The Interdict 214 Henry of Nördlingen 216 Insurrection in Strasburg 218 The Friends of God 224 Tauler on the Image of God 226 CHAPTER IV. Tauler’s Disappearance 230 His Disgrace 233 His Restoration 234 The People comforted and the Pope defied 236 CHAPTER V. Nicholas of Basle and Tauler 239 The Theology of Tauler 244 His Advice to Mystics 248 Estimate of his Doctrine 251 CHAPTER VI. Further Thoughts on Tauler and Middle-Age Mysticism 260 Tests of Mysticism 268 Spiritual Influence 272 Views of God and the Universe 277 Immanence of God 280 Montanism 284 Ground of the Sou 291 Origen and Tauler 302 Luther and Tauler 304 Teufelsdröckh 307 CHAPTER VII. The Black Death 313 The Flagellants 316 A Visit to Ruysbroek at Grünthal 325 Ruysbroek on Mystical Union 328 Heretical Mystics 330 Ecclesiastical Corruption 332 CHAPTER VIII. Heinrich Suso 341 His Austerities 343 His Visions 345 His Adventures 348 The Monks of Mount Athos 356 CHAPTER IX. Nicholas of Basle 359 Brigitta 361 Angela de Foligni 362 Catharine of Siena 364 The “German Theology” 366 The “Imitation of Christ” 367 Gerson 368 BOOK THE FIRST INTRODUCTION CHAPTER I. Wie fruchtbar ist der kleinste Kreis, Wenn man ihn wohl zu pflegen weiss.[2] GOETHE. It was on the evening of a November day that three friends sat about their after-dinner table, chatting over their wine and walnuts, while the fire with its huge log crackled and sparkled, and the wind without moaned about the corners of the house. Everyone is aware that authors have in their studies an unlimited supply of rings of Gyges, coats of darkness, tarn-caps, and other means of invisibility,—that they have the key to every house, and can hear and see words and actions the most remote. Come with me, then, kindly reader, and let us look and listen unseen; we have free leave; and you must know these gentlemen better.