THE PREFACE

TO

THE READER.

AS there is no book or treatise that this author has written in which the footsteps and signs of Divine Light and knowledge are not imprinted and discernible—and which may be of special use and benefit to the impartial Christian reader—so likewise these his epistles original: "Epistles" — letters written to individuals or groups., written at various times and occasions to several friends, and thus gathered and collected together, may rightly be considered as one book. This collection is of no small benefit and direction to the reader, lover, and practitioner of that divine light and knowledge which his writings contain and present.

☛ Indeed, the bare letter original: "Letter" — this refers to the literal written words as opposed to the living spiritual essence of a message. of any man’s writings, even if written from a divine gift and a real manifestation of light within the authors themselves, cannot breathe the spirit of wisdom into us. For the sound of understanding cannot be written down original: "Characterized" — represented by written characters or symbols. or painted on paper, any more than the notes and symbols of music can give the actual sound and tune to the ear. Rather, they are a guide for how the skillful musician shall play on the instru-