(22) I write this not for mine own glory, but for a comfort to the Reader, so that if perhaps he be minded to walk with me upon my narrow bridge, he should not suddenly be discouraged, dismayed and distrustful, when the gates of hell and God's wrath meet him, and present themselves before him.

(6) For I do it not out of a desire of boasting and vainglory, but in a humble information to the Reader, (that thereby the works of God might be somewhat better known, and the devil's kingdom revealed and laid open, seeing this present modern world moveth and liveth in all malice, wickedness and devilish vicious blasphemies) and that the world might once see in what kind of power, impulse or driving it liveth, and in what kind of inn it taketh up its lodging.

(89) This is a short introduction, that the Reader might the better understand the divine Mystery; when I write concerning the fall of the devil, and concerning the creation of this world, you will find all more at large, particularly described. Therefore I would have the Reader admonished, that he read all in order, and so he will come to the true ground.

(6) I cannot at all write it in thy heart, for it is not for every man's capacity, understanding and apprehension, especially where the spirit stands in the house of wrath, and does not qualify, operate or unite with the light of God. But I will shew it to thee in an earthly similitude, that thou mightest, if possible, get a little into the deep sense.

(150) For that cause I will write according to this knowledge, though the devil should offer to assault and storm the world; which, however, he cannot do. But his hourglass is shewn to him, and set before him.

(33) Only, the spirit here setteth open for thee the gates of hell, that thou may see what is the condition of the devils and of hell, and what is the condition of man, when the divine light extinguished in him, so that he sitteth in the wrath of God and liveth in such a generating, in such an anguish, in such smarting pains, in such woe and misery.

(1) HERE the devil will oppose like a snarling dog, for his shame will be discovered; and he will give the Reader many a sore stroke, and always put him in doubt that these things are not so.

(110) I will here shew thee the right ground, and it is no otherwise in heaven than as thou here findest in the letter, for the spirit looketh undisturbed into this depth, also it is very apprehensible.

(2) The Reader should not make himself blind through his unbelief and dull apprehension; for here I bring in the whole or total nature, with all her children, for a witness and a demonstration. If thou art rational, then look round about thee, and view thyself; also consider thyself aright, and then thou wilt soon find from or out of what spirit I write.

(87) For what I did hereupon undergo, suffer and endure from the devil and the hellish quality, which as well does rule in my outward man as in all men whatsoever, this thou canst not apprehend, unless thou also dancest in this round.

(47) I must write thus by way of distinction, that the Reader may understand it; for I cannot write mere heavenly words, but must write human words. Indeed all is rightly, truly and faithfully described: But the being of God consisteth only in power, and only the spirit comprehendeth it, and not the dead or mortal flesh.

(1) BECAUSE I write here of heavenly and divine things, which are altogether strange to the corrupted, perished nature of man, the Reader doubtless will wonder at the simplicity of the author, and be offended at it.

(78) If thy heart be not bolted and barred up in death, through thy stubborn wilfulness and blasphemy, and drowned in horrible sins, purposing not to desist from them, or leave them, then awake, and behold; I take heaven and earth, also the stars and elements, and all the creatures, and man himself also in his whole substance, to witness, and so I will prove it also plainly and clearly in its due place, with all these forementioned things, especially when we come to treat of the creation of all the creatures.

(7) Which they themselves shall suddenly be sure to see, with great terror, anguish and eternal despair, as also to their shame and scorn: of which the devils are a terrible example, who were once the fairest and brightest angels in heaven, as I shall reveal, write and manifest here following. I will suffer God's impulse, I am not able to withstand it. Of the Divine Quality.

(31) I write, and mean it, in a creaturely kind and manner, as if a man had been the devil's prisoner, and were suddenly removed out of the hellish fire into the light of God.

(3) If this chapter should be lighted upon by a Reader in whom the fire of the Holy Spirit should be somewhat weak, I fear the devil would be very busy to set upon him, tempting him to doubt whether the things set down here be so or no, that the devil's kingdom might not stand so very naked, nor his shame be so quite discovered.

(11) Also let a man mark, when he is in this hell, nothing may console him; and he cannot believe that he shall ever be released or comforted. But when he is in heaven, nothing can trouble him; he believeth also that none will ever be able to offend or trouble him, albeit it is indeed true, that after this hell he may be comforted and released, and after this heaven he may be troubled and left without consolation. Again: this hell and this heaven come about a man in such sort, that he knoweth not whence they come; and whether they come to him, or depart from him, he can of himself do nothing towards it. Of these things he can neither give nor take away from himself, bring them nor banish them, but as it is written, “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof,” that is to say, at this time present, “but thou knowest not whence it cometh, nor whither it goeth.”12 And when a man is in one of these two states, all is right with him, and he is as safe in hell as in heaven, and so long as a man is on earth, it is possible for him to pass ofttimes from the one into the other; nay even within the space of a day and night, and all without his own doing. But when the man is in neither of these two states he holdeth converse with the creature, and wavereth hither and thither, and knoweth not what manner of man he is. Therefore he shall never forget either of them, but lay up the remembrance of them in his heart.

(99) And I will also set before you living testimonies, viz. the created and comprehensible heaven, the stars, the elements, the creatures, the earth, stones, men, and lastly your dark, cold, hot, hard, rough, smoky, wicked prince Lucifer himself; all these are come into this present condition through his elevation.

(28) I know very well that the wrath of the devil will mock and scoff in the hearts of many wicked men, at this revelation. For he is mightily ashamed because of this revelation; he has also given my soul many a pang and crush for it; but I leave it to the direction of God, who will have it so; I cannot resist him, though my earthly body should go to wrack for it, yet my God will glorify me in my knowledge.

(25) I do not write this for my own praise, but that if it go so with you, you should not despair about it; for there belongeth and is requisite a mighty enduring hard labour and stoutness, for him that fighteth with the devil, between heaven and hell; for the devil is a potent prince.