The 5th Epistle.

3.

Because Your Nobleness original: "E. G." (Euer Gestrengen), a formal title of address for a member of the lower nobility or a high-ranking official. is such a humble lord, and does not look upon that which the world looks upon, nor regards the cleverness of the high-born, but rather strives after that which the Lord builds from heaven—even though it appears foolish in this world—it pleases Him well to carry out His works through lowly, simple, and child-like people, so that He alone may be exalted, and no one may boast. Thus, Your Nobleness shall certainly hope for that same knowledge Erkantnüß: Boehme uses this to mean a deep, experiential spiritual realization rather than just intellectual facts., which is more beautiful than all the world's splendor and riches. For everything temporal leaves a person, but the little crown of honor of Christ does not leave a person even in death; rather, it brings him to the heavenly host of joy in his true, eternal Fatherland.

4.

Since we know and highly recognize that we are only guests in this world, and lie imprisoned in a foreign inn, in great danger and heavy captivity, and must always fear death, Your Nobleness does very well—acting more wisely than the "clever" ones of this world—to look about and strive for the eternal Fatherland, and not for power and pomp as the world and other high-ranking people commonly do. I have no doubt that Your Nobleness will yet obtain a very beautiful little crown from the Virgin of the eternal Wisdom of GOD Boehme refers to "Sophia," the feminine personification of Divine Wisdom. In his theology, the soul must be reunited with this heavenly Virgin to achieve spiritual rebirth. in exchange. Should this happen, it will be dearer to Your Nobleness than all temporal goods and this entire world with its whole essence and luster. I would not wish to write of this if I had no knowledge of it myself.

5.

For otherwise, I receive little thanks—indeed, only mockery—from the wise of this world, who attribute knowledge and science to themselves out of their own pride, without God’s Spirit. Yet I greatly rejoice to bear reproach for the sake of the name and knowledge of GOD. For if my knowledge had been born from their schools, they would love their own; but because it is from another school, they do not recognize it. They despise it for that reason, just as they did to all the prophets, and even to Christ and his Apostles. I will not let this lead me astray, but rather, as I have begun, I will cling to my GOD and Creator with all the greater earnestness and yield myself to Him; let Him make of me what He will.

6.

I attribute no cleverness to myself, nor do I rely on any purpose of reason Vernunfft: Boehme often used "Reason" to describe the limited, earth-bound human intellect that tries to understand God without the aid of the Holy Spirit., for I see and find very brightly and clearly that God walks a very different path.

7.

Therefore, as we proceed child-like, and not in our own reason,