Preface to the

A 3

whoever stumbles in this The author is referencing James 2:10, suggesting that failing to uphold the "Great Commandment" of Love makes one a transgressor of the entire Law. is guilty of all; indeed, what can we say of stumbling, when People do not even wish to fulfill this Commandment? Therefore all their Religion original: "Godts-dienst"; literally 'God-service', referring to formal acts of worship and religious duty. is truly vain, and nothing but pure, sheer Idolatry! They might as well truthfully abandon all these religious practices of theirs, for they will not help them toward their Salvation original: "Saligheid"; the state of spiritual blessedness or being saved. in the least; for the reason that they remain eternal Transgressors of all of God’s Commandments, and consequently the Wrath of God remains upon them all alone.

8. And therefore it is now a most lamentable time, that so very few People are found who seek to tread this Way of Jesus’ Love: and what an exceedingly small number it is still who earnestly strive to receive this Love of God entirely into their hearts, souls, and spirits, with all their strength. Oh, Jesus and his own weep most bitterly over the World’s Jerusalem, seeing the So-called Christendom original: "Genaamde Christendom"; a term the author uses to distinguish nominal, institutional Christianity from true, heartfelt faith. and their downfall so very near.

9. But what is it? People are all, through the Spirit of deep sleep original: "Geest des diepen slaaps"; a biblical allusion (cf. Isaiah 29:10 and Romans 11:8) to a state of spiritual blindness or indifference., [distracted] from their eternal welfare obtained for them by Jesus Christ; without his Life