The Epistles of Jacob Behmen

[...reader with] affectation; arrogance and pedantic original: "Pedantick"; here meaning an obsessive focus on minor details or formal rules to show off knowledge. presumption, to make himself that which in reality he is not, to get a great name, and to distract and captivate men’s minds with strange, high-flown concepts original: "conceits". He does this to gain a selfish confidence and approval from others, to build a sense of self within Babel A reference to the Tower of Babel; here, it signifies a state of spiritual confusion or a prideful, human-made system of knowledge..

But he has written (according to the divine gift which he received) of the greatest and deepest mysteries concerning God and Nature. He has expressed them in such suitable and significant terms and phrases as are best suited to convey them, in their own native and proper idea and meaning, to the understanding and capacity of others. Although few will understand them according to the depth of his meaning original: "sence"—sense, every one may receive benefit according to his capacity—provided that his own image-based imagination original: "fansie"—fancy and the arrogant pride original: "over-weening conceit" of his own light does not bias and hinder him. Without a doubt, his writings are left to posterity as a precious talent A reference to the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25), implying a spiritual resource that must be used and grown. to be improved.

We should not only gather a talkative, historical, and literal theory original: "Notion" of the mysteries, but in all simplicity and sincerity, we must practice the way of regeneration in the Spirit of Christ. We should divinitize To transform or spiritualize our understanding into a divine quality. our knowledge into an effective, working love, and so attain the experiential original: "experimentall"; knowledge gained through personal spiritual experience rather than just academic study. and essential being of it in our own souls.

* Or, Ground

    It would be too lengthy here to speak of that foundation and steadfast base which his writings contain, by which true philosophy...