Preface

      I do not doubt that those who worship God in spirit and in truthA reference to John 4:24, emphasizing sincere, internal faith over mere outward ritual. will approve of this undertaking, and all the more so because the path to a great atheistic anti-Christianityoriginal: "Atheistischen Anti-Christenthum." In this period, "atheism" was often used broadly to describe any belief—such as Socinianism—that the author felt undermined the traditional doctrine of God. is being paved more and more through the neglect of investigating the truth.

      Initially, it took much effort for me to resolve to add my own few thoughts on this matter to the learned testimonies that have come to light until now. But when I reflected that Satanoriginal: "Satanas.", despite such powerful testimonies, nevertheless does not cease to spread his weeds further and further, and is especially busy doing so now in Germanyoriginal: "Deutschland.", I felt I had reason to bear witness to the truth according to my ability, even if it could not equal the others.

      Satan is an impudent guest; even when his lies have long since been thrown back at him, he always brings them forward anew and sings his old songs. If one now becomes weary, allowing oneself to be cornered and exhausted by his impudence, then he finally gets his way and cries out, "The Philistines are upon you!"original: "das Philister über dir." A biblical allusion to Judges 16, where Delilah calls out to the weakened Samson before his capture. It suggests that if believers grow tired of defending their faith, they will be easily overcome by their enemies. Thus, it is only right that one pushes his filth back at him as much as possible and does not—through total silence—leave the tempted and partly hardened soulsoriginal: "Seelen." in the delusion that all has already been lost.