* 1.1VERS. 25, 26. And in the fourth watch of the night, Iesus went unto them walking on the sea. And when his Disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, it is a spirit; and they cryed out for feare.
§. 1. In the fourth watch of the night.
[Sect. 1] Wee may here observe; that the Iewes divi∣ded their night into foure quarters, or greater houres, termed foure Watches, each Watch con∣taining three lesser houres.
The first, they called Caput vigiliarum, the be∣ginning of the Watches, Lament. 2.19.
The second was the middle Watch, Iudg. 7.19. not so termed, because there were only three Watches (as Drusius would have it, s. Iudg. 7.19.) but because it dured till midnight.
The third Watch began at midnight, and held till three of the clocke in the morning,h 1.2.
The fourth, and last Watch, was called the mor∣ning Watch, Exod. 14.24. And began at three of the clocke, and ended at six in the morning. And this is the Watch here spoken of. Now these Watches were called also by other names, accor∣ding to that part of the night, which closed each Watch.
The first was termed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Even.
The second was called, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Midnight.
The third was named, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Cock-crowing. And,
The fourth, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: The Dawning. Yee know not when the Master of the house will come, at Even, or a•• Midnight, or at Cock-crowing, or at the Downing,l 1.3.
[Sect. 2] §. 2. Walking on the sea.
[Object.] It is questioned betweene us, and the Church of Rome concerning the corporall presence of Christ; whether a true body can be in a place, and yet not occupy a place? And Bellarm. lib. 3. de Euchar. Cap. 5. proves it thus from this verse. It doth no more agree to a corporall substance, or true reall body, to fill, and occupy a place, then it doth to a heavie body to descend, and sink down∣ward; or to a lucide, and bright body to shine, or to a coloured body to be seene; or to a hot bo∣dy, to warme, &c. But God can make, that a hea∣vie body shall not sinke, &c. as is plaine from this verse, where Christ vvalkes on the water, and sinkes not (and so also Luke 4.30. and 24.31. and Iohn 8.5••.) Therefore a body may bee in a place, and yet not occupy, or take up the place.
First, the proposition is false because all [Answ. 1] the other things may bee done supernaturally, but they are not contrary to nature. But for a Body not to be in a place is directly con∣trary to nature: And therefore these are wrong conjoyned.
Secondly, it is evident from Scripture, that [Answ. 2] God hath made a heavie body not to sinke (as hee did Iron to swim) and the rest; but wee have no Scriptures to confirme this, that a body may bee in a place, and yet not fill it, and therefore these are unequally ranked.
Thirdly, it is false which the Iesuite avoucheth [Answ. 3] namely, that in Scripture wee reade of heavy things which weighed not, &c, for the bodies of Christ and Peter were no lesse ponderous, when they walked upon the water then they were be∣fore: but onely when they so walked, they were sustained by a divine power; and therefore when Peters faith failed, he began to sinke: whence it is cleare that he was as ponderous then as ever, but that hee was upheld by an Almighty arme.
Fourthly although the bodies of Christ & Peter [Answ. 4] when they walked upon the water, were made light, yet even then their bodies remained in a place circumscribed, and ••illed the place wherein they were. And therefore there are not the like reasons of these instances.
Fifthly, that which Bellarmine saith of the invisi∣bilitie [Answ. 5] of Christs body is false; because it alwaies remained in it selfe visible: but it is said to be in∣visible in regard of the multitude, from whom suddenly hee withdrew himselfe; or whose sight miraculously he hindred from seeing him: and therfore Luke 24.51. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from them, is ad∣ded, Scharp. curs. Theol. pag. 1474.
§. 3. And they cryed out for feare. [Sect. 3]
The Disciples seeing one in the form of a man walking towards them upon the surface of the water, thought certainly that it had been some Specter; and therfore were frighted with the sight, whence it may be demanded:
Why men naturally so much abhorre and fear such sights and apparitions of Spirits? [Quest.]
First, the reason herof is because of that diver∣sity [Answ. 1] of nature which is in corporall and spiritual bodies: or, because of that strangenesse which is betwixt them. For spirituall creatures, whether good or bad are alienated from all commerce and society with men; and hence from the un∣wontednesse, or strangenesse of the sight, Specter•• trouble men, which would trouble them lesse if they were more acquainted with them, or accu∣stomed to such fights.
Secondly, spirituall creatures are more agile, [Answ. 2] quicke, strong, and powerfull, then are corporall; and therefore men are troubled with the sight of them, and affrighted with them; as natu∣rally the weaker things are afraid of the stronger.