REFLECTIONS.

One should not argue with senses that, drifting along,
Overturn the foundation of our brain and the truth.
Thus the master expels him from the school with force,
Before he has firmly established his foundation through reason.

A cautious person examines the foundation of the doctrine

Yet one praises a person who, being teachable and prudent,
Does not recklessly receive a currency of doctrine original: "munt van leering" – a metaphor comparing religious teachings to coins that must be tested for their weight and purity before being accepted as "legal tender" for the soul. so weighty,
Since eternal salvation or a curse hangs upon it,
In the twilight, without a test, weight, and light.
Falsehood, appearing beautiful, borders too closely in appearance to truth.
This matter of salvation demands proof, and certainty, and clarity,
At least according to its nature: for otherwise, if one here
Determines something recklessly, then man becomes a beast,
An irrational animal, deprived of the use of reason,
And compared—not absurdly—to all lack of rationality.
Whoever demands this reckless deciding, though his following may be strong,
He excludes humanity and shuts "animal-ness" into his church.
I wish, therefore, with my pen and ink,
To print upon the page of the teachable hearts of those who wander
A healing script, in which the doubter may see God,
So that he may acknowledge God, and fear, and honor, and serve Him:
For when the Deity original: "Godtheit" – referring to the divine nature or the essence of God. is reflected upon and found,
Then religion stands firm on immovable grounds,
Which now, through base abuse, scandal, and the stain of slander,
Extinguishes zeal and places the people at a crossroads original: "drysprong" – literally a three-way junction, representing a state of spiritual indecision or confusion between different paths..

The necessity of knowing God

To pluck this desired fruit from my cultivation,
It is necessary first to impress upon the heart of the wanderer,
That he must necessarily here know the highest good,
The uncreated All, the Deity,
At least according to his power and utmost ability:
For without knowledge, no subject is moved
To serve his lord; rather, he is moved powerfully if he is
Spurred on by knowledge of his lord's worth and greatness;
Even more so to cling to Him with heart and senses,
From whom he has received body, and soul, and being.