Free Thoughts on God, the Universe, Man, Freemasons, Rosicrucians, and the Philosopher's Stone

If but a spark of knowledge of the world and of human nature Original: "Welt- und Menschenkenntniß" — a key concept in Enlightenment philosophy referring to empirical understanding of social dynamics and human psychology. blazes within your soul, dear reader, you will soon recognize that neither the noble nor the common rabble Original: "Pöbel" — the author uses this term provocatively to describe both the high-born and low-born when they act without moral refinement. ceases to give in to their passions, to live according to their inclinations, and to mock the laws, as long as they can carry out their mischief in secret—provided they run no risk to their good reputation Original: "Leumund" — an archaic term for public standing or honor., have no slander to dread, and no punishment to fear.

But I do not wish to speak of the common man alone; I ask you, my better brother, who carries your brow higher and lifts yourself above the rabble: I ask you, has not prejudice worked strongly upon you? Has not your soul—which so gladly loves the good simply because it is good—received a false, distorted direction? For since childhood, you were not taught to recognize and love God as a tender father, as the greatest perfection, and as the highest love—but were instead taught to fear Him as a stern judge and a merciless taskmaster Zuchtmeister Historically, a "Zuchtmeister" was a strict disciplinarian or overseer; in a theological context, it refers to a legalistic view of God who demands obedience through fear of the rod., who lies in wait for our transgressions so that He might punish them eternally.

Is it not sad that all the good you do, and all the evil you avoid, does not stem from noble impulses? Tell me sincerely—