Preface.

For this we have great cause rather to thank the all-good Father heartily, than to trample underfoot such a jewel The "jewel" refers to the spiritual wisdom and writings of Jacob Böhme, which the author views as a divine gift. through such defamation which runs contrary to Christian love.

If anyone now wishes to make wholesome use of this gift, let them also use the means directed in the Holy Word and used by Jacob Böhme: let them zealously call upon the Most High with a penitent heart and firm trust, and then, setting aside all preconceived opinions, read his writings with the Spirit through which they were made—that is, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit. Under such conditions, the Spirit will neither leave nor fail them. This would be much better than looking askance at the fact that God is so kind and reveals His kingdom to the simple original: "Unmündigen"; literally "minors" or "those without a voice." A biblical allusion to Matthew 11:25, where God hides truths from the wise and reveals them to "babes" or the unlearned..

This then is the main work that I wished to report here in this preface to the God- and truth-loving reader, before I proceed to the following Three Stones Likely a reference to three specific arguments or sections following this preface. and the Christian investigation of the Holtzhausen Appendix Refers to a specific supplemental text by a contemporary critic or author named Holtzhausen. to his Anti-Barclay original: "Anti-Barclajum"; a polemical response to the writings of Robert Barclay, a prominent Quaker theologian. The author is clarifying that while he defends Böhme, he does not necessarily align himself with Barclay's Quakerism., insofar as it concerns the late Jacob Böhme. For Barclay’s cause—whose religion and party I do not profess original: "professire"—does not concern me in this case; although I, and every impartial heart, can easily judge from what is so inappropriately and irresponsibly perpetrated against the innocent Jacob Böhme, what the nature of his Anti-Barclay must be.

Regarding which, I have one last thing to remind the reader in this preface: that from some of my turns of phrase, some might conclude that I myself am against the Holy Office of Preaching The "Predig-Ambt" refers to the established professional clergy and the formal institution of the church ministry. and set myself in opposition original: "oppositè" to it, as if I wanted nothing to