Preface.

...to dispute, as shall also be reminded hereafter.

That many people do not direct themselves according to their own principles original: principia. These are the foundational starting points or axioms of a philosophical or theological system. and doctrines original: Lehr-Sätze. Formally established points of teaching or dogmas., and thus teach or believe one way while living another, cannot be denied. Unfortunately, daily experience teaches this with many thousands of examples! It is also undeniable that many outwardly pretend to believe this or that, or claim to be convinced of the truth, while in the depths of their hearts it is quite otherwise.

However, the fact that many do not direct their lives according to their principles—or what they hold to be true—stems from the power of sinful desires original: sündliche Begierden. In this period of theology, these are the internal impulses of "fallen" human nature that resist moral or divine law. being far too great in them. They apply no earnestness and use no diligence to overcome or subdue them. For if they could only resolve to abandon their sinful nature, there is no doubt they would gladly follow their principles and arrange their lives to harmonize with their doctrine or faith.

Moreover, there is no doubt that their own conscience original: Gewissen. The internal moral faculty believed to be God's witness within the soul., provided it is not entirely lulled to sleep, will often powerfully convict and punish them. Be that as it may, simply because many live according to their passions original: adfecten, from the Latin affectus. These are strong emotional impulses or "affects" that were thought to overwhelm reason and lead to sin. and lusts rather than their teaching...