Divine considerations treating of those things which are most profitable, most necessary and most perfect in our Christian profession by John Valdesso.

CONSID. XXXII.

Of the abuse, and of the right use of the holy Scriptures.

I Understand that learned men being without the Spirit, do suffer the self same deceit in the holy Scriptures, which unlearned men without the spirit of God do in images; in this manner: An unlearned superstitious man keeps a crucifix of Christ in his chamber, by means whereof, al∣wayes when he enters into his chamber, he re∣members that w^ch Christ suffered; & finding (as he thinks) piety & religion in this remembrance, he puts in all other parts of his house other ima∣ges like unto that; & knowing well that alwaies as he walks up and down his house, he shall see these images, which will bring to his memorie that which Christ suffered, he cares not to im∣print in his mind Christ crucified, contenting himself to see him painted: and as long as he doth not keep him in his mind, he neither feels nor tasts the benefit of Christs Passion. And it

comes to passe, that when this superstitious un∣learned man is moved to demand any thing of Christ, it seeming sufficient to him to behold him painted with his bodily eyes, he careth not to lift up his mind to behold him with spirituall eyes; in such sort, that a man may say, that he doth not pray unto Christ, but unto that picture.

In the self same manner a learned man with∣out the Spirit, keeps written in holy Scripture, the things that pertain to a Christian man [both] that which he ought to believe, and that which he ought to do; in such sort, that when ever he gets his book, he understands both the one and the other: And this seeming sufficient to him, he employes all his study and diligence in ha∣ving many books, that may declare unto him the sense and meaning of the holy Scripture, not caring at all to imprint in his mind that which he reads, and that which he studies there∣in, nor to frame his opinions, nor his conceits in things pertaining unto Christian piety, ac∣cording to that he there reads, and studies. And being desirous to understand some secret of God, and of spirituall matters, applying himself to seek it in holy Scripture, he doth not lift up his mind to pray God that he would shew it him, and teach it him so, that he doth take for his aim the spirit of God; but [he contents himself with] that which by his own proper nature and wit he learns from that which was written

by them, who had the spirit of God. And if so be they suffer this deceit, that handle the Scri∣ptures which were written by the holy Spirit, what may we think is the deceit of them, who handle the writings that are written by humane spirits?

The unlearned man that hath the spirit, ser∣veth himself with images, as with an Alphabet of Christian piety; forasmuch as he so much serves himself with the picture of Christ cruci∣fied, as serves to imprint in his mind that which Christ suffered, and to tast and feel the benefit of Christ. And when he hath imprinted him, and tasteth and feeleth him, he cares no more for the picture, leaving it to serve for an Al∣phabet to other beginners: And when he hath Christ in his mind, and is inspired to demand any thing of Christ, he careth not to set his cor∣porall eyes on the picture, but sets his spirituall eyes on the impression, which he keeps in his mind: In like manner, a learned man that hath the spirit, serveth himself of holy Scriptures, as of an Alphabet or Christi∣an pietie, wherein he reads that which appertains to pie∣tie, untill such time as it pe∣netrate into his mind, so that he tasteth and feeleth not by judgment, nor by humane wisdome, but by his own pro∣per

mind, in which he im∣prints the knowledge of God, which is there written; so as when there comes unto him a desire to understand a∣ny secret of God, first he goes to the book of his mind, and consults with the Spirit of God, and afterward he goes to prove that which he hath understood, with that which he finds written in those holy books; so as having at first served himself with holy Scri∣ptures as with an Alphabet, he afterwards leaves them to serve for the same effect to o∣ther beginners, he attending to the inward inspirations, having for his proper master the spirit of God, and serving himself with holy Scriptures as with an holy conversation, and which causeth refresh∣ment unto him, altogether

putting from himself all those writings which are written by humane spirit. And so as well in the unlearned with the spirit, as in the learned with the spirit, is fulfilled that which was pro∣phecyed of the time of the Gospel, where it is said, they shall be all taught of God, Isa. 54.13. accordingly as they experiment in themselves, who obtain the spirit, which is communicated by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Notes

• I much mislike the com∣parison of Images and holy Scripture, as if they were both but Alphabets, and af∣ter a time to be left. The holy Scriptures have not onely an elementary use, but an use of perfection, neither can they ever be exhausted (as pictures may by a ple∣nary circumspection) but still even to the most learned and and perfect in them, there is somewhat to be learned more: therefore David desi∣reth God in the 119. Psalme, to open ••is eyes that he might see the wondrous things of his law, and that he would make them his study; although by other words of the same Psalme it is evident, that he was not meanly conversant in them. Indeed he that shall so attend to the bark of the letter, as to neglect the consideration of Gods work in his heart through the word, doth amisse; both are to be done, the Scripture stil used, and Gods work within us still observed, who works by his word, and ever in the reading of it. As for that Text. They shall be all taught of God, it being Scripture can∣not be spoken to the dispa∣ragement of Scripture; but the meaning is this that God in the dayes of the Gospel will not give an outward law of ceremonies, as of old; but such an one as shall stil have the assistance of the holy Spirit applying it to our hearts, and ever out-run∣ning the teacher, as it did when Peter taught Corneli∣us: There the case is plain, Cornelius had revelation, yet Peter was to be sent for; and those that have inspirations must still use Peter. Gods word: if we make another sense of the Text, we shall overthrow all means, save Catechizing, and set up En∣thusiasmes.

  In the Scriptures are

  • Doctrines, these ever teach more and more.
  • Promises, these ever comfort more and more, Rom. 15.4.