Theosophical Epistles

...stand in its own time; for they have a very precious and earnest birth and origin. And when I reflect upon my own small, lowly, and simple person, I wonder at it perhaps even more than my adversary does.

8. But because I recognize in power and light that it is a pure gift from God, who also gives me such a driving will for it that I must write what I see and recognize, I ought to be more obedient to God than to men, lest my office original: "Bistumb," literally "bishopric" or "diocese." Boehme uses it here metaphorically to mean his spiritual charge or divine stewardship. be taken from me again and given to another, which would surely cause me eternal regret.

9. Since Your Honor original: "E. Gestr." for "Eure Gestrengigkeit," a formal title for a nobleman or person of authority. has gained a desire to read the same—perhaps, as I certainly hope, by God’s providence—I will not hide it from Your Honor, since God the Most High has called Your Honor to the first work, to publish the same through His wondrous counsel. When I thought the persecutor original: "Treiber," literally "the driver" or "oppressor." Boehme often used this term to refer to Gregory Richter, the pastor who persecuted him and sought to suppress his writings. had swallowed it up, it sprouted like a little green branch, entirely unknown to me. And as I know nothing of myself as to what God will finally do, and His counsel is hidden from me, as is the path He wishes to walk, I can say nothing of myself. Yet the persecutor might attribute it to an untimely pride in me, as if I wished to boast with my small gift—which I hold only through grace—and so display the thoughts of my heart for my own glory.

10. Thus I say before God and testify before His judgment, where all shall appear and each shall give an account of his deeds, that I myself do not know how this happens to me, except that I have the driving will; nor do I know what I should write. For when I write, the Spirit dictates it to me in great and wondrous knowledge, so that I often do not know whether I am in this world according to my spirit. I rejoice greatly in this, for then constant and certain knowledge is given to me; and the more I seek, the more I find, and ever deeper, so that I often regard my sinful person as too small and unworthy to touch such mysteries. Then the Spirit unfurls my banner original: "Panier." A military standard or flag; here it represents a divine sign of protection and victory in his spiritual struggle. and says: "Stand fast! You shall live in this eternally and be crowned with it; why do you tremble?"

11. Therefore, Noble Sir, I provide you in brief with the ground and causes, as well as the intent and seeking of my writings. If Your Honor is pleased to read something therein, I leave that to Your Honor’s pleasure. I am sending along what has been produced recently since I was with Your Honor...