Christ now ready to ascend, biddeth the Apostles to expect the Holy Ghost which he had promised, foretelling where (being strengthened by him) they should begin his Church, and how far they should carry it. 9 After his Ascension they are returned by two Angels to set their minds upon his second coming. 12 In the days of their expectation, 15 Peter beginneth to exercise his Vicarship, giving instruction and order, by which Matthias is elected Apostle in the place of Judas.Christ now ready to ascend, biddeth the Apostles to expect the Holy Ghost which he had promised, foretelling where (being strengthened by him) they should begin his Church, and how far they should cary it. 9 After his Ascension they are returned by two Angels to set their mindes vpon his second comming. 12 In the daies of their expectation, 15 Peter beginneth to exercise his Vicarship, giuing instruction and order, by which Matthias is elected Apostle in the place of Iudas.
The first part. The expectation of the Holy Ghost between the Ascension of Christ, and the beginning of the Church.The first part. The expectation of the Holy Ghost betwene the Ascension of Christ, and the beginning of the Church.
The first treatise I made of all things, O Theophilus, which JESUS began to do and to teach,THE first treatise I made of al things, O Theophilus, which IESVS began to doe and to teach,Primum quidem sermonem feci de omnibus, o Theophile, quæ cœpit Jesus facere et docere
2until the day wherein giving commandment by the holy Ghost to the Apostles whom he chose, he was assumptus est: taken up, received up:vntil the day wherein giuing commaundement by the holy Ghost to the Apostles whom he chose, he was assumpted:¶usque in diem qua præcipiens Apostolis per Spiritum Sanctum, quos elegit, assumptus est :
3to whom he showed also himself alive after his passion in many argumentis: proofs, convincing evidences, not disputes, for forty days appearing to them, and speaking of the kingdom of God.to whom he shewed also him self aliue after his passion in many arguments, for fourtie daies appearing to them, & speaking of the kingdom of God.quibus et præbuit seipsum vivum post passionem suam in multis argumentis, per dies quadraginta apparens eis, et loquens de regno Dei.
4And eating with them, he commanded them, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but should exspectarent: await, wait for, not anticipate the promise of the Father, which you have heard (saith he) by my mouth:And eating with them, he commaunded them, that they should not depart from Hierusalem, but should expect the promisse of the Father, which you haue heard (saith he) by my mouth:Et convescens, præcepit eis ab Jerosolymis ne discederent, sed exspectarent promissionem Patris, quam audistis (inquit) per os meum :
5for John indeed baptized with water: but you shall be baptized with the holy Ghost after these few days.for Iohn in deede baptized with water: but you shal be baptized with the holy Ghost after these few daies.quia Joannes quidem baptizavit aqua, vos autem baptizabimini Spiritu Sancto non post multos hos dies.
6They therefore that were assembled, asked him, saying, Lord, whether at this time wilt thou restore the kingdom to Israel?They therefore that were assembled, asked him, saying, Lord, whether at this time wilt thou restore the kingdom to Israel?Igitur qui convenerant, interrogabant eum, dicentes : Domine, si in tempore hoc restitues regnum Israël ?
7but he said to them, It is not for you to know times or moments, which the Father hath put in his own power:but he said to them, It is not for you to know times or moments, which the Father hath put in his owne power:¶Dixit autem eis : Non est vestrum nosse tempora vel momenta quæ Pater posuit in sua potestate :
8but you shall receive the virtutem: power, might, not moral goodness of the holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Jewry, and Samaria, and even to the utmost of the earth.but you shal receiue the * vertue of the holy Ghost comming vpon you, and you shal be witnesses vnto me in Hierusalem, and in al Iewrie, and Samaria, and euen to the vtmost of the earth.sed accipietis virtutem supervenientis Spiritus Sancti in vos, et eritis mihi testes in Jerusalem, et in omni Judæa, et Samaria, et usque ad ultimum terræ.
9And when he had said these things, in their sight he was elevated: and a cloud received him out of their sight.And * when he had said these things, in their sight he was eleuated: and a cloud receiued him out of their sight.Et cum hæc dixisset, videntibus illis, elevatus est : et nubes suscepit eum ab oculis eorum.
10And when they beheld him going into heaven, behold two men stood beside them in white garments,And when they beheld him going into heauen, behold two men stoode beside them in white garments,Cumque intuerentur in cælum euntem illum, ecce duo viri astiterunt juxta illos in vestibus albis,
11who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking into heaven? This JESUS which is assumpted from you into heaven, shall so come as you have seen him going into heaven.who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking into heauen? This IESVS which is assumpted from you into heauen, shal so come as you haue seen him going into heauen. ⸪¶qui et dixerunt : Viri Galilæi, quid statis aspicientes in cælum ? Hic Jesus, qui assumptus est a vobis in cælum, sic veniet quemadmodum vidistis eum euntem in cælum.
12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount that is called Olivet, which is by Jerusalem, distant a Sabbath's journey.Then they returned to Hierusalem from the mount that is called Oliuet, which is by Hierusalem, distant a Sabboths iourney.Tunc reversi sunt Jerosolymam a monte qui vocatur Oliveti, qui est juxta Jerusalem, sabbati habens iter.
13And when they were entered in, they went up into an upper chamber, where abode Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James of Alpheus and Simon Zelotes, and Jude of James.And when they were entred in, they went vp into an vpper chamber, where abode Peter & Iohn, Iames and Andrew, Philippe and Thomas, Bartholomew and Mathew, Iames of Alphæus and Simon Zelotes, and Iude of Iames.Et cum introissent in cœnaculum, ascenderunt ubi manebant Petrus, et Joannes, Jacobus, et Andreas, Philippus, et Thomas, Bartholomæus, et Matthæus, Jacobus Alphæi, et Simon Zelotes, et Judas Jacobi.
14All these were persevering with one mind in prayer with the women and Marie the mother of JESUS, and his brethren.Al these were perseuering with one minde in praier with the women and MARIE the mother of IESVS, and his brethren.¶Hi omnes erant perseverantes unanimiter in oratione cum mulieribus, et Maria matre Jesu, et fratribus ejus.
15In those days Peter rising up in the midst of the brethren, said: (and the multitude of persons together, was almost an hundred and twenty)a In those daies Peter rising vp in the middes of the brethren, said: (and the multitude of persons together, was almost an hundred and twentie)¶In diebus illis, exsurgens Petrus in medio fratrum, dixit (erat autem turba hominum simul, fere centum viginti) :
16You men, brethren, the scripture must be fulfilled which the holy Ghost spake before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was the dux: leader, guide of the band, not a military officer of them that apprehended JESUS:You men, brethren, the * scripture must be fulfilled which the holy Ghost spake before by the mouth of Dauid concerning Iudas, who was the * captaine of them that apprehended IESVS:Viri fratres, oportet impleri Scripturam quam prædixit Spiritus Sanctus per os David de Juda, qui fuit dux eorum qui comprehenderunt Jesum :
17who was numbered among us and obtained the lot of this ministry.who was numbred among vs and obteined the lot of this ministerie.qui connumeratus erat in nobis, et sortitus est sortem ministerii hujus.
18And he indeed hath possessed a field of the reward of iniquity, and being hanged he burst in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.And he in deede hath possessed a * field of the rewvard of iniquitie, and being hanged he burst in the middes, and al his bowvels gushed out.Et hic quidem possedit agrum de mercede iniquitatis, et suspensus crepuit medius : et diffusa sunt omnia viscera ejus.
19And it was made notum factum est: widely known, made known, openly published, not infamous to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem: so that the same field was called in their tongue, Haceldama, that is to say, the field of blood.And it was made notorious to al the inhabitants of Hierusalem: so that the same field was called in their tonge, *Hacel-dema*, that is to say, the field of bloud.Et notum factum est omnibus habitantibus Jerusalem, ita ut appellaretur ager ille, lingua eorum, Haceldama, hoc est, ager sanguinis.
20For it is written in the book of Psalms. Be their habitation made desert, and be there none to dwell in it. And his Bishopric let another take.For it is written in the booke of Psalmes. *Be their habitation made desert, and be there none to dwel in it. And his Bishoprike let an other take.*Scriptum est enim in libro Psalmorum : Fiat commoratio eorum deserta, et non sit qui inhabitet in ea : et episcopatum ejus accipiat alter.
21Therefore, of these men that have assembled with us, all the time that our Lord JESUS went in and went out among us,Therfore, of these men that haue assembled with vs, al the time that our Lord IESVS went in and went out among vs,Oportet ergo ex his viris qui nobiscum sunt congregati in omni tempore quo intravit et exivit inter nos Dominus Jesus,
22beginning from the baptism of John until the day wherein he was assumpted from us, there must one of these be made a witness with us of his resurrection.beginning from the baptisme of Iohn vntil the day wherein he was assumpted from vs, there must one of these be made a witnes with vs of his resurrection.incipiens a baptismate Joannis usque in diem qua assumptus est a nobis, testem resurrectionis ejus nobiscum fieri unum ex istis.
23And they appointed two, Joseph, who was called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus: and Mathias.And they appointed two, Ioseph, who was called Barsabas, who was surnamed Iustus: and Mathias.Et statuerunt duos, Joseph, qui vocabatur Barsabas, qui cognominatus est Justus, et Mathiam.
24And praying they said, Thou Lord that knowest the hearts of all men, show of these two, one, whom thou hast chosen,And praying they said, Thou Lord that knowest the harts of al men, shew of these two, one, whom thou hast chosen,Et orantes dixerunt : Tu Domine, qui corda nosti omnium, ostende quem elegeris ex his duobus unum,
25to take the place of this ministry and Apostleship, from the which Judas hath prævaricatus est: transgressed, fell away, broke faith, not evasive lying that he might go to his own place.to take the place of this ministerie and Apostleship, from the which Iudas hath preuaricated that he might goe to his owne place.accipere locum ministerii hujus et apostolatus, de quo prævaricatus est Judas ut abiret in locum suum.
26And they gave them lots, and the lot fell upon Mathias, and he was numbered with the eleven Apostles.And they gaue them lottes, and the lot fel vpon Mathias, and he was numbered with the eleuen Apostles. ⸪¶Et dederunt sortes eis, et cecidit sors super Mathiam : et annumeratus est cum undecim Apostolis.
Annotations
2Giving commandment. He meaneth the power given them to preach, to baptize, to remit sins, and generally the whole commission and charge of government of the Church after him and in his name, stead, and right. the Which Regiment was given them together with the Holy Ghost to assist them therein for ever.
7It is not for you. It is not for us, nor needful for the Church, to know the times and moments of this world, the coming of Antichrist, and such other God's secrets. This is enough in that case, to be assured that Christ's faith shall be preached, and the Church spread throughout all Nations, and the Holy Ghost concurring continually with the Apostles and their Successors for the same.
11Assumpted from you. By this visible Ascending of Christ into heaven and like return from thence to judgment, the Heretics do incredulously argue, him not to be in the Sacrament. But for the faithful rather give ear to St. Chrysostom saying thus: O miracle, he that sitteth with the Father in heaven above, at the very same time is handled of men beneath. Christ ascending to heaven, both hath his flesh with him, and left it with us beneath: Elias being taken up, left to his Disciple his cloak only: but the Son of man ascending left his own flesh to us. Li. 2 de Sacerd. Ho. 2 ad po. Ant. in fine. Ho. de diuit. & paup. in fine.
14Marie the mother of JESUS. This is the last mention that is made in holy scripture, of our B. Lady, (Our B. Lady.) for though she were full of all divine wisdom, and opened (no doubt) unto the Evangelists and other writers of holy scriptures, divers things of Christ's actions, speeches, and mysteries, whereof (he had both experimental and revealed knowledge:) (Her life.) Yet for that she was a woman, and the humblest creature living, and the parent of all order and obedience, it pleased not God that there should be any further note of her life, doings, or death, in the scripture. She lived the rest of her time with the Christians (as here she is peculiarly named and noted among them) and specially with St. John the Apostle, to whom our Lord recommended her. (Her death.) Who provided for her all necessaries, her spouse Joseph (as it may be thought) being deceased before. The common opinion is that she lived 63 years in all. At the time of her death, (as St. Denys first, and after him John Damascene do avouch) Jesus, with the Apostles then dispersed into divers nations to preach the Gospel, were miraculously brought together (saving) St. Thomas who came the third day after, to Jerusalem, to honour her divine departure and funeral, as the said St. Denys witnesseth. (The Assumption.) Who saith that himself, St. Timothy, and St. Hierotheus were present: reciting also of this whole hearing, that both before her death and after for three days, not only the Apostles and other holy men present, but the Angels also and Powers of heaven did sing dreadful melodious Hymns. They buried her sacred body in Gethsemani. but for St. Thomas sake, who desired to see and to reverence it, they opened the sepulchre the third day, and finding it void of the holy body, but exceedingly fragrant, they returned, assuredly deeming that her body was assumpted into heaven. (Her Assumption.) as the Church of God holdeth, being most agreeable to the singular privilege of the mother of God, and therefore celebrateth most solemnly the day of her Assumption. And that is consonant not only to the said St. Denys, and St. Damascene, but to holy Athanasius also, who avoucheth the same. Serm. in Euag. de Virgine. of which Assumption of her body, St. Bernard also wrote two notable sermons extant in his works. But neither the B. body found, nor the Churches tradition and reverence, do bear any sway now a days with the Protestants, that have abolished this her greatest feast of her Assumption. (The Protestants have no feast of her at all, as they have of other Saints.) Who of reason should at the least celebrate it as the day of her death, as they do of other Saints. For though they believe not that her body is assumpted, yet they (we trow) deny not that her soul is in glory: neither can they at least pretend scripture for that, no more then they require for the deaths of Peter, Paul, John, and other, which be not mentioned in scripture. Yet are they celebrated by the Protestants. But concerning the B. Virgin Marie, they have abolished also her Nativity, and her Conception: so as it may be thought the Devil beareth a special malice to this woman whose head she bruiseth. Now her feasts being these, her Nativity, Purification, and Annunciation: (Purification and Annunciation, they be not proper to our Lady, but the one to Christ's Conception, the other to his Presentation. so that she by this means shall have no festivity at all.) they be not proper to our Lady, but the one to Christ's Conception, the other to his Presentation. But contrariwise, to consider how the ancient Church and fathers esteemed, spake, and wrote of this excellent vessel of grace, may make us detest these men's impiety, that can not abide the praises of her: (How the Primitive Church wrote of this excellent vessel of grace.) whom all generations should call blessed, and that esteem her honours a derogation to her son. (Luke 1:48.) Some of their speeches we will set down, that all men may see, that we neither honour, praise her, nor pray to her, more amply then they did. St. Athanasius in the place alleged, after he had declared how all the Angelical spirits and every order of them honoured and praised her with the AVE, wherewith St. Gabriel saluted her: We also, saith he, of all degrees upon the earth extol thee with loud voice, saying, Ave gratia plena &c. Haile full of grace, our Lord is with thee, pray for us O Mistress, and Lady, and Queen, and mother of God. (St. Athanasius.) Most holy and ancient Ephrem also, in a special oration made in praise of our Lady, saith thus in divers places thereof, Intemerata Deipara &c. Mother of God undefiled, Queen of all, the hope of them that despair, the only most glorious, higher then the heavenly spirits, more honorable then the Cherubims, holier then the Seraphims, and without comparison more glorious then the supernal hosts, the hope of the fathers, the glory of the Prophets, the praise of the Apostles. (St. Ephrem.) And a little after. Virgo ante partum, in partu, & post partum. by thee the wicked are reconciled to Christ my God, &c. Thou art the help of sinners, thou the haven for them that are tossed with storms, the solace of the world, the deliverer of the imprisoned, the help of orphans, the redemption of captives. And afterward, Vouchsafe me thy servant to praise thee. Haile lady Marie full of grace, haile Virgin most blessed among women. And much more to that sense which were too long to repeat. St. Cyril hath the like wonderful speeches of her honour, hom. contra Nestorium. Praised and glory be to thee (holy Trinity) to thee all be praise, holy mother of God. for thou art the precious pearl of the world. (St. Cyril.) thou the candle of unquenchable light, the crown of Virginity, the scepter of the Catholic faith. By thee the Trinity is glorified and adored through all the world: by thee heaven rejoiceth, Angels and archangels are glad, devils are put to flight, and man is called again to heaven, and every creature that was held under the error of idols, is turned to the knowledge of the truth: by thee Churches are founded through the World: thee being their helper, the Gentiles come to penance. and much more which we omit. Likewise the Greek Liturgies or Masses of St. James, St. Basil, St. Chrysostom, make most honorable mention of our B. Lady, praying unto her, blessing her with the Angelical hymn, (The Greek Liturgies or Masses of St. James, St. Basil, St. Chrysostom.) and using their speeches, Most holy, undefiled, blessed above all, our Queen, our Lady, the mother of God, Marie, virgin for ever, the sacred ark of Christ's Incarnation. So that the most high before time is come to us by her, and made many faithful and reconciled to him on the earth. thou art more honorable then the Cherubims, and more glorious then the Seraphims: thou the Angels of heaven fear and praise, reverence and rejoice: glory be to thee, Which art a sanctified temple, a spiritual paradise, the glory of virgins. And St. Augustine Serm. 18 de Sanctis, and Fulgentius: O blessed Marie, who can be able worthily to praise or thank thee, that by thy consent didst succour the world ruining? what praises can the frailty of man's nature suffice to render to thee, that by thy only means hath found recourse to salvation? (St. Augustine.) St. Damascene also, the devout writer, in his sermons of her dormition and Assumption, hath most honorable speeches of her honour. (St. Damascene.) See also St. Irenaeus li. 5. c. 33. and St. Augustine de fide & Symbolo. & de agone Christiano: (St. Irenaeus.) Where they declare how both the first authors came to our salvation, the man and the woman, Christ and our Lady, as Adam and Eve both were the cause of our fall, though Adam far more then his wife, and so Christ far more excellently and as an other Adam, then our Lady as an other Eve. In all which places alleged, and many other like to them, it is plain that the Church useth now, in their honour and invocation of the B. Virgin: to the confusion of all those that wilfully will not see in them how the spirit of God by such speeches applied unto her. to wit, either because of her prayer and Intercession for us, whereby she is our hope, our refuge, our advocate &c. or because she is the mother of our redemption and salvation, Whereby she is the mother of mercy, and grace, a Lady, and Mistress-sovereign to us by Christ.
15Peter rising up. As truly Peter now beginneth to publish his great office and primacy, practising his Superiority in the company or Church, (Peter beginneth to publish his Primacy.) publishing an election to be made of one to supply Judas' room. Which Peter did not upon commandment of Christ written, but by suggestion of God's spirit, and by understanding the Scriptures of the old Testament to that purpose: the sense whereof Christ had opened to the Apostles before his departure, though in more full manner afterward at the sending of the Holy Ghost. And this act of Peter in prescribing to the Apostles and the rest, this election, and the manner thereof, is so evident for his Supremacy, that the Adversaries confess here that he was, Antistes, the chief and Bishop of this whole College and company. (Beza in no. Test. graecolat. 1565.)
26Lots. When the event or fall of the lot is not expected of Devils, nor of the stars, nor of any force or fortune, but looked and prayed for to be directed by God and his holy Saint: then may lots be used lawfully. And sometimes to discern betwixt two things mere indifferent, they be necessary, as St. Augustine teacheth ep. 180 ad Honoratum.