A Golden Chain

The second is, what Christ in his appearance said to Mary. Ans. He said, Touch me not: for I am not yet ascended to my father. Mary no doubt was glad to see Christ, and therefore looked to have conversed as familiarly with him as she was wont before his death, but he forbids her to touch him, that is, not to look to enjoy his corporal presence as before, but rather to seek for his spiritual presence by faith, considering he was shortly to ascend to his father. For this cause when he appeared to his disciples, he stayed not long with them at any time, but only to manifest himself unto them, thereby to prove the certainty of his resurrection. This prohibition shows first of all that it is but a fond thing to delight in the outward picture and portraiture of Christ, as the Jesuits do, who stand much upon his outward form and lineaments. Secondly, it overthroweth the popish crucifixes, and all the carved and molten images of Christ, wherein the Papists worship him. For corporal presence is not now required: therefore spiritual worship only must be given unto him. Thirdly it overthrows the real presence of Christ in the Sacrament. Many are of mind that they can not receive Christ, except they eat and drink his body and blood corporally: but it is not much material whether we touch him with the bodily hand or no, so be it we apprehend him spiritually by faith. Lastly, as we must not have earthly considerations of Christ; so must we on the contrary labour for the spiritual hand of faith, which may reach up it self to heaven, and there lay hold on him. This is the very thing which Christ insinuateth unto Mary in saying, Touch me not. And Saint Paul saith,¹ Henceforth know we no man after the flesh, yea though we had known Christ after the flesh, yet now know we him no more, that is, we know him no more as a man living among us, and therefore he addeth, If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: and this new creation is not by the bodily presence of Christ but by the apprehension of faith.

The second is, what Christ in his appearance said to Marie. Ans. He saide, Touch me not: for I am not yet ascended to my father. Marie no doubt was glad to see Christ, and therefore looked to haue conuersed as familiarly with him as shee was wont before his death, but he forbids her to touch him, that is, not to looke to enioy his corporall presence as before, but rather to seeke for his spirituall presence by faith, considering he was shortly to ascend to his father. For this cause when he appeared to his disciples, he staied not long with them at any time, but onely to manifest himselfe vnto them, thereby to prooue the certentie of his resurrection. This prohibition shewes first of all that it is but a fond thing to delight in the outward picture and portraiture of Christ, as the Iesuits doe, who stand much vpon his outward forme and lineaments. Secondly, it ouerthroweth the popish crucifixes, and all the carued and molten images of Christ, wherein the Papists worship him. For corporall presence is not now required: therefore spiritual worship onely must be giuen vnto him. Thirdly it ouerthrowes the reall presence of Christ in the Sacrament. Many are of minde that they can not receiue Christ, except they eate and drinke his bodie and blood corporally: but it is not much materiall whether we touch him with the bodily hand or no, so be it we apprehend him spiritually by faith. Lastly, as we must not haue earthly considerations of Christ; so must we on the contrarie labour for the spirituall hand of faith, which may reach vp it selfe to heauen, and there lay hold on him. This is the very thing which Christ insinuateth vnto Marie in saying, Touch me not. And Saint Paul saith,