The Marrow of the Soul

To the Reader.

find. As to how he attained such high understanding and enlightenment original: Erleuchtung; a spiritual awakening or divine insight beyond human reason., know that God wonderfully converted him through a layman original: Laye; a person without formal theological training or clerical standing. This likely refers to the "Friend of God from the Oberland" who famously challenged the mystic Johannes Tauler.. For previously he was a great theorist and brawler original: Theoreticus und Zäncker; someone more interested in abstract doctrine and arguing than in lived faith., indeed a subtle disputant original: subtilis Disputator and eloquent orator original: beredsamer Perorator, such that he focused his theology on such bickering. From the pulpit, like another Cicero A famous Roman statesman and orator known for his persuasive, artistic speech., he orated with wonderful (yet carnal) eloquence concerning the high mysteries of God.

However, such preaching—originating from a carnal, high-minded, and impure heart that did not yet know itself—did not "taste" right to the aforementioned layman. Instead, this? layman went to him and rebuked him, saying that he was still a Pharisee In this context, a "Pharisee" refers to a religious leader who possesses the "letter" of the law but lacks the "spirit," or one who teaches others what they do not practice themselves. because he had never personally walked the path he showed to others. To this friendly outward reminder, the hand of God came to his aid, so that he was attacked—wonderfully, yet in a way that brought healing—with both inner and outer crosses original: Creutz; a common metaphor for suffering, trials, or burdens borne for the sake of spiritual refinement.. For inwardly he was struck with heavy, hard trials of the soul original: Seelen-Anfechtungen; a specific term for intense spiritual anxiety, doubt, or "dark nights of the soul" viewed as a divine test., so that he