The Book of Angelus Silesius.

New York, NY Random House: Vintage, 1976. Paperback Very Good+ in Wraps: shows indications of very light use: just a hint of wear to the corner tips; the price has been partially scratched out at the upper corner of the front panel; the binding leans very slightly, but remains secure; the text is clean. Free of creases to the panels. Free of creases to the backstrip. Free of creased or dog-eared pages in the text. Free of underlining, hi-lighting, notations, or marginalia. Free of any ownership names, dates, addresses, notations, inscriptions, stamps, plates, or labels. A handsome nearly-new copy, structurally sound and tightly bound; showing only the very mildest wear and minor flaws. Bright and clean. Corners sharp. Remains close to 'As New'. NOT a Remainder, Book-Club, or Ex-Library. 4to. (10.7 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches). 145 pages. Translated and illustrated with drawings and handwritten by Frederick Franck. Language: English. Weight: 18.4 ounces. V-642. Trade Paperback. Angelus Silesius (c1624 – 1677), born Johann Scheffler and also known as Johann Angelus Silesius, was a German Catholic priest and physician, mystic and religious poet. Born and raised a Lutheran, he adopted the name Angelus (Latin for "angel" or "heavenly messenger") and the epithet Silesius ("Silesian") on converting to Catholicism in 1653. While studying in the Netherlands, he began to read the works of medieval mystics and became acquainted with the works of the German mystic Jacob Böhme through Böhme's friend, Abraham von Franckenberg. Silesius's mystical beliefs caused tension between him and Lutheran authorities and led to his eventual conversion to Catholicism. He took holy orders under the Franciscans and was ordained a priest in 1661. Ten years later, in 1671, he retired to a Jesuit house where he remained for the rest of his life. An enthusiastic convert and priest, Silesius worked to convince German Protestants in Silesia to return to the Roman Catholic Church. He is now remembered chiefly for his religious poetry, and in particular for two poetical works both published in 1657: "Heilige Seelenlust" (literally, "The Soul's Holy Desires"), a collection of more than 200 religious hymn texts that have been used by Catholics and Protestants; and "Cherubinischer Wandersmann" ("The Cherubinic Pilgrim"), a collection of 1,676 short poems, mostly Alexandrine couplets. His poetry explores themes of mysticism, quietism, and pantheism.