Select Library of Mystics

TO THE READERS.

In these last few years, such a great rumor regarding this Theology has spread everywhere that everyone—the unlearned and the learned alike—has wanted to know something about it; indeed, they have wanted to judge it and chatter about it, whether with good or ill intent. Among other things contributing to some knowledge of this subject, a small book (a) was published in the French language original: "sermone Gallico" containing three or four excellent treatises of a deeply Mystical nature. The first and most prominent of these was that famous German Theology, or Teutonic [Theology] original: "Theologia Germanica, sive Teutonica"; a 14th-century mystical treatise that emphasized the imitation of Christ and the abandonment of the self, nor were the remaining works of any less value. To these was prefixed a Preface which partly indicated the more general principles of Mystical Theology, and partly defended it from the censures of some of its adversaries. In this way, an opportunity was provided so that anyone possessed by a curiosity for this subject could know more certainly—rather than from common rumor—what that Mystical Theology truly was, which was so greatly discussed by everyone at that time, being praised by some and condemned by others. Since

(a) The Real Theology, commonly called the German Theology, with several other treatises of the same nature, etc. Amsterdam, 1700, published by H. Wetstein. original French: "La Theologie Réelle, vulgairement ditte la Theologie Germanique, avec quelques autres traités de même nature &c. Amsterd. 1700. chez H. Wetstein."