A heavenly conference between Christ and Mary after His resurrection. Wherein the intimate familiarity,…

The words be very natural, and need no breaking up to you. But I shall handle them, as they follow one another.

The words be very naturall, and need no breaking up to you. But I shall handle them, as they follow one another.

Jesus said to her, touch me not.

¹Touch me not. Why? he would have Thomas not only touch, but to put his finger into his side, that is more then touching him. But our Saviours intent is to meet with a disposition in Mary something carnal, something low and mean, in regard of this glorious occasion, Christ being now risen and glorified; for his resurrection was the first degree of his glorification. And therefore touch me not. She came with too much a carnal ⟨p. 36⟩²mind to touch him, when we said Rabboni, it was not satisfaction enough for her to answer Rabboni; but she runneth to him, and claspeth him, and clingeth about him, as the affection of love did dictate to her. But saith he, touch me not in such a manner, this is not a fit manner for thee to touch me in, now I am risen again. In a word, she had a thought to converse with Christ, in as familiar a manner, as before, when she poured ointment on his head. He was the same person, but the case is altered; that was in the days of his humiliation, now he was ³risen again, and it was the first degree of his glorification. There was another manner of converse due to him, and therefore, touch me not. Thou thinkest to touch me as thou didst before,