neither . But , she her selfe had before this , looked in , ( too . ) No force , she will not trust her selfe , she will suspect her owne eyes , she will rather thinke , she looked not well before , then leaue off her looking . It is not enough for loue , to looke in once . Thus we vse , this is our manner when we seeke a thing seriously , where we haue sought already , there to seeke againe , thinking wee did it not well , but , if wenow looke againe , better , we shall surely find it , then . Amor quaerens vbi quaesiuit . Loue , that neuer thinkes , it hath looked enough . These fiue .

And , by these fiue , we may take measure of our loue , and of the true multum of it . Vt profit nobis ejus stare , ejus plorare , & quaerere ( faith Origen ) that her standing , her weeping , and seeking , wee may take some good by them .

I doubt , ours will fall short . Stay by Him aliue , that we can , juxtamensam : but juxta monumentum , who takes vp his standing there ? And our loue , it is dry eyed , it cannot weepe ; it is stiffe-ioynted , it cannot stoupe to secke . If it doe , and wee hit not on Him at first , away wee goe , with Peter and Iohn ; wee stay it not out with Mary Magdalen . A signe , our loue is little , and light , and our seeking sutable , and so , it is without successe . We find not Christ , no meruaile : but seeke Him as shee sought Him , and we shall speed , as she sped .

VER. 12. And saw two Angels , in white , sitting , the one at the head , the other at the feet , where the body of Iesus had lien .

For what came of this ? Thus staying by it , and thus looking in , againe and againe , though she saw not Christ at first , shee sees his Angels . For so it pleased Christ to come by degrees : His Angels , before Him . And , it is no vulgar honour , this , to see but an Angel , what would one of vs giue to see but the like sight ?

We are now at the Angels part . Their appearing , in this verse . There are foure points in it . ¹ Their place , ² Their habit , ³ Their site , ⁴ and their order . ¹ Place , in the graue , ² Habit , in white ; ³ site , they were sitting ; ⁴ and their order in sitting , one at the head , the other at the feet .

The Place , In the graue shee saw them : and Angels in a graue , is a strange sight , a fight neuer seene before , not till Christs body had beene there , neuer , till this day ; this the first newes of Angels in that place . For , a graue , is no place for Angels ( one would thinke ) for wormes , rather : Blessed Angels , not but in a blessed place . But , since Christ lay there , that place is blessed . There was a voice heard from heauen , Blessed be the dead , Reu. 14. 13. Precious the death , Glorious the memorie now , Psal. 116. 15. of them that die in the Lord . And , even this , that the Angels disdained not now to come thither , and to sit there , is an auspicium of a great change to ensue in the state of that place . Quid gloriosius Angelo ? quid vilius vermiculo ? saith Augustine . Qui fuit vermiculorum locus , est & Angelorum . That which was the place for wormes , is become a place for Angels .

Their Habit , In white . So were there diuers of them , diuers times , this day , seene , in white , all , in that colour . It seemes to be their Easter day colour ; for at this Feast , they all doe their seruice in it . Their Easter day colour , for it is the colour of the Resurrection . The state whereof when Christ would represent vpon the Mount . His raiment was all white , no Fuller in earth could come neere it . And , our colour it shall be , Reu. 7. 9. when rising againe , wee shall walke in white robes , and follow the Lambe whither soeuer He goeth .

Heauen mourned on Good-Friday ; the Eclipse made all then in blacke . Easter day , it reioyceth , Heauen and Angels all in white . Salomon tells vs , it is the colour of ioy . And , Eccles. 9. 8. that is the state of ioy , and this the day of the first ioyfull tidings of it , with ioy euer celebrated , euen in albis , eight dayes together , by them that found Christ .

In white , and sitting : As the colour , of ioy : so , the situation , of rest . So wee say , Sit downe , and rest . And so , is the graue made by this mornings worke , a place of rest . Rest , not from our labours onely , so doe the beasts rest when they die : But , as it is in 16. Psal. 16. 9. Psalme ( a Psalme of the resurrection ) a rest in hope ; hope , of rising againe , the members in the vertue of their head , who this day is risen . So , to enter into the rest , which yet remaineth for the people of God , Heb. 4. 9. euen the Sabbath eternall .

Sitting , and in this order sitting , at the head , one ; at the feet , another , where His body had lyen .

1 Which order may well referre to Christ himselfe , whose body was the true Arke indeed , Col. 2. 9. In which it pleased the Godhead to dwell bodily ; and is therefore heere betweene two Angels , as was the Arke ( the type of it ) betweene the two Cherubims . Exod. 25. 19.

2 May also referre to Mary Magdalen . Mat. 26. 7. She had annointed his head , Ioh. 11. 3. she had annointed his feete : at these two places , sit the two Angels , as it were to acknowledge so much for her sake .

3 In mysterie they referre it thus . Because caput Christi Deus , 1 Cor. 11. 3. the Godhead is the head of Christ , Gen. 3. 15. and His feet ( which the Serpent did bruise ) His manhood ; that either of these hath his Angell . That , to Christ man , no lesse then to Christ God , the Angels doe now their seruice . In principio erat verbum , His Godhead , there an Angell : Verbum caro factum , His manhood ; there , another . And let all the Angels of God worship Him in both . Heb. 1. 6. Euen in His manhood , at His cradle ( the head of it ) a queere of Angels ; At His graue ( the feete of it ) Angels likewise . Luk. 2. 13.

4 And lastly , for our comfort ( thus . ) That , henceforth euen such shall all our graues be , if we be so happy as to haue our parts in the first resurrection , Reu. 20. 6. which is of the soule from sinne . We shal go to our graues in white ( in the comfort , and colour of hope ) lye betweene two Angels , there : they guard our bodies , dead , and present them aliue againe at the resurrection .

1 Yet before we leaue them , to learne somewhat of the Angels : specially , of the Angell that sate at the feete . That , betweene them there was no striuing for places . He that sate at the feet , as well content with his place , as he that at the head . We , to be so , by their example . For , with vs , both the Angels would haue beene at the head , neuer a one at the feete : with vs , none would be at the feet by his good will , Headangels all .

2 Againe , from them both . That , inasmuch , as the head euer stands for the beginning , and the feete for the end ; that we be carefull , that our beginnings onely bee not glorious ( O an Angel at the head in any wise ) but that we looke to the feete , there be another there , too . Ne turpiter atrum Definat , that it end not in a blacke Angel , that began in a white . And this for the Angels appearing .

VER. 13. And they said to her , Woman , why weepest thou ? She said to them , They have taken away my Lord , and I know not where they haue laid Him .

NOw to their speech . Their question . It was not a dumb shew , this , a bare apparition , and so vanished away . It was visio & vox , a vocall vision . Heere is a dialogue , too : The Angels speake to her .

And they aske her , Quid ploras ? Why she wept ? what cause shee had to weepe . They meane , she had none ( as indeed no more she had . ) All was in error , piae lachrymae , sed caecae , Gregorie . teares of griefe , but false griefe , imagining that to be , that was not , Him to be dead that was aliue . She weepes , because shee found the graue emptie , which God forbid she should haue found full , for then Christ must haue beene dead still , and so , no Resurrection .

And this case of Marie Magdalen is our case oftentimes . In the error of our conceit , to weepe where we haue no cause ; to ioy , where we haue as little . Where we should , where wee haue cause to ioy , we weepe : and , where to weepe , we ioy . Our ploras hath neuer a quid . False ioyes , and false sorrowes , false hopes , and false feares this life of ours is full of , God helpe vs .

Now because she erred , they aske her the cause , that she alledging it , they may take it away , and shew it to bee no cause . As the elen●h , à non causà pro causà makes foule rule among vs , beguiles vs , all our life long .

Will ye heare her answere to , Her answer . Why weepe you ? Why ? sustulerunt , that was the cause , Her Lord was gone , was taken away .

And a good cause it had beene if it had beene true . Any haue cause to grieue , that haue lost , lost a good Lord , so good and gracious a Lord , as He had beene to her .

But that is not all : a worse matter , a greater griefe then that . When one dieth , we reckon him taken away ; that is one kind of taking away . But his dead body is left ; so , all is not taken from vs ; That , was not her case . For , in saying ( her Lord ) she meanes not , Her Lord aliue , that is not it ; shee meanes not , they had slaine Him , they had taken away his life ( she had wept her fill for that , already . ) But , her Lord , that is , his dead body . For , though His life was gone , yet His body was left . And , that was all , she now had left of Him ( that , shee cals Her Lord ) and , that , they had taken away from her , too . A poore one it was , yet some comfort it was to her , to haue euen that left her , to visite , to annoint , to doe other offices of loue , euen to that . Etiam viso cadauere recalescit amor , at the sight , Ambros. euen of that , will loue reuiue , it will fetch life of loue againe . But now , heere is her case ; that , is gone , and all , and nothing , but an empty graue , now left to stand by . That S. Augustine saith well , sublatus de monumento , grieued her more , then occisus in ligno , for , then something yet was left ; now , nothing at all . Right sustulerunt , taken away quite and cleane .

And thirdly , her nescio vbi . For though He be taken away , it is some comfort yet , if we know where to fetch Him againe . But here , He is gone , without all hope of recouery , or getting againe . For they ( but shee knew not who ) had caried Him ( she knew not whither ) laide Him ( shee knew not where ) there to do to Him ( she knew not what . ) So that now she knew not , whither to go , to find any confort . It was nescio vbi , with her , right . Put all these together , His life taken away , His body taken away , & caried no man knowes whither ; and , doe they aske , why she wept ? or , can any blame her for it ?

The trueth is , Her errour . none had taken away Her Lord , for all this : for , all this while Her Lord was well , was , as shee would haue had Him , aliue and safe . He went away of himselfe , none caried him thence . What of that ? Non credens suscitatum , Augustine . credidit sublatum , for want of beliefe He was risen , shee beleeued , He was caried away . Shee erred in so beleeuing , there was errour in her loue , but there was loue in her errour too .

And , Yet , her loue . giue me leaue to lay out three more arguments of her loue , out of this verse ( to make vp eight , towards the making vp of her multùm . )

1. The very title shee giues Him of Dominum meum , is one , My Lord , that she giues Him that terme . For , it shewes her loue and respect was no whit abated , by the scandall of His death . It was a most opprobrious , ignominious , shamefull death Hee suffered , such , as in the eyes of the world , any would haue been ashamed to own Him , ( or say of Him , Meum : ) But , any would haue beene afraid to honour Him with that title , to style Him , Dominum . Shee was neither . Meum , for hers , Dominum meum , for her Lord , shee acknowledgeth Him , is neither ashamed , nor afraid to continue that title still . Amor scandalo non scandalizatus .

Another ( which I take to be farre beyond this ) That , shee hauing looked into the graue a little before , and seene neuer an Angel there ; and of a sudden looking in now , and seeing two , ( a sight , able to haue amazed any ; any , but her ) It mooues not her at all . The suddennesse , the strangenesse , the gloriousnesse of the sight , yea euen of Angels , mooue her not at all . Shee seemes to haue no sense of it , and so to be in a kinde of extasie all the while . Domine , propter te est extra se , saith Bernard . Amor extasin patiens .

And thirdly , as that strange sight affected her not a whit : so neither did their comfortable speech worke with her at all . Comfortable , I call it , for they that aske the cause , why , ( why weepe you ? ) shew , they would remooue it , if it lay in them : Neither of these did , or could mooue her , or make her once leaue her weeping : she wept on , still ( Christ will aske her , quid ploras ? by and by againe . ) If shee finde an Angel , if she finde not her Lord , it will not serue . She had rather finde his dead body , then them in all their glory . No man in earth , no Angel in heauen can comfort her , none but He that is taken away , Christ , and none but Christ ; and , till she find Him againe , her soule refuseth all maner comfort : yea , euen from heauen , euen from the Angels themselues : These three . Amor super amissum renuens consolari .

Thus shee , in her loue , for her supposed losse , or taking away . And what shal become of vs , in ours then ? That lose Him ¹ not once , but oft , ² And not in suppose , as she did , but in very deed , ³ And that , by sinne ( the worst losse of all , ) ⁴ And that , not by any others taking away , but by our owne acte , & wilfull default ; and are not grieued , nay not moued a whit , break none of our wonted sports for it , as if we reckoned Him , as good lost as found . Yea , when Christ , and the holy Ghost , and the fauour of God , and all is gone , how soon , how easily are we comforted againe for all this ? that , none shall need to say , quid ploras ? to vs , rather , quid non ploras ? aske vs , why we weepe not , hauing so good cause to doe it , as wee then haue ? This for the Angels part .

VER. 14. When she had thus said , she turned her selfe about , and saw Iesus standing , and knew not that it was Iesus .

Alwayes the Angels ( wee see ) touched the right string , and shee tells them the wrong cause , but yet the right , if it had beene right .

Now , to this answere of hers , they would haue replied , and taken away her errour touching her Lords taking away ; that , if she knew all , shee would haue left her seeking , and fit her downe by them : and left her weeping , and beene in white , as well as they .

But , here is a supersedeas to them : The Lord himselfe comes in place . ( Now come wee from the seeking Him dead , to the finding Him aliue . ) For , when Hee saw , no Angels , no sight , no speech of theirs would serue , none but her Lord could giue her any comfort ; Her Lord comes . Christus adest .

Adest Christus , nec ab eis vnquam abest , à quibus quaeritur , saith Augustine . Christ is found , found by her ; And this case of hers , shall be the case of all that seriously seeke Him . This woman heere , for one , shee sought Him ( we see . ) They that went to Emmaus to day , they but talked of Him sadly , and they both found Him . Why , He is found of them that seeke Him not . Esa 65. 1. but , of them that seeke Him , neuer but found . For , thou Lord neuer failest them that seeke Thee . Psal. 9. 10. God is not vnrighteous , to forget the worke and labour of their loue that seeke Him . Heb. 6. 10.

So , finde Him they shall , but happily not all so fully at first , no more then shee did . For , first ( to try her yet a little further ) He comes vnknowen , stands by her , and she little thought it had beene Hee .

A case that likewise falls out full oft . Doubtlesse He is not farre from euery one of vs , Acts 17. 27. saith the Apostle to the Athenians . But He is neerer vs many times then we thinke ; Iob. 9. 11. even hard by vs , and we not aware of it , saith Iob. And , Luke 19. 42. O si cognouisses & tu , O if wee did know ( and it standeth vs in hand to pray that we may know ) when He is so , for , that is the time of our visitation . Luk. 19. 44.

Saint Iohn saith here , the Angels were sitting : Saint Luke saith , they stood . Luk. 24. 4. They are thus reconciled . That , Christ comming in presence , the Angels which before were sitting , stood vp . Their standing vp , made Marie Magdalen turne her to see who it was they rose to . And so , Christ she saw , but , knew Him not .

Not onely not knew Him , but misknew Him , tooke Him for the Gardiner . Teares , wil dim the sight , and it was yet scarse day , and shee , seeing one , and not knowing what any one should make in the ground so early , but he that dressed it , she might well mistake . But it was more then so : Her eyes were not holden onely , Luk. 24. 16. that shee did not know Him , but ouer and beside , Mar. 16. 12. He did appeare 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 in some such shape as might resemble the Gardiner , whom shee tooke Him for .

Proper enough it was , it fitted well the time and place ( this person . ) The time , It was the Spring : The place , It was a garden ( that place is most in request at that time ) for that place and time , a Gardiner doth well .

Of which her so taking Him , Saint Gregorie saith well , Profectò errando non errauit . She did not mistake in taking Him for a Gardiner : though she might seeme to erre , in some sense , yet in some other she was in the right . For , in a sense , and a good sense , CHRIST may well be said to be a Gardiner , and indeed is one . For , our rule is , Christ , as He appeares , so He is , euer : No false semblant in Him .

1 A Gardiner He is then . The first , the fairest garden that euer was ( Paradise ) He was the Gardiner , it was of His planting . So , a Gardiner .

2 And euer since it is He that ( as God ) makes all our gardens greene , sends vs yearely the Spring , and all the hearbs and flowers we then gather ; and neither Paul with his planting , nor Apollo with his watering , could doe any good without him . So a Gardiner in that sense .

3 But not in that alone ; But He it is that gardens our soules too , and makes them , as the Prophet saith , Iere. 31. 21. Like a well watered garden , weedes out of them whatsoeuer is noysome or vnsauoury , sowes and plants them with true rootes and seedes of righteousnesse , waters them with the dew of His grace , and makes them bring forth fruit to eternall life .

But it is none of all these , but besides all these , nay ouer and aboue all these , this day ( if euer ) most properly He was a Gardiner . Was one , and so after a more peculiar manner , might take this likenesse on Him . Christ rising was indeed a Gardiner , and that a strange one , who made such an hearbe grow out of the ground this day , as the like was neuer seene before , a dead body , to shoote foorth aliue out of the graue .

I aske , was He so this day alone ? No , but this profession of His , this day begun , He will follow to the end . For , He it is , that by vertue of this mornings act , shall garden our bodies , too : turne all our graues into garden plots : Yea , shall one day turne land and Sea and all into a great garden , and so husband them , as they shal in due time bring forth liue bodies , euen all our bodies aliue againe .

Long before did Esai see this and sing of it , in his song Esa. 26. 19. resembling the Resurrection to a Spring garden . Awake and sing ( saith he ) ye that dwell for a time are as it were sowen in the dust , for His dew shall be as the dew of hearbs , and the earth shall shoot forth her dead . So then : He appeared no other , then He was : A Gardiner He was , not in shew alone , but opere & veritate , and so came in His owne likeness . This for Christs appearing . Now to His speech ( but , as vnknowen still . )

VERS. 15. Iesus saith to her , Woman , why weepest thou ? whom seekest thou ? She ( supposing he had beene the Gardiner ) said to Him , Sir , if thou haue borne Him hence , tell me where thou hast laid Him , and I will take Him thence .

STill she wept : Christs question vnknown . So Hee begins with quid ploras ? askes the same question the Angels had before ; onely quickens it a little with Quem quaeris , Whom seeke you ? So , quem quaeris , quaerit à te quem quaeris , whom she sought , He asks her whom she sought ? Si quaeris , Augustine , cur non cognoscis ? si cognoscis , cur quaeris ? saith Augustine . If she seeke Him , why knowes she Him not ? If shee know Him , why seekes she Him still ? A common thing with vs ( this also . ) To seeke a thing , and when we haue found it , not to know , wee haue so ; but euen Christum à Christo quaerere , to aske Christ for Christ . Which howeuer it fall in other matters , in this seeking of Christ , it is safe . Euen when we seeke Christ , to pray to Christ , to helpe vs to finde Christ ; we shall doe it full euill without Him .

This quid ploras , it comes now twise . The Angels asked it , wee stood not on it , then . Now , seeing Christ askes it againe , the second time , wee will thinke there is something in it , and stay a little at it . The rather , for that it is the very opening of His mouth , the very first words that euer came from Him , that He spake first of all , after His rising againe from death . There is sure some more then ordinary matter in this quid ploras , if it be , but euen for that .

Thus say the Fathers ; ¹ That Marie Magdalen standing by the graue side , and there weeping , is thus brought in , to represent vnto vs , the state of all mankind before this day , the day of Christs rising againe , weeping over the dead , as doe the heathen that haue no hope : 1. Thess. 4. 13. comes Christ with His quid ploras , Why doe you weepe ? As much to say , as ne plores , Weepe not ; why should you weepe ? There is no cause of weeping now . Henceforth none shall need to stand by the graue to weepe there any more . A question very proper for Easter-day , for the day of the Resurrection . For , if there be a rising again , quid ploras , is right , why should shee , why should any weepe , then ?

So that this quid ploras of Christs , wipes away teares from all eyes , and as we sing in the 30 Psalme ( whose title is , the Psalme of the Resurrection ) puts off our sackcloth , that is , our mourning weeds , girds vs with gladnesse , puts vs all in white with the Angels . Ploras then : leaue that for Good-Friday , for His Passion : Weepe then , and spare not . But , quid ploras , for Easter-day , is in kinde ( the Feast of the Resurrection ) why should there be any weeping vpon it ? Is not Christ risen ? Shall not He raise vs with Him ? Is He not a Gardiner , to make our bodies sowen , to grow againe ? Ploras , leaue that to the heathen , that are without all hope ; but to the Christian man , quid ploras ? Why should he weepe ? he hath hope : the Head is already risen , the members shall in their due time follow Him .

I observe , that foure times this day , at foure seuerall appearings , ¹ at the first ( at this heere ) He askes her , quid ploras ? Why she wept ? ² Of them that went to Emaus , quid tristes estis ? Luke 24. 17. Why are ye sad ? ³ Within a verse following this Text ( the 19. ) Hee saith to the Eleuen , Pax vobis , Peace be to them : ⁴ And to the women that met Him on the way , Matt. 28. 9. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 that is , Reioyce , bee glad . So , no weeping , no being sad , now ; nothing this day , but peace and ioy : they doe properly belong to this feast .

And , this I note the more willingly , now , this yeere ; because the last Easter we could not so well haue noted it . Some wept then ; all were sad , little joy there was , and there was a quid , a good cause for it . But blessed be God that hath now sent vs a more kindly Easter , of this , by taking away the cause of our sorrow then , that we may preach of Quid ploras , & be far from it . So much for quid ploras , Christs question . Now to her answer .

She is still where she was ; Her answer . at sustulerunt before , at sustulisti , now : situ sustulisti : we shall neuer get that word from her .

But , to Christ shee seemes somewhat more harsh , then to the Angels . To them she complaines of others , They haue taken . Christ she seemes to charge , at least to suspect of the fact , as if He looked like one that had beene a breaker vp of graues , a carrier away of corses out of their place of rest . Her ( if ) implies as much . But pardon loue : as it feares where it needs not , so it suspects oft where it hath no cause . He , or any that comes in our way , hath done it , hath taken Him away , when loue is at a losse . But Bernard speakes to Christ for her ; Domine , amor quem ●abebat in Te , & dolor quem babebat de Te , excuset eam apud Te , si fortè errauit circa Te : That the loue she bare to Him , the sorrow shee had for Him , may excuse her with Him , if she were in any error concerning Him , in her saying , Si tu sustulisti .

And yet , Origen . see how God shall direct the tongue . In thus charging Him , Prophetat & nescit , She sayes truer then shee was aware . For indeed , if any tooke Him away , it was He did it . So , she was not much amisse . Her situ , was true , though not in her sense . For , quod de ipso factum est , ipse fecit . All that was done to Him , He did it Himselfe . His taking away , Chrysologus . virtus fuit , non facinus , was by His owne power , not by the act of any other : Et gloria , non iniuria , No other mans iniurie it was , but His owne glorie , that shee found Him not there . This was true , but this was no part of her meaning .

I cannot here passe ouer two more Characters of her loue , that so you may haue the full ten I promised .

One , in si tu sustulisti eum , in her eum , in her [ Him . ] Him ? which Him ? Her affection seemes so to transport her , as shee sayes no man knowes what . To one , a meere stranger to her , and shee to him , shee talks of one thrise vnder the terme of Him , If thou hast taken Him , tel me where thou hast laid Him , and I will fetch Him ; Him , Him , & Him , & neuer names Him , or tels who He is . This is Soloecismus amoris , an irregular speech , but loues owne Dialect . Him is enough with love , who knowes not who that is ? It supposes euery body , all the world bound to take notice of Him whom we looke for , onely by saying , Him , though wee neuer tell his name , nor say a word more . Amor , quem ipse cogitat , neminem putans ignorare .

The other is in her ego tollam ; If hee would tell her where hee had laide Him , she would go fetch Him ( that she would . ) Alas poore woman , shee was not able to lift Him . There are more then one , or two either , allowed to the carrying of a corps . As for His , it had more then an hundred pound weight of myrrhe and other odours vpon it , Ioh. 19. 39. beside the poise of a dead body . She could not doe it . Well , yet she would doe it , though . O mulier , non mulier ( saith Origen ) for ego tollam seemes rather the speech of a Porter , or of some lustie strong fellow at least , then of a silly weake woman . But loue makes women more then women , at least it makes them have 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the courage aboue the strength , farre . Neuer measures her owne forces , no burden too heauie , no assay too hard for loue , & nihil erubescit nisi nomen difficultatis ; And is not ashamed of any thing , but that any thing should be too hard or too heauie for it . Affectus sine mensurâ virium propriarum . Both these argue dilexit multùm . And so now you haue the full number often .

VER. 16. Iesus saith to her , Mary : She turned her selfe , & said to Him , Rabboni ; that is to say , Master .

NOw magnes amoris amor . Christs second speech . Nothing so allures , so drawes loue to it , as doth loue it selfe . In Christ specially , and in such in whom the same minde is . For , when her Lord saw , there was no taking away His taking away from her , all was in vaine , neither men nor Angels , nor Himselfe ( so long as Hee kept Himselfe gardiner ) could get any thing of her , but her Lord was gone , He was taken away ; and that for the want of Iesus , nothing but Iesus could yeeld her any comfort ; Hee is no longer able to containe , but euen discloses Himselfe ; And discloses Himselfe by His voice .

For , it should seeme , before , with His shape , Hee had changed that also . But now , Hee speakes to her in His knowen voice , in the wonted accent of it , does but name her name , Mary , no more , and that was enough . That was as much to say , Recognosce à quo recognosceris , Augustine . she would at least take notice of Him , that shewed He was no stranger by calling her by her name . For , whom we call by their names , we take particular notice of . So God sayes to Moses , Exod. 33. 17. Te autem cognoui de nomine , Thou hast found grace in my sight , and I know thee by thy name . As God , Moses ; So Christ , Mary Magdalen .

And this indeede is the right way to know Christ ; to be knowen of Him first . Gal. 4. 9. the Apostle saith , Now wee haue knowen God ( and then correcteth himselfe ) or rather haue beene knowen of God . For , till Hee know vs , wee shall neuer know Him aright .

And now , loe , Christ is found , found aliue that was sought dead . A cloude may be so thick , we shal not see the Sunne through it . The Sunne must scatter that cloud , and then wee may . Here is an example of it . It is strange , a thicke cloude of heauinesse had so couered her , as , see Him shee could not , through it ; this one word , these two syllables [ Mary ] from His mouth , scatters it , all . No sooner had His voice sounded in her eares , but it driues away all the mist , dries vp her teares , lightens her eyes , that shee knew Him straight , and answeres Him with her wonted salutation , Her answere . Rabboni . If it had lien in her power to haue raised Him from the dead , shee would not haue failed , but done it ( I dare say . ) Now it is done to her hands .

And with this , all is turned out and in . A new world , now . Away with sustulerunt ; His taking away , is taken away quite . For , if His taking away were her sorrow ; Contrariorum contraria consequentia . Augustine . Si de sublato plorauit , de suscitato exultauit , we may be sure ; If sad for His death , For His taking away ; then glad for his rising , for His restoring againe . Surely , if she would haue bene glad but to haue found but His dead body ; now she findes it , and Him , aliue , what was her ioy , how great , may wee thinke ? So that , by this she saw Quid ploras was not asked her for nought , that it was no impertinent question , as it fell out . Well now , He that was thought lost , is found againe , and found , not , as He was sought for , not a dead body , but a liuing soule , nay , a quickening Spirit , then . 1. Cor. 15. 45. And that might Marie Magdalen well say . Hee shewed it , for He quickened her and her Spirits , that were as good as dead . You thought you should haue come to Christs Resurrection to day , and so you doe . But , not to His alone , but euen to Marie Magdalens resurrection , too . For , in very deed , a kind of resurrection it was , was wrought in her , reuiued , as it were , and raised from a dead & drowping , to a liuely and cheerfull estate . The Gardiner had done his part , made her all greene , on the suddaine .

And all this , by a word of His mouth . Such power is there in euery word of His , so easily are they called , whom Christ will but speake to .

But , by this we see , when He would be made knowen to her after his rising , Hee did choose to be made knowen by the eare rather then by the eye . By hearing rather then by appearing . Opens her eares first , and her eyes after . Her eyes were holden , Luc. 24. 16. till her eares were opened ; Psal. 40. 6. comes aures autem aperuistimihi , and that opens them .

With the Philosophers , hearing is the sense of wisedome . With vs , in diuinitie , it is the sense of faith . So most meet . Christ is the Word ; hearing then ( that sense ) is Christs sense ; voce quàm visu , more proper to the Word . So , Pasl . 48. 8. sicut audiuimus goes before , and then , sic vidimus comes after . In matters of faith the eare goes first , euer , and is of more vse , and to bee trusted before the eye . For , in many cases faith holdeth , where sightfaileth .

This then is a good way to come to the knowledge of Christ , by Hodie si vocem , Psal. 95. 7. to heare His voice . Howbeit , it is not the onely way . There is another way to take notice of Him by besides , and we to take notice of it . On this very day we haue them both .

For , twise this day came Christ , vnknowen first , and then knowen , after . To Marie Magdalen , here : and to them at Emmaus . Luc. c. 24. To Marie Magdalen , vnknowen , in the shape of a Gardiner . To those that went to Emaus , vnknowen , in the likenesse of a Trauailer by the way side . Came to be knowen to her by His voice , by the word of His mouth . Not so to them . For , many words He spake to them , and they felt them warme at their hearts , but , Luk. 24. 32. 35. knew Him not for all that . But , He was knowen to them in the breaking of the bread . Her eyes opened by speaking a word : Their eyes opened by the breaking of bread . There is the one and the other way , and so now you haue both . And now you haue them , I pray you make vse of them . ( I see I shall not be able to goe further then this verse . )

It were a folly to fall to comparisons , Committere inter se , to set them at oddes togither , these two waies : as the fond fashion now adaies is , whether is better , Prayer or Preaching : The Word , or the Sacraments . What needs this ? Seeing we haue both , both are ready for vs ; the one now , the other by and by . Wee may end this question , soone . And this is the best and surest way to end it , to esteeme of them both , to thanke Him for both , to make vse of both , hauing now done with one , to make triall of the other . It may be ( who knowes ) if the one will not worke , the other may . And if by the one or by the other , by either , or by both , it be wrought , what harme haue we ? In case it bee not ; yet haue we offered to God our serice in both , and committed the successe of both to Him . He will see they shall haue successe , and in His good time ( as shal be expedient for vs ) vouchsafe euery one of vs as Hee did Marie Magdalen in the Text , to know Him and the vertue of His Resurrection ; Philip. 3. 10. and make vs partakers of both , by both the meanes before remembred , by His blessed Word , by His holy mysteries ; the meanes to raise our soules heere , the pledges of the raising vp of our bodies hereafter . Of both which He make vs partakers , who is the Author of both , IESVS CHRIST the Righteous , &c.