Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of…

2. But go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and to my God, and your God, this was the command of Christ; instead of touching him, she must go with a message to his Apostles, and this was more beneficial both to her and them. The first preacher of this resurrection (besides the Angels) was Mary Magdalen; she that before had seven devils cast out of her, had now the holy Spirit within her; she that was but a woman, is now by Christ made an Apostle; Apostolorum Apostola, the Apostles, for to them she was sent, and the message she was to deliver, it was Christ's rising and ascending; and what were they but the Gospel, yea the very Gospel of the Gospel? this was the first Sermon that ever was made by any mortals of Christ's resurrection; and this her fact had some reference unto Eves fault; a woman was the first messenger of this our joy, because a woman was the first Minister of that our sorrow.

But what means he to speak of the ascension, when as yet we are but upon the resurrection? I suppose this was to prevent their mistake, who might have thought, if Christ be risen, why then we shall have his company again as heretofore; no saith Christ, I am not risen to make any abode with you, or to converse with ⟨p. 431⟩you on earth as formerly; my rising is in reference to my ascending, look how the stars no sooner rise, but they are immediately in their ascendent: so Christ no sooner risen, but he is presently upon his ascending up.

But what means he to speak of the ascension, when as yet we are but upon the resurrection? I suppose this was to prevent their mistake, who might have thought, if Christ be risen, why then we shall have his company again as heretofore; no saith Christ, I am not risen to make any abode with you, or to converse with ⟨p. 431⟩you on earth as formerly; my rising is in reference to my ascending, look how the stars no sooner rise, but they are immediatly in their ascendent: so Christ no sooner risen, but he is presently upon his ascending up.