Selected Extracts

[heaven]ly Father, and taste His sweetness, which is inexpressible; and by contrast, to regard all lust, wealth, and glory of this world as nothing at all, but rather as a hellish poison; as all those who have a desire to follow us shall find for themselves. You must, therefore, continually renew your purpose and desire through constant inward turning into the mind Gemüth A central term in German mysticism referring to the depth of the soul, encompassing the will, emotions, and spiritual disposition., so you will noticeably increase in strength day by day according to the inner man inwendiger Mensch A concept from the Epistles of Paul referring to the spiritual self that grows as the physical or "outer" self diminishes., and become strong enough to destroy the kingdom of Satan and the spirit of the world within you, and easily overcome all obstacles.

2. Therefore, persevere earnestly in prayer, and penetrate deep into GOD, so that we may feel and grasp your spirit; then we will gladly exert our soul’s powers Seelen Kräfte alongside yours and help lead your desire into GOD. It is said: Seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; likewise: Whatever two or three of them ask in my name, it shall be done for them by my Father in heaven, Amen!

An ornamental woodcut divider depicting a central radiant sun flanked by leafy branches.

To B. Z. B. on May 10, 1694.

1. Description of the process through which the author, by means of great humility and steadfast faithfulness, attains the hidden little pearl of the life of Christ Perlein des Lebens Christi. The "pearl" is a common mystical metaphor for the spark of divine life or the presence of Christ within the soul, referencing the "Pearl of Great Price" from the Gospel of Matthew.
2. His state of mind when he subsequently became acquainted with his brother Gichtel. Johann Georg Gichtel (1638–1710) was a famous mystic and leader of a pietist community in Amsterdam; he was a major influence on the author, Ueberfeld.

We once lived in such hunger and divine drawing, as if in a perpetual