Discourse on Curious Matters

of the concluded resolution / and therefore strive / to more properly grasp the true nature.

But just as the spirit of doubt original: Zweifel-Geist; a personification of the tempter or demonic influence that targets the seeker’s intellect and confidence. has been hostile to noble man from the beginning / so he also does not fail / to use the greatest possible diligence in this / to lead him astray / to insert many doubts / and to turn him away from his seeking. He should by no means imagine / that he would receive this jewel In alchemical and mystical literature, a "jewel" (Kleinod) often refers to the Philosopher’s Stone or the hidden spiritual wisdom that grants enlightenment. / as he is far too vice-ridden / and it thus does not belong to him. For if this liar saw / that he could not defeat steadfast faith in Divine Love / he would yet seek to obscure this little spark of eternal light from the earthly man / and would therefore present the most impossible impossibility / along with all the loathsomeness of the sinful state.

If this were not yet sufficient / to change the rational constancy of hope / he would stir up manifold persecution and misfortune / and use most violently all the greatest malice / to make the man turn away through painful contempt and slanders / where he would then find such black instruments original: schwartze Werckzeuge; referring to people who, wittingly or not, act as agents of the "spirit of doubt" to discourage the seeker. / which