German Theology

to the other less. It is a tragedy that the Eternal Good beckons or invites us in the most noble way, and yet we do not want it. What is nobler than true spiritual poverty original: geistliche armut — a central mystical concept referring to an internal state of being emptied of self-will and attachment to one's own ego.? And when this is held out to us, we want nothing of it. We want to be so self-conceited original: naßweiß — literally "nose-wise," meaning someone who is over-clever, presumptuous, or a know-it-all in their spiritual life. that we might find great taste, sweetness, and delight within ourselves; then we would feel well and believe we loved God. But when these feelings fail us, we are in pain and we forget God and imagine we are lost. That is a great weakness original: gebrech — a defect, frailty, or lack of spiritual maturity. and a bad sign. For a person who truly loves God loves Him or the Eternal Good equally in having and in lacking, in the sweet and in the sour, and the like. Let every person examine themselves in this regard.

The Eleventh Chapter.

¶ Christ’s soul had to go into hell Refers to the "Harrowing of Hell" or the belief that Christ descended to the dead; here used as a spiritual archetype for the believer’s experience of despair and self-judgment. before it came to heaven; so also must the soul of man. But note how that happens. When a person knows and looks at themselves, and finds themselves so evil and unworthy of all the comfort and good that might happen to them from God or from creatures—finding nothing other than an eternal damnation and being lost—they think themselves unworthy even of that. Indeed, they think themselves unworthy of all the suffering that can happen to them in this time. And it seems right and just to them that all creatures should be against them and cause them suffering and pain, and they are unworthy of all of it. Also, it seems right to them that they should be eternally damned and should even be a footstool original: füß schamel — a position of the lowest possible humiliation. for all the devils in hell. And all of this is still felt as "unworthy" The author suggests the person feels so low they don't even "deserve" the dignity of being punished by God.; and they neither will nor can desire any comfort or redemption, neither from God nor from creatures, but rather they are willing to be uncomforted and unredeemed. Damnation and suffering do not grieve them, because it is just and right and is not against God, but is rather the will of God; and they love this and are content with it. They are only grieved by their own guilt and malice, for that is wrong and against God;
Sin.

and because of this, they are in pain and feel wretched. And this is what is called true repentance original: rew — contrition or remorse. for sin. And whoever is thus in hell in this time...