The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart"The texts are first-rate, and the introductions are informative and reliable. The books will be a welcome...addition to the bookshelf of every literate religious person." Spiritual Life John Comenius: The Labyrinth of the World and The Paradise of the Heart translated and introduced by Howard Louthan and Andrea Sterk preface by Jan Milic Lochman "May the mercy of God be praised, for he opened my eyes also, enabling me to see the manifold vanities of this pompous world and the wretched deceit hiding everywhere under outward brilliance. I have learned to seek peace and security of mind elsewhere." From To the Reader, 4 The study of Protestant spirituality in the early modern period has generally focused on Puritans and Pietists. The tradition of the Slavic Reformation that culminated with John Amos Comenius (1592-1670) has been largely ignored. This volume seeks to redress this imbalance by introducing Comenius's neglected masterpiece, The Labyrinth of the World, to a broader audience. Though a better known as the father of modern education, Comenius was a pastor and spiritual leader of the Bohemian Brethren (Unitas Fratrum), a Czech Protestant group inspired by the Hussite movement of the fifteenth century. The Labyrinth, an allegory of the spiritual journey in the style of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, represents the culmination of his literary accomplishments. The work was written against the backdrop of the calamitous Thirty Years' War and Comenius's profound personal sufferings. His satirical castigation of the world's false ambitions and values is paralleled by a deep yearning for understanding and experience of life with God. The work comprises two parts. The first introduces a pilgrim in search of a profession. Escorted by a series of guides who lead him through the maze of life's occupations, he visits tradesman, scholars, clergy, rulers and various other classes of society. Disillusioned by the petty rivalries and deception that mark every vocation he explores, the pilgrim ultimately despairs of the vanity and emptiness of human existence. In the second part of the text the pilgrim turns inward, where he finds "the paradise of the heart." After encountering Christ, he is led on a spiritual journey among those who have found the true meaning of life in relationship with God. With the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe, Comenius has reemerged as one of this region's most prophetic and relevant figures. Though written three centuries ago, his Labyrinth is a timely critique of the postmodern world and its spiritual plight. + |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 32
Page 11
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Page 16
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Page 28
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Page 36
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Page 37
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Contents
1 | |
Introduction | 7 |
Notes to Introduction | 46 |
The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart | 55 |
On the Reasons for Wandering in the World | 62 |
Chapter 6 | 70 |
Chapter 8 | 78 |
Chapter 9 | 84 |
Solomon with His Great Retinue Comes to the Palace of Wisdom | 170 |
The Pilgrim Observes the Secret Judgments and Government of the World | 171 |
Solomon Reveals the Vanities and Deceptions of the World | 180 |
Chapter 14 | 181 |
Solomons Company Is Dispersed Captured and Put to Hideous Death | 183 |
The Pilgrim Wants to Flee from the World | 185 |
The Pilgrim Finds His Way Home | 186 |
He Receives Christ as His Guest | 188 |
A General Survey | 93 |
Chapter 11 | 102 |
Chapter 12 | 112 |
The Pilgrim Observes the Legal Profession | 119 |
The Pilgrim Observes the Promotion of Masters and Doctors | 121 |
The Pilgrim Observes the Religious Profession | 122 |
He Examines the Christian Religion | 125 |
The Pilgrim Observes the Ruling Class | 134 |
The Military Profession | 142 |
The Knightly Order | 145 |
The Pilgrim Finds Himself Among the Newsmen | 147 |
First of All the Entrance | 149 |
The Pilgrim Observes the Lifestyle of the Rich | 151 |
The Ways of the Hedonists | 153 |
Life of the Worlds Elites | 158 |
The Glory of the Famous People in the World | 159 |
The Pilgrim Begins to Despair and Quarrels with His Guides | 163 |
The Pilgrim Examines the Castle of Wisdom the Queen of the World | 165 |
The Pilgrim Is Accused at the Palace of Wisdom | 166 |
Their Betrothal | 189 |
How the Pilgrim Was Transformed | 195 |
The Pilgrim Is Sent to the Invisible Church | 196 |
The Light of True Christians | 198 |
The Freedom of Hearts Devoted to God | 202 |
The Code of True Christians | 203 |
All Things Are Light and Easy for Hearts Devoted to God | 207 |
The Saints Have an Abundance of All | 209 |
The Security of People Committed to God | 210 |
The Godly Have Complete Peace | 213 |
The Godly Have Constant Joy in Their Hearts | 217 |
The Pilgrim Examines Christians According to Their Classes | 218 |
The Death of Faithful Christians | 221 |
The Pilgrim Is Received into Gods Household | 222 |
The Conclusion of All | 223 |
Notes to Text | 226 |
240 | |
247 | |
Other editions - View all
The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart Johann Amos Comenius No preview available - 1998 |
Common terms and phrases
affairs amazed answered approached asked beautiful began behold Bohemian Brethren called castle Chapter Christ church classes Comenius Comenius's comfort counselors crowd Czech death decree delight Delusion desire ears ecumenical entered estates everything everywhere examined eyes faith fear gate glory God's hands happened happiness hear heard heart heaven Herborn honor human interpreter responded Jan Amos Komenský Johann Arndt John Amos Comenius kind Labyrinth Lady Fortune learned Leszno Let us go live look Lord Majesty the Queen Meanwhile mind mouths Orbis Orbis Pictus Orbis sensualium pictus peace Peter Ramus philosophers Pictus Pietists Pilgrim Observes praised Přerov preter quarrels Reformed rejoiced rule rulers Searchall seats seek seen sides Solomon someone Spinka spiritual theology things throne tion true Christians truth turn Ubiquitous Unitas Fratrum Unity of Brethren Unum necessarium Utraquists vanity walked whistle whoever wisdom wish women words Žerotín