PREFACE.

...a certain simplicity and freedom that the Lord gives them, which the ordinary Believers do not have. Those who judge them must take care that they themselves are not judged by Him who shall judge all things. Regarding the 2nd and 3rd fault that D. KoelmanJacobus Koelman (1632–1695), a Dutch minister and prominent critic of the Labadist movement. identifies and rebukes in Mr. de LabadieJean de Labadie (1610–1674), the former Jesuit who became a famous Reformed preacher and later founded the Labadist community.—namely, that he did not correspond enough, or did not wish to follow the thoughts and aims of others in the work to which the Lord called him—I can say that he was, in fact, so weary of human wisdom and prudence, and of the troubles that the half-good A term used by Labadie to describe Christians who were outwardly religious but lacked what he considered true, inward spiritual transformation. had given him for nearly forty years, that one should not be surprised if he hurried himself in the latter part of his life to do what God wanted of him, and that his Spirit led him swiftly, as it were, where others neither wished nor were able to go.

Mr. de Labadie was fervent. But were not ElijahThe biblical prophet known for his zeal and his confrontation with the prophets of Baal. and John the BaptistThe precursor to Jesus, known for his radical preaching in the wilderness. also so? D. Koelman formerly looked with high regard upon that which he now condemns as a great fault in this Servant of God. One must leave it more to God to see what His Servants may have mixed of their own into His work, rather than taking the liberty to judge it, so that one is not found to have condemned that which may have come not so much from them as from the Lord.

That is what I must place before D. Koelman regarding the 4th fault, which he says he noticed in Mr. de Labadie. Regarding the 5th, I have already answered; and one shall yet find in this Book reason for wonder that D. Koelman dares to rebuke that extraordinary Lord’s Supperoriginal: Avontmael. This refers to a famous and controversial 1669 communion service in Middelburg where Labadie excluded those he deemed "unregenerate," leading to his suspension from the Reformed Church. of Middelburg, where God showed Himself present in such a glorious manner that the good stood as if enraptured by it, and the evil were terrified and hindered in their purpose. And truly, what the Lord did there resembled a miracle more than His ordinary way with His Servants and Children. And that which He thereafter pleased to pour out into the hearts that He...