23 May, 1602.
fo. 23.
2. They may stand togither, they may beare one an others presence, for the manhood of Christ was conceiued by the Holy Ghost, and the Euangelist sayth, Vidi Spiritum descendentem et manentem super eum. But yet it was expedient they should not be togither vpon the earth; expedient, as Augustine noteth, non necessitatis pondere, sed divini consilii ordine, and two reasons are given for [it] in the part of the Holy Ghost. 1. Yf the Holy Ghost should have come downe while Christ was upon the earth, whatsoever the Holy Ghost should have done in his person would have bin ascribed to Christ. 2. He would have appeared to have bin sent from the Father alone. And soe it would not have bin so apparant that he proceeded from the Father and the Sonne bothe.
3. Expedient it was that Christ should depart from them, howe good soeuer his presence was vnto them. Wee knowe that bread is the strength of mans hart, yet sometymes it may be expedient to fast: our bloud is the treasury of our lyfe, yet sometymes it is expedient to loose it; our eyesight is deare and precious vnto us, yet sometymes it is expedient to sitt in a darke roome. And here it is expedient that Christ should withdrawe his presence, not corporal onely, but his invisible presence of grace alsoe. 1. It is expedient that children which growe fond of their parentes should be weaned. The Apostles were to full of carnall and terrene cogitacions even after his resurrection; they asked him, Wilt thou restore the Kingdome to Israell? therefore nowe it was highe tyme they should put of childishnes and be taught, as Paule sayth that henceforth they knowe him 23 May, 1602.
fo. 23b.no more in the fleshe; and this must be effect[ed] by withdrawing his corporall presence, which they began to dote upon; and for the taking away the presence of his grace, that was expedient alsoe. 1. Least being to full they should begin to loath it, as the Children of Israel did manna in the wildernes. And upon this reason did the prophet threaten a famine of the word when the people, being full, contemned it. 2. That they should not growe proud with abundaunce; the Psalmist sayth, "Yf I say I cannot be removed," and "It is good that I was in trouble, for before I went wronge." Peter was soe sure and confident upon himselfe, that yf all the world should haue forsaken Christ, he would not, and therefore because he stoode soe much vpon himselfe it was expedient that suche a swollen bladder should be prickt, as he was till he denied and forswore his master; And even this withdrawing of grace was a kind of grace, that seing his owne weaknes he might possesse his soule in humility, with[out] which there is noe grace to be expected. And therefore, expedit superbo vt in peccatum incidat. And to this purpose are these wordes of Paule that the messengers of Sathan, i. e. temptacions, were sent to punish him, least he should growe proud.
Christ is our advocate in defending vs when the Divel accuseth vs falsely; he is our intercessor and mediator by pleading a pardon for vs when Sathen layes his greatest and truest accusations against us; he is our high priest to offer sacrifice for vs.
Christ left them not as orphanes, but sent another unto them whoe was equall with himselfe, otherwise they should have loss by the change.
23 May, 1602.
fo. 24.
The Holy Ghost hath diuers offices and soe diuers effects: he enlightens the understandinge, and soe is called the Spirit of truth: he certifies the will, and soe is named the Spirit of Holines: he delivers from the bondage of Sathan, and soe is the Spirit of comfort, which is the cheife and very consummacion of all. The Holy Ghost is not given to all in the same measure, nor the same manner. When Christ breathed vpon his disciples they received the Holy Ghost; and, when the Holy Ghost came like fyrey tongues, they were filled with him: breath was warme, but fyre is hotter: there was heate in both, but not equally. Elias prayed that the Spirit of [Elijah] might be doubled upon him.
The gifts of the Holy Ghost are obteyned and perfected divers wayes; vnderstanding and fayth by the word which is the truthe; holynes of lyfe, by prayer, meditation, and good workes; consolation by receiving the sacraments.
7 Junij, 1602.
fo. 24b.
A lewde fellowe coming before Sir W. Rawley to be examined concerninge some wrecke which he had gotten into his handes, and being demaunded whether he would sweare to such articles as they would propound, answerd that he would sweare to anie thinge they would aske him, and then being admonished he should not be soe rashe in soe serious a matter as concerned his soule soe nearely, "Fayth," said he, "I had rather trust God with my soule, then you with my goods." (Ch. Da.)