It is said that from these learned friends JACOB BOEHME acquired the technical Latin terms which he uses in his works ; and we are told that when he first heard from them the Greek word “ Idea,” he became as if electrified, and said, “ I see a pure and heavenly Maiden.” This is the Maiden whom he designates in his works as Sophia or Wisdom, and “ who reflects the Glory of God, of the World, and of Man.”
For some years following, Jacob, in obedience to the Councils’ Injunction, abstained from expressing his thoughts in writing, which was a great hardship to him. He says, “ I had resolved to do nothing in future, but to be quiet before God in obedience, and to let the Devil with all his Host sweep over me. But it was with me as when a seed is hidden in the Earth. It grows up in storm and rough weather against all Reason. For in winter-time all is dead, and Reason says, It is all over with it: But the precious Seed within me sprouted and grew green, oblivious of all storms, and amid disgrace and ridicule, it has blossomed forth into a Lily.” At the expiration of seven years, owing to the urgent solicitations of his friends to set forth his Light, he resumed his writing, and in the few years following before his death he produced a wonderful series <of works.
His book of “ The Way to Christ ” * was published by his
* It is stated by the late Mr. Walton that some of the German editions of this book bear as a motto “ Be earnest : be Earnest,” which has therefore been perpetuated in this Reprint.
‘Prefatory {Memoir . jxfriends, and is the only one of all his Works that was published during its Author's lifetime. Its publication appears to have further incensed the Primate Richter, who assailed Jacob BOEHM E from the Pulpit and the Press with the greatest abuse * some of it being too* bad for repetition. To these attacks Jacob BOEHME published his Defence, written, as one of his Biographers remarks, “ with an earnestness that inspires holy awe, and, at the same time with a most hearty gentleness and love,” — good feelings which it is almost needless to say, were entirely lost upon the Primate.
The superstitious fears of the Councillors too, had again been taken advantage of by the Primate, and Jacob Bo-ehme was brought before them. They dared not accept Jacob's defence ; and extricated themselves from the difficulty by suggesting to him that, asjie made himself liable to be treated as an Heretic by the Emperor, he should, far the peace of all concerned, go into a voluntary exile : which in two months’ time he did, but before many months had elapsed he returned, for the last time, unmolested, to Qoerlitz, to die.
On leaving Qoerlitz he was invited to the Electoral Court at Dresden , where he had, through his writings, become well known. It is stated that the Elector himself much admired him, and assembled all the chief Theologians and two Professors of Mathematics for a conference with Jacob Boehme, in order that they might express an opinion about him. After hearing him, Dr. Gerhard, who is regarded as a great dogmatist of that time, said : “ I would not take the whole World and help to .condemn this man and one of the other Doctors said : “ My good Brother, neither would I. Who knows what stands behind this man ? How can we judge what we have not understood ? May God convert the man if he is in error. He is a man of marvellously high mental gifts, who at present can be neither condemned nor approved and these eminent men who ex- . amined him, afterwards became his warmest admirers.
In England the opinion of those who read Jacob Boehme’ s works was similar to that of the Theologians. Charles the First was a great admirer of them ; and it is related that, after he had rea fyBoehme's Answers to the Forty Questions concerning the >Soul, he said : “ God be praised that there are still men in existence who are abl£ to give from their own experience a living Testimony of God and His Word;” and it is to John Sparrow,
It is said that from these learned friends JACOB BOEHME acquired the technical Latin terms which he uses in his works ; and we are told that when he first heard from them the Greek word “ Idea,” he became as if electrified, and said, “ I see a pure and heavenly Maiden.” This is the Maiden whom he designates in his works as Sophia or Wisdom, and “ who reflects the Glory of God, of the World, and of Man.”
For some years following, Jacob, in obedience to the Councils’ Injunction, abstained from expressing his thoughts in writing, which was a great hardship to him. He says, “ I had resolved to do nothing in future, but to be quiet before God in obedience, and to let the Devil with all his Host sweep over me. But it was with me as when a seed is hidden in the Earth. It grows up in storm and rough weather against all Reason. For in winter-time all is dead, and Reason says, It is all over with it: But the precious Seed within me sprouted and grew green, oblivious of all storms, and amid disgrace and ridicule, it has blossomed forth into a Lily.” At the expiration of seven years, owing to the urgent solicitations of his friends to set forth his Light, he resumed his writing, and in the few years following before his death he produced a wonderful series <of works.
His book of “ The Way to Christ ” * was published by his
* It is stated by the late Mr. Walton that some of the German editions of this book bear as a motto “ Be earnest : be Earnest,” which has therefore been perpetuated in this Reprint.
‘Prefatory {Memoir . jxfriends, and is the only one of all his Works that was published during its Author's lifetime. Its publication appears to have further incensed the Primate Richter, who assailed Jacob BOEHM E from the Pulpit and the Press with the greatest abuse * some of it being too* bad for repetition. To these attacks Jacob BOEHME published his Defence, written, as one of his Biographers remarks, “ with an earnestness that inspires holy awe, and, at the same time with a most hearty gentleness and love,” — good feelings which it is almost needless to say, were entirely lost upon the Primate.
The superstitious fears of the Councillors too, had again been taken advantage of by the Primate, and Jacob Bo-ehme was brought before them. They dared not accept Jacob's defence ; and extricated themselves from the difficulty by suggesting to him that, asjie made himself liable to be treated as an Heretic by the Emperor, he should, far the peace of all concerned, go into a voluntary exile : which in two months’ time he did, but before many months had elapsed he returned, for the last time, unmolested, to Qoerlitz, to die.
On leaving Qoerlitz he was invited to the Electoral Court at Dresden , where he had, through his writings, become well known. It is stated that the Elector himself much admired him, and assembled all the chief Theologians and two Professors of Mathematics for a conference with Jacob Boehme, in order that they might express an opinion about him. After hearing him, Dr. Gerhard, who is regarded as a great dogmatist of that time, said : “ I would not take the whole World and help to .condemn this man and one of the other Doctors said : “ My good Brother, neither would I. Who knows what stands behind this man ? How can we judge what we have not understood ? May God convert the man if he is in error. He is a man of marvellously high mental gifts, who at present can be neither condemned nor approved and these eminent men who ex- . amined him, afterwards became his warmest admirers.
In England the opinion of those who read Jacob Boehme’ s works was similar to that of the Theologians. Charles the First was a great admirer of them ; and it is related that, after he had rea fyBoehme's Answers to the Forty Questions concerning the >Soul, he said : “ God be praised that there are still men in existence who are abl£ to give from their own experience a living Testimony of God and His Word;” and it is to John Sparrow,
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