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in Cymmerian darkneſs even to this day. We preſent therefore now to you, a compleat and perfect work in theſe three books of Occult Philoſophy or Magick, Which we have perfected with diligent care, and very great labor and pains both of mind and body; and though it be untrimmed in reſpect of words, yet its moſt elaborate truly in reſpect of the matter: Wherefore I deſire this one favor, that you would not expect the grace of an Oration, or the elegancy of ſpeech in theſe books, which we long ſince wrote in our youth when our ſpeech was as yet rough, and our language rude; and now we have reſpect, not to the ſtile of an Oration, but only to the ſeries or order of ſentences; We have ſtudyed the leſs elegancy of ſpeech, abundance of matter ſucceeding in the place thereof; and we ſuppose we have ſufficiently ſatisfied our duty, if we ſhall to the utmosſt of our power perform thoſe things we have promiſed to declare concerning the ſecrets of Magick, and have freed our conſcience from a due debt. But ſeeing without doubt, many ſcoffing Sophisters will conſpire againſt me, eſpecially of thoſe who boaſt themſelves to be allyed to God, and fully repleniſhed with Divinity, and presum to cenſure the leaves of the Sibilles, and will undertake to judge and condemn to the fire theſe our works even before they have read or rightly underſtood any thing of them (becauſe ſuch lettice agrees not with their lips, and ſuch ſweet oyntment with their noſe and alſo by reaſon of that ſparke of hatred long ſince conceived againſt me, and ſcarce containing it ſelf under the aſhes.) Therefore (moſt Illustrious Prince and wiſe Prelate) we further ſubmit this work aſcribed by me to the merits of your vertue, and now made yours, to your cenſure, and commend it to your protection, That, if the baſe and perfidious Sophiſters would defame it, by the groſſe madneſs of their envy and malice, you would by the preſpicacy of your diſcretion and candor of judgement, happily protect and defend it.

Farewell and proſper.