Page 312
IESVIT. [ A]
Secondly, S. Paul saith, Now wee know but in part, wee prophesie but in part, but when that of perfecti∣on shall come, that of part shall be euacuated; I now know but in part, then I shall know as I am knowne. By which words the Apostle signifies, that all Knowledge, both Humane and Diuine, particularly the gift of Prophesie, [ B] is contained eminently in the Beatificall Light: So that the blessed Saints haue the gift of Prophesie in a more excellent degree, than had the Prophets in this world. But by the light of Prophesie, holy men vnited with God, could see the secrets of hearts, as S. Paul saith, By the gift of Prophesie the secrets of hearts are manifested; and also see things ab∣sent, being present, by Light of Vnderstanding, from whence they were absent according to their substance. The Prophet Elizeus saw in absence what passed betwixt his seruant [ C] Gehezi and Naaman, to whom he said, My heart was there present with thee. With farre greater reason, saith S. Augustine, the Saints of God, euen with eyes of bodie closed vp, shall see all things, not onely present, but also from which they are corporally absent. This is that which Saint Hierome doth so earnestly defend against Vigilantius, That the soules of the Martyrs are present where their Shrines and Reliques are, and neuer absent, but still readie [ D] to heare the prayers of their suppliants: not thinking (as Dr Field imposeth vpon him) that they are present in so many places substantially, according to their soules, but that they are present as Elizeus was present vnto Gehezi, in spirit, beholding what passed as cleerely, as if they were corporally present.