The Forty Questions of the Soul
Concerning the Author, he was from his youth much addicted to the hearing of Sermons; and hearing that speech of our Saviour's, Luke xi. ver. 13, Your heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask it. And by the differences and controversies in Religion, which he knew not how to satisfy himself in, he was so stirred up and moved, to ask, seek, and knock, that he might know the truth; upon which by the Divine drawing and will, he was in spirit wrapt into the holy Sabbath, in which he remained seven whole days in highest joy, by his own confession. After he came to himself, he laid aside the folly of youth, and was driven by Divine zeal earnestly to reprehend impudent, scandalous, and blasphemous speeches, and did forbear in all his actions the least appearance of evil; and continued to get his living by the labour of his hands, till the beginning of the sixth seculum, which was the year 1600. When he was a second time possessed with a divine Light, and by the sight of a sudden object, was brought to the inward ground or Centre of the hidden nature: yet somewhat doubting, he went out into an open field, and there beheld the miraculous works of the Creator, in the signatures, figures, or shapes of all created things, very clearly and manifestly laid open; whereupon he was taken with exceeding joy, yet held his peace in silence, praising God. But ten years after, in the year 1610, through the overshadowing of the holy Spirit, he was a third time touched by God and renewed, and became so enlightened, that lest so great grace bestowed upon him should slip out of his memory, and he resist his God, he wrote privately for himself (without the help of any Books but the Holy Scriptures) many Books the Titles whereof follow at the end of this work. Which books contain such high and deep grounded Mysteries of the Deity, as have not been revealed since the Apostles' times.
On the 18. Novemb. Stilo novo, betimes in the morning, he called one of his sons, and asked if he also heard that excellent music. He said, No. Then he had that the door should be opened, that that music might be the better heard. Afterwards he asked what o'clock it was. Being answered that it had struck two, he said, It is not yet my time, my time is three hours hence. In the meantime he was heard to speak these words:
O thou strong God of hosts, deliver me according to thy will; O thou crucified Lord Jesus, have mercy upon me, and receive me into thy Kingdom.
When it was near about six of the clock, he took his leave of his wife and sons, and blessed them, and said: Now I go hence into Paradise. Then spake to his son to turn him, and sighing deeply, he mildly and quietly departed this world.
If it were not for the great fruit that I conceive may grow to every one that studieth it, I should be sorry that I am the Instrument to make such things known in my Native Language; and much more unwilling it should be published to the view of so many various minds, as are now sprung up: But my hope is, goodness will get the upper hand, and that the fruits of the Spirit will prevail to the subduing of the Lusts of the flesh. Now I readily submit to the censure of those who have that good desire; and of those who are not proudly and perversely wedded to their own conceits (when they have considered this Author's meaning); whether this will not be as beneficial to us as it hath been to other Nations: Indeed my mind is led to think, that our troubled doubting Souls may receive much comfort, leading to that inward Peace which passeth all understanding; that all the disturbing Sects and Heresies arising from the Darkness and malice of men and Devils, will be made to vanish, and cease by that understanding which may be kindled in them from it. They that rule, will perceive how to effect all their good purposes, to the joy and happiness of them that are subjected to their government; and Subjects will soon learn to obey in everything, as the Primitive Martyrs did, though they should live under such Governors as they did. So God shall be glorified by all men's love to one another, and peace will flourish over all the Earth.
Concerning the Author, he was from his youth much addicted to the hearing of Sermons; and hearing that speech of our Saviour's, Luke xi. ver. 13, Your heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask it. And by the differences and controversies in Religion, which he knew not how to satisfy himself in, he was so stirred up and moved, to ask, seek, and knock, that he might know the truth; upon which by the Divine drawing and will, he was in spirit wrapt into the holy Sabbath, in which he remained seven whole days in highest joy, by his own confession. After he came to himself, he laid aside the folly of youth, and was driven by Divine zeal earnestly to reprehend impudent, scandalous, and blasphemous speeches, and did forbear in all his actions the least appearance of evil; and continued to get his living by the labour of his hands, till the beginning of the sixth seculum, which was the year 1600. When he was a second time possessed with a divine Light, and by the sight of a sudden object, was brought to the inward ground or Centre of the hidden nature: yet somewhat doubting, he went out into an open field, and there beheld the miraculous works of the Creator, in the signatures, figures, or shapes of all created things, very clearly and manifestly laid open; whereupon he was taken with exceeding joy, yet held his peace in silence, praising God. But ten years after, in the year 1610, through the overshadowing of the holy Spirit, he was a third time touched by God and renewed, and became so enlightened, that lest so great grace bestowed upon him should slip out of his memory, and he resist his God, he wrote privately for himself (without the help of any Books but the Holy Scriptures) many Books the Titles whereof follow at the end of this work. Which books contain such high and deep grounded Mysteries of the Deity, as have not been revealed since the Apostles' times.
On the 18. Novemb. Stilo novo, betimes in the morning, he called one of his sons, and asked if he also heard that excellent music. He said, No. Then he had that the door should be opened, that that music might be the better heard. Afterwards he asked what o'clock it was. Being answered that it had struck two, he said, It is not yet my time, my time is three hours hence. In the meantime he was heard to speak these words:
O you strong God of hosts, deliver me according to your will; O you crucified Lord Jesus, have mercy upon me, and receive me into your Kingdom.
When it was near about six of the clock, he took his leave of his wife and sons, and blessed them, and said: Now I go hence into Paradise. Then spake to his son to turn him, and sighing deeply, he mildly and quietly departed this world.
If it were not for the great fruit that I conceive may grow to every one that studies it, I should be sorry that I am the Instrument to make such things known in my Native Language; and much more unwilling it should be published to the view of so many various minds, as are now sprung up: But my hope is, goodness will get the upper hand, and that the fruits of the Spirit will prevail to the subduing of the Lusts of the flesh. Now I readily submit to the censure of those who have that good desire; and of those who are not proudly and perversely wedded to their own conceits (when they have considered this Author's meaning); whether this will not be as beneficial to us as it has been to other Nations: Indeed my mind is led to think, that our troubled doubting Souls may receive much comfort, leading to that inward Peace which passes all understanding; that all the disturbing Sects and Heresies arising from the Darkness and malice of men and Devils, will be made to vanish, and cease by that understanding which may be kindled in them from it. They that rule, will perceive how to effect all their good purposes, to the joy and happiness of them that are subjected to their government; and Subjects will soon learn to obey in everything, as the Primitive Martyrs did, though they should live under such Governors as they did. So God shall be glorified by all men's love to one another, and peace will flourish over all the Earth.
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