Preface.

and lands; which indeed surprises me, and yet also does not surprise me, for the Lord carries out His work wondrously and playfully, surpassing all human reason. Should He need to use a shepherd A biblical allusion to God choosing simple laborers, like the prophet Amos or King David, to do His work; here it refers to Böhme's humble status as a shoemaker. for this purpose—since formal art and external reason refuse to give Him space—His purpose must nevertheless prevail against all the raging of the Devil, etc. The troubled condition of that time also contributed to this. For whoever is well-read in the Saxon Chronicles Historical records of the region of Saxony, where Böhme lived. and knows the troubled state of the Church of God in Saxony during the time Jacob Böhme learned and practiced his trade—it being well known how, because of the Crypto-Calvinists original: "Crypto-Calvinianorum"; a term for Philippists or Lutherans accused of secretly harboring Calvinist views on the Eucharist, which led to fierce social and theological divisions in the late 16th century., the minds of the citizens were so divided that there were almost as many smoldering religions as there were citizens—such a person will be able to imagine how that simple man felt, seeking his salvation with fear and trembling, especially amidst such disruption. On the outside, he could find no help because of the great strife, not knowing whom he should trust or support.

Thus, with God, he found no better way to comfort his soul than to remember the promise of Christ: My Father will give His Holy Spirit to all those who ask Him for it (Luke 11). He prayed unceasingly that God would assure his soul of its salvation and not allow him to miss the truth. Now, the loving Father—who wishes His children to lack no good thing—not only granted this anxious soul’s request but also bestowed such an abundance of Knowledge original: "Erkäntnüß"; in Böhme's theology, this refers to a direct, divinely-granted insight into the nature of reality, rather than academic learning. upon him. Through His all-wise guidance, He intended to use him as a special instrument to light a lamp for those hearts dwelling in darkness amidst such a confused state;