John Tritemius, Abbot of Saint James of Herbipolis, formerly of Spanhemia, to his Henry Cornelius Agrippa of Netteſ-heym, health and love.
Our work (moſt renowned Agrippa) Entituled Of Occult Phyloſophy, which you have ſent by this bearer, to me to be examined, with how much pleaſure I received it, no mortall tongue can ever expreſs, nor the pen of any write; I woundred at your more then vulgar learning, That you being ſo yong ſhould penetrate into ſuch ſecrets as have been hide from moſt learned men, and not only cleerly, and truly, but alſo properly, and elegantly ſet them forth. Whence firſt I give you thanks for your good will to me, and if I ſhall ever be able, I ſhall return you thanks to the utmoſt of my power; Your work, which no learned man can ſufficiently commend, I approve of. Now that you may proceed toward higher things, as you have begun, and not ſuffer ſuch excellent parts of wit to be idle, I do with as much earneſtneſs as I can adviſe, intreat, and beſeech you, that you would exerciſe your ſelf in laboring after better things, and demonſtrate the light of true wiſdom to the ignorant, according as you your ſelf are divinely enlightened; neither let the conſideration of idle vain fellows withdraw you from your purpoſe; I ſay of them, of whom
