The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as…

1. To Mary Magdalen alone, out of whom he had cast seven devils, Mark. 16. 9. Joh. 20. to show that he was a redeemer of that sex as well as of men: and that he came to save sinners, and deliver them from the tyranny of the devil, and to remove all suspicion of fraud or violence, that it might not be thought that he was lifted out of the grave by the power of men. In this apparition our Saviour would not let Mary touch him, but useth these words, Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father, but go to •ay brethren, &c. And this is the more strange, because he offereth himself to Thomas to touch him, Joh. 20. 17. 27. For answer of this doubt, I conceive our Saviour did not simply forbid her to touch him, but in respect of the haste of the message to the disciples: he would have her leave that ceremony, and speedily go to tell his brethren. Yea he rather encourageth her to it at another time, for in saying, I am not yet ascended, he seemeth to mean, that she might have time enough to entertain his bodily presence, he should not yet go away from them: but yet withal he intimates that after his ascension she might embrace him without stint or restraint, after that way of touching of him which was more profitable for her than this way was, viz. she might doc it by faith in a spiritual manner.

1. To Marie Magdalen alone, out of whom hee had cast seuen deuils, Mark. 16. 9. Ioh. 20. to shew that he was a redeemer of that sex as well as of men: and that he came to saue sinners, and deliuer them from the tyrannie of the deuill, and to remoue all suspition of fraud or violence, that it might not be thought that he was lifted out of the graue by the power of men. In this apparition our Sauiour would not let Marie touch him, but vseth these words, Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father, but goe to •ay brethren, &c. And this is the more strange, because he offereth himselfe to Thomas to touch him,