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 Câ—cker and here printed off annexed Tuesday 3. December 16â—â— John Sparrow Because I found after the printing of this Sheete 5. Epistles not Engâ—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 this 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 Gatâ— 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 is 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. 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 in 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. 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
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 Appendiâ—â— concerning the Soule The Image of the Soule and the Turbaoâ— 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. 6. 1620. The Sixt Book The Greaâ— 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. 19. 1623. Mysterium Magnum The Great Mystery Dated 11. September being an Exposition of the whole Book of Geneâ—â—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. â—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. 30. 1624. A Book of the Last Judgment said to be Consumed at the Burning of Great Glogaâ— 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 timâ—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 F o 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 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 â— also v 443 l. 5. Marg f. 16. r.
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 * Acts 8. 18. * NOTE †Luk. 17. 21. * Gen 3. 15. †Joh. 3. 7. * 2 Tim. 2. 11 12. †Phil. 3. 10. 11. Rom. 8. 29. * James 1. 12. †1 Cor. 14. 32. * Rev. 14. 13. †NOTE * Searching only doth not find the Pearle †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * The Aurora †Silesia * Mark Meissen Saxony †NOTE The Golden Age will begin in the Midst of the Fire in Babell * Rev. 10. 7. †Math. 7. 7. * NOTE * Gerlitz * Phil 3. 10 11. Rom 8. 29. †Christianus * Wesen †Luke 10. 42. * NOTE 1 Thess 5. 3. * NOTE 1 Thess 5. 3. * Rev 22. 16. †Beuten * Rausche * 1 Cor 5. 3. Col 2. 5. †Heb 3. 13. * Rev 18. 4. †Isai 49. 16. * NOTE †Isa 44. 3. Joel 2. 28. Acts 2. 17 18. * Math 24. 14. Mark 13. 10. †Luke 21. 18. * 2 Pet. 1. 14. * Gerlitz Weicha Sagan * Gal. 6. 7. * Rom 13. 14. Gal 3. 27. Beuten The Apology to Esaiah Stiefel and Ezekiel Meths their followers called Perfectists Brucks Troppen Leuten-meritz Boehmia Lippe Lusatia * Col 3. 16. * NOTE GOTT †KOHT To GOD I am but DUNG or filthy Rottenness * NOTE †Joh. 15. 5. * 1 Pet. 5. 7. †Rom. 8. 28. * Gal. 6. 7. †Conrector Zitta Dresden * The way to Christ Gerlitz * J B. Gods new Planted Rosebud †Psal 85. 8. * Primarius †Gregory Rickter's Book to which J. B. hath written his Apologie * Lignitz Gerlitz Weichbild Lignitz * Answer to Gregory Rickter Leipzig * Messe 42. Sheets 16. Sheets 27. Sheets 6. Sheets 3. Copies of the way to Christ †Lubeck * Dresden †Schlosse * Isai 49. 4. †Math. 5. 12. Leipsig Mart * NOTE Gerlitz Dresden Dresden * Math. 10. 38. and 6 24. Mark 8. 34. Luke 9. 33. Swalbach * The Book of Repentance * Dresden * Prince Elector Palatine and King of Boehmia * Richteren Gregory Richter †Meissen Saxony Thuringen See-Stadten * Rom. 8. 28. †Hans Bergern Schoolmaster to Elias Behme * Michael Hurtzen that wrote Jacob Behme's life after his decease †Matth 28. * Dresden * 1 Cor. 2. 10. †Prov. 16 6. †Rev. 18. 8. * Rev. 18. 4. †Prov. 18. 10. * John 6 44. †Psal 126. 5. * 1 Cor. 15. 43. * The Philosophick Globe see in the 40. Questions of the Soul †Jacob Behmes little Book of the Two Testaments of Baptisme and the Supper * Zolnig * Math. 13. 20. Mark 4. 16. Luke 8 13. * The Three Principles †The Threefold Life * Carmenweise In Meeter Mit Zeigern * The Way to Christ. * ✚ †Joh. 9 17. 31. Ch. 8. 48. * Joh. 10. 19. 20. Gerlitz Dresden J. B's Life at Large with the Book of the way to Christ printed at Amsterdam Anno. 1658. * Lauben * Balthazar Tilken Schweintz †Calvinists * The value 4. 6. Dresden Wittenberg
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 must 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 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 and is subject to us and all whatsoever we then performe or doe THAT is acceptable to him and 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 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 accute 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 Seautâ—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. 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 this 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 all Silesia as also in many places in the 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 the 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 under the Sound of the Seaventh Trumpet 4. 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 forth ITS Roses and the Lilly branch its fruit 6. It is well for him that hath it in his heart it will serve to 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 at 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
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. 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 well 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. 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 and 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 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 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. Vns 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 you 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 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 words GOD 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 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. 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 for 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 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 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 of that which we have sewen 14. I pray Sir from me salute your brother the 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
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 my Answer in writing and would 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. 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. I have now written to Herr Baltasar walter at Leipzig 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 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 to Dresden where I am called to the Prince Electors Councill to speak with them as also with Herr H. Verwaltern of the Laberatory in 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 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 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
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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