THE whole world would not contain the books that should be written of Christ, if all that he did and spake should be written of him, flowing from that fountain of wisdom which dwelt in him. What then can be expected in a httle Preface, but some few observations of the footsteps and paths of wisdom? And they are set down here as they occasionally presented themselves to the thoughts of him who desireth to be made fit for acquaintance with the lowest scholar in her school.n7388 ¶1
Many have been her scholars in their own way, which nature hath inclined them to; or God in them that have kindled the divine nature, and so have been made partakers of it in their souls. We may perceive the excellency of every one of them, by that which hath been left for a record behind them, and their fitness to be followed, in order tdl we shall attain the highest pitch we are capable of.n7388 ¶2
Since the true grounds of the ancient wisdom have been hidden in the dark writings of the wise men of former ages, some in this later age have endeavoured to reform the errors that have arisen from the want of knowing those grounds from which they wrote. The writings of that learned Selden are eminent in this kind, among others. By which means the true fame and glory of learning hath been in some part restored again; as also by contriving means to direct the way to raise the several kinds of knowledge from their own true basis and foundation.n7388 ¶3
The renowned Sir Francis Bacon, Lord Verulam, Viscount of St Albans, laid his foundation sure, and raised his building high. By his Instauratio Magna he taught men, first to free themselves from the Idola mentis humance, and then laid down the whole process of the mind, from a natural and experimental history, to raise a natural philosophy: which doth shew the way to compose a divine experimental history, to the building of a divine philosophy, or mystical divinity.n7388 ¶4
Comenius also, by his Pansophia, designeth the best way to educate all from their childhood, so that in the shortest time they may get the highest learning their natures can attain to.n7388 ¶5
Pellius, in his platform concerning the Mathematics, doth design to raise the principles and whole structure of that art, out of every one's self, without the help of books or instruments, by a treatise he calleth Mathematicus auTapxnS ', which may be well transferred to a Philosophus, Medicus, Legislator, Jurisperitus, Politicus,n7388 ¶6
Also that strict inquirer into truth, Comes Castri Insula?, in his book De Veritate, teacheth the true progress of the mind in finding the certain infallible truth in all things.n7388 ¶7
Du Chartes doth lay the foundation of his philosophy in such grounds and principles as are undeniable, to him that doth but consider what is in his own thoughts.n7388 ¶8
These, and some others in their kind, have gone as far as the natural faculty of man's outward reason can reach. This author, Jacob Behmen, esteemeth not his own outward reason, but acknowledgeth to have received a higher gift from God, freely bestowed upon him, and left it in writing, for the good of those that should live after him.n7388 ¶9
And in his writings he hath discovered such a ground, and such principles, as do reach into the deepest mysteries of nature, and lead to the attaining of the highest, powerful, natural wisdom. Such as was amongst the ancient philosophers, Hermes Trismegistos, Zoroaster, Pythagoras, Plato, and other deep men conversant in the operative mysteries of nature. And the modern Trevisanus, Raymundus Lullius, Paracelsus, Sendivogius, and others. By which men will be satisfied that not only they have gotten, but that we also may get, that Lapis Philosophorum, the philosopher's stone, indeed.n7388 ¶10
Those principles do also lead to the attaining such wisdom as was taught in Egypt, in all which learning Moses had skill; to the wisdom also which was taught in Babylon among the Chaldeans, Astrologians, and wise men or magi, with whom Daniel was brought up; also to that wisdom of the East, from whence came the three magi, Matt. ii. 1, who saw the star that led them to Jerusalem, and to Bethlehem, where they saw the child Jesus, and worshipped, and so returned, with whom God himself vouchsafed to speak and direct them what to do.n7388 ¶11
The ground and principles in his writings lead to the attaining of the wisdom which excelled the wisdom of the East, 1 Kings iv. 30, 31, which Solomon had, and wrote in the Proverbs, and in a book (which hath not yet been extant with us in Europe, but is reported to be found in the East country, some few years since), wherein he wrote of all plants, from the cedar, to the moss that groweth upon the wall, and of all living creatures, 1 Kings iv. 33.n7388 ¶12
His ground discovereth the way to attain, not only the deepest mysteries of nature, but divine wisdom also, theosophy, the wisdom of faith, which is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen with the outward eyes. This wisdom bringeth our inward eyes to see such things as Moses saw in the mount, when his face shone like the sun, that it could not be beheld: such things as Gehazi saw, when his master Elisha had prayed that his eyes might be opened (his inward eyes, for before, his outward eyes were as open as any of ours, if not more so, being he was servant to so great a prophet), so they were opened, and he saw angels fighting for Israel: such things as Stephen, who saw Jesus sitting at the right hand of God; when his face shone like the face of an angel, at his stoning: and Paul, who saw things unutterable in paradise, when his outward eyes were struck blind.n7388 ¶13
Such wisdom as this seeth and knoweth all Mysteries, speaketh ah tongues of men and angels; that tongue which Adam named all the creatures by in paradise: also it can do all miracles. For the enjoying whereof men would give all their goods unto the poor, nay, give their bodies to be burned; so desirable a thing it is to enjoy it in this life; but while corruption sticketh to the soul it must have charity, or else this seed of faith will not bear the fruit of eternal life in paradise for ever, where there is nothing but an eternal miracle, of which all miracles on earth are but in part; but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is imperfect shall be done away. This is the wisdom by which Moses wrought his wonders above nature, and all the prophets after him to Christ; and it is that which our Saviour Jesus Christ himself taught to his apostles and disciples, and which the Comforter doth continually teach the holy servants of God ever since.n7388 ¶14
And by what is written by this author, it may be believed that both the same wisdom may be attained now, and the same power of the Holy Ghost, by which they spake and wrought their miracles; and the cause discerned why scarce any hath been wrought for so long a while. Yes, men will believe that greater things shall be done, as our Saviour tells the apostles, than they saw him do. For it will appear, that the power in one man, even of one thought in a man, is able to change the whole universe in a moment. This power was in part in the prophets and apostles, who could raise the dead; and when the time appointed is come, that all the dead shall rise, that power will do it, though it should be but as a grain of mustard-seed in one man, and restore the whole creature to the glorious liberty of the sons of God.n7388 ¶15
Surely it will be worth our pains to find such wisdom as this.n7388 ¶16
By the study of these writings men may come to know (every one according to his condition, property and inclination) how all the real differences of opinions, of all sorts, may be reconciled; even the nicest differences of the most learned critics in all ages: that which seemeth different in the writings of the profound magical, mystical, chemic philosophers, from that which we find in the experimental physicians, philosophers, astronomers, astrologers and mathematicians may be reconciled, by considering what this author teacheth, that the names which were given to the seven planets do signify the seven properties of eternal nature, and are the cause of all those things which are by experimental men accounted the first and deepest causes of all.n7388 ¶17
Also thereby the differences in religion may be so reconciled, that the minds and consciences of all doubting persons may be satisfied about predestination, election, creation, corruption, salvation and restoration, so clearly, that all will love one another; and that hard lesson to love our enemies will be readily learnt, and men will quietly contribute to the studying that one necessary thing, that treasure hidden in the field, that gold of the kingdom of heaven, that precious pearl, that all in all, faith and love, and Christ, and God, when they shall perceive that all this lieth hidden in every soul, in one measure or other, and may be found, and the way set down so plain, that every soul may find it.n7388 ¶18
Thereby the writings of all men will be understood, even the very darkest Mysteries contained in the writings of the prophets and apostles will be made plain and easy to the simplest thirsty soul; and then, when that appeareth which is now hidden, that excellent glory, every one will not only see it, but walk in the way that leadeth to it, and so attain it in the highest degree of every one's capacity and capability.n7388 ¶19
While this wisdom is growing, it will so reform the laws, by degrees, in every nation, that at length the whole world will be governed in peace, to the joy of all.n7388 ¶20
Perhaps some will think this impossible. Let them consider, that if they be told of a curious city, and of the incredible things that are done there, by him that hath been there, and seen what he relateth, and he describe the way so plain that they may come thither themselves, will they not go, that they may know, as well as he that told them? Do so by this author. Read this book diligently, and seriously, till you apprehend the true meaning but of some part of the way he here describeth, which may easily be done: and you will be satisfied the things are true, and that the way he sheweth is true, and be able to walk in it, and also be very thirsty to labour in that way, more and more, till you attain your whole desire; and then you will keep it as the best jewel, a memorial of all Mysteries.n7388 ¶21
But let everyone read it themselves, whether it be the highest king that sitteth upon a throne, or the meanest maid that grindeth in a mill, or hear it read with their own ears, if they mean to partake of this so high a gift from the most high, or else the devil may easily bereave them of it.n7388 ¶22