of a theological writer. XV

has an extraordinary amount of seductive power. However, one will also easily understand that it is unjust to speak of fanaticismoriginal: "Schwärmerey." In the 18th century, this term was used pejoratively to describe religious enthusiasm or mystical experiences that lacked rational grounding. unless one can prove "that the person to whom this weakness is attributed either has no purpose at all, or a purpose existing only in the imagination; or, that the zeal with which he seeks to achieve his purpose is far greater than it should be according to the nature of the purpose; or, that because of this zeal, he neglects the use of true and sufficient means. —

Until those who see so much fanaticism in today's Christendom have demonstrated one of these cases, and have proven with sufficient reasons that all who think differently than they do in matters of religion "have no purpose, or that "their purpose is merely imagination, or that "their zeal in the matter of their salvationoriginal: "Seligkeit." Refers to the state of eternal happiness or blessedness in a religious context. is too great, or that there are closer and more appropriate means than the fulfillment of the—