Contemplative Pictures with Wholesome Precepts Part 1, Picture 5
The Picture of the Holy Ghoſt.
HE is the third perſon, his property is proceeding from the Father, and from the Son. He works euer from both, together with both. Hee is Chriſts Vicegerent in his kingdome,The Pope may bee packing as the diuels darling. his onelyonly Vicar General in his Church. Hee raiſed vp the Prophets, hee inſtructed the Apoſtles, and now qualifieth all Chriſts true meſſengers. The bad he maketh good, in the good hee encreaſeth grace. He reforms our waies, informes our iudgement, and confirmes our faith. Hee changeth diſcord into duties of louelove, and turneth all miſdeeds, into Almes deedes; pratling into deuoute praier, fooliſh prating into powerfull and perſwaſiue preaching: the Preachers tong he makes the pen of a ready writer. Euill luſts, wher hee commeth, hee killeth, the dead works of darkenes he expelleth. He is the ſpirit ſanctifying the elect; hee is not partiall, but dealeth meaſurably to all, without ſiniſter reſpect. He is to the Saints the bleſſed Comforter; hee perſwades them all, to call God Father. He works repentance, and giueth therupō true peace of conſcience. Chriſts Church is his Temple, and he the ſaueguard of his ſheep. He ſignifieth our innarrable ſighs, and maks vsus expreſſe our deſires in praier vntounto God. He helps vsus to indite, to frame our wils, to make our meditations, to moderate our affectiōs, & orderly to diſpoſe al our actions. Our eics by him do ſee into the Scriptures, he is the true commentarie to vnderſtand the word. Hee learneth men to handle controuerſies, without contētion; & to make a ſeparation, but without Schiſme. By him croſſes are not without comfort, and the day of proſperitie, not without meditation of a change. He maketh eueryevery thing to the godly profitable, and the greateſt afflictions, neuer inſupportable. It is onelyonly he that worketh in his faith by the word, diſtaſtful weariſomnes of the world, a hopefull perſwaſion of heauen, without any dreadfull feare of hell. Hee knits piety to right policy, and ſeuereth true deuotion, from fooliſh ſuperſtition. Here in this life hee beginneth grace, ſets on to goodneſſe, perſwads to holineſſe, vrgeth to charitableneſſe, preſſeth on to godlie practiſe, ſettling the ſoule in religious pureneſſe, and ſo leades it forward with a reſolued conſtancie to endleſſe happineſſe, and perfects all in the life to come.
Precepts.
OH (vnſtable man) get the ſtrength by this Spirit, pray him earneſtlie to ſettle thy ſoule in ſafetie. Make him thy maſter; his motions, thy firſt mouer. Aduiſe by his Counſell, walke euer by his courſe. Silence thy ſelfe, when he giues ſentence; bee not ſecure, if he doe cenſure. Beſtow thy ſelfe by his direction, and willingly be led, by his inſtruction. If he premoniſh, be forewarned; if hee call backe, run not on. Stay, Where hee bids thee ſhop, and ſtand not when he moueth thee to ſet forward. If thou haſt him not, intreat the Lord to ſend him: If thou haſt him, carefully hold him. If thou wouldeſt trie the true Spirit, diſcerne his motions by the word; his habitation in thee by ſanctified worke. The Scripture is his Scantling, hee works not ordinarilie, but as the word doth warrant, and hee abids in none that are wicked and diſobedient. Bee no Schiſmaticke; he will forſake thee; be no Heretique, be will not harbour with thee. Diſpleaſe not him, deſpight him not by thy prophanenes: If thou quench his grace thou looſeſt thine owne good. Let him guide thee after the word, and thou ſhalt bee euer well-pleaſing to God, accompanied of Angels, approued of godlie men, and be rewarded in heauen: which benefit the bleſſed trinitie vouchſaf thee (Reader)
Amen.