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

CONSID. LVII.

Whence it comes to passe, that by the knowledge and sense of the things of God the Flesh is mortified.

EVery day I go certifying my self, that the Christian businesse is not knowledge, but ex∣perience: I would say, that it is not got by knowledge, but by experience. First of all I understood, that the proper exercise of a Chri∣stian is to attend unto mortification. Attending unto it he feels, that the profit of it consists in this, that a man mortifying his affections and appetites, goes by little and little comprehen∣ding that divine Christian perfection, in which he is comprised by the incorporation, with which believing he is incorporated in Christ. Passing on further, I know that the most cer∣tain and secure way, by the which he who is cal∣led of God, comes to true mortification, is al∣wayes to hold firm in his memory a firm thought, that he is called of God, and that the calling is made to give him everlasting life. Now I understand that this marvellous effect of mortification through the remembrance of the vocation, proceeds partly from the basenesse of the flesh, and partly from the efficacy of the things of God. I would say that the flesh being vile, and miserable, and being every way feeble, and infirm to be able to hold in it self the know∣ledges, and senses of divine things, it comes to

passe, that by the efficacy of them it is affrigh∣ted, and becomes vile in its own eyes; in such manner, that it is easily overcome, and mastered by the spirit, and so it remains mortified toge∣ther with all those things which are corrupt in a man by the depravation of the flesh. And be∣cause the remembrance of the calling by God is very efficacious in men with the knowledge and sense of heavenly things, and that all men are frail and infirm, I understand that which God saith, That a man who shall see him shall not be able to live. And therefore the perfect vision of God is reserved to the just in eternall life; when the flesh being raised up shall be a subject able to endure the vision of God. In this mean space on the one side by the benefit of God, the flesh is mortified in the just, not onely in the memo∣ry of their vocation to life everlasting, but also with every other particular vocation and sense, which appertains to the things of God: And on the other side God goes moderating in them these knowledges, and these senses, to the in∣tent they should not come to nothing, accom∣modating them to the frailty of the flesh, as we temper the hot liquor, which we would keep in a glasse vessell, in such manner, as the liquor is preserved in the vessell without breaking the glasse. And I understand, that corporall and out∣ward exercises, together with those other things which are of mans industry, do serve unto those

persons which are called of God, for a certain entertaining of themselves in that state and measure of grace, unto which the knowledge and sense of heavenly things hath brought them, untill such time as by these exercises and labours there is given unto them a new and fresh sup∣ply of the knowledge and sense of God and heaven, which may make them to make pro∣gresse in mortification: in such manner, that I have reason to say, that the Christian businesse is not knowledge, but experience. If it were knowledge, it would work the effect that other knowledges do, that is, to swell up, and make proud those who have it. And because it is ex∣perience, it doth the effect which other experi∣ences do, that is, to humble and cast on the ground all that which is humane wisdome, and to exalt and lift up to heaven all that which is in the spirit. I understand this effect is in them, who being called of God are members of Jesus Christ our Lord.