Preface.

truth was desired, so that because the man's writings were somewhat known to me, I wished to show love and serve those souls who had been led astray. I intended to kindly admonish Mr. Holzhausen Referring to the Frankfurt preacher mentioned on the previous page. through these present lines, hoping that he might yet distance himself from the deep spiritual distress and the dangerous snares in which he has entangled himself, through a penitent sobering-up.

As it happens, I am aware of a most reliable example concerning a Superintendent Superintendent: A high-ranking administrative official in the Lutheran Church, similar to a bishop. in this regard, which I have seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears, and at which I was present; the great GOD in heaven knows that these are no lies. And were it not for the sake of a great friendship that I restrain myself, I could include the entire account here (though it might be told by others at another time): how this same man—following a slanderous Sunday sermon delivered against this poor man Jacob Böhme. while he was in good health—was suddenly terrified, contrary to his usual temperament.

That very evening, he was so seized by the Strict Judge A reference to God's divine justice and judgment. that for fourteen days he dared not close his eyes; for if he did, he would perceive within himself the most terrifying hellish figures and a horror accompanied by screaming, yelping, and fear. And even though, upon opening his eyes, he did not see the terrifying hellish spirits so clearly in his soul, a dreadful anxiety and trembling always remained. He would accept no comfort, to such an extent that even when his colleague met him with the most comforting verses original: "tröstlichstẽ Sprüchen," likely referring to biblical passages., he nevertheless said: "The verses are indeed all true, but they no longer apply to me."

On the fourteenth day after such a visitation visitation: In this context, a divine punishment or a traumatic spiritual trial sent by God., which was a Saturday, he let these words be heard in a distinct voice at three o'clock in the afternoon: "Now I must indeed die, and I have deserved it, but I pity my wife and