Three books of occult philosophy written by Henry Cornelius Agrippa of Nettesheim ... ; translated out of the Latin into the English tongue by J.F.

Unto the same Man.

BY your courteous letters (most reverend Father!) I have seen, as in a glass, your whole mind, which I heartily em∣brace & I would have you know that you shall be welcome to me beyond expression, and that you are seated deeply in my affections, and that I am such an one (I write this out of the abundance of my heart) as am not wont upon any occasion to forsake my friends. Wherefore that you may obtain the desires, which are no less then mine, I will hasten to come to you. When we shall come face to face, hear and speak with one the other, I know our friendship will be indisso∣luble, and endure for ever. But now concerning that Phyloso∣phy which you require to know, I would have you know, that it is to know God himself, the worker of all things, and to pass into him by a whole image of likeness (as by an essential con∣tract, and bond) whereby thou maist be transformed, and made as God, as the Lord spake concerning Moses, saying; Behold, I have made thee the God of Pharoah. This is that true, high Occult Phylosophy of wonderfull works. The key thereof is the intellect: for by how much higher things we understand, with so much the sublimer vertues are we endow∣ed, and so much greater things do work, and that more easi∣ly, and efficaciously. But our intellect being included in the corruptible flesh, unless it shall exceed the way of the flesh, and obtain a proper nature, cannot be united to these vertues (for like to like) and is in searching into these occult secrets of God, and nature, altogether inefficacious; for it is no easy thing for us to ascend to the heavens. For how shall he that hath lost himself in mortal dust, and ashes, find God? How

shall he apprehend spiritual things that is swallowed up in flesh and blood? Can man see God, and live? What fruit shall a grain of corn bear if it be not first dead? For we must dye, I say dye to the world, and to the flesh, and all senses, and to the whole man animal, who would enter into these closets of secrets, not because the body is separated from the soul, but because the soul leaves the body: of which death Paul wrote to the Collosians: Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ: And elswhere he speaks more clearly of himself. I know a man, whether in the body, or out of the body I cannot tell, God knows, caught up unto the third heaven, &c. I say by this death, pretious in the sight of God, we must dye, which happens to few, and perhaps not alwaies. For very few whom God loves, and are vertuous, are made so happy. And first those that are born, not of flesh and blood, but of God. Secondly those that are dignified to it by the blessing of na∣ture, and the heavens at their birth. The rest endeavour by merits, and art, of which more fully when I see you. But this I will advise you, that you be not deceived concerning me, as if I at any time having received such divine things should boast of them to you, or should arrogate any such thing to my self, or could hope to have them granted to me, who hither∣to have been a souldier, consecrated with mans blood, having been almost alwaies belonging to the Kings Court, bound to a most dear wife by the bond of flesh, exposed to all the blast of inconstant fortune, and being crossed in my flesh, in the world, and worldly affairs, and therefore could not obtain the sublime gifts of the immortal God. But I would be ac∣counted as a director, who waiting alwayes at the dores, shews to others which way they must go. But as for my love to you, you are indeed a little deceived: I do not see how you are my debtor, seeing I have bestowed nothing upon you, only I am ready when occasion serves to bestow all things. So farewell and prosper. From Lyons XI X. Novemb. Anno Dom. M. D. XXVII.