Preface.

...read, those who possess a great and subtle understanding original: subtilen Verstand. In this context, it refers to an intellect that is prone to over-complicating simple matters or engaging in sophisticated but distracting reasoning., or at least boast of it, stumble over these truths, creating for themselves many scruples and doubts at every turn; indeed, they finally deny the clearest truths or fall into such uncertainty that they themselves do not know where they stand or how they shall extricate themselves. Thus, one must consider that the god of this world A common biblical reference to Satan or the worldly influences that distract from spiritual truth. has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so that they do not see the bright light of the Gospel original: Evangelii. The Latin genitive form of Evangelium. of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, as Paul speaks in 2 Corinthians 4:4. All of this can take nothing away from the matter itself, just as the sun loses none of its brilliance when people shut their eyes or lock themselves in a dark place so that they cannot see it.

It is indeed undeniable—and can likely be no other way—that through unnecessary quarreling and disputing, the knowledge of the truth is often hindered more than it is promoted. This is especially true when hatred, envy, pride, anger, and other passions passions original: adfecten. In the early modern period, "affects" or "passions" were seen as powerful emotions that could overwhelm reason and cloud a person's spiritual or intellectual judgment. are added to it, which so darken the understanding that it becomes entirely unfit to perceive the truth. However, where one weighs with a gentle spirit that which is objected against one or another doctrine doctrine original: Lehr-Satz. A formal principle or established teaching of the church., examines everything without prejudice, and holds one thing against another, such a process can [serve] the truth...