PREFACE

Their pleasantness original: "smakelickheyt"; literally "tastiness" or "savory quality," implying something that appeals to the spiritual palate or soul's "taste." causes them to enter in, and reflection on them presses them deeper and causes them to be tasted repeatedly, so that they may be observed and put to work with greater desire and zeal.

For to read or to know them is of little value, and to profess them without living them is not much more. The Christian Religion Christian Religion original: "Christelicke Religie"; here referring to the lived practice of faith rather than just institutional membership. does not consist in mere speculation speculation original: "speculatie"; meaning abstract intellectual theorizing without practical application.. It is well enough known that Faith belongs as much to the heart as to the understanding, and it not only leads the understanding captive, but also binds and bridles the will. And since the will is itself the most stubborn and least docile, it must be made submissive with greater force. To this end, Love—which powerfully contends with the will—is full of sweet attractiveness, and Grace is a conquering delight. Once the head and the heart are won, the hand gives of itself; and works demonstrate faith and love as their natural fruits.

They follow and flow like living waters from these two fountains, which are actually but one, since faith, according to the Apostle Referring to the Apostle Paul, specifically Galatians 5:6: "...faith which worketh by love.", works through love.