BY those letters (most reverend Father!) which you sent me since the second of this month, I understand your candidness towards me, and great learning, and indeed the curious searching after these things which lye hid in darkness; I did presently rejoyce, and do bless my self that I have entred into acquaintance with such a friend, with whom I may improve my gifts; And now (this hand-writing being my witness) I reckon you amongst the cheifest of my friends. But oh, who are your leaders that you follow, dareing to enter into the house of Dedalus, from whence is no return; and of most dreadfull Minois, and daring to go through the watches, and commit your self to the sisters of destiny? Who are your masters that you are conversant about such huge things daring to attempt to make a wandring diety, stable, perfidious, faithful, and the most fugatious of all the Gods to be more constant then Adrastia; Take heed that you be not deceived by them that are deceived. N•• her can the great reading of books direct you here, since they are but as riddles. How great writings are there made of the irresistable power of the Magical Art, of the prodigious Images of Astrologers, of the monstrous transmutations of Alchymists. of that blessed stone, by which, Mydas like, all metals that were touched are presently transmuted into Gold, or Silver, all which are found vain, fictitious, and false, as often as they are practised according to letter. Yet such things are delivered, and writ by great and grave Philosophers, and holy men, whose traditions, who dare say are false? Nay, it were impious to think that they were lyes. There is therefore another meaning then what is written in letters, and that is vailed with divers mysteries, and as yet clearly explained by none of the Masters, and which I believe no man can attain to by reading of books only, without a skilfull, and faithfull master, unless he be divinely illuminated, as very few are. Therefore it is a vanity for any man that searcheth into the secrets of nature, to give himself to bare reading. For they that thus do, are, being ensnared in the gins of the exterior spirits, to whom it is given to rule, made dangerous slaves, not knowing themselves, and go back into the footsteps of their flocks, seeking without themselves, what they have in themselves. And this is that which I would have you know, because in us is the operator of all wonderfull effects, who knows how to discern, and effect, and that without any sin or offence to God, whatsoever the monstrous Mathematicians, the prodigious Magicians, the envious Alchymist, and bewitching Necromancers can do by spirits. In us I say is the operator of Miracles.
Not the bright stars of th' skie, nor flames of Hell,
But th' spirit that these doth make, doth in us dwell.
But of these I shall discourse more fully, but in your presence (for these things are not to be written, but to be infused by a few sacred words, and with face to face) and that when I shall haply see you. Now as concerning those books which you desire of me, some of them were sometime in my custody, but now are not. But as for those books which you have of mine which were made in my youth, being intituled, Of Occult Philosophy, the two forme• of them were dificient in many things, the third is wholy imperfect, and contains but a certain Epitome of my writings. But I will (God willing) set forth the whole work, being made entire, and revised, reserving the key thereof for most intimate friends only, one whereof you need not at all question but that I reckon you. Farewell and prosper. From Lyons the XXIV. of September, Anno que Domini. M. D. XXVII.