The count of Gabalis, or the extravagant mysteries of the cabalists

...is common original: "ordinary" to those who unwisely original: "imprudently" manage the secrets of the Sages Sages: enlightened masters or wise men, often referring here to the legendary founders of alchemy and the occult sciences; and that, since the blessed Ramon Llull original: "Ramundus Lullius"; a 13th-century philosopher and mystic whose legendary alchemical works were said to contain warnings against revealing secret knowledge pronounced this sentence in his last will and testament, a destroying angel original: "Destroying-Angel"; a common motif in occult literature suggesting a spiritual guardian who executes those who betray secret oaths has always been ready to strangle in a moment all those who have indiscreetly revealed the philosophic mysteries.

But let them not so rashly condemn this wise man without having better information about his conduct. It is true, he has revealed everything to me; but not without all the necessary Cabalistic precautions original: "Cabalistick Circumspections". I must do him justice by giving this testimony to his memory: that he was a great zealot for the religion of his fathers, the philosophers; and that he would have suffered the flames rather than have profaned its sanctity by disclosing it to any unworthy...