Preface.

name and title of holy meditations with good reason. They have flowed forth from a holy love for the most holy truth. For the most part, they hopefully contain such matters that are highly useful and necessary for the certainty and strengthening of faith. And their sole ultimate purpose is this: that the sinful nature of error and lies may be weakened, and the salutary knowledge salutary knowledge (heilsame Erkäntniß): In 18th-century theology, this refers to knowledge of the Gospel that leads specifically to spiritual health and salvation. of the truth may be planted and fortified in many souls.

For since I have, up until now, often had to observe in my office—not without the deepest sorrow of soul original: "Seelen-Wehmuth"—how much the understanding of most people is filled with all kinds of harmful opinions that run contrary to the truth of Christ. This is true even for the most part of those who seem to make a great display of godliness. make a great display of godliness (Staat von der Gottseligkeit machen): To maintain a high outward reputation for piety or religious devotion. Therefore, for the sake of my office and my conscience, I have never failed to stem those lies and, according to my limited ability, to lead those who have strayed back onto the right path. Nevertheless, because it is to be feared that for many, my intended purpose might not [achieve] its goal according to...