Memoirs of the life, death, burial, and wonderful writings, of Jacob Behmen

...[religious friends, and] interspersed several of Jacob Boehme's original: "Jacob's"; referring to Jacob Boehme (1575–1624), the German mystic most pertinent Letters original: "Epistles" in new translations from the original.

This being finished, he thought further that if everything Mr. Law William Law (1686–1761), an influential English theological writer who was a student of Boehme’s works has said in his writings concerning Jacob Boehme could be collected and presented together in one overview original: "Conspect" or point of view; and if the life, death, etc. of this extraordinary person were to follow it in full; then his work The Way to Christ would be introduced to the greatest advantage. It would serve both as a preliminary example of his excellent spirit and doctrine, and as the natural and best introduction to all his other writings. Thus, all three parts together would form a complete work of general usefulness to all honest and good-hearted people who are incapable of being satisfied with anything less than following their Savior through the mystical death to sin and into the regeneration to eternal life (John 12:24–25).

But having, after a time, found that a new and very fine edition of The Way to Christ had (together with some other short works original: "Tracts" added to it) been printed by S. Hazard at Bath for T. Mills in Bristol, and since published in the old translation—this took away all the hope he had ever held of being able to publish what he had in this manner faithfully, painstakingly original: "painfully"; in this context, meaning with great care and labor, and selflessly compiled for the general good. Yet, a certain providential event recently revived in him, after a while, the hope that this one part of his intended work—namely, the present Memoirs of Jacob Boehme’s Life, etc.—might of itself prove acceptable to the public. It therefore now makes its appearance for that purpose.

But should any well-meaning person still regret, and perhaps wonder, how it could come into the translator's mind to concern himself with—and least of all to take the trouble of translating and publishing—the life of such an obscure original: "dark", unpopular, and even "dangerous" author, the true answer has, he hopes, been provided in advance. He would repeat that it was done sincerely for his own spiritual improvement and for the edification of all sincere and rightly inclined Christians—and for no one else. This is so that such people may be assisted to think both of—