Theosophick letters, or, Epistles of the man from God enlightned in Grace, Jacob Behme ... wherein every where are divine, blessed exhortations to true repentance and amendment : as also plaine instructions concerning the highly worthy and precious knowledge of the divine and naturall vvisdome : together with a right touchstone, or tryall of these times for an introduction to the authours other writings / published in English for the good of the sincere lovers of true Christianity by John Sparrow. — Theosophische Send-Briefe. English

Theosophick letters, or, Epistles of the man from God enlightned in Grace, Jacob Behme ... wherein every where are divine, blessed exhortations to true repentance and amendment : as also plaine instructions concerning the highly worthy and precious knowledge of the divine and naturall vvisdome : together with a right touchstone, or tryall of these times for an introduction to the authours other writings / published in English for the good of the sincere lovers of true Christianity by John Sparrow. — Theosophische Send-Briefe. English

Table of contents

Title page

An Abſtract out of Herre Abraham von Frankenbergs Letter of 7 September, 26 Auguſt, 1651. concerning the Explanation of the Copper Title of Jacob Behm's Theoſophick Epiſtles.

The Preface of Abraham Von Franckenberg the Publiſher of Jacob Behm's LXII. Letters called Theoſophick Epiſtles. Whereof 21. not being yet in Engliſh are here tranſlated and publiſhed; with a Letter, concerning the Author here alſo Engliſhed. The Preface

§

The Ninth Epiſtle To C. B. Of the 12. September 1620.

The Thirteenth Epiſtle To C. B. 8. Junii, 1612.

The fourteenth Epiſtle Of the 21. Junij 1661. To C. B.

The Nineteenth Epiſtle of the 3. July 1622. to Herr C. B.

The One and Twentieth Epiſtle of the 8. July 1621. An Herrn C. B.

The Three and Twentieth Epiſtle of the 29. October 1621. An Herr C. B.

The Six and Twentieth Epistle of the 28. of Aprill, 1622. An Herrn C. B.

The Seaven and Twentith Epiſtle of the 21. Junij 1622. An Herrn C. B.

The One and Thirtieth Epiſtle of the 12. November 1622. To Herr C. B.

The Four and Thirtieth Epiſtle of the 13. December, 1622. To Herrn C. B.

The Fortieth Epiſtle To Herr C. B. of the 13. October 1623.

The Three and Fortieth Epistle To Herr C, B. Of the 27. of December, 1623.

The Five and Fortieth Epiſtle To Herr C. B. Of the 4. of Aprill. 1624.

The Six and Fortieth Epiſtle Of the 6. of Aprill. 1624. To Herr. J. S.

The Nine and Fortieth Epiſtle To Herr C. B▪ Of the 5. of May, 1624.

The Two and Fiftieth Epiſtle Of the 15. of May, 1624. To Herr T. K. Immanuel.

The Three and Fiftieth Epiſtle Of the 19. May, 1623. To Herr T. K.

The Four and Fiftieth Epiſtle To Herr T. K. Of the 23. May 1624.

The One and Sixtieth Epiſtle To Herr C. B. without Date.

The two and ſixtieth Epiſtle C. B. without Date.

J.B's hand writing, or Manuſcript Epist: in High-dutch I.S's in English

§

The Third Epiſtle. 24. of October, Anno. 1619. 1.

The One and Fiftieth Epiſtle. To Herr F. K. M. D. Of the 9. May, 1624.

The Seaven and Fiftieth Epiſtle To N. N.

The Nine and Fiftieth Epiſtle

The Sixtieth Epiſtle. To Herr A C.

A Table of Behme's LXII. Epiſtles.

Doctor C. Weiſner's Epiſtle Narrative. Being, A True Relation from Herr C. Weiſner Doctor Medicinae, a Dr. of Phyſick, out of which the Reader that loveth God, will have information concerning the Bleſſed Jacob Behme his Meekneſſe which he exerciſed and held forth; 1. In his Conference with the forementioned Doctor. 2. With the Spirituall Lords or Clergy at Gerlitz. 3. In his Examination at Dreſden, in the Preſence of the Illuſtrious Prince Elector, and eight of the chiefeſt Profeſſors of Divinity, &c. Now as concerning the Courſe of his Life, it ſhall be related at Large, in the Book of the Way to Chriſt, that was in the Preſſe at Amſterdam, in the Year 1658.

A CATALOGUE of ALL The Books that are known to be Extant written BY JACOB BEHME And now Printed in Engliſh this: ☽: 3: ♓: 1661-2

The Errata belonging to the Apologies.

1. Apologie to Tylcken. Errata.

2. Apologie to Tylcken. Predeſtination and Incarnation.

The Fower Complexions.

Conſiderations upon Eſaiah Stiefel.

Apologie concerning Perfection.

I. V. Apologie, to Gregory Rickter.

Preface to the Epiſtles, at the End. for M. H. r. M. B.

§

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Theoſophick Letters or Epiſtles Of the Man, From God Enlightned, in Grace: Jacob Behme OF Old Seidenburg Wherein Every where are Divine bleſſed Exhortations to True Repentance and Amendment. As alſo Plaine Inſtructions concerning the highly worthy and Precious Knowledge Of the Divine and Naturall VVISDOME Together with a right Touchſtone or Tryall of Theſe Times for an Introduction to the Authours other writings publiſhed in Engliſh, For the good of the ſincere Lovers of true Chriſtianity. By JOHN SPARROW.

LONDON: Printed by M. S. for Giles Calvert, at the Sign of the Black Spread Eagle, at the Weſt End of St. Pauls. 1661.

An Abſtract out of Herre Abraham von Frankenbergs Letter of 7 September, 26 Auguſt, 1651. concerning the Explanation of the Copper Title of Jacob Behm's Theoſophick Epiſtles.

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1. In the Title page of the Epiſtles, at the Right hand above is a Dove with an Olive Branch: at the Left hand the City Alexandria; or Leiden; with the Dove, which carrieth a Letter or Epiſtle ſealed up, as Hiſtories mention.

2. Theſe are Two Doves in the Midſt of which, is The holy Spirit in the forme of a Dove, with the Goſpell of Peace.

3. Thus there are THREE Doves, ſignifying the Three-fold Spirit: the 1. of God, the 2. of Nature, the 3. of Art.

The Preface of Abraham Von Franckenberg the Publiſher of Jacob Behm's LXII. Letters called Theoſophick Epiſtles.
Whereof 21. not being yet in Engliſh are here tranſlated and publiſhed; with a Letter, concerning the Author here alſo Engliſhed.
The Preface

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To the Reader who loveth God and the Truth.

1. IF thou art minded fruitfully to know the true ſimplicity of The bleſſed ſaving Faith; and the cleere immaculate innocency of the holy Life of God in CHRIST JESU, together with the ſecret Myſtery of the Divine and Naturall wiſdome, from or out of the Light of Grace and of Nature, in a very Childlike and fundamentall way, to Thy Temporal and Eternall welfare, bleſſedneſs or Happineſs and Salvation: Then thou wilt aſſuredly, in theſe hitherto unknown to the world, yet very Chriſtian and divinely bleſſed Epiſtles; find a diſtinct plain Glimps and Reliſh thereof to thy ſatisfaction and content.

2. Which, we in that regard, among other cauſes, not without extraordinary paines and Coſt, have brought to light and publiſhed, whereby the ſearcher of the divine and Naturall WONDERS and ſecret Myſteries, might have a true Exemplar or Patterne, and that not taken out of Books of humane Art, but ſuch inſtruction as is received and brought forth, out of the Divinely revealed and Living EXPERIENCE; every one according to his own Meaſure; and might thereby honourably and edifyingly, build up and refreſh or quicken himſelf in a Chriſtian brotherly Ʋnion and Communion.

3. As, the right manner of underſtanding and uſe of theſe writings, eſpecially with repentant and Operating fruit, in all bleſſedneſs and wayes of Salvation, will cleerly and further Manifeſt.

4. Concerning the Author JACOB BOEME called the Theutonick of Old-Seidenburg; in his other herein mentioned and ſignified, Wonder-writings, More will be mentioned and declared concerning his Perſon and Gift; where the deſirous ſeeker may find it; and with theſe truly Chriſtian Epiſtles he may be prepared in the future the more fitly to peruſe the Great work of his other writings.

5. Which we alſo with the aſſiſtance of God, for the higher knowledg of the preſent More ſcornefull and perverted, then divinely Learned [Page] world, in divine and Naturall wiſdome: not ſparing either diligent Labour or Coſt; for the honour and benefit of the Germane or High-Dutch Nation, here attempted the work of publiſhing them in Print under the Title following.

THEOSOPHIA THEUTONICA Oder OFFERBAHRVNG Gottlicher und Naturlicher WEISHEIT.

THEOSOPHIA TEUTONICA OR The Revelation of Divine and Naturall WISDOME

Subſcribed. Abraham von Frankenberg.

M. L. H.

H. B.

A. V. F.

§

The Ninth Epiſtle To C. B. Of the 12. September 1620.

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Light, Salvation and Eternall Power, out of the wel-ſpring or fountaine of the Heart of JESUS CHRIST, be our refreſhing or Quickning, and Enlivening.

1. HOnourable and Eſteemed Sir: and in Chriſt, loving Brother, the Letter you ſent me, with the incloſed Rix-Doller, I received, and returne you thanks for it, God will, according to his word, richly repay it.

2. AlthoughActs 8. 18. the Gifts of God are not ſold for Money of any of this worlds Good, yet I find in you, according to your Letter, an Earneſt diligence, in that you are deſirous to ſtudy the divine wiſdome, and that you have a Zeale, your ſelf to write out a Copy, of that which is given me from God out of Grace; and I acknowledge it to be done out of Thankfulneſs and obedience towards God; and in that regard, I alſo willingly accept it.

3. And exhort you brotherly in Chriſt, that you proceed according to the Courſe you have begun, to ſtrive as a Conſtant Soldier, againſt own-ſelf outward Reaſon in Fleſh and Bloud; alſo againſt the Devill and the Hypocriticall flattering Evill world; with firme truſt and Confidence in God, with a zealous Spirit and Minde, in a ſtill quiet Life: whereby you may obtaine the Noble Crown or Garland of Victory; which indeed aſſiſteth a young fellow-companion fearing God and is very acceptible, in the preſence of God and his Angells: which if it be once ſet upon you, you will well diſcerne NOTE. What God IS and CAN doe.

4. And then you will not much need to learn of others when the right Teacher is IN your ſelfe; who Teacheth ALL Men. and confirmeth that to Gods Children which he teacheth from or out of Man; for Luk. 17. 21. the Kingdome of God is IN Man; if he be borne againe in Chriſt.

5. As you will find it ſufficiently deſcribed in my writings, which are not proceeded or ſprung from conceipt or Opinion, but in ſuch a way, as themſelves ſignifie and Expreſs: viz. concerning [Page] the Soldierly Combat, and what I have attained thereby, and HOW I have overcome.

6. I have written this for my own Remembrance and Meditation, alſo for their ſakes, whom God will viſit or ſtirre up thereby, and alſo Crowne with THIS Garland, as indeed is given me to know, for which things ſake, I have written according to the High Gifts in the Light of God, and ſuppreſſed the outward Reaſon as folly or a fooliſh Virgin, and not advanced my outward Life and honour thereby, becauſe much ſcorne and perſecution hath become my wages, beſides, what further may attend me at hand.

7. But I account it enough for me, if I may but bring my Garland along with me out of this world into my true native Fathers Country, then have I honour enough and riches enough;Gen: 3. 15. The Serpent muſt ſtill in this life alwayes bruiſe or ſting the womans Seede in the Heele.

8. In the Croſſe affliction and tribulation,Joh. 3. 7. we muſt be borne anew, for,2 Tim. 2. 11, 12. If we would live with Chriſt, we muſt alſo be perſecuted with him, and dye with him, and be buried in him, alſo riſe againe in Him, and Eternally live in him; become whollyPhil. 3. 10. 11. Rom. 8. 29. conformable to his Image, and come to him only under his Purple Mantle, he only muſt cover us, elſe we are in the Devills and Antichriſts Nett, and ſtand with the Babyloniſh Whore quite Naked; and aſhamed before the Countenance of God.

9. But ſeeing God hath already opened your Heart, ſo that you ſee with other Eyes; therefore it is highly neceſſary to proceed on, and to remaine Conſtant; for he that will crowne you is already upon the way, but you muſtJames 1. 12. endure the Affliction and hold out, and not give way or roome to the fleſhly Reaſon, for the Devill vehemently ſets upon the Graine of Muſtardſeede, which becometh ſowne by the Holy Spirit, he would continually deſtroy it.

10. It goeth with a New borne Child of Chriſt, as with a young tender Tree, which is eaſily deſtroyed, but when it groweth and becometh ſtrong, then it can ſtand; and though likely many times a Branch is torne off by a ſtorme of winde, yet the Stock or Body ſtandeth; and bringeth forth other Branches.

11. But it muſt be earneſtneſs that will fight with the Devill and overcome the Anger of God; Owne Reaſon muſt drown and kill IT ſelf, and give it ſelf up into God, that God might live in the underſtanding of Man; that he might be his willing and doing, elſe there is no finding in the divine wiſdome; the Spirit of God muſt only find it ſelfe in Man, that the true Image may be his work and wonder.

12. For, all whatſoever is taught and ſpoken concerning [Page] God, without the Spirit of God, is but Babell, let it play the hypocrite and flatter how it will, Gods ſpirit muſt ſpeake from or out of US, if our ſpeech be acceptible before God.

13. For, he himſelf preſenteth us before God; for, and in, himſelf, he bringeth our will-ſpirit with, and in, himſelf, into God, and confirmeth us to be his children in Chriſt; it is HE that findeth us, WE cannot finde him, but his Will ſtandeth preſented to us, HE hath IN Chriſt, ſpread abroad both his Armes on the Croſſe; to receive or embrace us; we ſhould only caſt our ſelves into or upon him, and goe forth out of Reaſon and Malice.

14. If we doe that, then we fall to him into Chriſts Armes, and there he ſeeketh and findeth us in him, and, there we become his owne and his dwelling houſe; and there he followeth after our will-ſpirit, and1 Cor. 14. 32. is ſubject to us, and all whatſoever we then performe or doe, THAT is acceptable to him, andRev. 14. 13. all thoſe works follow us, and are our Eternall boaſting, and become put on to us, as a garment, to Gods honour and deeds of wonder;NOTE. for which things ſake, God hath moved himſelf to the Creation of Man, and for which things ſake God became Man, that he might deliver us from Evill.

15. Therefore ſeeing you have my writings in your hands, I give you to underſtand, that you ſhould only Childelike and ſimply conſider them; and ſo you may finde the Pearle therein; for ſharp or accuteSearching only, doth not find the Pearle. ſearching alone doth it not; but to will and doe WELL; for the Pearle lyeth not in the LETTER, but as above mentioned.

16. In the Book that is ſent with this, which alſo is borne out of this Schoole, you will finde further ground concerning this Authour.

17. But if any thing ſhall be too hard in the Underſtanding I would, if you ſignifie it unto me, cleere and illuſtrate it, though I hope once to ſpeak with your ſelf herein, if an Opportunity afford.

18. As for the Two other little bookes, viz: the New Teſtament, and Third part of [...]. Gnothi Seaut [...]n; have a little patience, for they are not yet in my hands, till the Leipſick Mart, Leipſick. but I am confident, then they ſhall be ſent you. And I commend you into the brotherly Love in Chriſt.

Dated as above.

The NAME of the LORD is a ſtrong Fortreſs; the righteous runneth into it and is Exalted.

Jacob Behme.

The Thirteenth Epiſtle To C. B. 8. Junii, 1612.

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The open Fountaine in the Heart of Jeſus Chriſt be our Quickening or refreſhings!

1. HOnourable and Eſteemed Sir: high friend in the Love of Chriſt; after wiſhing you all health and welfare, I acquaint you friendly, that thisThe Aurora. writing accompanying this Letter, is ſought and read by many learned and Noble Perſons; with delight and Longing deſire; and are ſo very much ſpread abroad, that I very much wonder at it, and it is done wholly without my knowledge.

2. Men very much, in allSileſia. Sileſia as alſo in many places in theMark, Meiſſen, Saxony. Mark, Meiſſen and Saxony, as letters dayly come to my hand that are ſent, ſignifying the deſire of them; alſo eminent people; Entreate they may be put in Print; which to me at preſent, while Babell Burneth, is not acceptible or convenient, but will have its Time: for theNOTE The Golden Age will begin in the Midſt of the Fire in Babell. Aureum ſeculum or Golden Age, will begin to ſpring in the Midſt of the Fire in Babell.

3. This I mention faithfully from a true heart, for you to Conſider, and to ſtir you up, in the deſire, in our IMMANUELL, as one of the firſt Fruits, comprehended underRev. 10. 7. the Sound of the Seaventh Trumpet.

4.Math. 7. 7. Seeke, ſayth Chriſt, and you ſhall find; the Noble PEARLE, revealeth or Manifeſteth it ſelfe in thoſe, which at preſent ſeeke it; for it is an acceptible Time, BOTH in Heaven and Hell; both Dores ſtand at preſent open with their deſire: It is a time to ſeeke ones ſelf; let none take it otherwiſe then in Earneſt; elſe he falleth home into the fierce wrathfull Anger of God, and will be comprehended in the Vengeance of the fierce wrath.

5. Onely be humble a little while under the Croſſe; May will well bring forthNOTE, ITS Roſes, and the Lilly branch, its fruit.

6. It is well for him that hath it in his heart, it will ſerve to [Page] his higheſt honour, for this worlds honour is but Dung to the Divine.

7. This I mention to you as to my beloved in the LORD Chriſt; from a true Heart, to put you in Mind and encourage you in the LORD.

8. And I commend you to the Love of JESUS CHRIST.

Dated atGerlitz. Gerlitz as above.

Your willing Servant, Jacob Behme.

The fourteenth Epiſtle Of the 21. Junij 1661. To C. B.

The Open well-ſpring or fountain in the heart of Jeſus Chriſt, be our quickning or refreſhing.

1. MY Dear Herr Chriſtianus, and high friend. Your welfare and happineſſe is alwayes dear to me. I ſend you herewith, De tribus Principiis, the Book of the Three Principles; to write it out fully, if you pleaſe, and I exhort you in the Love of Chriſt, as one member ſhould do to the other; to be diligent in ſtudy and prayer to God; that our Faith and knowledge, may grow and take place one among another; and that we at length, might reap the fruit thereof, and enjoy it.

2. Be only watchfull in Chriſt, to fight againſt the Reaſon and the world, and the will of the FLESH; and fight like a valiant Souldier; your victory is in the Lord; who will ſet it upon Thee, when it pleaſeth him.

3. The Crown is depoſited and laid by for you, for which you Fight, it will not repent you; but the Wound-Marks of Chriſt you muſt bear in this world, andPhil: 3. 10, 11. Rom: 8. 29. be conformable to his Image: elſe you attain NOT the Crown: this I acquaint you with, in a brotherly Manner.

4. Prepare your ſelf diligently, for there is a Great Storm at hand; that you may be preſerved to the praiſe of God, and to the year of the Lilly which ſpringeth: committing you to the Love of Jeſus Chriſt.

I pray you after you have written it out; to ſend it again, for it is deſired; Scholars are found to whom it is to be lent.

The Nineteenth Epiſtle of the 3. July 1622. to Herr Chriſtianus. C. B.

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Gods Grace, Salvation and Eternall Light, be our quickning or refreſhing.

1. TRuly honourable, and eſteemed Sir: my very loving good friend; Let my willing and diligent ſervice at all times be preſented, together with the Deſire of all welfare and happineſſe to you.

2. Your Letter ſent to me in the Advent, I have received, and underſtand your very induſtrious and Chriſtian Mind and deſire; and though I am a ſtranger to you, yet I have out of Herr Walters Letter ſufficient information concerning yourWeſen. Converſation and Perſon.

3. And moreover, he giveth me to know, your very longing and induſtrious deſire, in your Letter you ſent me, and therein I am not only willing, to receive you into my skill and friendſhip, but I rejoyce moſt highly, that ſuch a Mind as yours is born of God; and I exhort you Chriſtianly to remain ſtedfaſt therein: and then you will attain all whatſoever your honourable Mind wiſheth or deſireth; and you will in a while experience, in your ſelfe; what manner of writings they are, which you as I perceive, have lately received from Herr Walter, though I ſuppoſe you have very little peruſed them.

4. But there ſhall very ſhortly, if you be deſirous of it, a very excellent cleer work, be ſent to you, which will highly rejoyce you, for as I perceive from Mr. Walter and alſo from your ſelfe, the Authour of them is unknown to you, he may well come to be known to you, if you have a longing after the Noble or precious Stone, Lapis Philoſophorum, the Philoſophers-Stone, ſpiritually.

5. Then in that, when you attain it, you will have the Higheſt Joy; you will love and eſteem it above Gold and all the world, for it is fairer or brighter then the SUN, and more coſtly or precious then the Heaven, and whoſoever findeth it, is Richer then any Prince on Earth; he hath the Art and underſtanding of the whole world, and in him lyeth hidden ALL the POWERS of Heaen and Earth.

6.Luke 10. 42. You have with Mary elected or choſen the beſt part, in that you ſet your youth not on worldly pomp ſtate or Pride, but do offer it up to God; and though you thereby Sit a little while in dark obſcurity, [Page] yet you will therefrom attain Eternall Light, this I commend to you friendly and intend it faithfully.

7. And it will well hereafter be diſcovered to you, who is the Authour of the writing; and it ſhall faithfully be imparted to you, for there is but a ſmall part of them come to your hands: but there hath been a hinderance that I could not now ſend them with this, you ſhall ſhortly have them if you have a mind to them.

8. You will ſee very precious Noble rare and excellent things, which for the moſt part have been hidden from the beginning of the world hitherto: about which all the Learned have danced and ſought after them, and ſome have ſuppoſed they had the Noble Stone: but the Time was not yet come: which God vouchſafeth to the laſt world. Herewith I commend you to the divine protection and Grace.

Dated as above.

Your alwayes willing Servant, Jacob Behme.

The One and Twentieth Epiſtle of the 8. July 1621. An Herrn C. B.

I Intimately hint to you, that you prepare; for the vehement Tribulation, will exceedingly, ſeize upon ſome of our Countrey.

2. But do you ſeek diligently, to include or incloſe your ſelf in THAT Peace, which Chriſt hath brought again to us, and to defend your ſelf with it, as with a Wall or Fortreſſe.

3. For BABEL muſt drink up an earneſt ſevere draught, and even that which ſhe hath procured with Abomination, all Chains and Bands will flie aſunder and not hold, and all will fly in peeces; but when it ſtands cleerly ſo;NOTE 1 Theſſ: 5. 3. THEN cometh ſuddenly the deſtruction.

4. The Highneſſe or loſtineſſe of the world, is it ſelf blind at preſent, and will not ſee what it doth to it ſelf, but will ſhortly become Seeing,NOTE 1 Theſſ: 5. 3. when the MISERY will paſſe upon, or ſeize upon, Body and Soul. And I commend you into the Meek or Gentle Love of Jeſus Chriſt.

Dated as above.

Your willing Servant, Jacob Behme.

The Three and Twentieth Epiſtle of the 29. October 1621. An Herr C. B.

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Emanuel!

1. HOnourable, much beloved High friend in Chriſt. I wiſh to you only and ſolely, what my Soul wiſheth continually and deſireth from God; viz: the right true knowledge of God, in the Love of JESUS CHRIST; that theRev: 22. 16. bright Morning Starre, might continually ariſe to you and ſhine in you, through this vale of Miſery, to your Eternall Joy.

2. And I exhort you in the Love of Chriſt: out of my hearty good intentions towards you, that you go on and remain conſtant in the way you have begun in CHRISTS Warfare, that the little Paradiſicall Tree or Plant may ſpring and take root, you will afterwards well ſee your Noble or precious fruit, and Eternally enjoy it, and ſufficiently refreſh your ſelf therewith, though indeed it be covered a long while with the Earthly Field or Soyl, yet the Noble GOLD ſpringeth or groweth without any Ceaſing at all.

3. How it goes with your brother atBeuten. Beuten, to whom you have lent thoſe writings, and what Judgement he maketh of them, were very acceptable to me to know, for there are more people at Beuten beſides, who alſo have ſome of them, and exceedingly deſire the other; and you would ſhew a ſervice to your loving brother and others, if you would lend them what they ſhall deſire more, of them: I will ſend you ſomewhat more ſhortly, which yet you want.

4. Herr Caſpar Lindner, Cuſtomer at Beuten and one of the Councill, is alſo a Lover of them, if he ſhall deſire any of them, you ſhould do well; to lend them to him, he uſeth not to keep them Long.

5. Theſe writings are ſpread abroad farre and wide in many Countries; among high and Low, and partly hath ſounded and been known to highly Learned people: God guide it to his honour and Glory.

6. I ſend you with directions Three Sacks for the Corn which Herr Rodolf will ſend, pray take ſo much pains for me as to receive it: when Specht or the other fromRauſche. Rauſche will come over, if you ſee him tell him of it, and bid him take it up, I will ſeek about for him and tell him as much, he will bring it to me very well, I will requite it again friendly. And I commend you into the Love of JESUS CHRIST.

Dated as above.

Your willingly ſerviceable Friend and Brother, Jacob Behme.

The Six and Twentieth Epistle of the 28. of Aprill, 1622. An Herrn C. B.

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The Open fountain in the Heart of Jeſus Chriſt, be our quickning or refreſhing, and conſtant Light.

1. HOnourable and eſteemed, in Chriſt Loving Sir and friend, let my faithfull wiſhes for you, of the Love and Grace of our Saviour Chriſt, and all temporall wellfare, be preſented to you.

2. When I perceived from the forementioned People, how much Sir, you are a Lover of God and of the ſtudy of wiſdome; I could not forbear, faithfully from a true heart; although in a manner, I am unknown to you; to ſeek you with this Letter out of a Chriſtian Mind, and to procure acquaintance with you.

3. For it joyeth me at the Heart, when I perceive, how Gods Love worketh in his Children, and I rejoyce with and in them, in the Lifes-Tree Jeſus Chriſt, in and out of which, we become begotten and new born, and are branches or little ſprouts in him.

4. Therefore hath my mind ſtirred me up, to ſeek and to refreſh my ſelf with you Sir as with my fellow Member, in the Spirit and Love of Chriſt;1 Cor: 5. 3. Col: 2. 5. though abſent, yet in the will-ſpirit preſent, eſpecially in this troubleſome time, wherein we are ſurrounded with Enemies on all ſides, and that our Tree, is very weak and withered in many Branches.

5. But ſeeing the Grace-Sun, JESUS CHRIST, at preſent ſhineth with a bright aſpect on us, and openeth his Dore, of Love and high knowledge, in many ſeverall Gifts, ſo that we know the great wonders of his unſuperable wiſdome; therefore we ſhould do well to Heb: 3. 13. exhort one another in Love as Brethren, Rev: 18. 4. and go out from BABEL which is kindled or inflamed in the Anger-Fire of God, for it is really a time of great earneſtneſſe or ſeverity, wherein we ſhould ſeek with great earneſtneſſe to know our ſelves, and ſee where we are.

6. And yet it is ſo, that men ſee at preſent many glorious faire ſprouts, as it were with wonder, in the Tree of CHRIST, alſo in the Midſt in the fire of God, at which I highly rejoyce, that the Grace-Sun, ſhineth forth again in bright cleerneſſe, and that God ſtill keepeth his faithfull promiſe.

7. In that he ſaith in Iſaiah,Iſai: 49. 16. He hath ſigned or imprinted us in his hands, which in ſome Men at preſent ſheweth it ſelf in Power, how the Fountain of JESUS CHRIST worketh powerfully in them; which inNOTE ſhort time will be done yet more ſtrongly, as he hath promiſed [Page] us in his Prophets,Iſa: 44. 3. Joel 2. 28. Acts 2. 17, 18. That in the Laſt time, he will pour out his Spirit upon all Fleſh, Math: 24. 14. Mark 13. 10. and the Goſpell of God ſhall be preached in all the world, for a witneſſe to all Nations; And alſo now more and more the time draweth neer at hand, that the Beaſt together with the whore in the Apocalips or Revelations, ſhall be deſtroyed, Therefore we may wellLuke. 21. 18. Lift up our heads to the Mountains of God, and rejoyce, therefore, that our Redemption draweth neer.

8. Seeing then God hath intruſted me with a little Talent, of his Noble Bounty, out of his well-ſpring or Fountain of Chriſt, to know BOTH the Heavenly and alſo the outward Naturall wiſdome.

9. I have therefore the more refreſhing in the Children of the wiſdome of Chriſt; and though I may be unknown to you Sir, yet you ſhould not account me in your Mind a ſtranger, who is bound thereto, as a Member in the Love of Chriſt, and I entreat, if you pleaſe, that you would take me into your friendſhip and acquaintance.

10. Till our Noble Pearl Tree of Chriſt, ſhall be become manifeſted IN Ʋs, 2 Pet. 1. 14. AFTER the Vale of this Tabernacle, and that we ſhall dwell together in a brotherly Communion, and THEN we will indeed recreate our ſelves in, that which we have begun here in a brotherly union, and in that regard, though abſent as to the body, we will in the Spirit and fore-taſte thereof, exhort and comfort one another, and I pray you friendly to obſerve it.

11. By Herrn D. G. You May Sir ſee ſomewhat of my Gifts, if you have a Mind, to behold your ſelfe in the divine Exorciſe in high or ſublime divine things, which are indeed high, and yet are deſcribed in the meaneſt and loweſt ſimplicity.

12. But ſince it is intruſted to me, as Gods Bounty, therefore I impart it very willingly and faithfully to the hungry Hearts.

13. And I will commend you Sir, and yours into the Meek Love of Jeſus Chriſt, and intreat you in my behalfe to ſalute Herr J. B. as a Lover, as alſo Herr J. G. B. friendly:

Dated atGerlitz Gerlitz as above.

Sir,

Your willing Servant, Jacob Behme.

The Seaven and Twentith Epiſtle of the 21. Junij 1622. An Herrn C. B.

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The Open Fountain of Jeſus Chriſt be our quickning or refreſhing and Conſtant Light.

1. MY very worthy and Loving friend, I wiſh you and yours, and to all the Children of Chriſt, in the Kingdome of our Angelicall Fraternity, Gods Love and Bleſſing, that the fountain of Chriſt in us, may ſpring up, grow and bear much Fruit, in which ſprouting, our true Regeneration conſiſteth, and I hope aſſuredly in God, as indeed is ſhewed to me, that the time is NEER at hand, wherein it will cleerly ſprout, which I rejoyce at.

2. And though at preſent I ſee the fire burn in Babell, yet out of the FIRE will exiſt a cleer ſhining Light, which will drive away the dark night, but through a great anxious Birth, will THAT be generated.

3. I exhort my loving brethren, that they would give up themſelves into that anxious birth or Geniture, that they may alſo ſprout forth in the Life of God, in the Light; and not be comprehended in the Turba; which abominably, at preſent ſpreadeth abroad with its Properties; viz: with Covetouſneſſe, Envy, Anger, and Pride, and the Fruits that grow out from thence, powerfully draweth its fire to it, in which they cleerly burn in many places.

4. I have upon deſire and entreaty, made a little Book of Repentance; together with a form of Prayer; which is all very Earneſtly, and a right beginning and Entrance into the Theoſophick School, Weicha. which upon deſire I herewith ſend to Herr R. B. G. at Weicha, and entreat you, to ſend it to him, and you may pleaſe to open it, and if you pleaſe alſo to write a Copy of it ſpeedily, only let the writing to Herr R. remain ſealed.

5. And that you will not, if it may be, keep it above three or four dayes by you, ſeeing it is ſmall, it may be ſoon Copied out, and be ſent to Herr R.

6. Alſo your Brother is not to be forgotten; for without doubt it will be acceptable to him, and be a true KEY, whom I according to my ſalutations deſire as much good for, as to my owne Life.

[Page] 7. If you would enter into the Practice of this Book, then you would ſoon experience, its profit, for it is generated out of an anxious Twig, through Fire, and it was and is my own very proceſs or way, whereby I have attained the PEARL of the divine knowledge.

8. And though indeed, I muſt live in weakneſſe or infirmity as other Men, yet the Pearl is more dear to me then all the worlds Good, for the ſake of which I willingly ſuffer and bear all, that I may but retain or keep that.

9.Sagan Yet I herewith acquaint you, that Herr D. A. B. M. at Sagan, hath written to me now the Third Time, and deſired friendſhip with me, and earneſtly entreated me to lend him ſome of theſe writings.

10. But though I have almoſt none of mine at home, yet I would ſerve him with ſomewhat to Copy out; and ſee whether it might turn to Gods honour; but if you obſerve, that it is to find fault with them, or pry cenſoriouſly into them, which yet I hope to be otherwiſe, then you will know further what to do.

11. Build and get encreaſe, as you have gotten encreaſe, from the Divine Grace, you will wellGal. 6. 7. reap what you have ſown.

12. But as ſoon as you can, ſend him this Letter, written to him, together with a Treatiſe of your writing, and ſignifie to him, that he ſhould not keep it long as ſome do.

13. He is truly eſteemed by me, yet Men ſhould ſee what God will do; with the book of Repentance herewith ſent, when you have copied it out, you may well get encreaſe, for, it hath a great Harveſt, and None is much againſt it, if he be but a Man and Not a Beaſt. Thus I commend you to the meek Love of JESUS CHRIST!

Dated as above.

Your willing Servant and Brother, Jacob Behme.

The One and Thirtieth Epiſtle of the 12. November 1622. To Herr C. B.

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V. H. I. L. I. C. Our Salvation is in the Life of Jeſus Chriſt.

1. MY very loving Sir and worthy friend, I wiſh you much Joy in the Power of the Divine Viſion, Inventibility and Perceptibility; together with bodily welfare; and I rejoyce at your ſtedfaſtneſſe in the divine Exerciſe, which to me is a Mark of the Eternall Fraternity, in the Divine Eſſence, and I exhort you in Love therein to remain, in earneſt ſtedfaſtneſſe; and to wait for the Eternall Wages, only not to turn to worldly ſcorn and Apiſh-Mimick works, or Imitation.

2. For a true Chriſtian, muſt not onely be a Mouth or Verball Chriſtian, but walk in Chriſt, in his way or Proceſſe, andRom: 13. 14. Gal: 3. 27. put on Chriſt: which I hope is cleerly done by you, only do not put on the Devills flattering or Hypocriticall worldly Vizard: for this Time is ſhort upon which the Eternall wages followeth; and pray ſalute in my behalfe your brethren and fellow-brethren in the Lord.

3. I ſend you here Two Sacks, and pray you to take the pains to fill them with Corn, and take notice and ſeal it a little, in the Sack there is a packet to Herr Rudolphen von Gerdorf, and to Herr Frederick von Kregwitz: which ſhould only be ſent to Herr Gerſdorffen, he will ſend Herr Kregwitz's part well enough: but pray take the pains to convey it to Herr Gerſdorffen, if you cannot light upon a Meſſenger to your Mind, then ſend it by a Meſſenger on purpoſe, he will be well payed by Gerſdorffen, elſe I will pay him my ſelfe if he do not.

4. Pray make up the pack again, for I have left it unſealed for you, there is with each Letter a Treatiſe annexed, which are uſefull for you, you ſhould do well to copy them out with the ſooneſt conveniency, and then ſpeedily without further delay, ſend it to the forementioned place.

5. But pray pack each Treatiſe to its proper peculiar Letter, and ſeal that by it ſelfe, that each Treatiſe may not want its own Letter.

[Page] 6. By Herr Kregwitz Letter you ſhould only write out the bound or ſtitched Treatiſe, the other two ſheets that are looſe, or unſewed, you may have of Herr Gersdorffen: Kregwitz, hath the beginning, fair.

7.Beuten. The Apology to Eſaiah Stiefel, and Ezekiel Meths, their followers called Perfectiſts. Concerning the Liſt of Books from Herr Lindenern at Beuten, I anſwer, that thoſe Mentioned Books are all mine, which were all made half a year agoe, and part of them this Summer. That which you have now received of Gersdorffen, is one againſt the Methiſts, and here in Kregwitz writing you may find alſo one of true Reſignation, the other are partly great ones, eſpecially the Book de ſignatura Rerum, the ſignature or impreſſe of things, concerning the Originall of the Creation and of its Form or Impreſſion, a very high work of fourty one ſheets which is copied out once and again.

8.Brucks Troppen Doctor Brux hath alſo one, and Doctor Gyller of Troppen, hath one, when I have gotten them into my hands, I will ſend you ſtill one after another; do but ſignifie to me when you have leiſure to write, if you will write out thoſe which you have now gotten from Gersdorffen, you may do it, only firſt write out the Two which I now ſend with this, and ſend them away, and ſend over to me with the Corn, Herr Gersdorff's writing.

9.Leuten-meritz Boehmia Lippe Concerning the Coſacks; I acquaint you, that they lye in Leuten-meritz in Boehmia, even to Lippe, and very much waſt the Country, it is ſaid they are to draw by us, and go towards Poland.

10.Luſatia But we have nothing certain; but I ſuppoſe they will remain in Boehmia or Luſatia, and not ſee Poland, for we ſhall ſhortly have new Times, the Preſent Peace is not firme, for the ſickneſſe is to Death, and was never greater, as time will manifeſt.

11. But how elſe it is with you, and what your Condition is, I would fain know, if you had written me what to pay, I would have ſent it to you, I know Sir, well enough that you will have opportunity to write it out: and I commend you to the Love of JESUS CHRIST.

Jacob Behme.

The Four and Thirtieth Epiſtle of the 13. December, 1622. To Herrn C. B.

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Our Salvation is in the Life of Jeſus Chriſt.

1. MY very Loving and worthy Sir, and good friend: I wiſh unto you, Gods rich Grace, in the Temporall and Eternall Salvation! And acquaint you, that I have ſafely received your Letter.

2. Alſo I rejoyce, at your conſtant divine Mind, which I hope in God, doth ſtill more and more grow and increaſe in divine knowledge, wherein Sir you are bound up therewith, in the band of the Living God, and may be defended in This great Tribulation, which at preſent is begun.

3. It is time earneſtly, at preſent to ſhelter our ſelves in the fountain of Life, JESUS CHRIST: for the Sword of Gods Anger will mightily Cut, and be ſet againſt Body and Soul.

4. Therefore we ſhould do well to banniſh the Antichriſt, the Beaſt and the whore out of the HEART; for they ſhall and muſt fall, but in whomſoever they ſhall ſtill be found, thoſe will the Turba take away with them.

5. Next Spring, I have a purpoſe if God permit and afford us ſo much peace and quiet, to ſee you Perſonally, and a little ſupply, what is neceſſary, as alſo with other good friends and brethren in Chriſt, and I exhort you faithfully to prepare for Tribulation, for it cannot otherwiſe be, it is neer and goeth on mightily in Turba Magna, in the Great Turba.

6. This dear time of ſcarcity, will be greater, and be brought into great Neceſſity; and every one ſhould apply himſelf to earneſt Sincerity, Great Warres Uproars and Inſurrections Calamity and Death, will mightily fall in, in a ſhort time.

This Sir, I acquaint you with, in my knowledge, for your brotherly conſideration.

7. But if you have any deſire to read my writings, you may procure them from Herr Doctor Gersdorffe: I have written to him about [Page] you, he will be very well contented therewith, and thus I commit you to the Meek gentle Love of Jeſus Chriſt!

Dated in haſte as above.

Your willing Servant, Jacob Behme.

The Fortieth Epiſtle To Herr C. B. of the 13. October 1623.

V. H. I. L. I. C. I. V. Vnſer. Heil. Im. Leben. Ieſu. Chriſti. In. Ʋns! Our. Salvation, is in. the Life. of Jeſus. Chriſt. In. Us!

1. VEry loving Sir, Brother Chriſtianus, I wiſh you the operative power of God, that the fountain in the Life of JESUS CHRIST may flow up in youCol: 3. 16. richly, and that your Soul may continually be ſatisfied and refreſhed, therein; and may drink of this holy water, and therein grow and ſprout, and bear much good fruit: as alſo bodily welfare!

2. And I rejoyce at your happy condition, and that God hath reſtored your houſe or family to health again, praiſed be God; that you are yet in health, and know it operatively in my Talent; for God hath more and more opened to me his Grace-Dore, and not alone to ME, but alſo to many OTHERS, who get to read theſe writings, whoſe heart God hath touched; ſo that they are entered into repentance and Converſion or amendment; and are in themſelves come to the Inward divine viſion, and deſire to caſt away the Garment of Sinnes and Impurity, and to follow CHRIST in Life and Will.

[Page] 3. As indeed a few dayes agoe, ſuch a Motion of Two Perſons were preſented to me, who indeed are high in the world, and loved the world before; In whom I ſaw the New Birth in Great power, and in triumph of Divine Knowledge, in ſuch humility and deepe expreſſion; that I never ſaw the like from my very childhood, except what God hath wrought in my ſelfe poore Man, which had not been poſſible for me to beleeve, if I had not found it by Experience, and had the like.

4. One of which did deſpiſe himſelf as to his Earthly worlds matters, and diſeſteemed his former converſation; who did alſo, ſo deeply ſink downe into Reſignation and into Repentance, that he accounted himſelf TOO unworthy, to pour out his Prayers before God, but eſteemed himſelf as dead and altogether unworthy, and fell into Gods Mercy, let him doe through and with him what he would, and that he would pray and Repent through him.

5. Upon which inſtantly the divine SUN ſhone in him, and through his Mouth for THREE houres ſpake nothing Elſe but theſe wordsNOTE. GOTT. GOD,KOHT. To GOD I am but DUNG, or filthy Rottenneſs. Dung, GOD, Dung; And accounted HIMSELF as Dung in the preſence of GOD; in which Expreſſion, the divine Sun of the joyfullneſs and Great Knowledge aroſe; and wholly carried about and renewed his Heart and Minde.

6. Upon which, he to ether with another Man in the like condition came to me; after I had ſeen that Motion in him, and did highly rejoyce with me in that through my Book of Repentance, THEY were brought to IT.

7. As indeed in a little time many MORE alſo were ſeen in the Like condition, ſo that thus I did with great wonder perceive; how the Doore of Grace ſo mightily moved it ſelf, and in thoſe who are earneſt, openeth it ſelf: as hath a long time before been ſhewed to me: in which deare Sir and brother, I in certaine truth, and in the preſence of God, doe relate and ſhew to you, ſeeing you are one of the Firſt Fruits of thoſe to whoſe hands this Talent is come through the divine appointment.

8. Which you have alſo received with Joy, and have taken great pains therewith, and though you do not long after ſuch a thing as above mentioned, concerning the TWO Perſons, nor labour for it, that you might receive it from God; which if you did, would be a great Joy to me in my ſpirit; yet indeed a Man ſhould not purpoſe to receive from God, according to his owne will, but only ſink downe into Gods will; as the forementioned [Page] Perſons; that God might with him, doe, know, will, and enlighten, and leade him, how HE will.

9. But I would informe you of this in Love, for I well know, that your Soule will together with them and me rejoyce thereat alſo.

10. Further I acquaint you, that God hath brought ſome Phariſees, which were ſuch before, and reproached me, to the Light, and Converted them, ſo that they deſire to have and read theſe writings; and now teach the New Birth and Renovation in the Spirit of CHRIST, and doe eſteem and teach, that all Diſputation is Dung, and an unprofitable frivolous thing, but direct men to the LIFE of Chriſt, as indeed they are newly deſired and written for, by high Potentates or Great men, ſo that it is hoped the Day-Break is neere at hand.

11. For it is found moreover, at preſent, that our LEARNED Men love them very much, with whom I have much converſation, this I mention for your conſideration, becauſe it is well known to me, that with you alſo the Wolfe ſtandeth behinde the Lamb; and would devoure all.

12.NOTE. Yet be of good Comfort, and help to pray and work, for our wages will be given to us in PARADISE, we ſhould not deſire wages HERE; forJoh. 15. 5. we are Chriſts Branches on his vine, and ſhould beare good fruit unto him; which he himſelf worketh or bringeth forth through US.

13. God will fill our Bellies well enough; let us only be contented with a little,1 Pet. 5. 7. he will take care for us: though it may be he often permitteth Tribulation, yet it will come to a good End or Iſſue, and though it may be we muſt ſuffer diſgrace and Miſery for his knowledge ſake, alſo if we ſhould altogether looſe the outward Life for it;Rom. 8. 28. yet muſt all ſerve for the Beſt, to the Children of God; for it continueth here but for a Moment, upon which our Harveſt followeth,Gal. 6. 7. of that which we have ſewen.

14. I pray Sir from me ſalute your brother theConrector. Conrector, with the Salutation of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, as alſo all thoſe who know me in Love, and Love me in the Truth; with whom you are acquainted and have to doe; and ſo I commit you together with them, to the Meeke Love of Jeſus Chriſt!

Dated as above.

Your willing Servant in the Love of Chriſt. Jacob Behme.

The Three and Fortieth Epistle To Herr C, B. Of the 27. of December, 1623.

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Our Salvation is in the Life of Jeſus Chriſt in us.

1. DEarely beloved Sir Chriſtianus; after wiſhing you the Divine Love-working! I would faine know, your condition how it is with you, whether you are ſtill aſſaulted with the Phariſaicall venome or Poyſon; whoſe Fire is neere, wherein it ſhall be Tranſmuted or changed, under which we waite in divine Patience; for I perceive, that very poyſon with you in Babell, will burne very much againſt me and you.

2. But I have ſeen alſo on the contrary to that, the Great Love-Fire to be kindled in ſome, ſo that I know certainly that the time of the divine viſitation is NEERE and cleerly at hand: you together with me, and other Children of CHRIST, ſhould take it in Patience till the Anger of God overthrow the Evill Beaſt, together with the Whore.

3. We ought as Children of Chriſt, to ſuffer with Chriſt, and in ſuffering to be made conformable to his Image; only let it not ſeeme ſtrange to you, if the world hate you and be fiercely enraged with you; it muſt be ſo, the worlds Enmity is our Exaltation in CHRIST, for we are ſtrange Gueſts in the world, and wander in the Pilgrims Path into our Fathers or Native Country againe [...]: And Commit you to the Love of JESUS CHRIST!

Dated as above.

Yours in the Love of Jeſus Chriſt well known, Jacob Behme.

The Five and Fortieth Epiſtle To Herr C. B. Of the 4. of Aprill. 1624.

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Our Salvation is in the Life of Jeſus Chriſt In ƲS.

1. MY very loving Sir, Chriſtianus, after the Working Love of our LORD Jeſus Chriſt, in Soule and Body, deſired for you; I acquaint you: I have ſafely received both your Letters together with your packet of both the Bookes.

2. But I have been come home theſe Few dayes after I had Journeyed eight dayes and almoſt nights, and have not been at home theſe Six weekes, elſe I would have anſwered you long agoe: alſo as ſoon as I came home, I ſent a little Letter,Zitta. to Zitta for your Bookes; and informed the Herr who formerly did bid five Rixdollers for them, that they were with me, but he was not at home;Dreſden. but Journeyed to Dreſden, and I have yet no anſwer from him, till he come home, If I could find him any where Elſe, I would willingly do it.

3. And I further acquaint you; that Satan in our Chief Prieſt, is enraged againſt theThe way to Chriſt. printed little Book, and as it were raving and Mad, with Curſing and reproaching, lying and Murthering, ſo that I powerfully ſee; that this Book is totally againſt the Devill, and he would faine murther me for it, and I muſt at preſent becauſe of his horrible perſecution ſtand under the Croſſe of CHRIST, and beare the Marks of his wounds for the Devill vomits out now his Laſt Poyſon.

4. How it is with your Father and Brother, together with the Conrector, whom I deſire you to ſalute from me, I would faine know; and what Men with YOU, Judg of the printed Book, and whether it be reproached: With US, many hungry Hearts rejoyce at it. But the Chief Evill Man or Superintendent, reliſheth it NOT; [Page] ſeeing it teacheth Repentance and Prayer. And ſo I commend you to the Love of our LORD Jeſus Chriſt:

Gerlitz. Dated in Gerlitz: as above.

Your alwayes in the Love of Chriſt true faithfull friend, Jacob Behme.

The Six and Fortieth Epiſtle Of the 6. of Aprill. 1624. To Herr. J. S.

Our Salvation is in the Life of Jeſus Chriſt in US.

1. MY Deare and Worthy friend, Sir John Sigismund, after my hearty wiſhing of the Continuall Enduring Love working, of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, in Soule and Spirit, that the Sun of the Divine, Love may Eternally ſhine, in, your heavenly Talent given you of God, that I might Eternally rejoyce my ſelf with you.

2. At preſent I acquaint you, that Satan is ſo very Angry againſt us, as if we had deſtroyed his Totall Hell, whereas it is but only begun in ſome Few Men, that his Den of Robbery is ſtormed and aſſaulted.

3. But ſeeing we will not afford him any Lodging further in Our ſelves therefore he is become ſo raving againſt us, that he ſuppoſeth he ſhall caſt us out of the world, that thereby No more ſuch little Hearbes or Lillies may grow in his ſuppoſed Garden, which he would have planted with ſinne in Adam; which we will ſubmit to our Lord God, and leave it to him, what he will uſe.J B. Gods new Planted Roſebud. US his new planted Roſebud for, and ſtand ſtill with Patience in Hope, under the Croſſe of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and Pſal. 85. 8. heare what the Lord will ſay, what he will doe with his Inſtrument.

4. As I came from you home, I found Satans prepared Bed, [Page] wherein he would have laid me; If God had not hindred it through ſome honeſt hearts, to whom our way is more known.

5. For the Superindent, or Chiefe Phariſee, viz. thePrimarius. Primate, hath ſo vehemently raged againſt the Printed Booke, as if his ſonne had been murthered, and all his Goods burnt; and hath vomited out ſuch a heap of Lyes againſt me, together with ſuch reproachfull taking away my reputation, as in his herewith ſent publique Gregory Rickter's, Book to which J. B. hath written his Apologie. Paſquill Pamphlet or Libell, is to be read.

6. Such ſhamefull lying and ſcandall, he hath not only broached in the Pulpit, but alſo hath written about it toLignitz. Gerlitz. Weichbild Lignitz. Lignitz to the Paſtor called Friſius, and deſireth him not only to proclaime it in the Pulpit as he alſo hath done, but cauſe it to be printed; and admoniniſheth him to complaine againſt it to the Councill-Court at Gerlitz, and preſent it in ſuch Names, as if it were the Complaint of ALL the Prieſts in Weichbild Lignitz againſt my writings Eſpecially againſt the printed Little Book.

7. This hath Friſius done, and repreſented me to a Councillor at Gerlitz: upon the Deſire of our Primate, ſo, with a Lying Letter.

8. Upon this, our Primate, hath often run to the Chiefeſt Lords of our City, and ſo vehemently raged againſt me with Lyes, and exclaimed againſt me, and deſired, that as ſoon as I ſhould come home, they might put me into Priſon, and then baniſh me out of the City, alſo he put in ſuch a Lying complaint to the Councill, and Even fired Hell againſt me and prepared the Lake.

9. But ſeeing Moſt of the Lords of the Councill, had read my little printed Book, and found Nothing unchriſtian-like therein, but was very much liked and loved by ſome of them, alſo by many of the Burgers, therefore many of them accounted ſuch propoſall and deſire of the Primate to be unequall, and that there was no juſt cauſe for ſuch perſecution of me, and ſpake againſt it and ſaid, that THIS Religion was NOT New; but it was even the GROUND of the Ancient holy Fathers, wherein men might find many More ſuch like bookes.

10. But ſome, eſpeciall whom the Primate had inſtigated, have thought it good to ſummon me and compell me to come before a Councill, I ſhould ſee whether the Emperor or Prince Elector would not be ſtirred up by the Prieſts, to ſuffer them to lay hold on me, as it is juſt ſo come to paſs, when I came before the Councill, it was ſaid thus to me; they ordered me to goe aſide a little that they might not be troubled or diſquieted with me.

11. Upon this I had framed myAnſwer to Gregory Rickter. Anſwer in writing and would [Page] have delivered it up to them; But the Primate hindred, ſo that they ſhould not receive any Anſwer from me in writing, for he feared HE muſt be conſtrained, to Anſwer for his Lyes.

12. And ſo it was not received by the Councill, but I was only warned to goe aſide out of the way, or a while, to live with ſome people that would entertaine me; and ſo ſubmit to them, that they might be at Quiet, but No command was laid upon me.

13. Upon this I anſwered, that ſeeing Men would not heare my Anſwer, that I might declare my Innocency, and could be admitted to no Defence againſt the Primate complaints & unjuſt Slanders; I muſt commit it to God; and ſee whether God would bring me ſomewhere to honeſt good people, and ſo ſhelter me at length that I might once get out of the Primates ſight.

14. Which was acceptible to them, but they gave NO command that I ſhould and muſt be gone, but only admoniſhed me.

15. Whereupon I went home from the Councill, where, at the Councill Dore in the outward Porch, ſome ſpitefull ſcorners of the Primates retinue, and perhaps ſent by him ſtood and deſired me, and one of them a wicked Buffoone did anotomize me from the Crowne of the Head to the Soale of the Foot; concerning my Cloaths and Gifts, and did ſo vehemently Fall upon the Holy Spirit and Scorned IT, at laſt he alſo ſaid. That at length the Holy Spirit would be as Common as Peeces of Leather at the Skinners.

16. Thus this took an End; and the Primate upon this cauſed this Paſquill or Libell to be printed; and now I muſt inſtantly ſtand under the Croſſe of CHRIST; let God order it according to his Councell!

17. I entreate you Sir: that you would let me know your pleaſure herein, and to ſignifie it to me; I ſuffer it all with patience but my Children will thereby be ſhamefully diſcredited, which yet muſt be, that the Meaſure may be full, and the puniſhment come.

18. I entreate you to ſalute, Herr, Doctor Koſchwitzen and then alſo, Herr Abraham von Franckenberg, together with your Lady Mother, and all the deare children of Chriſt, that are with you; the Meſſenger is in haſt expecting the Letter elſe I would have written more.

19. And I commend you together to the Love of JESUS CHRIST, I will ſhortly ſee you againe; all our acquaintance ſalute you.

Dated as above.

Your, in the Love of Jeſus Chriſt, willing ſervant Jacob Behme.

The Nine and Fortieth Epiſtle To Herr C. B▪ Of the 5. of May, 1624.

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Our Salvation is in Chriſt.

1. MY beloved Sir, Chriſtianus, after, deſiring all bleſſed welfare to your peace and Quiet Reſt, I wiſh you the defence and protection of God, that he will Guard you with his loving Angells, and bring you to honeſt Chriſtian Hearts: and preſerve you with Health, and that he will perfect through you, his owne will.

2.Leipzig I have now written to Herr Baltaſar walter, at Leipzig- Meſſe. 42. Sheets. 16. Sheets. 27. Sheets. 6. Sheets. 3. Copies of the way to Chriſt. Mart, and ſent him with it the Book of the Election of Grace or Predeſtination of Forty-two ſheetes, as alſo of Chriſts Teſtaments, of Sixteen Sheets alſo, Twenty-ſeaven ſheets upon Geneſis, together with a Clavis of theſe writings of Six ſheetes; and then Three Copies of my little printed Book.

3. Alſo, I have Anſwered to both the Herrs of Lubeck. Lubeck, who have written to me, and ſent each of them a Copie of the little printed book, who are well known to Herr Walter.

4. Salute your Brother the Herr Conrector, and I take it with great thankfulneſs, that he will accept my Letters, and I will often ſend him ſomewhat.

5. Next friday, I take my Journey toDreſden. Dreſden, where I am called to the Prince Electors Councill, to ſpeak with them as alſo with Herr H. Verwaltern of the Laberatory inSchloſſe. Schloſſe.

6. God afford his Grace and favour in it! ſo I commend you to the Love of Jeſus Chriſt.

Dated as above.

Your, in the Love of Chriſt, willing ſervant, Jacob Behme.

The Two and Fiftieth Epiſtle Of the 15. of May, 1624. To Herr T. K. Immanuel.

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1. MY very loving and worthy Sir and Brother; in the Life and in the power of our LORD Jeſus Chriſt; after wiſhing you the divine Love, and Patience under the* Croſſe of Chriſt, I acquaint you, that I have ſafely received your letter, and therein diſcerne your Chriſtian brotherly Love, as indeed it was well known to me before, and I firſt rejoyce at your, and My, health; I am alſo praiſed be God, in Good condition, together with Herr Melchior Bernt, gotten hither to Herr Benedict H. where all Chriſtian love and friendſhip is afforded me, and they are likewiſe in good converſation one with another, alſo my coming, is Related by Herr H. almoſt to all the Prince Electors Councill, who moſt of them reade and Love my little printed Book: and acknowledge it for a divine Gift, and make uſe of it dayly, and have often times deſired their ſalutation and ready good will, to be remembred to me, by Herr H. who muſt daily come to them, ſeeing he practiſeth there, and they themſelves uſe him; and deſire I would ſtay here, they will ſo contrive and order it, that they might come into ſome Converſation with me, as they have come to receive more of my writings: and are daily acquainted with them.

2. As Herr John von Loſs, a very wiſe Perſon, Imperiall and Electorate Councellor, who is one of the Chiefe hath cauſed to be ſignified to me: that he hath ſo appointed his buſineſs, that he will goe at the End of the Holy dayes to his Schloſſe or Caſtle, a mile from Dresden, where he will receive me and Herr H. and entertaine us ſome dayes, for good conference and diſcourſe.

3. In like manner alſo, the Marſhall of the Princes Houſe and Chiefe Maſter of the Horſe; have ſent to me, and I hope theſe will, not only look upon me favourably, but alſo ſomewhat countenance [Page] my writings: which I account to be all of it a divine providence, and ſhall hardly come home againe theſe 3. weekes, becauſe I muſt ſtay here, and Expect how God will order it, alſo the fire of Satans Anger and Rage burneth at Home, but I have good friends in this place and heare nothing of ſuch Tumults and Uproares.

4. But I exhort you in Love, that you would have patience, and expect what God will doe, I have no trouble or perplexity of minde, but am very cheerely at it, that I ſee the devill is enraged with anger againſt me, and doth ſo belye me; It is the Badg of CHRISTS enſigne, the Devills Lyes will well appeare, ſo that our Enemies muſt be aſhamed; let us only pray, andIſai. 49. 4. leave the judgement to God; he doth ſo even to Chriſt and his Children, his Excuſe which yet is falſe; will not availe; I wiſh, he did ſo Pray, as to bring the HOLY Spirit into the Desk or Pulpit, then he would not bring the Angry ſlanders of the Devill into it; It concerneth now the Whore in Babell, and therefore is the Devill ſo veryenraged, with Anger.

5. I deſire you to treat with my wife, and tell her, that ſhe ſhould get Patience and give her ſelf to Quiet, and not be ſo fearefull and diſmayed, at it, as I perceive ſhe is; for it is very well with me, and I am preſerved with honour and Love, and I will not leave Her; if we have not leave to be in one place, God will leade us into another.

6. For I ſee now what the Lords way is, which he will take, ſhe ſhould not count it any diſgrace, becauſe we are perſecuted for the divine Knowledge and Gift, for the ſake of Chriſt our Redeemer; Math. 5. 12. Chriſt bids us rejoyce, when it is ſo with us; for our Reward in Heaven is great; I intend God willing, to take care of Her and my Children, let her but give her ſelf up to Patience and Peace, and let none put into her head, but that I will have a care of my ſelf, ſhe need not take care about me; Alſo there is a time coming, wherein it will not be diſhonorable to her; None know how to ſpeak any diſgracefull thing of us; but only ONE wicked Man, who belyeth us, and perſecuteth us for Chriſts ſake, it is meer Joy to me, to ſuffer diſgrace for Chriſts ſake and his Gift, alſo our Enemy muſt help to promote our Good.

7. The Threats of our Enemy is only his evill malicious will, who knoweth but a Hooke may be put into his Noſtrills? I will not let it be unknown to the Prince Electours Councell, and indeed they cleerly know it, and doe not ſpeake well of it, in him, alſo I hope I ſhall come perſonally before the Illuſtrious Prince Electour himſelf, and doe hope all will be well, he neede not lift up himſelf ſo aloſt and reſt on Lyes and upon Man, his Chriſtian Heart will be manifeſt well enough, even his preſent friends may well ſpeake againſt him.

[Page] 8. But ſince he ſuppoſeth it not to be right, that my book is gone forth under No Name; therefore I hope ſuddenly it will goe forth under a Name, he ſhall not hinder it, I have good opportunity: alſo there are this preſent Leipſig-Mart, come forth many ſuch like bookes in print;Leipſig Mart he may hinder them, if he think he is the Man that can doe it, I hope ere a yeare be come about, HIS hinderance will be commonly called Babell.

9. Concerning my Son Jacob, that he is come home, I rejoyce, and deſire that he would ſtay at Gerlitz till my coming, and not entertaine diſpute or make contention with any, becauſe of ſcornefull people, that Gods Gifts be not ſcandalized, and leaſt the Enemy might ſay, that we would take up theNOTE. Sword, and raiſe uproares, but to have a little Patience, that our good things may be planted with profit and benefit to others, and we be known to be the children of CHRIST;

10. For the Age that is Coming, will not be in contention or diſputing biting and devouring, but in Love and Patience, Peace and Joy in the knowledge of the divine Gift.

11. But ſeeing God hath together choſen us to be firſt fruits, therefore we ſhould begin aright, and ſtand as a Roſe among the Thornes; for our Native Country is in Heaven and not upon Earth, therefore let us labour for THAT.

12, I entreate you to Salute my wife, and all our good brethren in Chriſt, with our Love, eſpecially, ſignifie my Condition to Herr Hans Roten that he may write it to his brother Horr Carel Endern and his brother Michael Endern, that it might come to the knowledg of Herr Hans Sigmund, how it is with me at preſent, and that you would write to them with the ſooneſt, for I cannot now doe it becauſe of hinderance; but Comfort my wife, that ſhe may let goe her fruitleſs care, there is no danger about me, I am at preſent as well and better then at Gerlitz; Gerlitz. but let her ſtay at home and be at Reſt, and let Babell Burne, our Enemy ſtandeth in the Fire, and therefore he is ſo angry and wrathfull! And I commend you to the Love of CHRIST.

Dated at Dresden, Dresden. as above.

Your, in the Love of Chriſt, willing Servant, Jacob Behme.

The Three and Fiftieth Epiſtle Of the 19. May, 1623. To Herr T. K.

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V. H. I. L. I. C. I. V. Vnſer. Heil. Im. Leben. Ieſu. Chriſti. In. Vns. Our. Salvation. In the. Life. of Ieſus. Chriſt. In. Vs.

1. MY very loving Sir, and Chriſtian Brother; after my faithfull hearty memberlike, deſire of the Continuall enduring Love-power, that our Soule may alwayes draw and drink of the Fountain of Chriſt.

2. If it goe well with you and yours, and our dear friends, as alſo with my wife, it will be acceptible to me, as for me, I thank God, who hath wonderfully conducted me according to his good pleaſure, I gat in the Middle of the weeke, before Chriſts Aſcention; together with Herr Melchior Bernten to Dresden in good health,Dresden to Herr Benedict H. where all Chriſtian Love and friendſhip is afforded me; and I am well entertained, and there we have much good Converſe.

3 And there are found alſo amongſt the Prince Electors Councill, and indeed the Chiefeſt of them, very Chriſtian Loving Gentlemen to whom this Theoſophick Ground is very acceptible, and alſo do read and love my writings; for my printed Book is already come into the Hands of very Many Officers and other Learned Men, all which I account to be Good, and a Gift from God, and they Labour and Contrive, how ſuch good writings as leade Men to the Imitation or Math. 10. 38. and 6 24. Mark. 8. 34. Luke 9. 33. following of Chriſt, may be publiſhed, and will help to promote them and Not ſuppreſs them; As in my Country is done out of Hatred to the Perſon, which God pitty and help.

4. And the Herr Primates ſlanderous Libell is very wonderfully looked upon by the Counſell and Learned; and ſome ſuppoſe, that the Malicious Evill Spitefull Spirit hath dictated it to him, and he is deſpiſed by the Prieſts, who ſay, that he tranſgreſſes and goeth aſide out of his Office. For Herr Henckel hath ſhewen it to the [Page] Counſel and to the Learned, who wonder at the Mans folly, that he dare vomit out his Evill affections in publick againſt a Chriſtian Booke, at which many honeſt hearts are troubled, and account it a Judgement from God, that thoſe who ſhould teach others are ſo blinde, and that themſelves doe reſiſt the Truth.

5. Alſo ſome of the chiefeſt Councellours, have cauſed their Good Will to be made known to me, and ſignified that the ſooneſt day they have opportunity, they will cauſe me to be invited to them, for a Chriſtian converſe and conference with me, which I look for, and expect what may be done then: But I hope that it will be all well, for I am aſſured of this, that they love my writings, as alſo the Superintendent here readeth and loveth my printed little Book; and I hope alſo they will here be licenſed and Printed, as is ſignified to me, and then the ſtrife hath an iſſue, and I expect dayly how God will effect it.

6. I entreat you Sir, to ſignifie to my wife, that ſhe ſhould not perplex her ſelf by reaſon of me, but diligently pray, that God would order it for the beſt, and if ſhe want any thing ſhe knoweth very well where ſhe may have it, ſhe ſhould only keep WITHIN, and a little ſubmit her ſelf; this ſtormy Tempeſt will ſoon paſſe over, and the Sun ſhine upon it: I ſhall upon the entreaty of Herr Henckelman, ſtay with him a Month longer yet, or what time it happens to be, here at Dreſden, for I have promiſed it to him, ſeeing he giveth me my charges and other Conveniences and is a very Chriſtian Gentleman, who can do much for me, yet let it be according to Gods will; I relye upon no Man, but upon the living God, and am therewith very cheerly and full of Comfort, who knoweth how the Current may runne?

7. My writings are here copied out, Time will open and diſcover all; I will write to you again with the firſt; ſo ſoon as I have opportunity, and inform you of my condition, I am yet but New and a ſtranger, but I hope to be well acquainted and known, e're a Month paſſe. And thus I commend you to the Love of Jeſus Chriſt!

Dated at Dreſden as above.

Your, in the Love of Jeſus Chriſt, willing Servant, Jacob Behme.

The Four and Fiftieth Epiſtle To Herr T. K. Of the 23. May 1624.

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Vnſer. Heil. In. Chriſto. Ieſu. In. Ʋns! Our. Salvation. in. Chriſt. Jeſus. In. Us!

1. MY very Dear Sir and Chriſtian Brother, after wiſhing you the divine Love, Patience and Hope of deliverance or Redemption from the Driver or Perſecutor, alſo the conſtant working in the power of Chriſt, that your little Pearle-Tree, may continually grow greater; if it go well with you it is exceeding Joy to me; as for me I praiſe God, for my Cauſe it hath hitherto ſtood in a good Condition here, God help it further!

2. At the Day of the Holy Penticoſt, paſt Noon, the Prince Electours Officers, viz: the THREE Lords from Swalbach & the Marſhall of the Houſe Thoſe very Noble Potent Chief Rulers under the Prince Electour, Swalbach viz. the Marſhall of his houſe, the Maſter of his Horſe and the Chief Chamberlain, and a Councellour, were invited to my Lodging, and came thither for my ſake, to be acquainted with me, which alſo in Love, favour and kindneſſe was accepted BY THEM, and they heard me very willingly, and my cauſe was acceptible to them, they alſo promiſed me favour and aſſiſtance in IT, and they deſired and appointed to conferre further with me, which I dayly expect, alſo they read myThe Book of Repentance. printed Book with love and liking.

3. On Thurſday in Pentecoſt, The Moſt Noble Potent Herr Joachim von Loſſe, Privy Councellour to His Imperial Majeſty, and to the Prince Elector, and Officer of the Empire, at [Page] his Caſtle a Mile fromDreſden Dreſden, cauſed me and the Perſon where I lodged, Herr Henckelme, and a Doctor of Phyſick, to be fetched in his Coach, to be acquainted with Me; which Lord highly loved my Cauſe and Gifts, who alſo promiſed me favour and aſſiſtance, alſo ſignified, that he would ſee to aſſiſt my Perſon with the Prince Elector, that I might get ſome liberty and reſt, to propagate my Talent.

4. This Herr is a very Learned Man of High underſtanding, who alſo hath been very ſerviceable to our Countrey, as alſo to Sileſia, ſince the Fall ofPrince Elector Palatine and King of Boehmia. Frederick, our King that was, and all high Matters paſſe through his Counſell, who deſired I would be oftner with him, He will be my Patron and favourable Aſſiſtant, and I expect hourely, when the Illuſtrious Prince Elector will ſend for me, for which, by the forementioned Counſellours intimation and aſſiſtance, I am ready: alſo there are Many other Lords and Councellours, by whom my little book is loved and liked, as alſo by the Superintendent; And I hope it will all be well, after this ſuffered hurt and perſecution.

5. Now if the Primate of Gerlitz have any thing to complain againſt me, he might now here preſent it to the Prince Electours Counſell, and let his venomous ſlanders before the honourable Counſill, my Lords at Gaerlitz be tryed and examined, here I would ſtand directly before him, and ſet his Lyes before his Face, which he hath in a venomous ſpitefull Manner vomited out before the Church and in his Libell againſt me.

6. His Chriſtian heart will be exceedingly praiſed if he did partly know, how men look upon his Libell for ſo very Chriſtian and juſt a peece.

7. He doth the City of Gaerlitz diſgrace and diſhonour, therewith, in that they have ſuch a Slanderer and Reproacher for their High-Prieſt, who cauſeth ſo infamous a Libell and defamation, to be printed againſt his Pariſh-Children; and cannot inſtruct them better.

8. He hath got him an excellent Name therewith, ſo that Men account him an unchriſtian Man, he had need to have his Mouth altogether ſtopped, and be bidden to have a care of his Office, and to imitate or follow Chriſt and the Apoſtles, unleſſe He dare appear, if Men would ſift and complain againſt his infamous words in the Libell, and in the Pulpit.

[Page] 9. I hope I ſhould well find Richters or Judges who would Judge thisRichteren Gregory Richter Richter or Judge, and though I can have no hearing at Gaerlitz, which yet ſeems wonderfull to theſe Lords, that a Burger will not receive and take notice of a Cauſe, yet I will not make any complaint [...]f my Lords at Gaerlitz, without further Cauſe.

10. But that it troubles the Primate that I have anſwered in writing, and thereupon will flye aloſt, and reproach much more; to that I ſay, if he have not enough of the written Anſwer, I will commit it to the Preſſe, as it ſeemeth Good to many Learned Perſons ſo to do: I know alſo a good cauſe for it; It were good for him to keep his mouth from ſlandering, elſe he muſt ſee and hear, that which will not pleaſe him.

11. Though indeed I have no pleaſure in THAT, for I perceive very well, that the Devill would fain Sully and defile my Talent with Contention and DISPUTATION; but I hope to ſtand under the Divine Protection and Defence, for I find now powerfully, how God leadeth and protecteth his Children, Therefore HE is to be praiſed.

12. And it will not ſo be, that the Primate, will be able to hunt all thoſe people from Gaerlitz; who read my little Book, for then muſt he alſo come to Dreſden, and into many other places, and hunt away the Prince Electours Councell and Prieſts; but let him have a care, that Gods Anger do not hunt him into the Helliſh Fire 🜂 it were good to Repent.

13. But if he will begin a Reformation, then will the Prince Electour alſo look into it, what Manner of Reformation he hath in his Country, you need not be afraid of him, it is but a Phariſaicall zeal without Ground.

14. I hope yet, the Time of the Great Reformation will ſuddenly come, wherein Men will be commanded to Reform, and to Teach Chriſt, and Not Shoemakers Pitch and Blacking, and to reproach the Children of Chriſt: Let him come but to Dreſden into the Book-Sellers Shops, he will ſee the New Reformation well enough; which looketh like my Ground as to what concerneth the Theologicall Ground: I hear in this place none reproach it, for it is read with Joy; as even the Superintendent himſelf, and Doctor Hŏe do now teach the New Birth and the Inward Man; The Primate of Gaerlitz may forbid it to them, And many OTHERS inMeiſſen Saxony Thuringen See-Stadten. Meiſſen, Saxony, Thuringen, and See-Stadten, write and teach thereof very right, if our Primate will hinder THAT, he had need of Time to preſcribe a Councell, and take upon him the Reformation, elſe they will be ALL Enthuſiaſts, as he calleth, it.

[Page] 15. I ſtill entreat you, to ſalute my Wife and Sonne, and let them read this, and exhort them to Patience and Prayer, I hope all will be well, they ſhould have patience yet a little, who knoweth how the Current may run? This perſecution may wellRom. 8. 28. ſerve for the beſt; I will within Three Weeks, if it may be, certainly come home, though perhaps I muſt make a Journey hither again, pray write to me in the mean time, how it goes further with you Sir: and exhort my Sonne Jacob to wait, and that he would go often toHans Bergern Schoolmaſter to Elias Behme. Hans Bergern and ſee what Elias Learneth; and that he behave himſelf with his † Schoolmaſter in Love, to whom he ſhall preſent my Salutation, and not conceal my purpoſe, that he may not look upon it, as if there were any CAƲSE, to flee away from the Primate, and for that cauſe † Elias might be abuſed and Evilly intreated by his Schoolmaſter, therefore my preſent good condition ſhould do well to be ſignified to him.

16. I pray you to ſalute theſe Herrs and Chriſtian brethren, viz: Herr Hans R [...]hten, Herr Friederick Rheniſch, Herr Martin Mollern, and Herr Michael Hurtzen that wrote Jacob Behme's life after his deceaſe. Michael Kurtzen, together with all the Children of Chriſt, that are neer you, and diſcover my Condition to them, alſo that they ſhould as Children of Chriſt, Matth 28. Labour in the Vineyard of Chriſt, and let Satan Roare; the Time of Redemption Cometh cleerly in ITS Seaſon.

17. Alſo ſignifie my Salutation eſpecially to the Doctors Wife, and mention to my Wife and Sonnes, that they be quiet and Patient, and not be zealous, that the Evill Enemy may not ſpie any little hole againſt us, and that at length every one may ſee, that we are pecſecuted for the ſake of the knowledge of Chriſt and of his Truth; And thus I commend you to the Meek Love of Jeſus Chriſt!

Dated atDreſden Dreſden, as above.

Your, In the Love of Chriſt, willing Servant, Jacob Behme.

The One and Sixtieth Epiſtle To Herr C. B. without Date.

[Page]

Emanuel!

1. MOſt Honourable highly eſteemed Sir: and faithfull friend, your Salvation and welfare is very acceptable to me, I would long agoe have viſited you with a Letter, for I long alſo to underſtand your condition; ſeeing you give your ſelf to the Study of WISDOME, which is more dear to me then the whole world, and do wiſh that I might once conferre with you therein as it is neceſſary: as I hope ſhortly to make a Journey towards you, then will I ſpeak with you.

2. Hitherto I have been hindered by Gods permiſſion, for I have been theſe Six Weeks, caſt down into the Sickneſſe of the Evill raiſed Soldiers, and ſcarce come to health again.

3. Alſo how it is with our Dr. Waltern, or where he is if you know any thing of him, ſignifie it to me; alſo how you go on in your ſtudy, whether the Grace Dore be more opened to you, to apprehend the high Divine Myſtery, it would be very acceptable to me to know; for I hope if you order your life therein, and did bring the Practice into Exerciſe, that Dore would be opened to you, ſo that you would ſee, with right or true Magicall Eyes in Magiam Divinam into the Divine Magia.

4. For ſo ſoon as the Sprout of the New Man ſpringeth, it hath its Seeing or Sight; for as the outward Man ſeeth this outward world, ſo alſo the New Man, ſeeth the divine world, wherein it dwelleth; for it is written;1 Cor. 2. 10. The Spirit of Man in the Spirit of Chriſt, ſearcheth all things, even the depths of the Deity.

5. And although, it lyeth not in the Searching and flying aloft, if men will ſearch in Reaſon, but in a humble lowly ſubmitting to enter into it, that the Soul deſire Nothing but Gods Love; now when it attaineth THAT, then it ſuddenly bringeth the richly joyfull Spirit of God, the Souls Image or the ſimilitude of God, into the Heavenly Divine School of the Noble and precious knowledge; where then it [Page] is taught more then in the School of this world; for it ſtudyeth in the School of the Divine Wiſdome; The Holy Spirit is its School-maſter, alſo its knowing and underſtanding.

6. It is no knowing of God, that a CREATURE knoweth or feeleth God, but THAT knowledge only which is IN God: The Twig draweth into it, the Sap of the Tree; if a Man be not with his will-ſpirit entered into God, but into the outward Reaſon, then he is BLIND to God.

7. But if he with earneſtneſſe deſireth God, then he becometh in his Deſire impregnate with Gods Subſtance, and Gods Subſtance becometh given to him for his OWN propriety, wherein the Spirit of God ruleth; and he becometh Gods Child, viz: a Twig on the Tree.

8. Seeing then I perceive from Herr Walter, that you lead your Life inProv. 16▪ 6. The Fear of God; and he ſheweth me alſo your writings, that you have a deſire after the Divine Wiſdome; and after the well-ſpring or fountain of Chriſt; therefore I am the more encouraged to write unto you, and to inform you of the WAY thereof, for it affordeth me meer Joy, when I diſcern any of Gods Children.

9. Juſt as one Twig of a Tree, enjoyeth it ſelf with the other in the Tree, with an amiable or Lovely Eſſence, ſo alſo do the Children of Chriſt; but if any thing in my writings ſhould be miſunderſtood; do but ſignifie it to me, and it ſhall be brought into an eaſier underſtanding for you; or if it were too deep for your Mind or Thoughts, I would ſet it down more ſimply and Childlike, whereby the Pearl might be ſought and found with delight; for it is not given in vain.

10. But ſeeing you are one of the Firſt, whom God will favour with it; therefore I exhort you, in true Chriſtian Love, that you would diligently ſeek the Noble Jewel; you will certainly attain it, for though it ſeems as if it would not; let not THAT diſcourage you, and do not ſhrink back, but ſtand ſtill; If any will be a Soldier he muſt fight; where God is neereſt of all he will not diſcover it, his Children muſt be proved or Tryed.

11. We muſt enter into Combate againſt the Old Adam, and kill him, if a New be to grow out of him; if the faire Crown or Garland be once ſet upon you; then it would afterwards need no more ſearching after; you will have one that will ſearch well enough; who will ſeek and find himſelfe IN you; that you ſhall ſee God and the Kingdom of Heaven, according to that Glimps or diſcovery; This I would needs friendly intimate to you.

[Page] 12. A very Hard Time is coming, for that year, and the year following; will be years of great Tribulation, for the ſickneſſe andRev. 18. 8. death of the Where is Coming, but ſhe will not obſerve it, ſhe ſaith ſtill, I am a Virgin, her wounds are uncurable.

13. Dear friend Chriſtianus, let us indeed open our Eyes aright, that we learn to know Her, andRev. 18. 4. flye from her, elſe we may receive her plagues and Puniſhments; there is no je [...]ing, it will coſt Body and Soul; The higheſt Good.

Thus I commend you to the Love of JESUS CHRIST. Jacob Behme.

‘Prov. 18. 10.The Name of the LORD is a ſtrong City; the Righteous, runneth unto it and is exalted.’

The two and ſixtieth Epiſtle C. B. without Date.

Immanuel.

1. DEar faithfull friend and brother in the Love of Chriſt, I wiſh conſtantly in my deſire, that you may continue ſtedfaſt in the way you have begun, that your hunger and thirſt after Chriſts well-ſpring or fountain may conſtantly endure, for it is the aſſuredJohn 6, 44. drawing of the Father in the Spirit of Chriſt to him.

[Page] 2. The Earthly Adam is a Cover before it, that Chriſt in this Earthly Tabernacle cannot be totally manifeſted, for HolyPſal. 126. 5. David, the Man of God, ſaith; They go away ſewing in Tears, but they reap in Joy.

3. I exhort you very brotherly, that you be not diſcouraged, though the SUN of the rich Joyfullneſſe do not ſhine in the Old Adam, it is Gods will it ſhould be ſo; for with its richly Joyfull Glance or Luſtrous Beams, it belongeth not to the Earthly Man; But it giveth it ſelfe many times to the Dead Myſtery, which diſappeared or faded in Adam, and at the Laſt Judgement Day ſhall 1 Cor. 15. 43. ariſe in Power, ſuch a friendly Aſpect Glimps or Countenance; for the Comfort of the poor Soul; and to the ſtrengthning of the New Sprout: But here it muſt be generated or born in meer longing and anxious deſire: The Sun oftentimes hideth it ſelf; but ſo it ſeeketh only into the Root, that it may generate a Twig out of the Tree.

4. Wreſtle cheerfully, the Crown or Garland is aſſuredly depoſited in you, it will aſſuredly be ſet upon you; according to the Meaſure which pleaſeth God; for according to what he will uſe any for in this world, according to that meaſure alſo he manifeſteth himſelfe in him in the outward Man: but the true Lilly-Twig or Branch; ſtandeth not in the outward world; It is exceeding Joy to me, when I perceive, that you long anxiouſly after the Lilly, and think you have it not; but I ſee much better then you, WHAT you have; which often delights me thus with my exhortation to awaken and ſtir it up; that the Tree may grow and become Great; for I would fain alſo NOW partake of its Fruits: for which things ſake, I labour towards YOU and Many OTHERS, accordingly as I am driven.

5. I ſend you theThe Philoſophick Globe ſee in the 40. Queſtions of the Soul. Magick Globe, with the Explanation thereof, you will have therein a fine delightfull walke for recreation: but ſend me it back again as ſoon as you can, I will ſhortly ſend you ſomewhat elſe.

6. The LittleJacob Behmes little Book of the Two Teſtaments, of Baptiſme and the Supper. Teſtaments, I cannot get at preſent; but am promiſed to have it copyed out.

7. I pray, if you ſee any acquaintance ofZolnig. Zolnig, ſend this incloſed Letter to Herr M. W. if not, then leave it at his Houſe, then it will come at him.

[Page] 8. I thank you alſo for ſending the Corn: I will in Love, Pay you for it; I have juſtly received it, and perceive your diligence: If Herr M. W. would ſend me my Sack again, I ſhould reſt contented, but I perceive very well how his heart is, I have diſcovered to him the Babyloniſh WHORE: and ſtill friendly write to him; to try if he will become ſeeing, and fall away from the vierg [...] of Antichriſt, though it ſeemeth to me they are but Gliſtering Specious words, as they almoſt all of them do give.

9. For, I have in this Generation found very Few of them, wherein there is true earneſtneſſe; but they have onlyMath. 13. 20. Mark 4. 16. Luke 8, 13. received the Hiſtory, with Joy; and ſuppoſe it ſticketh in the knowledge, viz: in the Letter; they make oſtentation therewith: yet I know ſome wherein there is ſincere earneſtneſſe, where I have ſeen the Spirit in Power, God be praiſed!

10. Pray ſignifie my Salutation and willing Service in Love, to your Brother the Herr Conrector; to commend one another into the Love of Jeſus Chriſt.

Your Loving Friend and Brother in CHRIST, Jacob Behme.

FINIS.

J.B's hand writing, or Manuſcript Epist: in High-dutch I.S's in English

[Page]

I Have in Jacob Behme's own hand writing, a Letter of his in the High-Dutch which was ſent me by Michael L [...] Blon, Reſident for the Queen of Sweden in Holland, with the States there: of the 10/20 Aprill, 1650. the Letter of J. B's he received from Abraham von Frankenberg, who was then at Mr. Beyerlands in Amſterdam, to whom Jacob Behme wrote in his life time, and converſed much with him, he was a Learned Man, much acquainted with the Divine Myſteries of the Hoiy Scriptures and other the profoundeſt Literature; this I alſo tranſlate into Engliſh, and here inſert.

J. B. uſed to put on the Back of his Letters this Mark, as in the Letter I have, appears, viz: ‘OOO’

Which ſignifieth the THREE Eternall Worlds one in another as ONE; or the THREE Principles; or the THREE Perſons in the TRINITY; whoſe impreſſe is to be ſeen in All things whatſoever, both in THIS World and in ETERNITY.

[Page]The Letter followeth thus in High-Dutch, in J. B.'s. own hand writing.

OOO

Licht Heil und Ewige Krafft auſs dem Brunquel des Hertzens Ieſu Chriſti ſei unſer erquickung.

Erenveſter wolbenampter Herr euch ſeind meine willige dienſte Iederzeitbevorn, ich fuge euch zu wiſſen Das ich in den verheiſchenen ſchrifften bin etwas verhindert worden, welche ich euch chicken wolt nach Zu ſchreiben, den Sie ſeind bey einem liebhaber derſelben auch nach geſhriben worden, weil aber H. Pa [...]tzer W. [...]t wider zu Lande ankomen, hat er dieſelben Ietz ſelber unter der feder, ſo euch aber I ge [...]ipte etwas darum Zu haben und nach [...]u ſchreiben, So ſol euch etwas, ſo balde es muglich iſt, gefolget werden und thue euch Gotlichen ſchutze Empfhelen.

Datum Gerlitz.

Jacob Behme.

Tranſlated into Engliſh written in J. S's. own hand writing.

OOO

Light, Salvation, and Eternall Power out of the Fountain of the heart of Jeſus Chriſt, be our Refreſhing.

Honourable worthy Sir▪ let my willing ſervice be alwayes preſented to you I muſt acquaint you, that I have been ſomewhat hindered in the writings I promiſed you, which I was to ſend you to Copy out; for they have been by a lover of them now lately Copied out, but ſeeing H. Baltzer Walter, is come into this Country again, he hath them now himſelf in hand, under his Pen, but if you have a Mind to have any of them and to copy them out, as ſoon as is poſſible ſome of them ſhall be ſent, ſo I commend you to the Divine Protection

Dated at Gerlitz

Jacob Behme.

That in High-Dutch was the hand writing of Jacob Behme; that in Engliſh of John Sparrow: Thus the very Character of All Manuſcripts may be communicated and perpetuated.

This I have cauſed to be expreſſed from both the Hand-writings exactly in a Copper-plate by Edward C [...]cker and here printed off, annexed: Tueſday 3. December 16 [...].

John Sparrow.

§

[Page]

Becauſe I found after the printing of this Sheete 5. Epiſtles not Eng [...]iſhed, I here inſert them.

The Third Epiſtle. 24. of October, Anno. 1619. 1.

I preſent you my Salutation through and from God, wiſhing you the Light of the divine Kingdome of Joy in our Emanuel.

2. The Letter you ſent me, together with my writings I have directly ſafe received of Zeigern, and as ſoon as I had ſealed thoſe writings up, I ſent them to H. N. by N. N. who at that preſent was with me, I would needs ſend him this Letter, ſeeing it was already ſealed, and ſupplied with my writings incloſed in it. But now I underſtand in my Minde, ſeeing it happens as it doth: that you have ſent for them, that it may be a providence of God, therefore I ſend them to you herewith, pray conſider them, there is a very Noble Jewel therein, which God hath beſtowed ſince your departure; & I acquaint you, that a very lovely Gate is ſprung open, into which, if God will, as it highly appears he will, we will enter; concerning which yet I can ſay Nothing, for it is not belonging to my outward Man, but as all Vegatives or Plants of the Earth, rejoyce when the Sun ariſeth, and ſhineth upon them with its power and vertue; ſo alſo my Soule in the faire Wonder-Bloſſom, wherein the Lord is ſo ſweete and friendly, I hope I ſhall well refreſh my ſelf with it, which you will perceive in this laſt Part of thisThe Three Principles. Booke, if God open the Gates to you in HIS Spirit.

3. I cannot write IT to you, for it is wonderfull, I hope God will open your Heart, that you alſo may taſt and reliſh ſomewhat thereof: you deſire to know, whether I had any converſe with the Herr you know of, I muſt acquaint you, that I could not come to him, for I have had much to doe in another Country, where indeed with my outward Man, I was not at home, and am hitherto hindred with a Journey to Prague, for Seaven Dayes, and then what God will ſhall be done, although at preſent a Deepe Gat [...] ſtandeth open to me, and therein I ſhall doe what GOD will.

4. I ſend you the finiſhing of this Booke ſealed, and if you have an opportunity, either ſend it to H. N. or to me againe with the other writings, for they were on the way to H. N. but when the Meſſenger came from you, I held it fit to ſend all thus packed up, and I deſire you to minde it highly and exactly, that there isThe Threefold Life. another very excellent high work, apprehended in the Spirit, and doe hope God will vouchſafe it to us, you may ſearch further after it, in ſhort time it ſhall be ſent you. And ſo I commend you into the divine Kingdome of the Joy of the Eternall welſpring or Fountaine.

Jacob Behme.

The One and Fiftieth Epiſtle. To Herr F. K. M. D. Of the 9. May, 1624.

[Page]

V. H. I. L. I. C. I. V. Vnſer. Heil. Im. Leben. Jeſu. Chriſti. In. Vns. Our. Salvation. Is in. the Life. of Jeſus. Chriſt. In. Vs.

1. MY very deare Sir and Chriſtian faithfull friend, I Heartily wiſh you the divine Love, that the Sun of Righteouſneſs in Soule and Spirit may Eternally ſhine to you! If it ſtill goe well with you, it would be great Joy to me, to know; God be prayſed I am at this time in Good bodily Health: But very much outwardly beſpattered with Sathans Dirt, by the Phariſaicall ſpirit; for how very enraged Sathan is at me and my printed little Booke of Repentance, I can ſcarce write to you, and only from the Chiefe Phariſee and thoſe that are like him; For they feare leaſt their Authority and Reſpect might fall, if unlearned people ſhould bring forth the higheſt Ground, and that people might require of them the Imitation or following of Chriſt and his Apoſtles, in Life and Doctrine, then muſt their Belly-God fall, and their Minde be ſomewhat more lowly, all which, doth not reliſh.

2. But it muſt come to paſſe, the Time is generated or Borne, and no Reproaching will help; for by their Reproaching they cauſe the People to ask after theſe Writings, and ſo they further them, more then hinder them, as is done among us at preſent; that almoſt every one would faine ſee them, and find the Great wonder, and what kinde of wilde Beaſt is therein, and when they come to reade them, they are amazed at their Blindneſs, and enter into themſelves, and conſider their Lives according to it, whereby very Many of them have Converted, and have entered into Repentance, and have deſired friendſhip with me, and thoſe which before had been reproachers are become afterwards the Sheepe of Chriſt. So very wonderfully the Lord manageth his way, and all things muſt ſerve for the Beſt to Gods children.

3. The Primate with us hath cauſed to be printed a venemous lying Pamphlet or Libell of one Sheete in the Latine Tongue [Page] in Carmenweiſe. In Meeter. Verſe, againſt me, wherein Men may wonderfully ſee his Spirit, and Sathan, with his Clawes; againſt which I have written an Anſwer, which together with the Libell you may get of Herr Michael Endern, he will willingly lend it you, there you will ſee wonderfull ſtrange things, which I cannot here write to you.

4.Mit Zeigern I ſend you alſo by Zeigern, one of the Printed little Bookes, I hope you will well practiſe it, ſeeing without that you are a Lover of the true Ground, and I would faine have ſent you ſomewhat of the writings, but I have lent them all abroad.

5. This day, being the 9. of May, I travaile to Dreſden, whither I am Invited by the chiefe Eminent Perſons of the Prince Electours Court, for a Conference with me, which alſo reade and Love my writings, God give Grace and Power for it, what may there come to paſs, I ſhall informe you at another Time.

6. And I intreate you, to ſend the Packet to Herre Martin Moſern by ſome ſafe opportunity, wherein you will doe him and me a ſervice of Love, and yet you may have acquaintance with Herr Michael Endern if that were not done, where you may Get All my writings, for he hath them ALL, and is a very greate Practicer of them, and a loving Man, alſo very Secret and Faithfull, you will have a good friend of him; And I commend you to the Love of Our LORD JESUS CHRIST!

Dated as above.

Jacob Behme.

The Seaven and Fiftieth Epiſtle To N. N.

1. MY deare Sir, next the wiſhing you the Love of our LORD Jeſus Chriſt, in Soule and Spirit; I acquaint you Sir, That in my Abſence this Journey; when I was abroad at Herr Hans Sigismund [...], the Phariſaicall Spirit, hath raged, as if he would ſtorme Heaven and breake Hell in peeces, and all becauſe of theThe Way to Christ. printed [Page] little Booke, which yet is very highly loved by many; And I doe not know yet how it will goe with me, in regard of this Phariſaicall Spirit, but I put my hope and whole Confidence, in the Love of Jeſus Chriſt, and doe Praiſe God that I ſhall be made conformable to the Image of Jeſus Chriſt, and ſuffer reproach for HIS ſake, and will beare all with Patience under the✚ Croſſe of Chriſt; for Sathan ſtormeth or warreth againſt Chriſt, and Chriſt againſt Sathan, and it goeth as it did with Chriſt, one part ſay,Joh. 9 17. 31. Ch. 8. 48. He is an honeſt Good man, and a Prophet, the other ſayJoh. 10. 19. 20. He hath a Devill. How it will conclude I ſhall let you know further Sir; and I commend you to the Love of Jeſus Chriſt!

Sir

Your willing ſervant Jacob Behme.

The Nine and Fiftieth Epiſtle

V. H. I. L. I. C. I. V. Vnſer. Heil. Im. Leben. Jeſu. Chriſti. In. Vns. Our. Salvation. Is in. the Life. of Jeſus. Chriſt. In. Vs.

1. MY Deare Sir Auguſtinus, and Chriſtian Brother, I heartily, wiſh you the Divine Light, in the working Power of the Holy Ens in Chriſt! That you ſomewhat conceive my Gift and love it, and that you reade and write it out, is NOT of me; alſo I am NOT he that giveth you the underſtanding and apprehenſion, much leſs, the deſire to doe ſo, but the Spirit of God IN your ſelfe, giveth it, for if that could be done by me, and if I had the ability, I would have it ſo, that All men ſhould underſtand it, within them; and that which is vouchſafed to me poore unworthy Man, out of or from the Divine Gift.

2. Alſo, it doth not become me to arrogate it as my proper owne, much leſs to receive the worlds Honour or Gifts for it, unleſs what [Page] might be done by the [...]ich of their Overpluſs for the ſuſtenance of Life, and for the further expectation from this Talent; therefore I deſire nothing of any Body.

3. Your ſincere and rightly Zealous and Chriſtian Minde, is very well known to me: and I love it more then Money or Riches, or any worldly Goods: for I know that I can have a Chriſtian brother, for an Eternall Enjoyment, and rejoyce my ſelf in and with him, as one Member with and in another; concerning which I am well ſatisfied, and CHRIST will be my Rich abundant Wages, if I through my diligence have helped to work and gaine any thing in the vineyard of Chriſt: I would in no way deſire any Temporall thing for it. And I commit you to the Love of JESUS CHRIST.

Jacob Behme.

The Sixtieth Epiſtle. To Herr A C.

Immanuel.

1. IN Chriſt much beloved Sir and friend, I wiſh you the divine Love and bleſſed Knowledg, and all Temporall welfare! In your well entended Beginning, you might indeed be ſomewhat hindred, but a True right Chriſtian Zealous Heart, hath its Schoole in it ſelfe, even in the midſt of all Buſineſſes and Employments; for if we follow or or Imitate Chriſt, and attaine Him in US, then he is in all Things our Beginning and End and our Teaching-Maſter or Schoolmaſter, in us.

2. It may indeed be very advantagious to our Converſation, ſince you may have ſo faire an Opportunity, as to have theſe writings in your Hands, have a care doe not give it over or neglect it, but apply and fit your ſelfe therein, you will find a very excellent underſtanding in the Briefe Summary; which at preſent I have in Hand to write; of which Herr Tobias hath written out a part already.

[Page] 3. For there is a very cleere Morning Sta [...] ariſen, at which, if your Spirit might be unlocked, you would Wonder what the moſt High at preſent favoureth us with all, wherein men may clearly ſee, how the Bright day breaks forth in the midſt of the Dark Night, at which, many hungry. Hearts will rejoyce, & thereby be freed from ALL Errour.

4. I exhort you as my deare brother, that you would Lay-hold on this faire Seaſon and opportunity and Not ſlip the Roſe-Time, but Bud-forth, together with others, as Good Sprouts in our Faire Garden of Delight.

5. For, the End with Babell, is at Hand, and the Turba hath a Great Harveſt to Reape, for it will be Earneſt and ſevere, but let every One ſeeke or ſearch himſelf in the Time of Grace, and goe forth out of the Fleſhly Babell, that he be not alſo taken IN it, it is high Time, and is no fiction forged by Us, it is become highly apprehended and known.

6. And I alſo exhort Herr Tobias brotherly, that he would make good uſe of his preſent fit and acceptible Time, and ſeeke or ſearch himſelf, I intend it faithfully; thus I commend you to the meeke Love of Jeſus Chriſt!

Yours in Love, Jacob Behme.

A Table of Behme's LXII. Epiſtles.

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Epiſtles, printed in High Dutch cont' verſes. | In Engliſh printed Epiſtles cont' verſes.
1. To. C. v. E. | 1618. 18. January, | 12. |  | 25. | Co: 28.
2. To C. v. E. | 1619. 22. October. | 10. |  | 27. | 18.
3.— | 1619. 24. October. | 4. | Here printed. | 3. | 4.
4.— | 1619. 15. November. | 48. |  | 15. | 48.
5. To C. v. E. | 1619. 1. December. | 10. | To Carel. von Endern. | 26. | 18.
6. To C. v. E. | 1620. 4. May. | — |  | 28. | 7.
7. To Dr. B. W. | 1620. 7. June. | 11. | Before the ſuperſenſuall Life. | — | 14.
8. To Paul Keym. | 1620. 14. Auguſt. | — | 1. of 1000. years Sabbath. | 4. | 118.
9. To C. B. | 1620. 12. September. | — | Here printed. | 9. | 18.
10. To H. A. v. S. | 1620. 12. September. | — | Concerning the Aurora. | 3. | 40.
11. To Paul Keym. | 1620. 18. November. | — | 2. of 1000. years Sabbath. | 5. | 88.
12. To H. C. L | 1621. 10. May. | 80. | To Caſper Lindnern. | 2. | 80.
13. To C. B. | 1612. 8 June. | — | Here printed. | 13. | 8.
14. To C. B. | 1621. 21. June. | — | Here printed. | 14. | 4.
15. To Dr. J. D. K. | 1621. 3. July. | — |  | 22. | 20.
16. To Her. C. D. S. | 1621. 3. July. | 14. |  | 17. | 12.
17.— | 1622. 3. July. | 11. | To Chriſtianus Berntern, 2. Iuly | 18. | 13.
18. To Her. S. v. S. | 1622. 3. July. | — | 1621. 3. Iuly. | 16. | 12.
19. To Her. C. B. | 1622. 3. July. | — | Here printed. | 19. | 8.
20. To H. J. D. K. | 1621. 3. July. | 15. | 2. Apol. to B. Tylcken. | — | 25.
21. To H. C. B. | 1621. 8. July. | — | Here printed. | 21. | 4.
22.— | 1621. 17. October. | 37. |  | 9. | 38.
23. To H. C. B. | 1621. 29. October. | — | Here printed. | 23. | 6.
24. To H. v. S. | 1622. 1. January. | — | Queſtion about A Statue. | 24. | 14.
25. To C. v. E. | 1622. 22. February. |  |  | 29. | 5.
26. To C. B. | 1622. 28. Aprill. | — | Here printed. | 26. | 13.
27. To C. B. | 1622. 21. June. | — | Here printed. | 27. | 13.
28 To Her. H. v. T. | 1622. 6. July. | — | To Chr. Steinberger Medicus. | 23. | 18.
29. To F. K. M. D. | 1622. 17. July. | 10. | To Fred. Krauſen. | 14. | 10.
30. To N. N. | 1622. 1. November. | 27. | Of Killing of Antichriſt in Us. | 10. | 27.
31. To Herr. C. B. | 1622. 12. November. | — | Here printed. | 31. | 11.
32. To Herr. N. N. | 1622. 10. December. | 24. |  | 31. | 12.
33. To Her. J. B. | 1622. 30. December. | — | To Iohn Budorfsky. | 12. | 10.
34. To Her. C. B. | 1622. 13. December. | — | Here printed. | 34. | 7.
[Page] 35. To Hr. N. N. | 1623. 19. February. | 14. | 7. | 25.
36. To Hr. F. K. | 1622. 19. February. | 16. | To Fred. Krauſſen Dr. Med. | 21. | 17.
37. To Hr. A. v. S. | 1623. 20. February. | 13. | Of Predeſtination. | 20. | 22.
38. To Hr. G. F. v. F. M.D.Z.G. | 1623. 27. February. | — | Of Predeſtination. | 19. | 42.
39. To Hr. N. N. | 1623. 30. March. | 21. | Of Temptation. | 13. | 21.
40. To Hr. C. B. | 1623. 13. October. | — | Here printed. | 40. | 14.
41. To Hr. N. N. | 1623.— | 76. | Of a true Chriſtian. | 1. | 76.
42. To Hr. G. F. & J. H. | 1623. 12. November. | 36. | Of the True and Falſe Light. | 6. | 82.
43. To Hr. C. B. | 1623. 27. December. | — | Here printed. | 43. | 8.
44. To Hr. M. M. | 1624. 19. March. | — | To M. Mauſern, of G. Rickter. | 33. | 27.
45. To Hr. C. B. | 1624. 4. April. | — | Here printed. | 45. | 4.
46. To Hr. J. S. | 1624. 6. April. | 19. | Here printed. | 46. | 19.
47. To N. N. | 1624. 20. April. | — |  | 32. | 17.
48. To Hr. N. N. | 1624. 25. April. | 16. |  | 11. | 30.
49. To Hr. C. B. | 1624. 5. May. | — | Here printed. | 49. | 6.
50. To Hr. N. N. | 1624. 8. May. | — |  | 34. | 30.
51. To Hr. F. K. M. D. | 1624. 9. May. | 6. | Here printed. | 51. | 6.
52. To Hr. T. K. | 1624. 15. May. | 12. | Here printed. | 52. | 12.
53. To Hr. T. K. | 1624. 19. May. | 7. | Here printed. | 53. | 7.
54. To Hr. T. K. | 1624. 23. May | 17. | Here printed. | 54. | 17.
55. To Hr. T. K. | 1624. 13 June. | 21. | To Dr. Tobias Kobern. | 35. | 23.
56. To Hr. N. N. | —Without Date. | 33. | Upon A Drs. 4. Queſtions. | 8. | 32.
57. To Hr. N. N. | —Without Date. |  | Here printed. | 57. | 1.
58. To Hr. N. N. | —Without Date. | 6. |  | 30. | 5.
59. To Hr. A. C. | —Without Date. | 3. | Aug: Coppen. Here printed. | 59. | 3.
60. To Hr. A. C. | —Without Date. | 6. | Here printed. | 60. | 6.
61. To Hr. A. C. | —Without Date. | — | Here printed. | 61. | 13.
62. To Hr. A. C. | —Without Date. | — | Here printed. | 62. | 10.
J. B's Manuſc. Ep. | OOO. Without Date. | — | Here printed. | — | —
Dr. C. Weiſners Ep. | 1651. 21: February. | — | Next following. | — | 37.

Doctor C. Weiſner's Epiſtle Narrative. Being, A True Relation from Herr C. Weiſner Doctor Medicinae, a Dr. of Phyſick, out of which the Reader that loveth God, will have information concerning the Bleſſed Jacob Behme his Meekneſſe which he exerciſed and held forth; 1. In his Conference with the forementioned Doctor. 2. With the Spirituall Lords or Clergy at Gerlitz. 3. In his Examination at Dreſden, in the Preſence of the Illuſtrious Prince Elector, and eight of the chiefeſt Profeſſors of Divinity, &c. Now as concerning the Courſe of his Life, it ſhall be related at Large, in the Book of the Way to Chriſt, that was in the Preſſe at Amſterdam, in the Year 1658.

Doctor C. Weiſner's Epiſtle Narrative. Being, A True Relation from Herr C. Weiſner Doctor Medicinae, a Dr. of Phyſick, out of which the Reader that loveth God, will have information concerning the Bleſſed Jacob Behme his Meekneſſe which he exerciſed and held forth; 1. In his Conference with the forementioned Doctor. 2. With the Spirituall Lords or Clergy at Gerlitz.Gerlitz. Dresden. 3. In his Examination at Dreſden, in the Preſence of the Illuſtrious Prince Elector, and eight of the chiefeſt Profeſſors of Divinity, &c.
Now as concerning the Courſe of his Life,J. B's. Life at Large with the Book of the way to Chriſt printed at Amſterdam, Anno. 1658. it ſhall be related at Large, in the Book of the Way to Chriſt, that was in the Preſſe at Amſterdam, in the Year 1658.

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The Grace of God, together with brotherly Love and Faithfulneſſe, I deſire to commend to you.

1. TO give you information and Teſtimony concerning the Bleſſed Jacob Behme Teutonicus, I am in the preſence of God willing and inclined to do it, but know little of him by my own Experience; yet ſo much as is known to me, I write to your Honour, with a hearty good will, and acknowledge my ſelf obliged to do much more then that to ſerve you.

2. My acquaintance with the forementioned bleſſed Jacob Behme The Teutonick, was made about July in the year 1618. atLauben. Lauben in my Native Country, by a Handicrafts-man a Taylour (now deceaſed, called Libertus Schneller) who together with his Wives Brother a young Preacher; by name Solomon Schroter; which were [Page] both Jacob Behm's and my good friends, and were his beloved faithfull ſchollars, who were very diligent in his writings, and had through Prayer attained an excellent knowledge therein from GOD.

3. But I was Praeceptor or Turour to a Noble Mans Children at Schweinitz called Balthazar Tilken. Schweintz. Balthazar Tilken, and there ſeeing he was an Oppoſer of Jacob Behme; I gat Adeo Contrariam Mentem contra illum, ſo oppoſite a minde againſt him, God forgive me in it, that I alſo became altogether averſe to him, and yet ſuppoſed, that he ſtuck in or adhered to the Opinion of theCalviniſts. Reformed, concerning Predeſtination, or the Election of God in his Sonne, &c.

4. Whereupon the two forementioned friends when at a time the bleſſed Man came to them at Lauben, intreated ME to come thither, and gave me occaſion and opportunity of a Chriſtian Conference with him, which, prayſed be our Deare God for it, did ſo happily come about; that we become friends and laid aſide all animoſity and misunderſtanding, and were united together in Chriſtian brotherly Love.

5. Where the bleſſed Man did beare in very wonderfull great friendlineſs with my Academicall Turbulency and diſcourſed in ſuch Love, that for the ſake of the feare of God, I could no longer reſiſt or oppoſe him, but muſt yeeld and give up my ſelf, to the Truth and Friendlineſs of the Spirit of JESUS CHRIST in him; ſince which time I never ſpake with him or ſaw him any More.

6. But De Actu Gerlicenſi concerning the proceedings at Gerlitz, which I lately gave you an account of at N. I have received true information of it from the forementioned faithfull friends: thus; Antagoniſta Gerlicenſis ille qui ibidem Paſtor Geweſen, His Antagoniſt at Gerlitz, who was Paſtour there, did lend to one of Jacob Behmes Nephewes, a young Baker who had lately married a Neece of Jacob Behmes. OneThe value 4. 6. Doller for his neceſſity, to buy wheate to bake white Bread at Chriſtmas, for which he preſented him in Thankfulneſs, a good big White-Loafe; and then ſoon after the Holy-dayes, he brought the Doller of Money and payd it him againe; in hope the Preacher would for the Intereſt of the Doller, accept of his former Preſent, in full ſatisfaction being he uſed it but for a Fortnight.

7. But the Preacher unſatisfied, pronounced againſt him [Page] Gods Anger and terrible Curſe, and ſo vehemently terrifyed the young Baker therewith, that he fell into very deepe perplexity Melancholy and deſpaire of his Salvation, in that he had enraged the Prieſt, and had ſuch a curſe or Anathema from him; ſo that for the ſpace of ſeveral dayes he ſpake to No Body; nor would ſay what hurt him, but went up and down ſighing and ſpeaking to himſelf with Great perplexity; till at laſt upon the hearty entreaty and deſire of his, WIFE her uncle Jacob Behme took the matter upon him: and ſo friendly diſcourſed with the perplexed young Man, till he found what lay upon him, and after he perceived it, he comforted him and ſpake peace to him.

8. And without diſcouragement he chearfully went to the enraged Preacher, and courteouſly entreated him, no longer to be an gry with the young Man, but that he would be favourable to the young Man, he would himſelf, for the young Mans ſake, ſatisfie him, the enraged Preacher; what he deſired further for the Intereſt of the Doller he lent him, and would willingly bring it to him, if he did but know how much the Primate deſired: yet thought that the poore young Man, according to his ability, had paid enough for it, yet if he pleaſed to have any more, he would ſupply what he was wanting in it.

9. Whereupon the Preacher with impatience brake forth; ſaying what had that Raſcall (J. B.) to doe with him, to diſquiet Moleſt and diſturb him? What was that to him? he ſhould meddle with his own buſineſs and be gone.

10. But he continued his importunity, and entreated his favour promiſing to make ſatisfaction, and give him content: But the Primate, aſhamed of his injuſtice and wrong, would not acknowledg it, Nor ſay, what he deſired, but ſtill continually bad this ſupplicant or interpoſer to get him gone, and ſhewed him the outward Dore out of which he was to get him gone.

11. But the Primate ſat upon his chaire and had his Slippers on, and when the Honeſt interpoſer humbly and meekly ſighing to God, very lovingly, for his unſucceſsfull buſineſs went away; as he was going out of the Dore, gave the Angry Primate a Chriſtian valediction, ſaying, GOD preſerve your worſhip, the Primate was angry at it, and becauſe off his bleſſing him was much worſe then before; and took of his Slipper, and threw it out at the honeſt Man, ſaying, what have you to [Page]doe, thou wicked Rogue, to bid me or wiſh me a good Night? what care I for thy Bleſſing? &c.

12. But the Deare Man calmely took up the Slipper and carried it and laid it at his Feete againe, and ſaid: Sir! be not angry I doe you no wrong, I commend you to God: So at this time he departed from him.

13. Till on Sunday following the Preacher in the Pulpit, vehemently inveyed againſt the bleſſed Deare Man of God, and thundred abominably and horribly againſt him by Name particularly threatning the deſtruction of the whole City; exclaiming againſt him for a maker of uproares a ſeditious vaine fellow, and a Heretick.

14. And admoniſhed them the Magiſtrate in the preſence of the Congregation, to be avenged againſt ſuch Tumultuous oppoſers of the Holy Offi [...]e or Function of Preaching, who diſturbed the Preacher, and moleſted him in his own Houſe: and writes Hereticall Bookes, leaſt God be angry with them, and in his Anger, cauſe the City to ſink and be ſwallowed up; as was done at the Inſurrection of Corah Dathan and Abiram, who withſtood Moſes, and they and theirs with them muſt be ſwallowed up into the Earth and goe into the Abyſſe of Hell.

15. Upon which the Innocent, and falſly accuſed Man, who fate juſt at a Pillar right over againſt the Preaching Pulpit; where he had his Seate, and heard it all with patience himſelf; held his peace, till all the People were gone out of the Church, he ſtaying all that while in his Seate; till the Preacher with his Chaplain or fellow Officer, went out of the Veſtrey home through the Church.

16. Then he followed them; and without in the Church-yard ſpake to the Preacher friendly and Courteouſly and asked him, what hurt he had done him; he could not conceive with himſelf, that he had given him one Evill word, prayed him in the preſence of this worſhipfull Chaplaine who was there and went along with him; to put him in Minde of his fault, and Expreſſe it particularly, that be might renounce it and repent, which he [Page] would faine doe, if he did but know wherein he bad transgreſſed.

17. Whereupon the Preacher would anſwer nothing but looked upon him as if he would kill him with his Lookes; and in a rage and Fury burſt out beginning to Curſe and wrong him horribly ſaying: Get the out from me Satan, tumble them into the Abyſſe of Hell with thy diſturbance; canſt thou not let me alone? muſt thou here raile at me and moleſt me? doeſt thou not ſee that I am a Spirituall Clergyman? pointing at his habit or Black Prieſts Gowne, and goe on in my Office.

18. But the troubled and highly wronged Man, gave him this Anſwer Yes worſhipfull Sir, I ſee well that you are a ſpirituall, or Clergy man, and have heard attentively in the Church; and have ſeen that you have ſtood there in your Office, and doe juſtly eſteem you without all further contradiction, for a ſpirituall or Clergy-man; and I come therefore, and entreate you, AS a ſpirituall or Clergy-man; that you will tell me, what hurt I have done you.

19. And turning himſelf to the Other ſpirituall or Clergy-Man the Chaplain, entreated him ſaying worſhipfull deare Sir, help me I pray upon my earneſt intreaty to the Preacher, that he would tell me in your preſence, what I have ſpoken or done againſt him; for which he was ſo vehement againſt me in the Pulpit, and hath ſpoke to the Magiſtrate to aveng it.

20. Upon which, the Preacher was ſt [...]ll more enraged; that he would needs have ſent that ſervant he had behind him, for a Serjeant or City Officer or Bayly, to Take him away and put him in Priſon which the Chaplain ſpake againſt, and prevented it, [Page] ſo that it was not done; and excuſed the Man, and bid him goe home to his Houſe.

21. The Munday Morning following, when the Magiſtrates were met at the Councill houſe; and ſent for the falſe-accuſed before them; they examined him, perceived no Evill in him, they ſound no anger or diſlike neither in words or deeds or behaviour, to proceed from him; nor did they obſerve any thing that was blameable; they asked him what hurt he had done to the Preacher? He anſwered, he knew not, neither could he know from the Preacher himſelf; and therefore intreated moſt ſubmiſſively and earneſtly; that they in their wiſdomes would ſend for the Complainant or Preacher, and cauſe him to ſay what he had done to him!

22. Upon which the whole Councill Concluded, that it was juſt, that the Preacher ſhould be friendly entreated to come to them, and required him particularly to ſignifie the Gravamina or Grevances, and thereupon ſent Two Men of the Councill, Honorably to the Preacher, and intreate him to come to them to the Councell-houſe, or particularly to relate thoſe Grievances to the Members ſent to HIM.

23. Whereupon he was enraged, and ſent them word▪ what had he to doe with their Judgement-houſe or Councill-houſe; what he hath to ſay; that he ſhall ſpeake in the place of God: from the Pulpit, there is his Councill-Throne and Seate of his Profeſſion; what he hath there ſaid; they ſhould follow that, and baniſh the vaine, wicked, reprobate Heretick from the City, that he may no more oppoſe the Holy office of Preaching; and bring the puniſhment of Corah Dathan and Abiram upon the whole City.

24. Accordingly the Lords conſulted, and could not finde [Page] how they ſhould juſtly help the Maſter; ſcaring the vehemency of their, Preacher in his Pulpit; and concluded to baniſh the Innocent Jacob Behme out of the City, in which concluſion ſome Men of the Councill would NOT conſent, but roſe and went their way, but the Reſt execute, and by the Executioners or City officers, cauſe the uncondemned faithfull Citizen, to be inſtantly baniſhed out of the Gates.

25. Which the patient bleſſed Man diſliked NOT; but anſwered, in the Name of God, my Lords, I will doe as you command and depart the City, but may I not goe to my houſe firſt, and take mine along with me, or at leaſt tell them my neceſſity? but they forbad it and denyed him, ſaying they could not alter the Sentence, which the whole Councill had concluded, in which he inſtantly was to be led from the Councill-houſe out of the City, with deriſion and ſcorne; then he ſaid: Deare Sirs, let it be done ſeeing it cannot be otherwiſe; I am contented; ſo he was baniſhed and gone away all Night-long.

26. But the Morning following, when the Councill were met together againe, and had reconciled their diſagreement, they made another concluſion, to hunt after the perſecuted Innocent Man, and ſent up and downe about the Country to ſeeke him, and at length found him, and brought him ſolemnely with honour into the City againe, which was a wonder from God, in the Midſt of thoſe Acts and Decrees of the Devill.

27. Thus much is what I am certainly informed, that it was ſo done.

28. Concerning the Acts or proceedings at Dresden. Dresden I know alſo and can certainly affirme, authoritate aliorum, ſide Dignorum, & exceptione majorum; upon the authority of others worthy of beleefe, and without exceptions; that the Bleſſed Man of God as a Hinde hunted out and In, was Cited to Dresden:

29. And was examined in the Preſence [Page] of the Illuſtrious Prince Elector, by the Chief Doctors aſſembled together, whoſe names were as followeth; Dr. Hoe, Dr. Meiſner, Dr. Baldwine, Dr. Gerrard, Dr. Leiſern, and one Doctor more, which I cannot name at preſent, and Two Profeſſors of the Mathematicks, and appointed to diſcourſe about his writings; alſo in ſeverall wayes, ſet upon him with all ſorts of Theologicall Philoſophicall and Mathematicall Queſtions, but not overcome by any of them nor confounded by any of them, but ſo readily aptly and diſtinctly anſwered thoſe Examiners, that they ſaid not one ill word to him.

30. But the Illuſtrious Prince Electour HIGHLY Wondred at it, and deſired to know the Concluſion of their Cenſure; but they the Doctors and Examinours, excuſed themſelves and intreated the Illuſtrious Prince Electour, that he would have Patience; til the Spirit of the Man ſhould be more plainly Cleered to them; they could not underſtand him; but hoped he would hereafter more cleerely be apprehended by them, and then they might and would give their Judgment but as yet they could not.

31, And THEN the deepely Grounded divinely bleſſed Man asked them againe ſeverall Queſtions, which they were to Anſwer him in, with plaine diſtinction, not unwillingly, nor very Earneſtly, but Occaſionally as it were, becauſe they had heard ſuch Greate Things from ſuch a ſimple Lay Man, beyond THEIR Apprehenſion and not able to underſtand him; but did not upbraid him, but unexpectedly the ſimple Man [Page] held forth to the Theologiſts, the Truth plainly, and diſtinguiſhed from the Fictions, he Honoured them with Great Reſpect, and diſcourſed friendly with them, touched all their Errors, and ſhewed them as with a Finger the Originalls of them.

32. But to the Aſtrologers he ſaid Expreſly, Deare Sirs, obſerve, thus farre is the skill of your Mathematicks right, exact, and grounded upon the Myſteries of Nature; but whatſoever is beyond that, viz. this and this, are Heatheniſh additions, the Ignorance and blindneſs of the Heathens, which we Chriſtians are not to follow.

33. So they left him quietly, and diſmiſſed him in peace; alſo the Illuſtrious Prince Electour, had greate ſatisfaction in his Anſwers; He required him to come to him apart by HIMSELF, and ſpake with him about all Sorts of ſecret Myſteries, and admitted him to him in all Favour, and Gave him liberty to goe to his houſe at Gerlitz.

34. I cannot remember that I have heard certainly more thereof, but I lately heard the Two Drs, Dr. Meiſner, and Dr. Gerhard, Wittenberg. at Wittenberg, ſpeak of Jacob Behme, that they wondered at the Continuation or Connexion & Harmony or agreement of the writings of THAT Man.

35. Dr. Gerhard ſaid, Indeed I would not for the whole world condemne the Man; the [Page]Other Dr. Meiſner anſwered him, nor I neither, my brother, who knoweth what may lye hidden within it, how can we cenſure what we have not apprehended, nor can apprehend; whether it be right, black or white, God convert the Man if he be in an Errour; and keepe us to his divine Truth, and give us to underſtand that further and better, alſo a Minde and apprehenſion to expreſs it, and propagate it to our ability; beſides this ſomewhat was ſaid, but I went away.

36, Another time, I heard the Reverend Dr. Meiſner at Wittenberg ſay; when Jacob Behme was ſpoken of; and being asked what Judgement he would give of him, he anſwered, he deſired neither to Judge, nor procure that the Man ſhould be condemned or ſuppreſſed, or ſilenced, he is a Man indued with wonderfull high Gifts of the Spirit, which a Man can yet neither condemne nor approve.

37. God keep us all in Grace, by his bleſſed knowledg of JESUS CHRIST in US!

The 21. February, A. 1651.

C. W. M. D. Charles Weiſner Medicinae Doctor.

A CATALOGUE of ALL The Books that are known to be Extant written BY JACOB BEHME And now Printed in Engliſh this: ☽: 3: ♓: 1661-2

[Page]

(1) Anno. 1612. THe Firſt Book, called the Aurora; Dated Tueſday in Pentecoſt week: the 37. yeare of his Age: 2. June. printed in a Large Letter in 40. with ſome Notes edded with his own hand, in 1620.

2. 1619. The Second Book. Of the Three Principles of the One only Divine Subſtance, with an Appendix to it, concerning the Threefold Life of Man. in a ſmall letter in 4o.

3. 1620. The Third Book. Of the Threeſold Life of Man. in the ſame Letter. in 4o.

4. 1620. The Fourth Book. Being an Anſwer to Forty Queſtions concerning the Soule, in a Letter to Doctor Balthazar Walter; in the Midſt of the Anſwer to The Firſt Queſtion; is the Scheame, or Figure of the Philoſophick Globe; or Turned Eye, the Eye of the wonders of Eternity; or Looking Glaſſe of Wiſdom; with an Expoſition of it, and of the Three-Worlds ſignified by it: with an Appendi [...], concerning the Soule, The Image of the Soule, and the Turbao [...] Deſtroyereſſe of the Image. in 4o.

5. 1620. The Fift Book Dated in May: divided into Three Parts.

The Firſt, of the Incarnation of Jeſus Chriſt.

The Second: Of the Suffering, Dying, Death, and Reſurrection, of Chriſt.

The Third: of the Tree of Faith. in 4o.

[Page] 6. 1620. The Sixt Book. The Grea [...] Six Points. Alſo a Small Book. of other Six Points. in 4o.

7. 1620. A little Book. Dated the 8. May. Of the Heavenly and Earthly Myſtery. printed with the 6, Points. in 4o.

8. 1620. A Little Book of the Laſt Times. To P. K. being Two Epiſtles: the Firſt To Paulus Keym, Dated 14. Auguſt, and the Second To Paulus Keym, Dated 23. November. Both concerning the 1000. yeares Sabbath, and of the End of the World. Being the 4th. and 5th. of the 35. Epiſtles. printed formerly in 4o.

9. 1621. A Book. De Signatura Rerum: Of the Signatures or Marks of the ſhapes and figures of all things. in 4o.

10. 1621. A Little Book. Dated in March. of Conſolation, to the Tempted Soule, Concerning the Power Complexions. here printed in 4o.

11. 1621. The Firſt Apologie, in Anſwer to Balthazar Tylcken, concerning the Aurora. Alſo,

The Second Apologie Dated 3. July, To Balthazar Tylcken. The Firſt Part concerning Predeſtination.

The Second Part concerning the Perſon of Chriſt, and the Virgin Mary, written of, in the Book of the Incarnation, here printed in 4o.

12. 1621. A Little Booke. Of Conſiderations, upon Eſaias Stieſels Book. Dated 8. April. Concerning the Threeſold State of Man, and the New Birth, of the Laſt Sion or New Jeruſalem, &c. here printed in 4o.

13. 1622. A Large Book of the Errours of the Sects of Ezekiel Meths, or an Apologie to Eſaias Stieſel. concerning Perfection; Dated 6. April. here printed in. 4o.

14. 1622. A Little Book of True Repentance.

15. 1622. A Little Book of True Reſignation.

16. 1622. A Little Book of Regeneration. Dated. 24. June. Theſe Three make the Booke called The Way to Chriſt. Printed in 12o.

17. 1623. A Book of Predeſtination, and the Election of God: Dated 8. February. At the End of it is the following Treatiſe. in 4o.

18. 1623. A Short Compendium of Repentance, Dated 9. February. in 4. and with the way to Chriſt. in 12o.

[Page] 19. 1623. Myſterium Magnum. The Great Myſtery. Dated 11. September. being an Expoſition of the whole Book of Gene [...]s. Printed in a large Letter in Fo.

20. 1623. A Table of the Divine Manifeſtation or an Expoſition of the Threefold World. in a Letter of The True and Falſe Light to G. F. and J. H. with an Expoſition of it. Dated 11. November. Printed at the End of the Myſterium. in Fo. and at the End of the Predeſtination. in 4o. and Part of it belongeth to the Epiſtle Of the True and Falſe Light. printed with the 6. Points. in 4o.

21. 1624. A Little Booke of the Superſenſual Life. Printed at the End of the Way to Chriſt. in 12o.

(22) 1624. A Little Book of Divine Contemplation or Viſion. to the 6. verſe of the 4. Chapter and no further: Printed with the 6. Points. in 4o.

23. 1624. A Book. Dated 7 May. Of the Two Teſtaments of Chriſt; viz. The: Firſt Of Baptiſme. The: Second Of the Supper of the Lord. theſe 2. in 4o.

24. 1624. A Little Dialogue between the Enlightned and the Unenlightened Soule. in 8o. formerly printed with The Two Theoſophick Epiſtles. and with the Way to Chriſt. in 12o.

25. 1624. An Apologie for the Book of True Repentance. Dated 10. April. directed againſt a Paſquil publiſhed in Latine verſe, by the Primate of Gerlitz, Gregory Rickter. here printed. in 4o.

(26) 1624. A Book of 177. [...]heoſophick Queſtions, with Anſwers to 13. of them, printed with the 6. Points. in 4o.

27. 1624. An Epitome of the Myſterium Magnum, called an Abſtract thereof. Printed at the End of that Book. in Fo.

(28) 1624. A Prayer Book for Every Day of the weeke. called alſo the Holy weeke. With Prayers as far as the End of Tueſday, printed with the 6. Points. in 4o.

29. 1624. A Table of the Three Principles or a Key of his writings. Dated in February, to J. S. V. S. and A. v. S. Printed at the End of the Myſterium. In Fo. with an Expoſition of it. alſo with the 6. Points in 4o.

[Page] 30. 1624. A Book of the Laſt Judgment. ſaid to be Conſumed, at the Burning of Great Gloga [...] in Sileſia, in Germany; and no other Copie of it yet found.

31. 1624. The Clavis or Key of his Writings, written in March and April. printed at the End of the Forty Queſtions. in 4o

Alſo LXII. Theoſophick Epiſtles written at ſeveral tim [...]s from 1619. to 1624. 35. of them were printed formerly. in 4o. 2. whereof viz.

The Firſt, concerning what a True Chriſtian is, and

The Second or 10th. of the Killing of Antichriſt in our ſelves. printed in 8o. The 6th. being the Epiſtle of the True and Falſe Light, is printed with the 6. Points, in 4o. The 7th. of the 62. is the Preface to the Superſenſual Life. in 120. the 20th of the 62. is the Preface to the 2. Apologie to Tylcken: and 25. more are here printed in 4o.

The Books which the Authour finiſhed not are thus marked ()

The Life of Jacob Behme. written by Mr. Durant Hotham. is printed at the End of the Myſterium Magnum. in Fo,

All are to be Sold, and moſt of them, by Giles Calvert, at the Black-Spread-Eagle, at the Weſt-End of St. Paules, London.

The Errata belonging to the Apologies.

[Page]

Engliſhers Preface. p. 2. l. 17. r. ſelfe ſame. p. 8. l. 9. r. women.

1. Apologie to Tylcken. Errata.

1. Title. l. 3. f. the r. this. v: 17. l. 4. & 5. dele they may v: 27. l. 1. r. Faith, before; v. 31. l. 3. r. others; v: 46. l. 2. r. conceived in. v. 60. l. 2. dele the †. v: 72. l. 2. Marg: r. 1. Tim. v: 85. l. 5. r. only ſhineth, v: 125. l. 3. f. himſelf, r. his owne. v: 208. l. 2. r. or Angelicall. v: 210. l. 7. f. ſhalt. r. wilt. v: 221. l. 3. r, the * and in the Margin * 1 Cor. v: 233. f. hath, r. had. v: 235. l. 4. * r. in the Margin * Gen: 3. 15. v: 240. l. 2. Margin f. 10. r. 18 v. 242. * Margin f. 3. 11. r. 311. v: 256. l. 3. r. a Lord. v. 270. l. 5. r. and is become. v: 286. l. 2. r. was the Soule. v. 322. l. 3. f. Fire. r. Fires. v. 252. l. 4. f. Make. 4. made. v. 378. l. 6. r. the † Margin † or ſterneſt: v: 389. f. came r. come. v: 412. l. 4. f. as [...]. alſo. v: 443, l. 5. Marg: f. 16. r. 10. v: 450. r. And he the. v: 463. l. 4. r. wouldſt. v: 508. l. 3. r. ſouls of Men. v: 540. l. 2. r. it upon. v: 547. l. 5. dele it. v: 561. l. 3 r. the Divine: 575. l. 3. 4. Ruler in, or manifeſter of, v. 629. f. 69. r. 629.

2. Apologie to Tylcken. Predeſtination and Incarnation.

V. 6. l. 3. r. of the. v: 108. l. 7. f. became r. become. v: 128. r: this. world-Kingdome. v: 155. l. 2. Margin f. 54 r. 5. 4. v: 167. l. 5. r. ſoone come. l. 6. f. * r. † v: 169. l. 7. r. God then. v: 178. l. 6. r. * Margin f. vix, r. viz. v. 198. l. 2. f. to r. with. v. 208. l. 3, f. Man, r. Men, v: 210. l. 1. r. any Mans. v: 262. l. 1. Margin, r. 17, 18. v. 279. l. 5. r. † what. v: 325. l. 2. r. we contend. p. 59. l. 2. r. of Three-page 69. l. 1. for concerning. r. conteining. for 15. r. 25.

The Fower Complexions.

V: 8. l. 8. r. and Careleſſe. v: 9. l. 2. r. Dark, ſad, v: 11. l. 7. r. for their. v: 14. l. 3. r. Complexions. v: 24. l. 1. r. or quality. v: 25. l. 3. r. or Conſtitution. v: 32. l. 3. Marg. f. * r. † v: 34. l. 4. r. though * Margin he periſh in his Anger. v: 35. l. 2. f. Bond, r Band. v: 40. l. 3. r. it is fubtile and will. v: 46. l. 1. f. drawne into, r. aware of. v. 49. l. 4. and ſome what. v: 57. l. 2. r. in that. v: 59. l. 5. f. heare, r. here. v: 63. l. 8. * Margin Schwartz Hans. v: 72. l. 3. r. Devill. v: 74. l. 3. f. at r. of. v: 81. l. 7. r. fellow ſervants. v: 84. l. 4. f. Loſt r. Laſt. v: 85. l. 1. f. * r. † v: 86. l. 3. r. of it v: 114. l. 8. r. of David, * If the † Morning. v: 146. l. 2. f. is r. it. v: 149. l. 10. f. for, r. far. v: 150. l. 6, and 7. f. ſeated r. feared. v: 164. l. 6. f. any, r. an.

Conſiderations upon Eſaiah Stiefel.

V. 15. l. 5. r. or Power. v: 21. l. 18 r. untill in. v: 25. l. 5. Marg: r. * v: 27. l. 1. r: ſhewed. l. 2. Firſt according. v: 27. l. 16 f. beometh r. becometh v: 28. l. 2 f, alſo, r. of it therein where, by the. v: 49. l. 4. r. impregnate v: 56. l. 4. f. all. r. alſo. v: 59. l. 1. r. into the. v: 62. l. 6 Marg. Pſal. 143, 2. v. 72. l. 7. r. will, teare v. 80. r. Menſch, from the Limus. v: 91. l. 3. Marg. † 2 Kings. v: 127. l. 7. f. borne, r. boarn. v: 134. l. 3. r. world; the Paradiſe muſt.

Apologie concerning Perfection.

1. Text, verſe, E. S. v: 2. l. 13. f. or, r. and. I. B. v: 1. l. 2. r. Totall. v: 4. l. 3. Marg. r. * Iſa: l. 4. Marg: r. † Deut v. 8 l. 2. f come. r came. v; 9. l. 2 f. Men, r. Man. l. 5. r † without. v: 21 l 2. Marg r. 32, 33. v: 24. l. 1. r. he is the. v. 62. l. 3. r. be as an. v: 69 l. 1 r. which, [Page] it alſo, r. world, in l. 3. r. one to. v. 95. l. 6. f. of r. in, v: 11 [...] l. 3. r. concluſion. concerning the Creation of Man. v: 135. l. 1. r. He ſaid. v: 162. l. 2 r. Job's words. v: 164. l, 2. Marg. f. 11. r. 1 v: 179. l. 1. r. Therefore ſay 1, v. 181. l 3. r God, whereas: v: 182 l. 6. Marg. f. 13 r. 3 v, 187. l 2, f. out. r. not. l 3 r. Humanity after the Fall: From. v. 190. [...] 3. r. Mother of the Love. v: 203. l. 1. r. voyce, as. v. 221. l. 3. r. that he was. v: 228. l 5. f. reſteth r. reſted. v: 229 l. 4. and 6. and 7. r. awaked, v: 244. l. 2 r. Man, not. v. 245. l 4. f. my. r. the.

II. Text, E. S. v: 3 l. 7 Marg. f. 17. r. 27. v: 4 l. 6 f. come, r. came. I B v, 3 l 10. r. had * Marg * ſee verſe. 221. v: 28. l. 4. r. himſelf, out of and in this, v: 46 Marg f. 28. r 38.

III. Text. E. S v: 30. l 3. f. true, r. truly. I. B. v: 4 l 2. and 3. r. one, contrary. v: 12. l 2, and 3. r. Man, eſpecially, being. v: 19. l. 1. Marg f 3 r. 5. v 26 l 2 r. in-ſtanding, l. 4 r. in-generating. v: 34. l. 2. r. * the. and Marg. * Iſai. 54. 5. v. 40. l. 1. f. Free-will. r. Fire-will. v: [...]2. l. 2. r. †. inward Man.

IV. Text. 1. Point. E. S. IV. l. 3. r. Eternity or Unity. verſe 9 l. 1 r People; that v. 10. Marg. f. 18. r. 8. v; 78. l 5. r. own will: In Chriſt.

II. Point. I B. v: 63. l. 4. r. the vanity. v. 74. l 2, r when I look. v. 78 l. 4. r. ſubſtantiality, in, v: 102. l. 1. r. Mother or Finder, v: 108. 24. f * r. † and in the Marg f. * r. † v: 109 l. 1. Marg. r. 5. Math. 12 4. v: 122 l 10. r ſeede, whence ſinne.

III Point. v: 22. l. 2. f. became, r. become, v: 30. l. 2. f. them, r. the. v: 37. l. 2. r. Marg. † Menſch. v: 45 l 1. Marg. r: 26. 4. v. 68. l 6. r. Serpent, and the Devill, v: 72 l 2 r. 10 a BEAST. v. 74. l. 3. childiſh, That they.

IV. Point. E S. v. 15 l. 8 r. * Sulamith: Canticles. v. 25. l. 9. r. A. * Marg. Marriage. I B. v: 29. l. 2. r. would dwell. v: 45. l 1. r. world, viz. to the. v 60. l. 1. f. This, r. Thus. v: 68. l. 2. † HEE Marg † E. S v: 72. l. 4 r. Tranſmutation or alteration of. v: 78. l 5. r. to the Fleſh. v: 97 l 1. f. conceuning, r. concerning, v. 122 l. 7. put out ſhall. v. 125 l. 1. f. * r. † v: 143. l 1. r. Sweat Bloudy.

I. V. Apologie, to Gregory Rickter.

v: 8. l. 3. r. Spirit, v. 11 l. 6 r. Say. †. Marg. † Math. 25. 40. v. 57. l. 7 r. forſook. v 75. l 2. r and the Life. v 78 l 1 & 2 f. Man, r. Men. v 94 l. 3 r. with Chriſt. l. 4. r. killed them. v 101. l. 2 f Separation, r. Seduction, v. 116 l. 1. for This, r. Thus, l. 4 r beleeve, then I do, v. 120. l 1. r. not a Meere. v. 131. l. 2. r. him up. v. 138. l. 2 r. his heart v. 140 l. 11. f. began r. begun. v. 156 l 2 r. whence he is. v. 178 l 5. r had long agoe torne. v. 179. l 3. f. ſo, r. to, v. 181 l. 6. r. But he rejoyceth. v. 194. l. 1 r a Man. v. 199. l. 5. r. honeſt: here.

L. L

Preface to the Epiſtles, at the End. for M. H. r. M. B.

The Epiſtles 14 l: 1, f. 1661. 1. r. 1621. Ep v. 7 l. 10 Marg f, 18 r 28. Ep. 40. v: 6. l. 1. r. he together. Ep. 43. v: 3. l. 7. r. And I Commit. Ep. 46. v: 10. l. 1. r. eſpecially whom. v: 15. l. 3. f. deſired. r. derided. Ep. 49. v: 5. l. 3. r. Laboratory. Ep. 53. v: 3. l. 1. r. Electors Council. l. 8. Marg. l. 4. r. Luk. 9. 23. v: 7. l. 5. f. to. r. into. Ep. 54. v: 16. l. 3. Marg. f. Kurtzen. r. Kurtz. l. 5. Marg. r. Math. 20. 8. Ep. Dutch. l. 5. r. bey einem. before: Ep. 3. l. 1. r. foregoing ſheete. Ep. 3. v: 2. l. 15. r. vegetives. Ep. 9. l. 1. r. my very. In the Table of Epiſtles Novemb. 17. r. Bernten. l. 37. r. Hr. A.

C. Weiſners Ep. v. 4. l. 5. r. we became. v. 7. l. 9. r. his WIFE, v. 14. l. 1. r. Magiſtrates. v: 17. l. 4. for them. r. thou. v. 24. l. 2. f. Maſter r. Matter.

Information about this book

Title statement

Theosophick letters, or, Epistles of the man from God enlightned in Grace, Jacob Behme ... wherein every where are divine, blessed exhortations to true repentance and amendment : as also plaine instructions concerning the highly worthy and precious knowledge of the divine and naturall vvisdome : together with a right touchstone, or tryall of these times for an introduction to the authours other writings / published in English for the good of the sincere lovers of true Christianity by John Sparrow.Theosophische Send-Briefe. English

Böhme, Jakob, 1575-1624.

Edition statement

1661

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

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Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2006-06 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A69593

ID [STC]

Wing B3415

ID [STC]

ESTC R14771

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

12255619

ID [OCLC]

ocm 12255619

ID [VID]

57413

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This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

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Early English books online.

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A69593)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 57413)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 344:19)

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— Theosophick letters, or, Epistles of the man from God enlightned in Grace, Jacob Behme ... wherein every where are divine, blessed exhortations to true repentance and amendment : as also plaine instructions concerning the highly worthy and precious knowledge of the divine and naturall vvisdome : together with a right touchstone, or tryall of these times for an introduction to the authours other writings / published in English for the good of the sincere lovers of true Christianity by John Sparrow., Theosophische Send-Briefe. English, Böhme, Jakob, 1575-1624., Sparrow, John, 1615-1665?.

Extent

[2], 50, [2] p.

Printed by M.S. for Giles Calvert ...,. London :: 1661.. (Translation of: Theosophische Send-Briefe.) (Seventh title of: The remainder of books. London, 1662.) (Entry cancelled for B3420 in Wing (2nd ed.)) (Reproduction of original in: Union Theological Seminary Library, New York, N.Y.)

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The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.

Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.

Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.

Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.

The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.

Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).

Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site.