PREFACE.

...living, pure, and penetrating way to those who have loved and heard Him, so that they have not been able to lose the memory and deep impression thereof, nor by the Lord's graceDutch: genade. A central concept in Reformed and Labadist theology, emphasizing God's unmerited favor. shall ever lose it.

As for me, I gladly let those who constantly see my life and conduct judge whether my actions or manner of doing things are as domineering and enslaving as Dominie KoelmanJacobus Koelman (1632–1695). A former minister who became a critic of the Labadists' separation from the state church. and others would have people believe. Through the Lord's grace, I take to heart that it is not so in any way; although I feel that the fear that someone might judge it so based on some appearance must never make me drop or diminish God's right and His truth: for that would then be a self-serving fear, for which God might rightly punish me. The Lord has, through His grace, given us a tender and charitable heart for the souls who desire to please Him from the heart. But He also makes us see that we must be holily unyielding, in order not to yield either to the self-centered and human spirit, nor to self-love, nor to the self-will, since the will of GodDutch: wille Gods. alone must rule over us and over others.

If there were no lawful and holy order in a House or Church of GodDutch: Gemeynte Gods. This refers to the specific Labadist community, which viewed itself as the "true" gathered church of believers., it would not be what it is called. And those whom God especially appoints to make Him rule in the midst of His own must above all take to heart that He be obeyed and followed in everything, and that His SpiritDutch: fijnen Geeft. guide and regulate the souls who make such a singular profession of it. The Lord knows that this is our guidance and way of acting—which people nevertheless try to make suspicious and hateful at every opportunity—and His Spirit gives us witness through His grace that we intend nothing but that alone in the sincerity of our hearts. This sincerity is known to the Lord, since it is a gift of His mercyDutch: barmhertigheyt. and grace, and that is fully enough for us. Furthermore, we can say that the love