Aula Lucis, or The House of Light

To the present Reader.

Future times, tired of the vanities of the present, will perhaps seek the truth and gladly welcome it. Thus you see what readers I have chosen in advance original: "predestin’d." for myself. But if any current critic original: "Mastix." A Greek-derived term meaning a "scourge," often used to refer to a harsh or biting critic. attacks this discourse, I advise him not to slander original: "traduce." it, lest I should whip him for it. This is my advice; if it is well followed, it is possible I may share more works of this nature. I may stand up like a lighthouse original: "Pharus," referring to the Pharos of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. in a dark night and hold out that lamp which Philalethes A pseudonym meaning "Lover of Truth." The author, Thomas Vaughan, wrote under the name Eugenius Philalethes. Here he refers to his own persona or perhaps a predecessor in the alchemical tradition. has obscured with that jealous original: "envious." In this context, it suggests a desire to keep knowledge guarded or secret. phrase of the Rabbis: "Silence is the fence of wisdom." original: "Sæpes sapientiæ silentium." This is a Latin translation of a Hebrew proverb from the Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers), suggesting that keeping silent protects one's wisdom.