The 1st Epistle.

To Mr. Carl von Endern.

In the year 1618, on January 18th.

A large square decorative woodcut initial 'E' featuring ornate leafy scrollwork and floral patterns.
Noble, Stern, and Honorable Sir: along with my wishes for a blessed, peaceful, and joy-filled New Year, and all health-giving prosperity from the holy God—who is present in all things, who is the fullness of all things, and the power of all beings—before all else.

2. Although I, as a simple man, never intended in all the days of my life to converse with such high-ranking people using the gift given to me by God out of His love and grace, or to become known to them through it; rather, after the high light was ignited within me and the fiery impulse Boehme often describes his spiritual awakenings as a sudden "flash" or "impulse" of divine light. overcame me, it was my will alone to write what I actually saw and recognized in the Spirit, and to keep my writings to myself.

3. I saw well what was to come in the future, but it never entered my mind that I should consider that my writings would become known; for I considered myself far too simple simple: "einfältig," meaning unlearned or of low social status, rather than foolish; I only intended to write down that beautiful little pearl-wreath original: "Perlen-Cräntlein." A "pearl-wreath" or "coronet" was a common 17th-century metaphor for a collection of precious spiritual insights or a crown of heavenly wisdom. for myself and to press it into my heart.

4. But because I, as a very simple human being, did not understand—and now see with my own eyes—that God intends it quite differently than I had ever thought; I am only now learning to consider that before God there is no respect of persons, but whoever clings to Him is dear to Him, and He carries out His work within them: for He alone is high, and desires to manifest Himself in the—

Schwa- This is a catchword, "Schwachheit" (weakness), indicating the first word of the following page.