Preface.

The God-devoted Silesian nobleman Likely referring to Abraham von Franckenberg (1593–1652), a prominent mystic and biographer of Jacob Böhme. has already answered much with reason and humility in his two-part Apology original: "Apologia"; of which Mr. Holzhausen—though he otherwise mentions his name—remains quite silent. Therefore, I wish to refer everyone to the aforementioned beautiful Apology original: "Apologiam" of the late Mr. von Tschetsch Abraham von Franckenberg was the Lord of Ludwigsdorf and Tschetschen. and will thus settle the matter briefly, especially because a detailed Defense original: "Defension" of the Bohemian Orthodoxy original: "Orthodoxiæ" The author is defending the "orthodoxy" or correctness of Jacob Böhme, the "Teutonic Philosopher" from Görlitz (Upper Lusatia/Bohemia border). is promised in the book fair Catalogs original: "Catalogis" of upcoming publications.

In this regard, it cannot be denied that Jacob Böhme’s foundation is in many ways contrary to the Aristotelian Principles of Philosophy original: "Principiis Philosophiæ". On the other hand, however, most at the universities base their Theology original: "Theologia" upon Aristotle—whom a distinguished Lutheran Chancellor calls a Seducer from the Bible to Aristotle original: "Seductorem à Bibliis ad Aristotelem" within our entrenched scholastic Theology original: "Theologia"—and by such shallow grounds they measure God, angels, humans, and the whole of nature. Thus, it is no wonder that they not only fail to understand this Author original: "Autorem", but must also hold him to be contrary original: "contrar" to Holy Scripture, because they examine Holy Scripture according to their falsely established Logical Canons, Topical Maxims original: "Canonibus Logicis, Maximis topicis", or philosophical rules of the world.

For regarding their Aristotelian Physics original: "Physicam Aristotelicam", the current Gassendists Followers of Pierre Gassendi, who sought to reconcile atomism with Christianity., Cartesians Followers of René Descartes., and others who now philosophize somewhat more freely, sufficiently demonstrate its weak legs—though they themselves likewise bring forward nothing solid against it that does not harbor manifold Difficulties original: "Difficultäten". Their Pneumatics original: "pneumatica"; the study of spiritual beings, souls, or the "breath" of life. are also so much less solid and grounded, the more they dwell in Sensory things original: "Sensibilibus", which they yet with...