Preface.

[without] prejudices original: "præjudiciis" in true fear of GOD, investigates the writings of Jacob Böhme / he will be powerfully convinced of the truth in spiritual and physical things and fundamentally informed. However, the loving GOD wished to make use of this uneducated instrument original: "unmündigen Werckzeuges"; Böhme was a layman without university training, often referred to as "unmündig" or "minor" in the eyes of the academic establishment. for this purpose / so that no one might set their sights on what is human / but rather recognize / that such wisdom sprouted from a higher source. To this end belongs what the late Jacob Böhme reported to Mr. Paul Kaym on August 14, 1620, with these words:

Regarding the book Day-Spring original: "Morgen-röthe," Böhme's first work, also known by the Latin title Aurora. / which is the first / it could be better explained in many places / for the whole concept / was not yet born within me at that time; as a sudden downpour original: "Platz-Regen" passes by / hitting whatever it hits / so it also went with the fiery impulse / although my intention was not at all / that anyone should read it / I wrote down the wonders of GOD / which had been shown to me, only for myself as a personal record original: "Memorial" / and it also went out without my will / and was forcibly taken from me / and published original: "publicirt" without my knowledge / for I intended to keep it with me for my whole life / and had no purpose with it / unfortunately to become known to such high-ranking people / as has happened: but the Most High / in whose hands and power everything stands / had another purpose for it / as is now evident / that it / as I have been informed / shall [be] in many cities and