Page 17

Now he visits smaller congregations who, in their fanaticism Original: "Schwärmerey" — In this period, this term specifically referred to religious "enthusiasm" or groups that prioritized emotional experiences and private revelations over established church doctrine., imagine that the Spirit of God Original: "Gottesgeist" has pitched its tent only within their hearts. He investigates and finds many honest, good people among these small groups; however, he does not find the poured-out Spirit of God Referring to the "outpouring" of the Holy Spirit as described in the Book of Acts.. He becomes deeply distressed that this Spirit of God—whose magnificent effects he has read about in the Holy Bible Original: "heiligen Bibelbuche" and about which he would have gladly learned important matters—is present in no congregation. Consequently, he begins to doubt the truth of this book.

He returns to the Temple of Nature. "Here," he says to himself, "sound human understanding Original: "gesunder Menschenverstand" — A key concept of the Enlightenment, suggesting that truth should be accessible through reason and sensory evidence rather than dogma. still holds sway; here the rights of nature are honored; here no absurdities or impossibilities are demanded of man," etc., etc. He studies nature and himself anew; he researches, digs deep, and constructs a logical system for himself, yet he always finds gaps,

...it was not their soul that acted, but the Spirit of God; their soul surrendered itself in perfect obedience to this high Spirit and remained entirely passive. Paul Original: "Paulus" goes so far as to say: "It is not I who live, but Christ Original: "Christus" who lives in me." A reference to the New Testament verse, Galatians 2:20, describing the mystical union where the human ego is replaced by the divine.