An apology or defence for the requisite refuting of the shamefull, disgracefull writings and horrible libell against the book of true repentance and of true resignation which Gregory Rickter, Primate of Goerlits, hath spread abroad against it in open print answered in the year of Christ 1624, 10 Aprill / by Jacob Behme, also called Teutonicus Philosophus ; Englished by John Sparrow. — Schutz-Rede wieder Gregorium Richter. English

An apology or defence for the requisite refuting of the shamefull, disgracefull writings and horrible libell against the book of true repentance and of true resignation which Gregory Rickter, Primate of Goerlits, hath spread abroad against it in open print answered in the year of Christ 1624, 10 Aprill / by Jacob Behme, also called Teutonicus Philosophus ; Englished by John Sparrow. — Schutz-Rede wieder Gregorium Richter. English

Table of contents

Title page

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The PREFACE To the Reader who loveth God. 1.

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The Libell begins and ſayes.

The Second Part in the Libell.

The Third Part in the Libell. A Spending Penny on the Way.

The APPENDIX to the Libell.

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AN APOLOGIE or DEFENCE For the requiſite Refuting of the ſhamefull, diſgracefull, Writings and horrible Libell, againſt the Book Of TRUE REPENTANCE And Of TRUE RESIGNATION Which Gregory Rickter Primate Of GOERLITS Hath ſpread abroad againſt it, in Open Print.

Anſwered In the Year of Chriſt, 1624. 10. Aprill.

By Jacob Behme Alſo called Teutonicus Philoſophus Engliſhed 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.

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Chriſt ſaith, Matth: 5. 11, 12. Bleſſed are you when Men deſpiſe you, and perſecute you, and ſpeak all manner of Evill of you, for my Names Sake, if they do it falſely; rejoyce and be Glad, you ſhall be well rewarded in the Kingdome of Heaven; for ſo have they perſecuted the Prophets that were before you.

Alſo Matth: 11. 25, 26. I thank thee O, Father, and Lord of Heaven and Earth, that thou haſt hid theſe things, from the wife and prudent, and haſt revealed thou to Babes: Yes Father, for, ſo it pleaſed thee.

The PREFACE To the Reader who loveth God.
1.

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CHriſt ſaith to Pilate: My Kingdome is not of this world; elſe would my ſervants fight for it: John 18. 36. And to his Diſciples he ſaith: Behold I ſend you as Sheep amongſt Wolves, Mat: 10. 16. To ſignifie: that where Chriſt ſhall become manifeſt in a Man; that Man MUST in this world be ſurrounded only with Enemies, who without ceaſing would root out, and kill, Chriſt.

2. Which is the way of all true Chriſtians, for they muſt walk in this world among the Devills Thorns; as now it is with the Name of the Author of that deſpiſed Book, as alſo with his Perſon, that Satan raiſeth his ſtormy winds againſt the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and will not endure Chriſt in his Members, as in this enimicitious Libell is to be ſeen, how enraged Satan is and how abominably he ſlanders and reproacheth theI. B. Authour, and how he ſets himſelfe as a Richter or Judge over Gods work, and would ſuppreſſe and not it out.

3. Dear Reader and Brother in Chriſt, who loveſt God; though I am an Enemy from my heart, to ſuch accurſed, unworthy, reproachfull, contentious writings of controverſie, not accounting thoſe divulged reproachfull writings contrary to Chriſtian Love and Truth, worthy any anſwer at all: Yet for the Command ſake and Love of my Lord Jeſus Chriſt, I would make an anſwer, for their ſakes, who do not underſtand the Matter, and have not read my little Book of True Repentance and Refignation, as the way to Chriſt; nor know my perſon, and who only regard the reſpect and favour, of the Primate; and ſuppoſe he reproacheth me out of Chriſtian zeal, and doth it for the ſake of God, in reſpect of his Office or Miniſtry.

4. As the moſt Part of them are thus lead aſtray, to give him applauſe, and think, he doth right, and that it is all true which he cryeth out on in the Pulpit; ſeeing he makes uſe of Gods Name in it, and thereby ſo cloaketh the Matter, that Men can not ſee his fierce wrathfull Heart, and appeals to his Office and Miniſtry, then the ſimple people which know nothing of his dealing, how maliciouſly he perſecuteth me, and dealeth quite contrary to his Office, and never will examine me, about it, but condemneth what himſelf underſtandeth NOT: therefore have I made an anſwer; to try whether any will become ſeeing and go forth from reproaching the gift of God.

5. And do here with teſtifie in the preſence of God that I have anſwered out of no other intention, then barely for the Love-ſake of our Neighbour.

6. And do admoniſh the Primate, to conſider better of me, for he hath no Lyon to deal with, but a Lamb of JESUS CHRIST; or elſe he will find into whom he hath Pierced, leaſt the Sheep in the Spirit of Chriſt become a Lyon, and the Sheep judge the Wolfe; And this I [...] heartily and faithfully;

Jacob Behme.

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Here followeth the Title of the Libell.

Judicium GREGORII RICHTERI Miniſtri Eccleſiae Patriae Primarij Goerlicij De FANATICIS SUTORIS ENTHUSIASTICI Libris, quorum Tituli ſunt

1. Morgenröthe im Auffgang.

2. Der weg Zu Christo.

3. Von Wahrer Buſſe.

Ad Avertendas finiſtras de Miniſterio Goerlicenſi Suſpiciones.

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Here followeth The Title of the Libell.

The Cenſure of GREGORY RICKTER Miniſter of The Church of GOERLITS And Primate Of that Countrey concerning the ENTHUSIASTICK SHOEMAKERS FANATICK Books The Titles whereof are

1. The Aurora.

2. The Way to CHRIST.

3. Of True Repentance.

For The Removing of the ſcandalous Suſpitions touching the Miniſtry Of Goerlitz

The Libell begins and ſayes.

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I. NEW manner of Speaking, bringeth commonly New Errours along with it.

Anſwer.

2. The Scripture ſaith; Try all things, hold that which is good. 1 Theſſ. 5. 21.

Libell.

3. So many Lines as there are, ſo many Blaſphemies againſt God, are to be found in the Shoemakers Book: which ſtinks abominably of Shoemakers Pitch and Blacking: fy, fy, let this ſtink be far from us.

Anſwer.

4. That little Book teacheth the way to Chriſt, very earneſtly and ſincerely; And that FIRST; how a man ſhould go forth from the wicked wayes of this world, and enter into true Repentance, and put on Chriſt in Faith, and be new born in Chriſts Spirit, and how he muſt be renewed in Mind and Thoughts, and follow or imitate Chriſt.

5. SECONDLY; it teacheth of True Reſignation, how a Penitent Man, muſt give up himſelf to God wholly and altogether and begin and finiſh all his works in divine Truſt and Confidence, and it ſignifieth moreover, how the Devill layes Snares, continually, for the children of Chriſt; that Man cannot otherwiſe go quite through thoſe Snares, then with prayer and true humility; and how Chriſt himſelf brings them through with HIS power, and preſerveth them; and how a Chriſtian Man, muſt beJohn 15. 5. a Branch on the Vine Chriſt, alſo John 6. 53. eat his fleſh and drink his bloud. if he would be a Chriſtian.

6. And THIRDLY; It teacheth very earneſt penitent Prayers; how the poor Soul muſt in Great Earneſtneſſe enter into Chriſts Merits Suffering Death and Reſurrection, and1 Cor: 15. 31. dayle dye away in Chriſts Death, from the Evill Earthly will: And how it muſt go to the Father through Chriſts wounds and bloud-ſhedding.

7. And then FOURTHLY; in the Dialogue or Conference between the Maſter and the Scholar, concerning the Superſenſuall[Page]Life, is ſignified, what our Eternall Fathers or Native Country is, and how the Entrance into it is effected.

This Doctrine is the true Ground of the New Teſtament, as Chriſt and the Apoſtles have taught us.

8. But ſeeing the Libeller ſaith, there are as many blaſphemies againſt God, in it, as there are Lines in that Book; it is manifeſt, that he blaſphemeth and reproacheth the Holy Spiri; in that he calleth Repentance Prayer, a blaſphemy againſt God, for the book treateth only of Repentance and of the New Birth.

9. Dear Herr Richtender Kichter, Sir, thou Judging Judge, where will you go out, or where will you go in, when the Supream, Richter, or Judge, CHRIST, whom you diſgrace, in his Members, will appear in his wrath, and will Richten den Richtenden Richter, Judge the Judging, Judge, and will himſelf be the jus, right or Law, and the Judgement?

10. That Richter, or Judge, will not reſpect a Primate or his followers, which he draws after him, nor any King, Prince or Lord of the world, according to the Authority they have had, nor their Laws, Statutes or Inſtitutions, but will judge the LIFE; and try it in HIS Fire.

11. Where will then your reproachings and diſgracings abide, which you have exerciſed againſt Chriſt in his Members: It is written; he that blaſphemeth the Holy Spirit, hath no forgiveneſſe Eternally, Math. 3. 29. What will you then Anſwer to him? you, who have knowingly blaſphemed his Giſts, and ſo miſerably perſecuted the Children of Chriſt? when Chriſt will ſay, What you have done to theſe the leaſt of my brethren, you have done unto me, what Anſwer will you then Give?

12. You deſpiſe me, in that I am aLay-Man or Ideot. Layick, and not come from the high Schools or Ʋniverſities with my skill or knowledge, and cry out, Fy, upon my Gifts, which yet I have received from God, as a Noble Bounty, which alſo is more dear to me than the whole world, and reproacheſt my Trade or Handicraft, with your crying fye upon it, and calleſt it together with my Gift a ſtink, how can it go well with you, when ſuch reproaching blaſphemies, and your crying fy upon it, whereby, you cry fy upon the Gift of the Holy Spirit, ſhall awaken in you in Body and Soul, and become kindled with Gods Anger? ſo that the world will become too narrow for you? what would you then afterwards give, that you had never done ſuch a thing?

13. The Spirit which now rejoyceth you, that you may have your will upon me, with reproaches, and diſgraces; If that ſhould now become a Helliſh fire and enter into your Conſcience, where will you then remain?

[Page] 14. You force Tears from me, and earneſt Prayers againſt the reproaching or blaſpheming of God, in that you blame me altogether with untruth, have a care, that my Tears become not,Rom. 12. 20. Red hot Coals, upon your head.

15. I have prayed much to God for you, that God would enlighten you, and give you to acknowledge the Truth, but you become continually the worſe, I will be blameleſſe concerning you, if Gods Anger touch you.

16. Why do you deſpiſe me becauſe I am a Layick, and yet have high Divine aud Naturall knowledge? Do you ſuppoſe the Holy Spirit is bound to your Schools or Univerſities? Did not our deareſt Chriſt ſay? My Father will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him for it? Luke 11. 13. Alſo ask and you ſhall receive, ſeek and you ſhall find, knock and it will be opened unto you? Matth: 7. 7.

17. I have received my Gift through earneſt PRAYING and knocking, and reliſh it ſo, that I would not give it for all the worlds Honours and Goods, alſo can never deny or forſake it, wherefore do you aſcribe the Gift of God to the Devill?

18. Do but look back into the world, what kind of ſimple People hath he uſed for his work? what was Abel, Seth, Enoch, and Noah? what were the Patriarchs? Shepheards, none of them was a Doctor: what was Moſes? A Shepheard: what was David? A Shepheard; what were the Prophets, eſpecially Eliſha and Habbakkuk honeſt ſimple people, who were Tillers of the Ground: what was Mary the Mother of our Lord CHRIST? A poor honeſt deſtitute young Maid: what was the Foſter-Father of Chriſt, during his child-hood? A Carpenter: what were Chriſts Apoſtles all of them? poor ſimple Handicrafts-men or Tradeſ-men, as Fiſher-men and the like; why did not Chriſt reject them alſo, ſeeing they had not ſtudyed? did HE cry fy upon them, becauſe they were Handicrafts People, as you do?

19. What was Chriſtian Nobility from the Beginning? even Humility, and the Feare of God; where now lyeth your great boaſting in the Scripture, as alſo in Art? ſhew me it. Saint Paul was a Scribe, learned in the Scriptures, but when he became a Chriſtian, then he muſt firſt1 Cor. 3. 18. become a Fool to his Art and knowledg, that the divine wiſdom might find a place in him.

20. Why do you brag ſo much of your Art, if you call your ſelf a Chriſtian? do you not know, that we are ALL ONE in Chriſt, which is Chriſt us ALL? If Chriſt teacheth us and loveth us, why then do you curſe us; and call, Chriſt in US, a ſtink.

21. Moreover, hath not that an ill aſpect or ſymptome, as if the ill ſpirit were in you, that can not endure Chriſt, nor willingly would ſee, that Men do repent and pray, being you call Repentence and Prayer, a ſtink? which you can not deny, being, you ſay that [Page] every Line is a blaſphemy againſt God; and you forbid the people to read it under pain of Eternall puniſhment.

22. Do but open your Heart, and read that little book aright, you will find ſome what elſe, therein; you have not read it at all, yet, that, I perceive, by the Title of your Libell, for you ſet down the Title wrong, and have not ſeen the little book of true Refignation, of the Imitation or following of Chriſt, therein; you ſet the Morning Redneſſe or Aurora for the Firſt Book, of which you know little, or nothing, and the way to Chriſt for the Seccond Book, and yet it is no ſingle Book, but is only the Generall Title, And the Book of Repentance he ſets for the Third; whereas it is the Firſt in the printed Book, and the laſt, he hath never ſeen.

23. O Primate! Satan hath blinded you, and led you into Anger, that for anger you could not ſo much as read it, but he hath inſtantly made haſte with you, to reproachings and ſcandalizing, for it is a ſtink in his Eyes, thus you have imitated and followed him, do but drive away Evill affections from you, and read it aright, and you will ſee very much otherwiſe therein.

24. Alſo you know, that God hath converted 'ſome thereby, ſo that they are entered into true Repentance, and have attained that very thing which Chriſt hath promiſed us, that is to ſay, the Gift of the Holy Spirit, Luke 11. 13. there are eminent Examples neer by.

25. Theſe Mens Gifts of the Holy Spirit, you call them all, A ſtink, whereby Men may eſpye and diſcerne that this little Book, is altogether againſt the Devill, and that in you no good Spirit muſt dwell, while you blaſpheme the Gift of God, for you ſay; this Stink viz: Repentance and Prayer, which is the whole Contents of this Book, be farre from you, it may well ſo come to paſſe, that Gods Gifts ſhould remove, and be farre from you.

Libell.

26. You ſay alſo that Great Plagues hang over thoſe places, where ſuch Blaſphemy againſt God, unpuniſhed, may be deviſed, divulged, and beleeved; where Men may alſo freely without interruption, think write beleeve and divulge, what they will.

Anſwer.

27. Yes, I beleeve ſo too, that thoſe places, where Men blaſpheme the Gifts of God, and aſcribe them to the Devill, great puniſhments hang over them; Alſo there hangeth over the Ear [...]hly Man, [Page] where ſuch an Earneſt ſincere Repentance becometh exerciſed, cleerly great puniſhment, for he muſt be dayly killed, and be made a Fool to the world, when he ſhall walk in the Divine way.

28. You ſee very well, how I am puniſhed by you, in ſuch wayes, and not only, by you, but you egg; and ſet on the whole City alſo with reproaching, upon my Neck, ſo that they beleeve you, and puniſh me; but it is the Badge Character or Mark of Chriſt.

29. But that you will preſcribe a Modell or platform of FAITH for the People, ſo that they ſhould not every one beleeve in his own Divine Gift, as the Spirit of God in their ſoul, manifeſts or reveals it ſelf, to them; Another Libell is requiſite of that, this is not ſufficient for that purpoſe.

30. But that you threaten them with puniſhment, that I beleeve you in, very well, If you had the Power, then, they muſt either into the Fire, or out of the Land, or Countrey.

31. But that you ſay, the way to Repentance is aE [...]dachte. deviſed Doctrine; that, the New Teſtament, ſaith not, for when Chriſt began his Goſpel with John the Baptiſt, then he ſaid, Repent, Mark 1. 15. and my book ſaith alſo the ſame.

32. The Naturall Man receiveth or perceiveth nothing of this way, 1 Cor. 2. 14. you need not puniſh him, he goeth without that enough in the wayes of the Devill, till Chriſt in Repentance doth enlighten him: Now look upon your ſelf, and try your ſelf, whether your ſelf be in ſuch away, Before you preſcribe to me and other children of God, limits and bounds, in our Gifts of God, whereas your preſcription is but a defaming deſgracefull Libell.

Libell.

33. Further ſaith the Libell; God will wonderfully reſcue his honour, and will not ſuffer his Eternity to be taken away by ſuch Sectarian or ſwarming Shoemakers, Tanners, Taylors, Woman, Prieſts, and Doctors.

Anſwer.

34. I hold the ſame opinion and beleeve ſtedfaſtly, that God, will ſuffer, his honour, which he in JESUS CHRIST, with the victory over Death and Hell, hath manifeſted or revealed in us poor Men, to be taken away, by no Devill, much leſſe a Primate, Doctor, Prieſt, Shoemaker, Taylor, Tanner, or Woman: but whoſoever among theſe, ſhall Repent, and turn himſelf to him, upon thoſe he will beſtow his honour: I beleeve alſo well, that he will deliver his children from all Evill, and fave them.

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Libell.

35. The Poyſon of Arrius, which denieth the Eternity of the Sonne of God, was not ſo bad and pernitious, as this Poyſon of the Shoemaker, which takes away the Eternity from the Eternall Father, and in a blaſphemous way againſt God Teacheth the Quaternity or fourfoldneſſe, in God.

36. The Eaſtern Countreys, in reſpect of the Hereſie of Arrius, have been horrible puniſhed with the Mahumetan darkneſſe, what kind of horrible darkneſſe ſhould we then Expect, if we do not with diligent earneſtneſſe, hunt away and root out this Poyſon out of our Native Country?

Anſwer.

37. To this I ſay cleerly NO; you can not in Eternity Demonſtrate this; that I take away the Eternity from the Father, much leſſe that I teach the Quaternity of the Deity; you have a long time groundleſſely feigned that upon me, and cited my writings with a ſtrange underſtanding, and in the Pulpit ſaid, that I have written, that the Sonne of God was made of Quick-Silver, you ſhould demonſtrate that; elſe it ſhall remain Eternally an untruth, in ſuch untruth it might be well ſaid, Fy upon it.

38. I acknowledge ONE only God; which it the Eternall beginningleſſe one only Good Subſtance, which dwelleth every where without or beyond beſides or diſtinct from all Nature and Creature in it ſelf, and needeth no ſpace or Place: and in ſubject to no Meaſurableneſs, much leſs to [Page] any Comprehenſion of Nature and Creature.

39. And I do acknowledge that this one only God it Threefold in Perſons in Equal Omnipotence and Power, viz: Father, Sonne, and Holy Spirit: and acknowledge, that this Triune Subſtance fills all things alike at once, and alſo hath been the Ground and Beginning of all Things, and ſtill is, and will abide ſo, Eternally.

40. Moreover, I beleeve and acknowledge, that the Eternall Power, viz: the divine breathing or ſpeaking, is flown forth and become viſible; in which out-flown word, the inward Heaven and the viſible world ſtandeth; together with every Creaturely Subſtance; and that God hath made all things by his Word.

41. That I have written in the Aurora, of Salniter, and Mercury, thereby I mean, NOT, the meer pure GOD, I mean HIS out-flown Subſtantiall word; viz: NOTE a ſhadow of the inward Ground, wherewith the word hath introduced it ſelf into a Naturall working, & thereby made that Materiall; ſo I Demonſtrate the Three Principles in Nature, which are viz: a Spirituall [Page]Mercury Sulphur and Sal; and what the Ground and Originall of them is; ſeeing the Totall Nature, together with all Creatures; ſtandeth therein.

42. I have written of Three Births, First of an Eternall beginningleſs Divine; Secondly, of a Heavenly, wherein light and darkneſſe, that is Gods Love and Anger is underſtood; and Thirdly, of a beginning or inceptive temporary one; viz: the viſible world: and I underſtand the Salniter and Mercury in the Third, viz: the Created Subſtance.

43. I demonſtrate what the Heavenly and Earthly Myſtery is; viz: the Holy and pure Element, and its Efflux with the Four Elements, and the Conſtellations. I demonſtrate how the Divine Powers are flown forth out of the Heavenly and become viſible; alſo what the inviſible Ground of all Subſtances, and what Time and Eternity, is. I beleeve very well that you underſtand Nothing thereof, for it is not every Mans, Gift, but theirs to whom God giveth it.

44. But that you ſay, that I by this, will ſearch out the Deity, and call it Devilliſh: thereby you ſhew your ignorance to the day light, that you underſtand nothing of the book of Nature, and alſo do not read the New Teſtament; for Saint Paul ſaith: the Spirit ſearcheth all [Page]things, even the depths of the Deity, 1. Cor: 2. 10.

45. It is not of Mans Ability, but Gods Spirit performeth that ſearching through Mans Spirit: But you call it Devilliſh: if I ſhould ſpeak with you, of the hidden ſecret Myſtery of Nature, you would be able to underſtand very little thereof: but I would demonſtrate to you, my book of the Morning Redneſſe, or Aurora, in all things; if you were not ſuch and angry zealous or furious Man, ſo that a Man could but ſpeak with you; but with ſuch diſgracing; you do but hinder the Gift of God, and make your ſelf unworthy.

46. It ſtandeth written, And after theſe dayes I will poure out my Spirit upon all fleſh, and your Sonnes and Daughters ſhall Propheſie, and your Old Men ſhall have Dreams; and your young Man ſhall ſee viſions. Joel 2. 28. alſo at that time I will pour out my Spirit upon ſervants and hand-mayds: why will you hinder the Spirit of the Lord?

47. If you ſee any of them, then you ſay, he is the Devill, and put reproachfull blaſphemous names upon him, and cry out, Men ſhould baneiſh him from City and Country; pray ſhew in your baniſhing, your Chriſtian Heart.

48. Are you Chriſts Shepheard? where is your Love? wherewith Chriſt hath loved us; and wherewith we ſhould alſo Love one another? John. 13. Doth the Scripture bid you, drive out and hunt any into Miſery? without hearing of any Cauſe? what doth it ſay to you? If thou ſeeſt that thy Brother is a Heathen: then go to him and admoniſh him in private, if he yeeldeth to thee, then haſt thou wonne thy Brother; if not, then take one or two with thee, if he yeeldeth not then, ſhew it to the Congregation, if he hear not the Congregation then account him as a Heathen and Publican, Matth: 18. 15. Not hunt him out, and reproach and condemn him unheard, as you have done to me.

49. You have ſet your ſelf in a Judgement that doth not belong to you: read I pray the Epiſtles of Saint Paul to Titus and Timothy, How a Biſhop ought to be; and then you will find, that you have not a right Biſhops Heart.

50. Why do you reprove my BookOrient Redneſſe. Morning Redneſſe or Aurora, ſeeing you do not underſtand it, alſo it is not written for the Pulpit, or that it ſhould come among the People, I have written it for my ſelfe, for a Memoriall to me, with ſuch words as at that time I could underſtand, what is that to THEE? why have you publiſhed, it, and leant it to other People? None had known of it, if you had not mentioned and divulged it in the Pulpit, and lent it abroad.

51. Thou ſuppoſeſt, thou wilt ſtop and hinder theſe writings; and yet thou thy ſelf art he that furthereſt them; None would have known any things of me and of MY writittings, if THOU thy ſelf hadſt not proclaimed them, and lent them out.

52. Afterward the Learned enquired for them, they have all had [Page] none ſo ill thoughts of them, as you have; Men may indeed find as Learned People among them, as you are, ſurely it is not you alone that have ſtudied, alſo a Man may find more fear of God, in many of them, who read theſe writings, and account them Good, then in you; which you demonſtrate by this Libell, and by your whole Life.

53. But all the works of God, muſt ſerve him, God hath uſed you for an Inſtrument, of this Publication of them, which God hath given me to know; therefore have I patiently a long time, born upon me, your unjuſt reproachings and diſgracings, wherein yet no true word hath been; elfe I would have anſwered you, long agoe.

54. You liken my Book of Repentance, to the Hereſie of Arrius, and ſay, that theMogenlander. Eaſtern-Countryes. Morgenrothe. Eaſtern-redneſſe, or Orient-redneſſe. Eaſtern Countryes, for the ſake of that, are puniſhed with horrible darkneſſe, and if men do not wholly root out my writings; and hunt me therewith: out of the Countrey, then it would go juſt ſo with us alſo.

55. Tell me I pray, whether alſo Lying and Sinne be from the Devill or no; ſhew me the Opinion of Arrius in my little Prayer-Book; there is indeed more Devotion, and divine power in the words of that little book, then is yet at this time come into your heart; which a Man may obſerve by your injurious perſecution, in that you would wholly root out, the Authour, for his divine Gifts ſake, had you the power, I ſhould not live one jot longer.

56. Chriſt ſaid: Be ye Mercifull as your Heavenly Father is Mercifull; forgive and you ſhall be forgiven, Luke 6. 36. Alſo Bleſſed are the Mercifull for they ſhall obtain Mercy; Alſo, Bleſſed are the Or Peacefull. Peaceable, for they ſhall be called the Children of God: Matth 5. 7. 9. Where is your Mercifullneſſ and peacefull Heart? do but once put away the Serpents poyſon from it, and Seaſe from reproaching, and forcing untruth upon me; that I may acknowledge you, that you are a Chriſtian in the Meekneſſe of Chriſt.

57. Hearken, Herr Primarius, Lord Primate: do you know wherefore God took from the Eaſtern Countreys theRev: 2. 5. Candleſtick, as he threatens in the Revelations; It was for the ſake of the Contention Pride and State of the Learned, in that they were only Mouth Chriſtians, and ſought only their Belly God, and earthly Lucifer; and covered the Antichriſt with Chriſt Purple Mantle: and contended about Opinihns, they forſork the Holy Spirit in Power, and ſet themſelves in Chriſts ſtead, they were but contenders and diſputes, and their Aime was only at honour and reſpect.

58. Theſe things the Eaſtern Countreys looked upon and ſaw that in ſuch Contention, Gods Love was not, and in that reſpect they began to doubt concerning the Faith, and ſeeing the Learned did but contend, and one part acknowledged Chriſt, and the other part [Page] denied him, and run on to meer IMAGES and Opinions, wherein none ſaw conformity to the other, then the Potentates thought, with themſelves, who knoweth, how it is with the Prieſts contention, whether there be any thing in IT or no?

59. Then came forth Mahumet, and taught the ONE only God, without Trinity; to whom the people fell away, when they ſaw, that therein there was no ſtrife in reſpect of the TRINITY, for they had enough of ſtrife.

60. Alſo God permitted it to be ſo, becauſe in their Contention they did only blaſpheme CHRIST, then he took the Candleſtick away, and ſo they became Mahumetans, and began to warre and diſpute with bloud and Sword, and drave out the Titulary and Mouth-Chriſtians, and God ſuffered it, that they might no more, contend about Chriſts honour, ſeeing Chriſt honour is onlyNOTE Humility and Love.

61. Behold, and conſider well, how are you, the Learned, at preſent, marked or characterized; howiis it concerning Chriſts Kingdome among you? ſee and compare the Times of Arrianiſme and the ſtrife of the Learned, in reſpect of the Religion of your Times; and your Contention, which you have had along time.

62. Shew me the true Chriſt in Love and meekneſſe, in all your Books of controverſie or Contention, are they not meer libellous papers, and reproachfull ſlanders, and evill affections? wherein every one cryeth out, Hereſie: Matth. 24. 23, &c. Mark 13. 21. Luke 17. 23. Here is Chriſt, there is Chriſt; behold, he is in the Wilderneſſe, in the Chamber, in the Field, Alſo in the Supper, in the Baptiſme and in Confeſſion; and the other ſay No: he is not there, it is only a Remembrance, and ſend forth ſuch blaſphemies reproaches and diſgracings about Chriſts Cup Office and Perſon, as was done in the time of Arrius.

63. Therefore you are now your own Prophet and threaten darkneſſe to your ſelfe; it may very well befall you; and unleſſe you be altogether blind, you may ſee it before your eyes, yet you had rather contend, and reproach Gods children, yes wholly thruſt from you, CHRIST, in his Members, then repent.

64. Thoſe who hitherto have prayed to God, and have confeſſed the peoples Sinnes; they have kept back the deſerved puniſhment but you make haſte, with them, out of the Countrey.

65. And ſeeing you call me Prophet; but with an evill acceptation for ſcorn and diſgrace; therefore I ſhall tell you; what the Lord hath given Me to know; viz: that the Time is born, or come, wherein God will require an account of your ſtrife about the Cup of Chriſt, and puniſh you for it, that which you now fear, and yet do not Repent, THAT will come upon you.

66. And thea you ſhall give an account to God of your reproaching, [Page] for it will be required of you, how you have walked before the Lambs committed to your truſt, with Good Life andTitus 2. 1. 8. ſound Doctrine there you will find a heap of Scorners, in that you have made all Erroneuos and Blaſphemous; and have caſt your poyſon and reproaching upon them, and beſpattered them therewith; where will you become, whenEzek: 3. 18. 20. Chap: 33. 6. 8. Chap: 34. 10. Their bloud will be required at your Hands?

67. Look but upon yourLuke 6. 44. Fruit, the whole City reproacheth in reſpect of your powerings out, upon a Lamb of Chriſt, andJohn 16. 2. think in their ſimplicity, they do right in it, becauſe, you bid them do it; where will you abide, when this Lamb will at the Laſt Judgement Day ſtand before your eyes, and your Auditors or Hearers, whom you have made Blaſphemers, ſhall ſay, behold is not this He, whom we once accounted a Fool, and made ſport in deriſion of him, and accounted his Life a ſhame, how is he now numbred among the Children of Chriſt and hisCol: 1. 12. inheritance among the Saints? Owe Fools and unwiſe, have miſſed the right way; Then will all Curſe you, that you have lead them to ſuch blaſphemy and Reproach; Wiſd: 5. O Primate! be you warned and admoniſhed by the Life of Our Lord JESUS CHRIST; it is time to abſtain; or elſe you will then ſee what hath been here told you.

68. You call, in your Libell, Zu dem Rechten Richter, to the Righteous Judge, that he ſhould awake and defend the Majeſty of God; Now if the Judgement ſhould come vpon you ſeeing you do perſecute! Chriſt in his Members, it is you your ſelf that have called for the Sword.

69. Look I pray upon you own Heart, you paint a Miſt or Smoak before the Eyes of the Church or Congregation, that they ſhould beleeve you, that your Libell is right and true; why then do you not take the Certainty out of the Printed Book? It is likely you have none of them, or it doth not reliſh with you; For earneſt Sincere Repentance puts the Fleſh away; aſſuredly it reliſheth not with you; but the People that read my little Book; and compare it with your Libell; they will diſtinguiſh us, and judge aright.

70. Have a Care, that the Dirt and Burres, which you caſt upon me, do not remain ſticking upon you; I will no more remain ſilent as I have done: abſtinence were good, Peace is a good Country.

The Second Part in the Libell.

[Page]

The Libell ſaith.

71. THe Libell ſaith; The Shoemaker is the Antichriſt.

Anſwer.

72. If I ſhould deſcribe Antichriſt; I could not demonſtrate him Otherwiſe, then that he calleth himſelf a Chriſtian, and covereth himſelf with Chriſts Purple-Mantle; & acknowledgeth and teacheth Chriſt with the Mouth; but his Heart is altogether ſet againſt Chriſt, he teacheth one thing and doth another; outwardly he calleth himſelf a Chriſtian, and inwardly he is a Serpent, he perſecuteth Chriſt in his Members, and reſiſteth the Spirit of Chriſt: he flattereth and playeth the Hypocrite, and will be honoured in Chriſts Name, but is inwardly a devouring Wolfe; as Chriſt calleth the Phariſees, who ſat upon Moſes Seat, and Managed the Law, Matth: 7. 15. But Chriſt ſaid, they were from beneath from the Father of this world, viz: from the Devill, John 8. 23, 24.

73. Herewith I would not touch or diſturb the good Conſcience of any; but would try the Libeller, whether a young Antichriſt doth not peep out of the Shell.

Libell.

74. Thou Meek and Gentle Lord CHRIST ſayeſt, My word is True and faithfull: and thou perjured Shoemaker ſayſt alſo; My words are true; which of them both now ſhall credit and Faith be given to? To THEE thou True and Faithfull Chriſt? or to thee Shoemaker, and thy Dung?

[Page]

Anſwer.

75. CHRIST is the Word of the Father, the way to God, the Truth and the Life, and whoſoever putteth on Chriſt, from his body ſhall flow ſtreams of Living Water; as Chriſt ſaid, John 14. 6. & 7. 38. Chriſt ſaid, Whoſoever eateth my Fleſh and drinketh my Bloud, he continueth in Me, and I in him, John 6. 54. And Saint Paul ſaith: You are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, which dwelleth in you: 2. Cor: 6. 16. Alſo, The Word is neer thee, viz: in thy Mouth and thy Heart: Rom: 10. 8. Deut: 30. 14.

76. To this LivingJohn 1. 14. Chap: 6. 53. Word which is become Man, I have wholly given up my ſelf to be its own; And he, my Lord Chriſt, hath given me his Fleſh and Bloud in My Faiths Deſire, and ſo incorporated tied and united himſelf with me, according to the inward ground of my Soul and Spirit, that I am aſcertained and ſtedfaſtly beleeve, that I am in John 10. 28. his hand, and none can pluck me on thence, alſoRom: 8. 35. 38. none can ſeparate me from the Love of Chriſt, neither Height nor Depth nor Principality nor Power or Authority, nor any Creature ſhall ſeparate me from the Love of Chriſt.

77. He, My Saviour, hath given to me to be Rom: 8. 6. ſpiritually minded, as Saint Paul ſaith: Rom: 8. 14. Thoſe whom the Spirit of God driveth, they are Gods Children, for we have not received a ſlaviſh or ſervile ſpirit, that we ſhould fear again, but we have received A Child-like Spirit whereby we cry Abba Dear Father, that witneſſeth to our Spirits, that we are Gods Children, if we be Children, then we are alſo Heirs, viz: Heirs of God, and Co-heirs with Chriſt, if we ſuffer with him that we may alſo be glorified with him. Rom: 8. 14, 15, 16, 17.

78. Therefore ſay I, I have my knowledge,Gal: 1. 12. Not from Man, or through Man, but from the Gift of my Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, and deſire to ſeduce none from Chriſt, but I ſhew them ſincerely and heartily, how they ſhould, through true Repentance and Prayer Matth: 11. 28. come to Chriſt my Saviour; as my printed little Book teacheth throughout nothing elſe.

79. Why then do you ſeparate me away from Chriſt, and call my words which direct to Chriſt, Dung? It is a ſign, and the way of Repentance, which leadeth to Chriſt ſtinketh like filth, this is the true Colour or Antichriſt, for the Libeller ſpits Fy, and filth, againſt the Repentance and the very earneſt Prayers in my-little Book, and calleth it a ſtink.

80. This I offer to the impartiall Reader to conſider, of, whether this Libell of the Primate, be not dictated from the Antichriſtian Spirit: ſeeing he will preſſe that upon me, I offer it that it might be conſidered and known, from whom he is.

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Libell.

81. Moreover the Libell calls me a perjured Shoemaker, and in the Pulpit he hath called me, a Rascally knave.

Anſwer.

82. This reproachfull defamation, is in all Statutes and Laws of the Empire forbidden upon pain of ſevere puniſhment, that none ſhould diſgrace anothers good Name and honour, or ſhould make any defamatory Libell or diſgracefull writings; He ſhould be the Man to forbid others, and doth it himſelf.

83. O Primate! I ask you, if I had cauſed ſuch a Libell to be printed againſt you, and had So abominably vilified and diſgraced you, to what place would you have ſent it and condemned it? ſurely to the Gallows, and the Authour with it: but what ſhall I ſay to you; even, God forgive it you.

84. I have ſworn an Oath to the Emperour, alſo to the Prince Elector, my Gracious Lord, as alſo to the honourable Councill, and the City Goerlitz, to be true and faithfull in their defence, and that I have firmly kept to this very houre, and you call me a perjured or forſworn Fellow & Raſcally Knave: I have brought my honour & reputation to Goerlitz, and you would bereave me of it, for a perjured Man is not good enough to be in any bodies company.

85. Well now, you ſhould and ought to demonſtrate that I am ſuch a one; and flee with earneſt complaint for it to the Magiſtrate, and implore Juſtice and protection: but ſeeing you oppreſſe me, therefore in the mean time theſe deaming reproaches ſhall reſt upon your ſelfe, ſo long, till you ſet before my Eyes, my perjury.

86. You have ſtudied upon it this Faſting Time, how you might beſpatter Chriſts Children in the whole Church or Congregation with Serpents filth; ſo that they are become Reproachers and diſgrace me, and have not ſtopped there, but moreover cauſed ſuch defaming Poyſon to be printed, that they may read it at home, and tickle themſelves therewith, that the Devill indeed may be proudly Courted and Banqueted in ſtate.

87. I ask alſo your ſelfe, is not that a ſign of the Antichriſt? was not this your Office and Miniſtry, that you ſhould this Faſting Time have conſidered, CHRISTS, Bitter Paſſion Dying and Bloud-ſhedding, and repreſent it well to your Pariſh. Children, that they might alſo have laid it to Heart, but you on the Contrary have this Faſting time, contrived two Libells, and been angry at miſerable People; ſo that you have been fain to leave Chriſts [Page] Paſſion Wounds and Death, lying on the Sick-bed; and you lay your ſelf by it as an awakened Poyſon.

88. Thus unworthy, have you been before the Eyes of God, conſider your ſelf a little ſeriouſly, if men would lay it rightly to heart, it might well make ones Haire ſtand upright, for fear and amazement, that you poſſeſſe the place of God, and ſtand in the ſtead of the Holy Spirit, and yet poure out ſuch poyſon, upon the poor innocent People, and not only here at Goerlitz, but you alſo ſend your diſgracefull writings into ſtrange places and Countreys, and poyſon them, ſo that they help you to reproach and blaſpheme.

89. All this is a certain ſign of the Antichriſt, which the Libell would thruſt upon me: I pray, and he curſeth me. Now judge upon it, thoſe that underſtand, with which of US; Antichriſt, dwells.

Libell.

90. O Chriſt! the Holy Spirit hathHeb: 1. 9. anointed thee with Oyle, more then thy fellowes, and hath made thee a Prieſt. But thou Shoemaker, the Devill hath deſiled thee with Dirt and Dung, and made thee a Heretick.

Anſwer.

91. The Holy Spirit hath anointed Chriſt and his Children with Gods Oyle of Gladneſſ [...], and hath introduced that anointing into our Soul, ſo that we beleeve in him, and that I take or receive to my Self; as a Branch of Chriſt, and have taſted his Anointing, powerfully in me; which I rejoyce my ſelfe IN, under the Croſſe of CHRIST in my bodily Miſery.

92. But that the Primate ſaith, the Devill hath defiled mewith Dirt and Dung: that is true after his manner, for that very Dung, wherewith the Devill hath defiled me, is his reproaching in the Pulpit againſt me, and this Evill dirty Libell wherewith the Antichriſtian Devill, hath defiled me, and made me as a Fool before the whole Congregation: ſo that the Ignorant People, which have a Mind to it caſt ſuch Dirt at me: But the Primate thinks it were better to throw Stones at me for then would the Book of Repentance have a riddance out of the way. But the remembrance of Steven is ſtill taught at this very day, though the High-Prieſts did Stone him: Acts. 7. 57. what God builds, no Devill CAN deſtroy.

93. But that he alſo ſaith: and made thee a Heretick. that is alſo a Ray of Antichriſts colours; for when Men would perſecute the right true Chriſtians, and worry burn and kill them, then hath [Page] Antichriſt cryed out, they are Hereticks; none other Cauſe Men had to bring againſt them, yet thereupon execution proceeded.

94. O how will theſe Hereticks at the laſt Judgement day, be ſet before your Eyes; when they ſhall be ſet, in the divine Power, with Chriſt, in the Judgement, and judge the Antichriſt, who hath perſecuted and killed them; what will you then anſwer to CHRIST, and to me, when your Libell will burn forth IN your Soul? who? hath given you authority ſo to Judge? demonſtrate it out of the Apoſtles doctrine: There is yet time to ropent before I muſt, through Gods driving, ſummon you before the ſevere Judgement of Jeſus Chriſt: Obſerve what I ſay to you! I am a Chriſtian in Chriſt, you call Chriſt in his Member a Heretick, and his power, Dirt or Dung.

95. The Mercifullneſſe of Chriſt calleth you herewith, yet once more, to try whether you will repent, if Not, I will be blameleſſe concerning you, if you be ſet in the Judgement, you have a great Mountain before you, through which you muſt climb up: then if Chriſt leave you, you may well remain Eternally in this Cliffe.

96. Obſerve what is ſaid to you, it is well known, Hypocriſie availeth nothing, it muſt be earneſt ſincerity: to ſinne upon Grace, makes a Man uncapable of Grace, the hour is neer, be perſwaded, you will have no Such Protector or aſſiſtance there; as you draw to your ſelf here, upon which you relye: you muſt ſtand before My eyes, and give an account for your Malice and reproaching Blaſphemy.

97. Chriſt, in me, and in all the Members of Chriſt, citoth you before the Judgement of Chriſt; what ſhall I then ſay to you, for all your ſcandalous blemiſhes you have put upon me here on Earth? I pray you as a fellow Member of my Soul; convert yet, while the Door of Grace ſtandeth open, before the Great Cliffe, or Gulfe between me and you be ſhut: Luke 16. 26.

98. It becometh A High-Prieſt indeed very ill: who ſhould bring into his mouth the Divine word of the Love of Chriſt, that inſtead thereof taketh filth into his mouth, and polluteth Chriſts word, which he ſhould teach; with filth, and ſpit ſuch filth, into the Heart of the People, and poiſon them as you do; for where filth is, there is not at all the Holy Spirit in that Mouth; but Satan.

99. The Chriſtian Church or Congregation, ſhould do well to open its eyes, and obſerve what it is Men teach them, the puniſhment of God followeth; be perſwaded, dear Brethren, there will ſhortly come a Time, wherein you will well ſee, what I here ſay.

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Libell.

100. CHRIST taught Men the divine Commandements, but this fellow teacheth with great earneſtneſſe the Seduction.

Anſwer.

101. Where ſtandeth that in my Book, that I teach Men the outword Verſuckung. Separation? ſhew me that, or elſe it is not ſo. I teach them the Anointing of Jeſus Chriſt, with his delicate humanity after a ſpiritual Kinde, IN us, according to the inward ground of Faith, concerning which CHRIST ſaith, he which Eateth my Fleſh and drinketh my Bloud, he continueth in me and I in him, John 6. 53, 54.

102. For THAT is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, where Chriſts Fleſh and Bloud continueth in us, as Saint Paul ſaith: 1 Cor: 6. 16. Alſo it is the NEW Regeneration, wherein the HOLY SPIRIT in us SEARCHETH THE DEPTHS OF THE DEITY: 1 Cor: 2. 10. It is the outpowred word of the ſubſtantiall Divine Love, which marryeth, and incorporateth, it ſelf with our Soul, as the whole New Teſtament teacheth.

103. Where it is written; Try whether Chriſt hath gotten a form in you, Gal: 4. 19. If Chriſt be to get a form in us; then muſt not that be abſent, if we are to be a Branch on that Vine of Chriſt, then we muſt not cleave to an other: for none can ſerve two Maſters, ſaith Chriſt, Matth: 6. 24. Alſo. My Father will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him for it; when that ſhall come, it will declare me in You: Luke 11. John 6. 14.

104. It is not an outward Seduction, but an inward Enlightning, whence the Soul, when it taſteth thisHeb: 1. 9. Oyle of Joy and Gladneſſe, cometh into ſuch great rejoycing, as is mentioned in my little Book concerning the Noble Sophia; which is, viz: the Subſtantiall Love of JESUS CHRIST.

105. I underſtand very well, that you know not this Noble Sophi. a, it is no good ſigne, that you deny her and call her an Enthuſiaſtris. Enthuſiaſt, I know her well and have a love to her, For, ſhe is my Souls dear Bride; If, I knew her not, then ſurely, I would not have ſuffered ſo very much for her Love ſake, ſrom you and other people.

106. Chriſt ſaith, John 10.John 10. from 8. to the 14. Whoſoever entereth not through me to the Sheep, viz: Into the Sheepfold, But climbeth in, ſome other way, he is a Thief and a Murtherour, and but an hireling, and is come only with ſuttlety to rob the ſheep of their food, and to ſhear off their wool; theſe belong to the Wolves, and have not the Shepheards Crook or Staffe of Chriſt, but the Devills Sheers, and muſt, hereafter eternally howl with the Wolves: But YE ſay, he that entereth not in through the high Schools or Ʋniverſities, he is a Thief and a Murtherour, and ſo you deride the Dore of [Page] CHRIST, viz: the anoynting or Unction of the holy Spirit, and will needs have it to be, that men muſt draw the divine knowledge and skill only from the high Schools or Ʋniverſitles, and bind and tye up Gods Gifts, to AR [...] ▪

107. But Chriſt teacheth us quite otherwiſe, that this thing is hidden from the wiſe and prudent, and revealed to the ſeeking and hungry Babes: Math. 11. 25. As Mary alſo ſaith; He thrufleth out the Mighty from their Seat, and exalteth the miſerable and lowly, who are humble in their hearts before him, Luke 1. 12. She meaneth not Might and Authority but Spirit and Power.

108. O Primate! I had much to ſay to you here; but I know not whether it would be well beſtowed or no, for you would cover your ſelf only with Chriſts Purple Mantl [...]; that you might liveRom: 13. 13, 14. according to the Luſts of the fleſh; you would not become regenerated, and dayly dye away from ſinne,Eph: 2. 3. but only comfort your ſelf, that it is Chriſt, hath done it.

109. But I tell you, it will not availe you, unleſs you put on Chriſts Satisfaction, through earneſt Ropentance and turning in, to grace; and become a Branch on the ſtock of the Vine Chriſt, that Chriſt in you alſo doe kill ſinne, and renew to you your ſenſes thoughts and mind, ſo that you deſire to imitate Chriſt, elſe will your tickling, be unavailable, and be only an hypocriticall flattering Shew.

110. I tell it you in love, obſerve it well. I have received it from God, ſo that I know it, alſo the New Teſtament throughout teacheth you the ſame; I have in my little Book very well ſignified to you; that No man knoweth or underſtandeth, this Noble Sophiah, in the feeling or Experimentall Love of JESUS CHRIST,John 3. 27. unleſſe it be given him from God.

111. I will not here further caſt the pearle under your feet, till you are fit and prepared for it in true Repentance, if that were done, which I would wiſh, then would I have further ſpeech with you about it, for now you are not yet worthy of it, ſeeing you contemn it.

112. In that regard alſo, is your teaching ſo cold, becauſe you have not this power in you, for you yet have not the right Hammer to ſtrike the Clock, you cannot yet ſtrike the Clock which awakeneth the poor captive Soul, you muſt uſe the right Hammer; if you would ſtrike the right Hour and awake the Soul out of ſleep; you have the WORD indeed, but the right power is not in you, wherewith you ſhould Co work with the Litterall Word it ſelf; Therefore ſaid Chriſt, The ſheep hear not the voice of the Hireling, John 10. 3. for his crying and calling is but meer jugling, and a fighting with a ſhadow; He is with his teaching, without Gods Hammer, but a Jugler, a Belly-Hammer, an Ear-Hammer, aud not a Soul-Hammer.

[Page] 113. This Power, which I mean, is the Doro, to the Sheep, you often uſe with your blaſpheming reproaches, Satans Hammer, under Chriſts Purple Mantle, your Heart isas Acts 8. 23. full of Gall and Bitterneſſe. O, alas, it is Time! Repent!

Libell.

114. CHRIST hath directed us to the Word and to the hidden ſecret Myſtery which the Beleeving hearts hold or retain in the Faith; but the Shoemaker leads us to head-longVerzuckung. Seduction, and to Dreams which rob the beleeving hearts of Faith.

Anſwer.

115. I lead not Men away from the Preached and written Word; you do me wrong in that, but I ſay, that they ſhould bring along with them the Temple of JESUS CHRIST, to the preached or written word, viz: a Repentant hungry Soul, which heareth in its own ſelf Chriſt, which is, viz: the LIVING Word, in the Litterall and preached Word; as David ſaith, I will hear what the Lord ſaith in me, Pſal. 85. 9. And Chriſt alſo ſaith: He that is of God, heareth Gods word: and to the Phariſees he ſaith: therefore you hear not, for you are not of God, John 8. 47. alſo you are not my ſheep, John 10. 26.

116. This now I intend in my meaning, that a Man ſhould have divine Ears, viz. a repentant Soul, if he will hear Chriſts voyce, be it in the Preaching, in Reading or Conference; for, this, hath CHRIST taught us, whom I more beleeve then, I do, all ART whatſoever; for the Hiſtoricall Faith, to tickle and comfort ones ſelf with knowing without power, and an earneſt ſincere will, is dead, and but aHusk. Shell, it attaineth not the divine Childſhip or Filiation, it muſt be earneſt ſincerity that will do it.

117. It is not enough, that we go to Church and to the Sacrament, and ſit there an Houre; playing the Hypocrite and hearing a Sermon; wherein oftentimes Wheat and Tares are ſown together, one among another: in that you many times reproach and blaſpheme; No, going to Church makes none vertuous or honeſt; unleſſe he hear in the Church, Gods Word operatively in his Soul, for the Lord ſaith by his Prophets, they draw neer to me with their Lips, but their Heart is farre from me: Ezek: 29. 13.

[Page] 118. Not all that go to Church and ſay, LORD, LORD, ſhall [...] into the Kingdome of Heaven, but they that do the will of my Father in Heaven, ſaith Chriſt; Matth: 7. 2. It muſt not be Hiſtoricall beleeving only, but bowerfull doing; Now if they are to do the Divine will, then muſt the ſame, viz: the Spirit of CHRIST, work powerfully IN them; for Chriſt ſaith, without ME you can do nothing, John 15. 5.

119. Therefore flattering Hypocriſie: and Luke-warmneſſe; availeth not, for the true ſaith is not only an imprinted or imaged figure, but it is power Spirit and Life, it is a Fire of the Divine word; which there burneth, and ſhineth abroad, which Co-worketh with God, the right and true Faith, is the Seat of God, on which he ſitteth and ſpeaketh.

102. Faith is not meer hiſtoricall Breath, wherewith a Man only comforteth himſelf, and flattereth the Evill Beaſt full of falſe and wicked deſires: No, it is a living working Power of God, its burning Fire, is the fire-flaming Love of God, which breakes forth, and doth the work.

121. Your Preaching is all in vain, if CHRIST worketh not through your word in the Hearers, but if that muſt be done; then you Muſt teach them LOVE, not Contention diſgracing and Contemning, you muſt put the Dung and ſcorn out of your Mouth, not Judge falſely, and Blaſpheme or reproach; for in reproachings, SATAN worketh, but with a pure ſoul, CHRIST worketh; the Reproaching, is the ANTICHRIST.

122. But that you ſay; I direct Men to Dreams, that is worthy of no anſwer, for it is not ſo: this reproaching is alſo a Signaturo or Sign of Antichriſt, which thus defileth the children of Chriſt, ſhew it, or it is not true.

123. But that you alſo ſay; My Dreams, for ſuch you hold my writings to be, do rob the beleeving hearts, of FAITH, that alſo is not ſo, but they lead Men from the Hiſtoricall Faith, from Hypocriſie; to the Living Faith, which is, JESUS CHRIST: and do ſhew them, how they ſhould daily dye away from ſinne, and become new born in Chriſt, and imitate or follow him in Faith and Spirit, and become ONE Spirit with Chriſt.

124. Which makes the Devill, afraid, that Men will no more endure him under Chriſts Purple Mantle, but the time is Born or Come, that his Kingdom ſhall be revealed and brought to ſcorn, which No Primate ſhall hinder, it is ſo ordained of God.

Libell.

125. CHRIST hath handled weighty Matters, [Page]but the Shoemaker, ſlight contemptible matters.

Anſwer.

126. Chriſt hath brought, and ſhewed us the way to Bleſſedneſſe and ſalvation, and the Shoemaker deſireth to walk therein, but Satan calleth it a ſlight and contemptible way, ſeeing it is a Croſſe-way, wherein a Man in this world in miſery and humility muſt follow or imitate Chriſt; for Satan is a Spirit of Pride, and therefore he deſpiſeth the Path of Chriſts Pilgrimage: being this way is ſtraight and narrow, and pleaſeth not the fat Belly, and the Eyes that are full of their own Honour and ſelf-hood.

127. Chriſt hath deſtroyed Satans Kingdom, and generated Chriſtianity, but the Antichriſt hath ſet himſelf in Chriſts Seat, and this the Shoemaker revealeth or Manifeſteth, according to the will of God, and that the Primats ſuppoſeth to be a ſlight contemptible matter; but when the Houre ſhall ſtrike butNote Note See the firſt Apologie againſt Baltazar Tylcken. verſe 5. 40. Seaven: then, it will have been a Good matter.

Libell.

128. Chriſt Contemned worldly Riches, but the Shoemaker deſires them.

Anſwer.

129. CHRIST ſaid, Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy loaden: Matth: 11. 28. Math. 11. He made no difference between Rich and Poor, which came to him; but that the Primate is troubled, that a Layick is helped by Rich people that fear God, thereby, it is likely, he ſuppoſeth, ſomewhat goeth away from him, it belongeth to him alone to converſe with the Rich, for his own Profit, to him belongeth Riches: On the contrary they Shoemaker deſireth no Great Riches, in this world, for he is not Proud, as men may well ſee by him.

Libell.

30. Chriſt led his Life ſoberly, but the Shoemaker uſeth commonly to be full and drunken.

Anſwer.

131. CHRIST was indeed Sober: but what the Primate layes upon the Shoemaker, he is that himſelfe; Men uſe ſometime to take him [Page] from lying drunk under Tables, abroad, and bring him Home: Men may indeed find him oſt drunk in one week, but the Shoemaker not in Three years.

132. This Article he hath wholly taken from his own Converſation. Saint Paul ſaith to the Rom: 2. 1. 3. Romans 2. Therefore O Man, thou canſt not excuſe thy ſelf whoſoever thou art, who judgeſt, for wherein thou Judgeſt another, thou condemneſt thy ſelfe, ſeeing thou doſt the ſame thing, which thou judgeſt; for we know, that Gods judgement [...] juſt againſt thoſe that do ſuch things.

Libell.

133. Chriſt hath abſtained from ſuperfluous Laughter, but the Shoemaker laughs in all that he ſpeaks.

Anſwer.

134. Men find not that Chriſt ever laughed, but only rejoyced in Spirit, but that the Primate, hath imputed Laughter and Phantaſticallneſſe to the Shoemaker, and ſaith, he laugheth at every word, that is indeed an open groſſe untruth, and cannot be made appear; neither can any honeſt faithfull Man ſay it; but that Nature giveth to one to laugh and to be friendly and affable, more then to another, and maketh of another a Saturnine Soure Grim looked Man, that the Primate cannot Mend: he ſhould do well to be ſilent in that, if a Man ſhould deſcribe him,Marcolpbus [...] feigned in Germany, to have been [...]olomons Je [...]r, who [...]hen he was condemned to be hanged, deſired of the King he might choſe the Tree upon which he muſt be executed, which being granted him: he looked a while, and being asked which he choſe, anſwered he could not find any that he could chooſe, and ſo eſcaped for that time; theſe and many other ſtories are in a Book of him, in the German Tongue. and his fooliſh flouts, which he oftentimes in his Tiplings and Quaffings gives forth, a Man ſhould be conſtrained to bring out ſome ſtrange Monſters.

135. It ſeizes upon me with wonder, that he is not aſhamed, being he is an Old Man, in whom a Man ſhould ſeek for wiſdome, that he dares write ſuch open untruths and fooliſh flouting Expreſſions, and cauſe, an honeſt Man of Credit to be oppreſſed, with ſcorn, they are yet worſe then a common jeering flouting Jeſter; this Libell is very like * Marcolphus his filthey ſcurrilous ſcoffings, who allwayes carrieth filth in his Mouth, as this Libell alſo doth.

136. It bringeth but little repute to a Teacher of Chriſt, who ſhould forbid it others, and yet doth it himſelfe: The Shepheards Office, will be handſomely ſerved by it; none ſhould truſt his SOUL to ſuch ſcoffings; he will be deceived: this Spirit ſtandard upon the Sand, and tottereth to and fro, Men may try him now, in ſuch ſcoffings.

137. Men may well know the Fowle by his Feathers: Chriſt ſaid: That which is within, that cometh forth, what the Heart is full of, that comes out upon the Mouth? Alſo, how can you that are evill ſpeak that which is Good? Alſo, Can a Man gather Grapes of Thiſtles, or Figs of Thorns? A Good Man bringeth Good, forth, out of the Treaſure of his heart, and an Evill Man bringeth Evill forth, out of the Treaſure of his Evill Heart, Luke 16. 45.

[Page] 138. This I give now to the Reader, to ponder of, what kind of Good Treaſure can the Primate have in Heart, when he brings forth ſuch wondrous things out of his Heart, there muſt certainly needs ſtick many ſtrange things, therein, which he ought indeed to be a little aſhamed to bring forth; ſeeing he is the High-Prieſt, but if a Man come to him, and but diſpleaſe him with one word, then a Man may hear Satan many times laugh, out from him, with reproachings and blaſphemyes.

Libell.

139. When Chriſt Taught the People, he did it openly, but the Shoemaker uſeth to creep into ſecret Corners.

Anſwer.

140. CHRIST was a Teacher ſent from God, and yet muſt oftentimes, depart from the Phariſees, and Scribes learned in the Scriptures, and go into the Wilderneſſe to teach the People, when they ſaw him teach, they would ſain have killd him, and called him a deceiver and maker of uproars: and ſaid: he had hisOr Art. skill and Doctrine from the Devill: and though they ſaw the wondrous ſigns or Miracles, yet they were ſo Mad and hardned, and ſuppoſed, Teaching, belonged only to them, and did to him alſo, as the Primato doth to the Shoemaker: Math: 11. 10. Luke 7. 34. they called him a Wine-bibber; and Miniſter or Servant, to rich Publicans; And John the Baptiſt preached alſo in the Wilderneſſe; yes in the Wilderneſſe was the Goſpell, of Chriſt began by John, alſo the Apoſtles muſt often for fear of the High-Prieſts, Teach in Corners, and Houſes, as the Acts of the Apoſtles witneſſe.

141. But the Shoemaker is no Preacher, but he giveth only an account of his Gift and knowledge, and ſpeaketh often with Honeſt Hearts, concerning The Way to Chriſt; how we muſt convert and repent, and become new-born, for CHRIST ſaith alſo thus; Where two or Three of you are met together in My Name, there am I in the midſt among them: Matth: 18. 10.

142. The Primne ſhould teach us, that when we come or meet together, we ſhould ſpeak of GOD and of our Salvation, and edifie or build up one another in true Love; on the Contrary, he forbids us this, whereby Men may try what ſpirit he ſerveth; A high Glaſſe of Wine, in his meetings, is better liked by him, then A hearty bleſſed Conference, concerning the New Birth.

143. CHRIST on Earth had no greater Enemies, then the High Prieſts, it will be ſo ſtill at this Day, for all Warres and ſtrife, come [Page] from the High-Prieſts diſputings and reproachings, as it is before our Eyes, if our Eyes be open to ſee it, but the account is neer at hand.

Libell.

144. Chriſt deſired no Kingly honour, but the Shoemaker if he could, would be King, and God to o

Anſwer.

145. CHRIST came upon Earth, poor, that he might have compaſſion on us, and make us rich in Heaven, and like his Dear Angells. The Shoemaker alſo is upon Earth Poor, and deſpiſed, but deſireth from CHRIST the Heavenly Kingly Honour, and to be like the Angels, alſo he deſireth in Chriſt, according to his Inward Faiths Ground, to become with and in CHRIST, Deified, that Chriſts Deity, may dwell and EternallyNote Note abide in him, and that, No Primate ſhall take away from him. Hallelu-jah.

146.Matth: 2. 1, 2. The Starre is appeared which leadeth tho wiſe men or Magi, to the Babe JESU: oppoſe it how thou wilt, O Devill! it is in vain, here is Body and Life: MY Eternall Kingdome with CHRIST and the Holy Angels, can none take away from me; and if the whole world lay full of ſuch Libells, yet I would keep my Kingdome in Chriſt, and tread the Libells under foot, and not ſpare my outward Life for it; I know a better Life, which Chriſt my Lord will give me.

147. Therefore then be gone thou fair wicked world, I ask not after thy Honour, Goods nor Money,Phil: 3. 20. our Converſation is in Heaven with Chriſt, for he is mine and I am his, the Enemy ſhall not part us, Hallelu-jah; Rev: 18. 2. It is fallen it is fallen, Babylon the Great City upon Earth, and become habitation of all Devills and unclean Spirits: Now is the Kingdome of our Chriſt; ſing my Soul, and rejoyce, that the Dragon in THEE, is killed, and the Life of GOD is brought forth again.

Nun laſt zornen Te [...]fell und die Hell,

Gott's ſohn iſt worden unſer Geſell.

Let Devills rage, and Hell, have Indignation;

The Sonne of God, 's become our ſweet Companion.

Libell.

148. Chriſt deſired no Title and vain honour, but the Shoemaker is brag of his Titles.

[Page]

Anſwer.

149. The will of his Father, was the Title of CHRIST, his honour was in God, and he introduced it into our Humanity, and exalted our humanity to the right hand of the Power of God: that very honour he hath beſtowed upon his Chriſtians, that they alſo in him, ſit at the right hand of the power of God, an reign over Sinne, Death, the Devill, Hell, and the World; THIS high Title alſo the Shoemaker claims to himſelf, an deſireth, the higheſt kingly Title in the victory of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, as a Champion over Death and Hell, he deſireth ſuch a high Title, that he may ſtand in the ſtrife againſt Death and Hell, and that, in CHRIST he thinketh, to conquer and overcome the whole world, to be a King in Chriſt; & to rule over all Enimicitious Libells and reproaches of the Primate; otherwiſe, he deſireth no worldly Titles for the Kingdom of a Chriſtan is not of this world: John 15. 19. for Chriſt ſaith, I have called you out of the world ſo that you may be where I am: John 17. 24.

150. But the Primate doth deſire a Title, for he hath ſet his Titles of the High-Prieſts Office, and of his Perſon, in the Libell, with GREAT LETTERS, that men might ſee the Richter, or JUDGE, who hath authority over Chriſts Children, alſo, if one come a little too neer him: and did but forget to take of his Hat, for fear of him, he might well expect-ſome ſtrange king of Title from him, if he were not kickt for his pains.

Libell.

151. CHRIST was ſatisfied with the Name of a Maſter, but this Fellow, will be called Doctor and a New Prophet.

Anſwer.

152. Thomas ſaid to CHRIST, My LORD, and my GOD: Joh. 20. 28. and Chriſt did not ſpeak againſt it; now there is no higher Name then GOD: therefore it is likely the Primate ſeldom readeth the BIBLE; ſeeing, he doth not know, that Chriſt took, a higher Title then Maſter, and before Pilate he ſaid; I am indeed a King; Luke. 23. John 18. 33.

153. It is a Wonder to me, that ſeeing he hath ſtudied ſo much, he is not yet come to that place, where CHRISTS Titles ſtand IN the SCRIPTURE.

154. But that he ſaith, the Shoemaker, will be called Doctor and a New Prophet, that is only his Fiction, as Men uſe in ſuch Libells to ſeign, after the Manner of Poets. The People need not beleeve it all, for a good Man may now and then Erre, eſpecially when a Man is Drunk, an puts on a Vizard a Man can not know him; and though [Page] he were High-Prieſt, if men ſee him go ſo from one houſe to another, then People ſay, there comes a Fool, and many may well ſay, it were the Devill: But it is not all true; the People give them only ſuch a Title, when they aſſume ſuch Images ſhapes or Geſtures; afterwards they become Men again, when they put off the Vizard, many a one goeth ſo, only that he may come to his Paramour or where, then he makes ſome fooliſh Occaſion; but men ſhould not in ſuch matters beleeve the Title, when the People ſay, one with a Vizard, is ſuch a Beaſt, it is Death, or the Devill; No, he is but a captive of the Devill.

155. Thus alſo men Should not beleeve, when the Primate puts Titles upon the Shoemaker, and calleth him A Heretick, A Sectary, Fool, Phantaſtick or Fanatick, Enthuſiaſtick, A Raſcally Knave, A forſworn or perjured Shoemaker, and more, like that they are ſuch ſtretched ſtrained Names, like a Vizard, which the Devill puts upon him, becauſe he is in ſtrife and at odds with him; It is not good to beleeve, though the High-Prieſt himſelf ſay it, men may be deceived, for great people may be miſtaken, for, the Phariſees, were miſtaken in CHRISTS Titles, how then will the Primate not be miſtaken in the Shoemakers Titles, ſeeing he knows that he is but a Laick, and he knoweth not the Name of CHRIST-in him.

156. The good LORD, ſure, was once with ſome Shoemaker, who had touched the Blacking, which made him ſtink, whence is ſo very much angered offended and enraged, that he ſuppoſeth, that THIS Shoemaker alwayes ſmells of that colouring, and therefore he is ſo fiercely enraged againſt the Shoemakers Titles; likely ſome Shoemakers Pitch remains ſticking to his Hands, that is dryed to them, and in that regard, he giveth the Shoemaker ſuch abominable Names, that he is ſtill angry at it: He can not endure the Shoemaker yet, and is afraid, the Shoemaker may defile his own Pen, and therefore forbids him to uſe it: O, Primate! the Shoemaker hath his Titles IN himſelfe, you can not defile them, he will Eternally keep THEM, well nough.

Libell.

157. CHRIST gave the Thirſty, water of Eternal Life to drink, But the Shoemaker runs every Morning, to the Brande-wine or Strong-water, or the Water of Death.

[Page]

Anſwer.

158. Chriſt at this very day beſtoweth on his Children Water of Life, and giveth them His bloud of Love to drink; that very water he giveth to my thirſty Soul to drink, for which I thank him Eternally, that he hath through this Water, made me living and Seeing, that very water I drink; and that is a water for or againſt Death, though the Primate ſpeaketh thereof in a perverted way.

159. But that he ſaith, I run every Morning to the Brande-wine or Strong-Water, that is not true, I may not nor cannot drink any Brande-wine, and have a long time had a diſlike againſt it, it is contrery to me, ſo that I do not willingly ſmell to it; It is a wonder to me, that he being a High-Prieſt, ſhould be ſo very much miſtaken, he would look upon it very ill, if a mean Man ſhould doe ſo, then a Man would ſay, he were a Lyar, I know not at all, what anſwer I ſhould give to ſuch untruth, I beleeve verily that the Satanicall ſpirit of Errour hath feigned this untruth.

160. I counſell you, that you hunt that away, from you, it defileth you with ſuch untruth very much: but if you will have it right, then ſet before me an honeſt honourable Man of credit, whether he be, in the City, or out of the City, whoever he be; that can with truth ſay, he ſeeth me every Morning at the Brande-wine; I appeal to the whole City, and a Noble Councellours Cellar Keeper: whether there be any Man, that can ſay ſo, of me.

161. It is a great ſhame, that you cauſe ſuch untruth, to be printed to the reproach of another; with you, men may well find great Cups and Glaſſes of Brande-wine; but as you are miſtaken and do erre in this, ſo you are miſtaken alſo in all other Articles of the Libell, there is not one of them true in the ſenſe you repreſent them.

Libell.

162. CHRIST ſcarce drank any wine, but the Shoemaker guzzles freely, Outlandiſh wine, and Brande-wine.

Anſwer.

163.John 2. 1. to the 10. Chriſt made Water to be good Wine, John 2. and is himſelf the Good Wine for the thirſty Soul, which my Soul freely loves to drink of; but that the Primate ſaith, I love to guzzle Outlandiſh Wine and Brande-wine, that he takes from his own Example, and thinketh another doth as himſelfe doth; O, no, we poor men have not to pay for it, we muſt be content with a draught of Beer or ſmall Drink as we can buy it, but men muſt give the Primate Outlandiſh wine indeed, though other Gueſts at the ſame time muſt be content with ſmaller.

[Page] 164.Sa [...]k. Spaniſh wine cauſeth, that Men ſometime want or looſe the Primate, for a while, alſo men may ſee by the red Wine-pimples in his Face, that he drinketh ſtrong Wine much more then I, for I have no ſuch ſigns of it as he; he drinks more forraign wine in a week then I in a whole year.

165. But I underſtand very well where the matter pincheth, He knoweth that I through divine appointment, have often been requeſted to go to Great Lords and Noble-men, then thinks he, when we come to meet, we ſit together, and quaff our Fill, as he uſeth to do, with his Companions; But No! the Nobility and Potentates in Authority, which are ſerved with full draughts, do not cauſe me to be ſent for, to them, but only honeſt Lords fearing God, who earneſtly ſeek after Salvaiton.

166. But there is in the Primate a Miſtruſt and grutching, he thinketh ſomewhat is going away from him; but he need not fear it. Thoſe People, which deſire to have ME, they deſire not to have HIM at all, there is a great difference between Hypocriſie or Flattery and telling the Truth to ones Face; whether the Primate will beleeve it or no, it is not my Cuſtome, to ſlatter the Rich for gifts and preſents; as he ſuppoſeth.

167. I believe verily, that ſome Old Ruffians, have brought him thoſe tydings as Newes concerning Me, And the Good Lord hath beleeved it as Goſpel, and with great earneſtneſſe written it, and ſo enraged himſelf at it, that he hath thereupon condemned the poor Shoemaker, unheard, but it would look ſtrangely, if Men ſhould ask after the Ground of it, and compare this Anſwer with the Libell.

168. It is truly a great Matter, for ſuch a Man as you are, ſo to deal with the Truth. The City Goerlitz know very well, that I for a long time without neceſſity, have come into No Mans Houſe, The Tap-houſes and Wine-Cellers, are at quiet for all me; for you have ſo judged and condemned me that I would willingly come no whither; now if I ſhould go to drink in Tap-houſes; how many hundred of your Flouts ſhould I not get; which you have caſt among Common-people, which are all, your Fruits, which will follow you, you may well rejoyce at them.

Libell.

169. Now if by this thou knoweſt the Shoemaker, as the Lyon by his Paw: Wilt thou then read his Books? No, but Shun them as the filthy Spawn of a Devill, and abominable Errour, and hold thee cloſe to the Word of God, and beware of the Shoemakers Scholars or Diſciples, whether [Page] they be Noble-men or Doctors, Taylours, Men or Women; The LORD CHRIST deſtroy Satans Inſtrument, and let not THY Word be ſuppreſſed or obſcured.

Anſwer.

170. In theſe words it may well be obſerved, wherefore, the Libell hath been written, viz: that he might bring to nothing and quite root out my writings, by theſe defamatory Reproaches; It vexes the Devill, that my writings do lay open his Smoak-Hole, and therefore it is, that he paints me with ſuch colours; that NONE ſhould READ me, Men might otherwiſe Repent, and ſo there would be a greater Breach made, to his Kingdome.

171. But this Devill is ſo very Groſſely vile, that he goeth quite Naked, the People may eaſily obſerve him, and learn to know him, for men ſee his Pawes in his diſpoſition and reproachings, and that he is altogether a Poyſonous venemous or Spitefull Spirit; It is now quite an other Time, then it hath been, Men will not now ſo ſuddenly beleeve what every one ſaith; Men will ſee proof for it: why doth he not demonſtrate what he ſayes out of the printed Book; ſeeing he forbids it, to the Congregation of the People: ſuch defamatory reproaches, are no demonſtrations, men may well call them Filth and Dung.

178. He ſpeaketh of the Lyons Paw, by which Men ſhould know the Shoemaker; Now it may well be true, that men at preſent may eaſily ſee the Lyons Paw in Me, how the Lyon with contemning and reproaching, hath griped and clawed Me; but the Bloud of JESUS CHRIST hath hitherto reſiſted the Lyon, elſe he had torn the Shoemaker in peeces.

173. But that he ſaith; the Shoemakers Doctrine is Filth and Dung: therein he calls CHRISTS Mind or Thoughts, and Spirit, Filth and Dung. And that Men ſhould beware of the Shoemakers Scholars or Diſciples, to that, I ſay, I know of No Scholars or Diſciples, but only of Chriſtian Men, where one SOUL is refreſhed by an other: I have no New Doctrine, but only the Old, which is to be found in the BIBLE, and in the Kingdome of NATURE.

174. But that he calls his reproaching Blaſphemies, GODS WORD, which men ſhould hear, only from HIM, and ſhould ſo reproach; as he doth; that I offer to Chriſtian Hearts to conſider of, what Spirits Childe he is.

The Third Part in the Libell.
A Spending Penny on the Way.

[Page]

Libell.

175. THe City of Goerlitz: ſtill driveth thee Shoemaker away, and commandeth thee, to be gone thither, where thy writings are highly Eſteemed; away quickly, and get thee A great way off, thou vain Mouth which reproacheſt and blaſphemeſt GOD, and try thou Miſerable Man, what Miſchief is prepared for thee.

Anſwer.

176. O Primate! keep this Spending Penny for your ſelfe againſt you go to Heaven, I deſire nothing from you: your vain reproaching Blaſphemies, will indeed follow after you for a Spending Penny; 1 Cor: 10. 12. Be not deceived, he that ſtandeth, let him take heed leaſt he fall; Though indeed you perſecute Me, and intend to Banniſh me; who knoweth? who it is, will, perſecute you ſo alſo in a ſhort time.

177. The Signatures, or ſigns of it, are at hand, it is equall that you before hand do to others, as afterwards you would it ſhould be done to you for a Puniſhment; but, you muſt fill up your Meaſure; and if you do not Repent, then will the Evill Spirits one day ſing you a very grievous Song, and command you to go away a farre off from the Countenance of God; For what you do now at preſent, that you do to CHRIST in his Members; and that will He alſo do to you, if you do not quickly convert and Repent.

Libell.

178: Thou art juſt like Oedipus, whom the Earth ſwallowed up; O take heed, that the like doth not befall thee alſo; his Shadow did much hurt the People who ſtood neer him, but beleeve me, [Page] thy Shadow hurteth many of them exceeding much.

Anſwer.

179. The Acts 5. 15, 16. Shaddow of St. Peter did the Devill alſo very much hurt, ſo doth my Shaddow alſo do hurt only to the Devil & ſo Antichriſt; its likely you ſuppoſe, that my ſhadow might hurt you as to your earthly Life; becauſe I make known the imitation or following of Chriſt, and ſo the people, who receive that Doctrine, would require of you, that you alſo ſhould live as the Apoſtles of Chriſt did, and Imitate or follow their example, and that reliſheth not with you, therefore you ſay my Shadow hurteth ſome, viz: the falſe or wicked Spiritualty or Clergy, very Mightily: It may not be otherwiſe; it muſt ſo come to paſſe.

180. But I know, very Many Spiritual Prieſts, or Clergy-Men, whom it will NOT hurt, but do them much good, whoſe Office of the Miniſtry, is ſincerely and earneſtly intended by them; BUT who can, [do any thing], before the Time, which bringeth ALL THINGS to paſſe?

181. If the Primate with his Warning or admonition, intend ſo faithfully, then let him leave, his reproaching Blaſphemies in the PULPIT, and only require me, to come to him, and ſhew me my Errour, if I did but find that he had any thing of Truth, againſt me, and would ſhew me a better way; O how I would cheerfully love him, and faithfully thank him for it; he rejoyceth, that he hath but any thing that he CAN reproach.

182. AT the beginning, after his firſt reproaching Blaſphemy, and perſecution, I bowed and yeelded to him forNote J. B. did forbear writing of his Works for ſix years. Six years together, and wrote No word further of my works, why did not he ceaſe to Reproach? who did any thing to him? But he could not; why? Becauſe God had made him a driving Hammer, that muſt drive on the work.

183. His reproaching hath become my ſtrength and growth, through his Perſecution my Pearl is grown, he hath preſſed it forth, and publiſhed it himſelfe, and in that regard I wiſh him Gods Mercy and Compaſſion, that he might yet partake thereof, ſeeing God hath uſed him for my inſtrument in my work.

[Page] 184. I would deal much humblyer, towards him, if he would convert, then he hath done towards me, He need not think I ſhun coming before his Face; I have a good Conſcience, and wiſh him one too.

185. In no Judgement, to ſentence one, unheard, doth availe, I ſubmit not my ſelf in ſuch a way to his Judgement, for my heart is not convinced, with ſuch a ſentence, I am innocent of all that is laid to my charge; All that he hath ſpoken againſt me in the Pulpit, is quite contrary to my ſence and meaning, and not one true word of it, he hath wreſted and perverted all my words, with a ſtrange underſtanding.

186. Therefore ſeeing I can now, have no other Richter, or Judge, who himſelf will underſtand my Gift, I appeal from his Judicium, Cenſure or Judgement, before the Judgement of my Saviour JESUS CHRIST, till I be orderly heard, then I will give an Account of My cauſe.

Libell.

187. Thou haſt hitherto Imitated or followed after Cerinthus, in that thou haſt feigned and Cooked wondrous Matters, and proclaimeſt horrible things: when this Cerinthus was in the Bath, he deſpiſed the LORD CHRIST, and raged in his railing, babling vehemently againſt GOD, but the Houſe fell down and Slew him: thus was the Teacher together with the Scholars or Diſciples, brought to deſtruction.

Anſwer.

188. Was Cerinthus againſt CHRIST? that I leave as it is, in its own place; I am with Chriſt, and acknowledge JESUS CHRIST for my LORD and GOD: and have ſubmitted and given up my ſelf in Obedience to him, to live according to his Will and Commandement; but that the Primate ſaith, that I have done Like Cerinthus, that needs well to be demonſtrated, elſe it will not be true.

189. But that he ſpeaks of my Wondrous Things; To that I ſay with truth, I have written of No Wondrous things; I have only written, what NATURE and MAN is; but ſeeing this ſeemeth to be wondrous to the Primate, the fault thereof is only this, that He doth NOT underſtand it.

[Page] 190. What can I help that? that he is blind concerning it; I have not written it for him, but only for thoſe, to whom God gives, to underſtand it: Let him remain a High-Prieſt, and not be a Philoſopher or knower of Nature, and ſo we are parted; he ought not to thruſt the old Sects upon me, I have ſeen none of thoſe writings, it is onely his Malice.

Libell.

191. Thy filth O Shoemaker, hath exceedingly defiled OUR City.

Anſwer.

192. You have ſo beſpattered it with Dung of Reproaching Blaſphemy, in regard of the Shoemaker, that Many, ſtink with reproachings; that is the Filth, which hurteth them in their ſouls; you are the cauſe thereof, that it hurteth them; in that they beleeve the reproachings, and take them into their heart, and ſo reproach Gods Gift.

Libell.

193. O, that all thoſe who read thy writings, might away, along with thee into Perdition.

Anſwer.

194. What a Chriſtian wiſh is this of the High-Prieſt? Man could ſcarce, Nay not at all, find ſuch a one, in Caiphas: alſo it might not well ſtand, any where, in the BIBLE: It will ſoon come to that, that his Chriſtian wiſh will be true, that the Sheep will be ſevered from the Goates, and be parted one from another; that the Goats may have ſcope and room in Hell, ſeeing on Earth they could endure none other to be among them.

Libell.

195. Yes, thou haſt kindled or inflamed all Sileſia it ſelf with thy Doctrine, where thou wilt be received by Many whom I very well know; who, as they are in reſpect of their Nobility, much more of Note then others, ſo they have a greater influence upon others, with their Novelties; but [Page] you his Companions, beware and take heed leaſt theſe notorious writings of this notorious Man; and you periſh together.

Anſwer.

196. Men find indeed at preſent in Sileſia, many excellent Learned Men fearing God, which ſee further, then the Lord Primate doth, whoſe Chriſtianity is in right ſincere Earneſt; who walk in the Imitation or following of CHRIST, they read many good Books, which lead to the right ground or foundation Stone; they have not firſt learned of me the Imitation or following of CHRIST; but they had it before, and now do but rejoyce themſelves in this, that God alſo powres out ſuch knowledge into ſimple People, which is indeed A wonder of God.

197. But you aſcribe it to the Devill, as the High Prieſts did to Chriſt; ſome of the Nobility alſo follow after you; yet ſome of the higheſt of the Nobility in Sileſia, obſerve the Time, and ſee, that God hath ſome great Thing in hand, but you are blind concerning it, and hardned, as the Phariſees were alſo in the Time of Chriſt; Therefore the Day of your puniſhment from God, cometh on apace, and is neer, know that.

Libell.

198. O, now then be gone, and come no more, that thou mayeſt miſerably periſh, and rather take a Shoe into thy hand, then a PEN. The 27. March 2624.

Anſwer.

199. CHRIST ſaid, if they Curſe you, then bleſſe them, and then are you the Children of the Moſt high: Matth: 5. 44. Seeing therefore the Primate wiſheth me a Miſerable Death, his wiſh muſt needs be from the Devill, for it runs quite contrary to Gods Will and Commandement, as alſo contrary to all honourable reaſon, and honeſty here: Luke 6. 44. Men ſhall know the Tree by its fruit, and every one may well conceive out of what Spirit and Mind he perſecutes me, and that he doth it to pleaſe SATAN, and is No Miniſter of Servant of Chriſt.

200. But ſeeingNote he curſeth me, therefore, I bleſſe him through the Bloud and Death of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, in the Name of God the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Spirit; Amen: [Page] and wiſh unto him, that this Bleſſing may take effect and light upon him, and generate him to be a Childe and Heir of Eternall Life, that he may become and Eternally remain to be, my brother in the Life of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, Amen, Amen, Amen: and I conclude it with my whole heart, will and deſire.

Dated at Goerlitz the 10. Aprill Anno. 1624.

Jacob Behme.

The APPENDIX to the Libell.

NO Errour is ſo Groſſe or abominable which hath not thoſe that give Countenance to it and Maintain or ſtand by it.

Anſwer.

A Good Man Maintaineth, or ſtandeth by the GOOD, and an Evill, by the EVILL, viz: by reproaching and blaſphemy; But to thoſe that love God, all things muſt ſerve to the Beſt for them, Rom: 8. 28. And if they ſtuck in the Midſt of all Errours, yet they are then in Gods Hands, and preſerved from Thee reproaching Blaſphemer, for it is a horrour to them, and they do not willingly hear People deſpiſe and reproach others.

Libell.

THE Errour is firſt Small, and at length Great.

Anſwer.

CHRIST ſaith, The Kingdome of God is firſt Small, as a grain of Muſtard Seed, afterwards it groweth as great as a Tree. Matth: 13. 31. Mark 4. 51.

[Page]

Libell.

In the World there is alwayes one kind of Comedy or Scene Acted, only with alteration of Time Place and Perſons.

Anſwer.

GOD hath wrought from Eternity, and worketh in Eternity, and yet remaineth ſolely, the ſame, ONE, Only, Eternall, GOD.

This Tranſlation into Engliſh finiſhed this 26. of September, 1659.

Information about this book

Title statement

An apology or defence for the requisite refuting of the shamefull, disgracefull writings and horrible libell against the book of true repentance and of true resignation which Gregory Rickter, Primate of Goerlits, hath spread abroad against it in open print answered in the year of Christ 1624, 10 Aprill / by Jacob Behme, also called Teutonicus Philosophus ; Englished by John Sparrow.Schutz-Rede wieder Gregorium Richter. English

Böhme, Jakob, 1575-1624.

Edition statement

1661

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Text Creation Partnership,

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Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A69596

ID [STC]

Wing B3415

ID [STC]

ESTC R14771

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

12255668

ID [OCLC]

ocm 12255668

ID [VID]

57424

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A69596)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 57424)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 344:18)

Source

— An apology or defence for the requisite refuting of the shamefull, disgracefull writings and horrible libell against the book of true repentance and of true resignation which Gregory Rickter, Primate of Goerlits, hath spread abroad against it in open print answered in the year of Christ 1624, 10 Aprill / by Jacob Behme, also called Teutonicus Philosophus ; Englished by John Sparrow., Schutz-Rede wieder Gregorium Richter. English, Böhme, Jakob, 1575-1624., Sparrow, John, 1615-1665?.

Extent

[6], 36 p.

Printed by M.S. for Giles Calvert ...,. London :: 1661.. (Translation of: Schutz-Rede wieder Gregorium Richter.) (Sixth title in: The remainder of books. London, 1662.) (Entry cancelled for B3396 in Wing (2nd ed.).) (Reproduction of original in: Union Theological Seminary Library, New York, N.Y.)

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