Page:Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy, 1655.djvu/16

The Treface. men In thefe days from attributing thofe venues, in- fluences, and inclinations, to the Stars and other Lights of heaven, which God hath given to chofe his glorious creatures. I muft expect Come calumnies and obtreflations againft this, from the malicious prejudiced man, and the lazie affe&ers of Ig- norance, of whom this age fwarms : but the voiceand found of the Snake and the Goofe is all one. But our ftomacks arc not now fo qucazie and tender , after fo long time feeding upon folid Divinity j nor we fo umbragious and itanJing.havingbeen folong enlightned in Gods path, that we fhould relapfe into thatchildifh Age, in which AriQotlcs Metaphyficks, in a Councel in France, was forbid to be read. But I incite the Reader to a charitable opinion hereof, with a Chriftian Proteftation of an innocent purpofe therein ; and intrcac the Reader to follow this advice of TTab&ui, Qui littgant, fine ambo in co»jf>ctlfi tuo malt dr ret. And if there be any fcandal in this enterprife of mine, it is takcn.not given. And this comfort I have in that Axiome of Trifmegiftuf , Qui pirn eft, fnmme phi/ofophatur. And therefore 1 prefent it without difguifc, and object it to all of candor and indifference : and of Readers, of whom there be four forts, as one obferves : Spunges.which attraft all without diftinguiuYing ; Hour-glafTes, which receive.and pour out as faft • Bags, which retain onely the dregs of Spices, and let the Wine efcape ; and Sieves, which retain the beft onely. Some there are of the laft fort, and to them I prefent this Occult Phi- A>/fy£/,knowing that they may reap good thereby. And they who are fevere againfr it, they (hall pardon this my opinion, that fuch their feverity proceeds from Self-guilcinefs • and give me leave to apply that of ' Ennoditts that it is the nature of Self- wickcdncls,to think that of others, which themfelves deferve. And it is all the comfort which the guilty have, Not to find any innocent. But that amongft others this may find fome acceptation, is the defire of LondoH i i.j4t4g.^. R.Tumcr. To