(64) If thou wert come to this Window, thou wouldst not then say, that it is earthly: And though I must indeed use the earthly Tongue, yet there is a true heavenly Understanding couched under it, which in my outermost Birth I am not able to express, either in Writing or in Speaking.

(55) But I marvel that God should reveal himself thus fully to such a simple Man, and that he thus impels him also to set it down in Writing; whereas there are many learned Writers which could set it forth and express it better in a more flourishing Style, and demonstrate it more exactly and fully than I, that am a Scorn and Fool to the World.

(43) "Although I had resolved never to give in writing to any person the secret of the Ancient Sages, yet notwithstanding out of peculiar affection and love to you, I have taken it upon me, to which the nearness of our relation obliges me, and especially because this temporal life is short, and Art is very dark and you may therefore not attain the wished for end;--but my Son because so precious a jewel belongs not to swine; and also this so great a gift of God may be treated carefully and Christianlike, in consideration thereof I do so largely declare myself to thee.

(162) Or why and what do I write, whose Tongue does but stammer like a Child, which is learning to speak? With what shall I compare it? or to what shall I liken it? Shall I compare it with the Love of this World? No, that is but a mere dark Valley to it.

(89) Concerning which, in Regard of my Imbecility, Want of Literature or Learning, and Study, as also the Slowness and Dulness of my Tongue, I am very insufficient, but not so slender in the Knowledge. Only I cannot deliver it in profound Language, and the Ornament of Eloquence, but I rest contented with my Gift I have received, and am a Philosopher among the Simple. Concerning the Creation of the Light in this World.

(65) The Mind (which knows [or understands] nothing in the Light of Nature) will marvel at such Writings, and will suppose that it is not true, that God has extracted and created Man out of such an Original. Behold, thou beloved Reason and precious Mind, bring thy five Senses hither, and I will show thee whether it be true [or not.] I will show thee [plainly,] that thou hast not the least Spark [or Degree of Reason or Cause] to allow any other Ground [to build upon,] except that thou wilt let thy Heart be, imbittered by the Devil in bestial Reason, and except thou wilt wilfully contemn the Light of Nature, which stands in the Presence of God. And indeed, if thou art in such a bestial Way, leave my Writings, and read them not, they are not written for such Swine, but for the Children [of Wisdom,] that are to possess the Kingdom of God. But I have written them for myself, and for those that seek, and not for the Wise and Prudent of this World.

(112) But here I speak with an Angel’s Tongue, thou must not understand it earthly, like to this World.

(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.

(1) MY beloved Reader, we tell thee this, that all Things from the Original of the Essence of all Essences (every Thing from its Originality) has its Driving [or Impulse] in its own Form; and it always makes that very Thing, with which the Spirit is impregnated; the Body must always labour in that wherein the Spirit is kindled. When I consider and think, why I write thus [many Wonders,] and leave them not for other sharper Wits, I find that my Spirit is kindled in this Matter, whereof I write; for there is a living running Fire of these Things in my Spirit, and thereupon (let me purpose what I will) yet this Thing continually moves and swims on the Top, and so I am captivated therewith in my Spirit; and it is laid upon me as a Work which I must exercise. Therefore seeing it is my Work that my Spirit drives, I will write it down for a Memorial, in such a Manner, as I know it in my Spirit, and in such a Manner as I attained to it, and I will set down no strange Thing, which myself have not tried [and known,] that I be not found a liar concerning myself before God.