PREFACE

I have placed this protestation original: "protestatio" — here meaning a formal, public declaration or a solemn oath to clear oneself of suspicion. of mine at the beginning of this entire work of ours for a reason, because I know there will be many who, when they cannot understand what we have written, will turn to insults and attribute our good and holy studies to evil arts or superstitious inventions. To these future critics, and to all who are about to read these synthemata original: "synthemata" — a Greek-derived term referring to the symbolic arrangements, signs, or "compositions" that make up the author's secret system. of ours, we earnestly pray that if they understand this secret tradition of ours, they keep it hidden forever and do not pour out such wonderful mysteries into the public.

If, however, they do not understand (which we know will happen to many), let them learn before they criticize. Indeed, he shows himself to be a reckless judge who delivers a sentence before he has acknowledged the truth of the case. Learn this art first, and judge afterward; if you are unable to understand it, do not condemn the art itself (for it is good), but rather your own dull wits.

For I know and am certain that no one of sound mind can criticize this work of ours, unless they happen to be completely ignorant of it. However, as for those who find it more familiar to despise wisdom than to learn it, I neither hope nor wish for them to penetrate these mysteries of ours.