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

CONSID. LV.

Against curiosity; and how the holy Scriptures ought to be read without curiosity.

MAns mind desires to maintain it self alive, and to conserve it self in its livelinesse, with divers meats, amongst which, as I understand, Curiosity is that which most pleaseth it, and most satisfieth; as well in regard of it self, as that alwayes there goes ambition, and vanity mingled therewith. And I understand that this Curiosity is so savoury unto the mind of man, that it feeds thereon, in what manner soever this meat be seasoned, and dressed, so that it be Curiosity. Now it being needfull, that this hu∣mane mind should die, to the intent, that in the persons who attend unto Christian piety, that resolution may be maintained, which knowing

themselves to be dead on Christs Crosse, they have made, and do make with the world, and with themselves: it is also needfull, that this food of curiosity should be taken from them, not gi∣ving it unto them in any manner, nor by any way; taking it from them principally in those things, in which piety, religion, and holinesse, which are the most precious things, may be pre∣tended. And amongst these I hold for most dan∣gerous the study of holy Scripture, when it is with curiosity: for albeit it is ordinarily a good means to kill the mind of man; the mind is on the other side so alive, that it converts it into cu∣riosity, delighting to maintain it self with that alone, when it cannot with other things. And therefore I understand, that it belongs to the pi∣ous Christian to stand very vigilant, and wary in many things, in which there may be curiosi∣ty, and that he should not have it, and princi∣pally in the study of holy Scripture; to the in∣tent, that the sincerity of the holy spirit, which is in it, may not be converted into curiosity of the flesh, as it befals the curious, who read the Scripture onely to know, and understand: In which I understand, that the Pious Christian ought onely to intend the inward knowledges, & feelings, which God by means of his holy spi∣rit shall give unto him; & those, w^ch he by means of these shall go experimenting of the things of the holy spirit, in such manner, as taking into his

hand a book of holy Scripture, he should in∣tend to understand that which belongs to him; and so think, that he understands not that which he hath not experimented: and thus thinking, if he shall desire to understand it, he shall at∣tend to experiment it; and not to seek with curiosity that which others have therein under∣stood: and attending unto experience, he shall likewise attend unto totall mortification of the mind, depriving it of all curiosity; and toge∣ther with the experience, and with the mortifi∣cation, he shall get the true understanding of holy Scripture, and shall understand how that the Christian businesse doth not consist in knowledge, but in experience: And he shall know the deceit that they suffer, who think that they do not understand holy Scripture, be∣cause they be not instructed, nor furnished of knowledge and humane learning; understan∣ding that it is needfull for them, who are instru∣cted and rich in them, to re∣nounce and leave them, for to obtain the true understanding of holy Scripture, which as I have said, is not gotten by knowledge, nor ought not to be procured with curiosity, but is gotten with experience, and ought to be pro∣cured with simplicity. Inasmuch as to them who are instructed and adorned with this sim∣plicity,

God revealeth his secrets, as the proper Sonne of God himself affirms, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Notes

• By renouncing the help of humane learning in the stu∣dying to understand holy Scripture, he meaneth that we should not use it as the onely, or as the principall means; because the anoint∣ing which we have received, and abideth in us, teacheth us, 1 John 2.27.