To the Printer, Willem Silvius:

His singular friend;

JOHN DEE OF LONDON,

S. D. P.

YOU see, my friend, excellent Willem, how uniquely dear and most illustrious I hold the Virtues of the most Illustrious King MAXIMILIAN: to whom, from the Shrines of my Heart, I communicate Rare and most excellent Secrets; and I have taken care that they be communicated to him in such a way that more people also throughout the World (both in his Honour, on account of his exceptional and Royal virtues, and that Others may take from him an example for themselves, since he can both most wisely attend to the Royal Helm of Kingdoms and yet also amply learn the Stupendous Mysteries of Philosophers and Sages) — more, I say, may enjoy these same things through your Diligence and Faith. There are therefore two things I must chiefly beg of you. One: that everywhere you imitate (as far as you can) my careful Diligence in the Variety of Letters, Points, Lines, Diagrams, Figures, Numbers, and the rest; lest that very Body which I (by the NOD OF GOD) have brought forth well Formed in every part should come into the Light either Maimed or Deformed through the Negligence of Printing: unworthy, indeed, of so great a King; truly unworthy of the Studies and the greatest labours of those who philosophize, which they wish to expend in examining it most deeply and often. Yet I seem to myself sufficiently safeguarded against that misfortune, since I have chosen you as the Typographical Parent of this newly Born work: you, who by your care can send it forth in every way neat and well Composed in its Members.

THE SECOND thing I would wish you to perform is not slight: namely, that you in no way put these Little Books into the hands of the Promiscuous kind of men. Not that I begrudge them these things, or better; but suspecting that this evil will arise from it: not only that, wretched men, they can never extricate themselves from that Labyrinth (meanwhile tormenting their Wits in incredible ways, and providing very badly for the business of their household), but also that they will either persuade Others (to whom the way is impassable) to enter upon the Journey, or will most wickedly lie about its Certainty as though it had been explored by them — Impostors and Masks of men; or finally will dare to Deny that such are the GREAT WORKS OF GOD, or most rabidly to accuse my Sincerity: then at last in despair, as at first they Rashly attacked these Mysteries with the greatest Presumption. But in this business of such moment, if I have known you well for many years now (whether on account of our friendship, or the Usefulness to the Christian Commonwealth, or at least on account of the Heroic Virtues of the most wise MAXIMILIAN himself, which have nothing Common with the lot of the Vulgar of men), you will take care, I hope, that I may not seem to have sought your Faith in vain. You will take care indeed; and, through you, all the most Honest Booksellers.

Farewell.