HOLY weeke.
To the Councel of the Iewes, Iudas by occasion of Marie Magdalens ointment, doth sel him for
litle. 17. After the Paschal lamb, 26. he giueth them that bread of life (promised Io. 6.) in a
mysticak Sacrifice or Separation of his Body and Bloud. 31. And that night he is after his prayer
47. taken of the Iewes men, Iudas being their Captaine: and forsaken of the other eleuen for feare:
57. is falsely accused, and impiously condemned of the Iewes Councel, 67. and shamefully abused of them:
69. and thrise denied of Peter: Al, euen as the Scriptures and himself had often foretold.
1.
⋮
The Passion according to S. Matthew in these two Chapters, is the Ghospel at
Masse vpon Palme Sunday.
TENEBRE-wenesday.
*
Mark 14,1.
Luke 22,1.
AND
it came to passe, when Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ had ended al these wordes, he said to his Disciples:
2. You know that after two dayes shal be Pasche, and the Sonne of man shal be
deliuered to be crucified.
3. Then were gathered togeather the cheefe Priests and Ancients of the people into
the court of the high Priest, who was called Caiphas:
4. and they consulted how they might by some wile apprehend Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ, and kil him.
5. But they said: Not on the festiual day, lest perhaps there might be a tumult
among the people.
6. And
*
Mark 14,3.
Iohn 12,3.
when Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ was in Bethania in the house of Simon the Leper
7. there came to him a woman hauing an alabaster-boxe of pretious ointment, and
powred it out vpon his head as he sate at the table.
8. And the Disciples seeing it, had indignation saying: Whereto is
This waste.
Cost vpon Churches, Altares &c.
Cost bestowed vpon Christs body then aliue, being to the same not necessary,
seemed to the Disciples lost and fruitles: so the like bestowed vpon the same
body in the Sacrament, vpon Altars, or Churches, seemeth to the simple lost,
or lesse meritorious, then if the same were bestowed vpon the poore.
this waste?
9. For this might haue been sold for much, and giuen to the poore.
10. And Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ knowing it, said to them: Why doe you molest this woman? for she hath
wrought a
Good worke.
Releefe of the poore.
Cost bestowed for religion, deuotion, and signification, is a meritorious
worke, and often more meritorious then to giue to the poore; though both
be very good, and in some case the poore are to be preferred: yea *in certaine
cases of necessity, the Church wil breake the very consecrated vessels and
iewels of siluer, and gold, and bestow them in works of mercy. But we may
remember very wel, and our Fathers knew it much better, that the poore were
then best releeued, when most was bestowed vpon the Church.
*Ambr. l. 2. Off. c. 28.
good worke vpon me.
11. For the poore you haue alwayes with you: but me
Haue not.
Christ alwaies with vs in the B. Sacrament.
We haue him not in visible manner as he conuersed on the earth with his
Disciples, needing releefe like other poore men; but we haue him after an
other sort in the B. Sacrament, and yet haue him truly and really the self
same body. Therfore he saith, they should not have him, because they should
not so haue him, but after an other manner. As when he said Luc. 24. When
I was with you, as though he were not then with them.
you haue not alwayes.
12. For she in powring this ointment vpon my body hath done it to burie me.
13. Amen I say to you, wheresoeuer this Ghospel shal be preached in the whole world,
that also which she hath done,
✟
Hereby we learne that the good workes of Saints are to be recorded and set forth to
their honour in the Church after their death. Whereof rise their holy daies &
Commemoration.
shal be reported for a memorie of her.
14.
*
Mark 14,10.
Luke 22,3.
Then went one of the Twelue, which was called Iudas Iscarioth, to the cheefe
Priests,
15. & said to them: What wil you giue me, and I wil deliuer him vnto you? But they appointed
vnto him thirtie peeces of siluer.
16. And from thenceforth he sought opportunitie to betray him.
17.
*
MAVNDY-thursday.
And
*
Mark 14,12.
Iohn 22,7.
the first day of the Azymes the Disciples came to Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ saying: Where wilt
thou that we prepare for thee to eate the Pasche?
18. But Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ said: Goe ye into the citie to a certaine man, and say to him: The
Maister saith, my time is at hand, with thee doe I make the Pasche with my Disciples.
19. And the Disciples did as Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ appointed them, and they prepared the Pasche.
20. But when it was euen, he sate downe with his
Twelue.
A wonderful mysterie in the institution of the B. Sacrament.
It must needs be a great mysterie that he was to worke in the institution
of the new Sacrifice by the maruelous transmutation of bread and wine into
his body and bloud: Whereas he admitted none (although many present in the
citie) but the twelue Apostles, which were to haue the administration and
consecration thereof by the Order of Priesthood, which also was there giuen
them to that purpose. Whereas at the eating of the Paschal lamb al the
familie was wont to be present.
twelue Disciples.
21. And while they were eating, he said: Amen I say to you, that one of you shal
betray me.
22. And they being very sad, began euery one to say: Is it I Lord?
23. But he answering said:
*
Psa. 40,20.
He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, he shal
betray me.
24. The Sonne of man indeed goeth as it is written of him: but woe be to that man,
by whom the Sonne of many shal be betrayed. It were good for him, if that man had not been borne.
25. And Iudas that betrayed him, answering said: Is it I Rabbi? He saith to him: Thou
hast said.
26. And
*
1. Corinth. 11,14.
whiles they were at supper, Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ
He tooke bread.
The holy Eucharist is both a Sacrifice and a Sacrament.
Here at once is instituted, for the continuance of the external office of
Christes eternal Priesthood according to the order of Melchisedech, both
a Sacrifice, and a Sacrament, though the Scriptures giue neither of these
names to this action, and our Aduersaries without al reason or religion
accept in a sort the one, and vtterly deny the other. A Sacrifice, in that
it is ordained to continue the memory of Christes death and oblation vpon
the Crosse, and the application of the general vertue thereof to our
particular necessities, by consecrating the seueral elements, not into
Christes whole person as it was borne of the Virgin or now is in Heauen,
but the bread into his body apart, as betrayed, broken, and giuen for vs,
the wine into his bloud apart, as shed out of his body, for remission of
sinnes, and dedication of the new Testament; which be conditions of his
Person as he was in Sacrifice and Oblation. In which mystical and vnspeakable
manner, he would have the Church to offer and Sacrifice him daily, and he
in mysterie and Sacrament dyeth, though now not only in Heauen, but also in
the Sacrament, he be indeed per Concomitantiam (as the Church calleth
it; that is, by sequele of al his partes to each other) whole, aliue, and
immortal. Which point because our aduersaries vnderstand not, *not knowing the
Scriptures nor the power of God, they blaspheme, and abuse the People
to their damnation. It is also a Sacrament, in that it is ordained to be
receaued into our bodies, and to feed the same to resurrection and immortality,
and to giue grace and saluation to our soules, if we worthily receaue it.
*Mat. 22,29.
tooke bread, and
Blessed.
The blessing of Christ referred to the creatures and working an effect in them.
Our Aduersaries for the two wordes that are in Greeke and Latin, benedixit,
and, gratias egit, he blessed, he gaue thanks, vse only the later, of purpose
to signifie that Christ blessed not nor consecrated the bread and the wine, and so
by that blessing wrought any effect vpon them, but gaue thankes only to his Father,
as we doe in saying grace. But the truth is that the word εύλογειν, signifieth
properly to blesse, and is referred to the thing that is blessed, as Luc. 9. of the
fishes, εύλόγησεν αύτȣς, benedixit eis, he blessed them: and thereby wrought
in them that wonderful multiplication.
Consecration.
So the blessing of God is alwayes affectual; and therfore here also he blessed the
bread, and by that blessing with the wordes folowing, made it his body. Ambro. li.
de his qui initi. myst. c. 9. Aug. ep. 59. ad Paulinum. Now whereas taking
the cuppe it is said: he gaue thankes. We say that it is al one with blessing,
and that he blessed the cup, as before the bread: as it is euident by these wordes
of S. Paul, *Calix cui benedicimus, the cup which we blesse: and therfore he
calleth it, Calicem benedictionis, the cup of blessing, vsing the same Greeke
word that is spoken of the bread.
τὸν ἄρτον εὐχαριϛηϑέιτα.
But why is it then said here, he gaue thankes?
because we translate the wordes faithfully as in the Greeke and the Latin, and
because the sense is al one, as we are taught by S. Paul before alleaged, and by the
Fathers, which cal this giuing of thankes ouer the cup or ouer the bread, the blessing
therof. S. Iustin. In fin. 2. Apol. Panem Eucharistisatum. S. Irenee li. 4.
c. 34. Panem in quo gratiæ actæ sunt. S. Cyprian de cœn. Do. Calix solenni
benedictione sacratus. that is, The bread blessed by giuing thankes vpon it,
The cup consecrated by solemne blessing.
*1. Corinth. 10,16.
blessed, and brake: and he
gaue to his Disciples, and said: Take ye, and eate:
This is.
Transubstantiation.
The bread and the wine be turned into the body and bloud of Christ by the same
omnipotent power by which the world was made, and the Word was incarnate in the
wombe of the Virgin. Damasc. li. 4 c. 14. Cypr. de Cœn. Domini. Amb. li. de myst.
init. c. 9.
Tʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ᴍʏ ʙᴏᴅʏ.
My body.
No figuratiue but a real presence.
He said not: This bread is a figure of my body; or, This wine, is a figure of
my bloud, but, This is my body, and, This is my bloud. Damasc. li. 4 c. 14.
Theophyl. in hunc locum. Conc. 2. Nic. act. 6, to. 4. eiusdem actionis in fine.
When some fathers cal it a figure or signe, they meane the outward formes of bread
and wine.
27. And taking the chalice, he gaue thankes: and gaue to them, saying: Drinke
✟
See the margent note Mark 12,23.
ye
al of this.
28.
Bloud of the new Testament.
As the old Testament was dedicated with bloud in these words: This is the bloud
of the Testament &c. Heb. 9. so here is the institution of the new Testament in
Christs bloud, by these wordes: This is the bloud of the new Testament &c. Which
is here mystically shed, and not only afterward vpon the Crosse:
ἐκχυννόμενον.
κλώμενον.
διδόμενον.
for the Greeke is the present tense in al the Euangelistes, and S. Paul: and likewise
speaking of the body 1 Cor. 11. it is in the Greeke the present tense, and
Luc. 22. and there also in the Latin. And the Heretikes them selues so put it
in their translations.
For ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ᴍʏ ʙʟᴏᴠᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴇᴡ Tᴇꜱᴛᴀᴍᴇɴᴛ, ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ꜱʜᴀʟ ʙᴇ ꜱʜᴇᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍᴀɴʏ
ᴠɴᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴍɪꜱꜱɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ꜱɪɴɴᴇꜱ.
29. And I say to you, I wil not drinke henceforth of this
Fruit of the vine.
The elements after consecration called bread & wine.
S. Luke putteth these words before he come to the consecration, whereby it seemeth
that he speaketh of the wine of the Paschal lamb; and therfore nameth it, the fruit
of the vine. But if he speake of the wine which was now his bloud, he nameth it
notwithstanding wine, as S. Paul nameth the other bread, for three causes: First
because it was so before: *as Eue is called Adams bone, and, **Aarons rod
deuoured their rods. Wheras they were not now rods, but serpents. And:
***He tasted the water turned into wine. Whereas it was now wine and not
water; and such like. Secondly, because it keepeth the formes of bread and wine,
and things are called as they appeare, as when Raphael is called a yong man
Tob. 5. and, Three men appeared to Abraham Gen. 18. Whereas they
were three Angels. Thirdly, because Christ in this Sacrament is very true and
principal bread and wine, feeding and refreshing us in body and soule to euerlasting
life.
*Gen. 2.
**Exo. 7.
***Iohn 2.
fruit of the vine, vntil
that day when I shal drinke it with you new in the Kingdom of my Father.
30.
*
THVRSDAY night.
And an hymne being said, they went forth vnto Mount-oliuet.
31.
⋮
The Nocturne of Matins in the Churches Seruice answereth to this night part
of our Sauiours Passion, and so consequently the other Canonical houres to
the rest.
Then Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ saith to them: Al you shal be scandalized in me in this night. For it
is written:
*
Zac. 13,7.
I wil strike the Pastor, and the sheep of the flock shal be dispersed.
32. But after I shal be risen againe, I wil goe before you into Galilee.
33. And Peter answering, said to him: Although al shal be scandalized in thee, I wil
neuer be scandalized.
34. Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ said to him: Amen I say to thee, that in this night before the cock crow,
thou shalt denie me thrise.
35.
*
Iohn 13,38.
Peter saith to him: Yea though I should die with thee, I wil not denie thee.
Likewise also said al the Disciples.
36. Then Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ commeth with them into a village called Gethsemani: and he said to his
Disciples: Sit you here til goe yonder, and pray.
37. And taking to him Peter and the two sonnes of Zebedee, he began to waxe sorowful
and to be sad.
38. Then he saith to them: My soul is sorowful euen vnto death: stay here, and watch
with me.
39. And being gone forward a litle, he fel vpon his face, praying, and saying: My Father,
if it be possible, let this chalice passe from me. Neuerthelesse
Not as I wil.
A perfect example of obedience and submitting our self and our willes to Gods wil
and ordinance in al aduersity; and that we should desire nothing temporal, but
vnder the condition of his holy pleasure and appointment.
not as I wil, but as thou.
40. And he commeth to his Disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and he saith to
Peter: Euen so? Could you not watch one houre with me?
41.
Watch and pray.
Vigils and Nocturnes.
Hereof came Vigils and Nocturnes, that is, watching and praying in the night, commonly
vsed in the Primitive Church of al Christians, as is plaine by *S. Cyprian and
**S. Hierom; but afterward and until this day, specially of Religious Persons.
*De Orat. Do. nu. 15.
**Adu. Vigilant. ep. 53.
Watch ye, & pray that ye enter not into tentation. The Spirit in deed is prompt,
but the flesh weak.
42. Againe the second time he went, and prayed, saying: My Father, if this chalice
may not passe, but I must drinke it, thy wil be done.
43. And he commeth againe, and findeth them sleeping, for their eyes were become
heauy.
44. And learning them, he went againe: and he prayed the third time, saying the
selfsame word.
45. Then he commeth to his Disciples, and saith to them: Sleepe ye now and take rest.
Behold the houre approcheth, and the Sonne of man shal be betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46. Rise, let vs goe: behold he approcheth that shal betray me.
47.
*
Iohn 18,3.
As he yet spake, behold Iudas on the Twelue came, and with him a great multitude
with swordes and clubs, sent from the cheefe Priests and the Ancients of the People.
48. And he that betrayed him, gaue a signe, saying: Whomsoeuer I shal kisse, that is
he, hold him.
49. And forthwith comming to Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ, he said: Haile Rabbi. And he kissed him.
50. And Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ, said to him: Freind, wherto art thou come? Then they drew nere, and
laid hands on Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ, and held him.
51. And behold one of them that were with Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ, stretching forth his hand, drew out
a sword; and striking the seruant of the high Priest, cut of his eare.
52. Then Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ saith to him: Returne thy sword into his place: for al that take the
sword shal perish with the sword.
53. Thinkest thou that I can not aske my Father, and he wil giue me presently more
then twelue legions of Angels?
54. How then shal the scriptures be fulfilled, that so it must be done?
55. In that houre Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ said to the multitudes: You are come out as it were to a
theefe with swords and clubs to apprehend me. I sate daily with you teaching in the temple, and
you laid no hands on me.
56. And al this was done, that the scriptures of the Prophets might be fulfilled.
Then the Disciples al leauing him, fled.
57. But they taking hold of Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ, led him to Caiphas the high Priest, where the
Scribes and Ancients were assembled.
58. And Peter folowed him a farre off, euen to the court of the high Priest. And
going in he sate with the seruants, that he might see the end.
59. And the cheefe Priests and the whole Councel sought false witnes against Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ,
that they might put him to death:
60. and they found not, whereas many false witnesses has come in. And last of al
there came two false witnesses;
61. and they said:
*
Iohn 2,19.
This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and after
three dayes to reedifie it.
62. And the high Priest rising vp, said to him: Answerest thou nothing to the things
which these doe testifie against thee?
63. But Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ held his peace. And the high Priest said to him: I adiure thee by the
liuing God, that thou tel vs if thou be Christ the Sonne of God.
64. Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ saith to him: Thou hast said. Neuertheles I say to you, hereafter
*
Dan. 7,13.
you shal
see the Sonne of man sitting on the right of the power of God, and comming in the clouds of
Heauen.
65. Then the high Priest rent his garments, saying: He hath blasphemed, what need
we witnesses any further? Behold, now you haue heard the blasphemie;
66. how thinke you? But they answering said: He is guilty of death.
67. Then they spit on his face, and buffeted him, & other smote his face with the
palmes of their hands,
68. saying: Prophecie vnto vs O Christ; who is he that strook thee?
69. But Peter sate without in the court; and there came to him one
Wench.
The vertue of the holy Ghost.
S. Gregorie declaring the difference of the Apostles before the receauing of the Holy
Ghost and after, saith thus: Euen this very Pastour of the Church himself, at whose
most sacred body we sit, how weake he was, the wench can tell you, but how strong he
was after, his answer to the high Priest declareth, Act. 5. 29. We must obey God
rather then men. Greg. ho. 20 Io. Euang.
wench, saying:
Thou also wast with Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ the Galilean.
70. But he denied before them al, saying: I wot not what thou sayest.
71. And as he went out of the gate, an other wench saw him, and she saith to them
that were there: And this felow also was with Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ the Nazarite.
72. And againe he denied with an oth: That I know not the man.
73. And after a litle they came that stood by and said to Peter: Surely thou also
art of them: for euen thy speach doth bewray thee.
74. Then he began
To curse.
Mans Infirmitie.
A goodly example and warning to mans infirmity, and to take heed of presumption,
and to hang only vpon God in tentations.
to curse and to sweare that he knew not the man. And incontinent
the cock crew.
75.
⋮
To this time the LAVDES do answer in the Churches Seruice.
And Peter remembered the word of Iᴇꜱᴠꜱ which he had said: Before the cock crow,
thou shalt deny me thrise. And going forth, he
Wept bitterly.
Peters teares and repentance.
S. Ambrose in his Hymne that the Church vseth at Laudes, speaking of this, saith:
Hoc ipsa Petra ecclesia canente, culpam diluit. When the Cock crew, the
Rock of the Church himself washed away his fault. S. August. 1. Retract. c. 21.
wept bitterly.