The Hermetic Museum, Restored and Enlarged

4 OF THE ANONYMOUS AUTHOR

words you will find, in such a way that you can scarcely find them among any philosopher. Moreover, I took pains to speak with philosophers, for which purpose I diligently noted both the names and all the places where they put forward this or that opinion, so that you yourself can inquire therein, weigh my allegations, and thereby sharpen your own intellect. Indeed, I could have composed this treatise with less effort, omitting these citations, and made myself known to the brothers of the Golden Cross, had there not been another plan for the sake of your convenience and benefit. Nor will it seem strange to you that I conceal my name and refuse to show myself to you in person. For I do not seek my own vain glory in this matter, nor to be magnified before the world, but I strive to benefit you. Moreover, my teachers, true philosophers indeed, did not authorize me to despise my life for the sake of haughty authority, sell it to avaricious robbers, and by the prostitution of this most secret arcana, provide an opportunity for many sins to be committed. I do not doubt that the fair reader has learned from Sendivogius that he, whenever he wished to manifest himself to magnates, always fell into danger and detriment. Experience testifies that many philosophers, carelessly neglecting themselves, were killed and plundered of their tincture by avaricious and proud robbers who made light of their own lives: reason confirms that anyone carrying around some great treasure in their hands shows a rich prey to robbers. Sendivogius had concealed his name with an anagram: So also, a short time ago, another philosopher, and a brother of the Golden Cross, whose name has long since become known to me, did so under an anagram,