The Preface.

men in these days from attributing those virtues, influences, and inclinations, to the Stars and other Lights of heaven, which God hath given to those his glorious creatures.

I must expect some calumnies False and malicious statements meant to damage someone's reputation. and obtrectations Slanderous detractions or criticisms. against this, from the malicious prejudiced man, and the lazy affecters of Ignorance, of whom this age swarms: but the voice and sound of the Snake and the Goose, is all one. But our stomachs are not now so queasy and tender, after so long time feeding upon solid Divinity, nor are we so shadowy and startling Turner uses "umbragious" (from the Latin umbra, shadow) to mean suspicious or easily frightened by shadows., having been so long enlightened in God's path, that we should relapse into that childish Age, in which Aristotle's Metaphysics, in a Council in France, was forbidden to be read A reference to the provincial Council of Paris in 1210, which banned the teaching of Aristotle's works on natural philosophy..

But I incite the Reader to a charitable opinion hereof, with a Christian Protestation of an innocent purpose therein; and entreat the Reader to follow this advice of Tabaus, "Those who are at law, let both be in your sight as evil and guilty" original: Qui litigant, sint ambo in conſpectu tuo mali & rei. And if there be any scandal in this enterprise of mine, it is taken, not given. And this comfort I have in that Axiome of Trismegistus Hermes Trismegistus, the legendary Hellenistic figure to whom the "Hermetic" wisdom of Egypt was attributed., "He who is pious, philosophizes in the highest degree" original: Qui pius est, ſumme philoſophatur. And therefore I present it without disguise, and object it to all of candor and indifference In this context, "indifference" means impartiality or lack of bias.: and of Readers, of whom there be four sorts, as one observes: Sponges, which attract all without distinguishing; Hour-glasses, which receive, and pour out as fast; Bags, which retain only the dregs of Spices, and let the Wine escape; and Sieves, which retain the best only. Some there are of the last sort, and to them I present this Occult Philosophy, knowing that they may reap good thereby. And they who are severe against it, they shall pardon this my opinion, that such their severity proceeds from Self-guiltiness; and give me leave to apply that of Ennodius Magnus Felix Ennodius (c. 473–521 AD), a Bishop and Latin rhetorician., that it is the nature of Self-wickedness, to think that of others, which themselves deserve. And it is all the comfort which the guilty have, Not to find any innocent. But that amongst others this may find some acceptation, is the desire of