doings, of Arimathæa a citie of Jewrie, who also him self expected the Kingdom of God. 52This man came to Pilate, and asked the body of Jesus. 53And taking it downe, wrapped it in sindon, and laid him in a monument hewed of stone, ″ wherein never yet any man had been laid. 54And it was the day of Parasceve, and the Sabboth drew neere. 55And the women that were come with him from Galilee, following after ″ saw the monument, and how his body was laid. 59And returning they prepared spices and ointments: and on the Sabboth they rested according to the commandement.
ANNOTATIONS.
Chap. XXIII.
34. Forgive them.) A perfect example of charitie in our Saviour praying for his crucifiers, which the first martyr S. Steven did follow, Act. 7: and the prayers of both were heard: Christs prayer taking effect in the Centurion and others, Stevens in Paul.
43. In Paradise.) Thou maist not hereupon differre thy conversion or amendement, presuming of grace at the last houre of thy life, not looke to have salvation by faith and confession of Christ without good workes, nor to goe straight to Heaven without satisfaction, penance, or punishment for thy former sinnes and life il spent; nor chalenge securitie and certaine knowledge of thy salvation. The good theefe.For this good theeves case is not common but a rare example of mercie and prerogative. But for the first point, learne only not to despaire, though thou hast been il to the last moment of thy life. For the second, that faith, hope, and charitie, repentance, and good wil be sufficient, and good workes not required, where for want of time and opportunitie they cannot be had. Pardon of due pennance and satisfaction.For the third, that Christ gave to this happy man for his zelous confession of him and reprehending his fellow not only remission of his sinnes, but also by extraordinarie grace, a pardon of al pennance and satisfaction due either in this life or the next for the same: even as the holy Church by his example and commission giveth pardons also to some of her zelous children of al punishment due for their offenses, and such goe straight to Heaven. Lastly, that every one hath not a revelation of his salvation as this man had, and therfore can not be so sure as he was.
53. Wherein never.) As in the wombe of Marie none was conceived before nor after him, so in this monument none was laid before nor after him: which prerogative (no doubt) was of Gods providence; this Joseph no lesse abstaining afterward to be buried in it, then the other Joseph from copulation with the mother of our Lord. S. Augustine.
Visiting the Sepulcher, or Sepulchres.55. Saw the monument.) These good women of great devotion observed the sepulchre for the honour of the holy body. Whereupon the devotion of faithful folke watching and visiting on Good-Friday and easter eve the sepulchre made in every Church for memorie of our Lords burial, is exceeding good and godly, specially the B. Sacrament for more signification sake being present in the same Sepulcher.
