German Theology

to the other less. It is a pity that the Eternal Good
beckons original: raitzt — invites or entices or invites us in the most noble way, and we do not want it.
What is more noble than true spiritual poverty? And when this
is held before us, we want nothing of it. We want
to be so clever original: naßweiß — literally "wet-wise," describing someone who thinks they are spiritually sophisticated, that we might find great taste, sweetness original: süffigkeit — spiritual pleasure,
and delight within ourselves; then we would be well, and would have the love of God.
But when this fails us, we are in pain, and forget
God, and we imagine we are lost. That is a great
defect, and a bad sign. For a person who truly loves
has God or the Eternal Good equally dear in having and in
lacking, in sweet and in sour, and the like. In this, let
every person examine themselves.

The Eleventh Chapter.

Sin.

¶ Christ's soul had to go into hell before it came to heaven;
so also must the soul of man. But how that happens,
take note. When a person recognizes and looks upon themselves, and
finds themselves so evil and unworthy of all the comfort and
good that may happen to them from God or from creatures,
finding nothing else but eternal damnation and being
lost, and thinks themselves unworthy even of that. Yes, he
thinks himself unworthy of all the suffering that can happen
to him in time. And that it is just and right that all creatures should be against
him, and cause him suffering and pain, and he is of all that
unworthy. Also, it seems right to him that he should be eternally damned,
and also should be a footstool for all the devils in
hell. And all this is still [seen as] unworthy; and he does not wish or cannot
desire any comfort or redemption, neither from God nor from
creatures, but rather he wishes to be uncomforted and unredeemed;
and damnation and suffering are no sorrow to him, because it is just and
right, and is not against God, but is rather the will of God;
and that is dear to him and he is well with it; his only sorrow is
his own guilt and malice, for that is unjust and against God,
and with that he is heavy and sick at heart. And this is and is called
true repentance for sin. And whoever thus in this time into hell