Two Treatises on the Nature of the Elements and the Fifth Essence

I have experienced this very thing when I conducted myself humbly and submissively: and my misery yielded glory to me; misery turned into the sting of death original: "mortis aculeum." A common biblical allusion to 1 Corinthians 15:55, where the "sting of death" is overcome by divine victory.; death into victory; the victory was my immortal soul; and of the soul, the true riches—riches, I say, which are GOD, the Best and Greatest, from whom and through whom is whatever was, whatever is, and toward whom all things, like a final destination, hasten.

Now, so that we may show ourselves grateful, what is there a need to do? Shall we burn myrrh or incense? Shall we circumcise foreskins original: "Circumcidemus præputia." A reference to the ancient Jewish ritual, often contrasted in early modern philosophy with "circumcision of the heart."? Shall we shave our hair? Shall we raise our pulpit higher, and preach dressed in black or white garments original: "atris aut albis veſtibus." This likely refers to the contemporary theological debates over clerical vestments (such as the surplice), which Drebbel views here as superficial.? Or shall we eradicate those who are destitute of the knowledge of GOD with sword and flame? Or shall we chant the praises of GOD? Or finally, shall we write great volumes of books so that we might prepare eternal fame for ourselves?

All these things, brother, are splendid vanity original: "splendida vanitas." A phrase suggesting that even the most impressive-looking religious or intellectual acts are empty if they lack true spiritual substance.. With what, I ask, shall we gift GOD, whose own are all things, who is the possessor of all things, who has scattered His glory and fame through all things, even more than our mind can grasp? What then—