Preface.

5. will take pleasure in the fact that we have provided him a short introduction to the Figures These "Figures" are the mystical diagrams or illustrations mentioned on the previous page, intended to visualize the spiritual state of the soul., which we have incorporated into this writing at every appropriate place: We were moved to do this, and our minds original: "Gemüthe"; refers to the seat of emotions and spiritual disposition. were set upon it, as God’s Spirit opened itself and gave us the word to fulfill this desire:

6. Also in order to fulfill, in some measure, that which did not wish to flow from the author’s own pen: Although one cannot express the Divine Riches original: "Göttlichen Reichthum" all at once, but only as much as the Holy Spirit, who holds the key to them, gives one to express at any given time.

7. In that same Outflow of Grace original: "Gnaden-Ausfluß", we then also followed the Process of Jesus In this mystical tradition, the "Process of Jesus" refers to the internal spiritual journey where the believer experiences the stages of Christ's life, from birth to crucifixion and resurrection, within their own soul., regarding what our dearest Savior has done in our humanity since then, and has further promoted in the spirit up to this time, in the power of Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith.

8. Praise God! That we have lived to see the day for which the author so longingly desired in his own time. The birth-labor original: "Geburts-Arbeit"; a term for the intense, often painful spiritual struggle required for the "new birth" or spiritual transformation. with the outer spirit (which heavily weighed upon the outer man The physical, worldly self as opposed to the spiritual "inner man.") surpassed the natural strength of old age; therefore the Virgin Likely referring to Sophia, or Divine Wisdom, a central figure in Gichtelian and Boehmist theosophy who acts as the spiritual bride of the soul. called her Bridegroom to herself, and imposed this strict and hard labor upon those of a younger age.

9. In which we also had Jesus with us, who allowed us to enjoy the labor of the younger years of our Combatant original: "Streiters"; refers to the author as a spiritual warrior or ascetic. for the common benefit of all fellow combatants. To God