d in any other
Book, nor heard in common Discourse. And it is a piece of hidden
Knowledge which none can receive, but those which have the Knowledge of
God, nor can any be ignorant of it, but those which have not. Now we
have taken a contrary Method to our pious Ancestors, as to their
Reservedness in this Matter, and Sparingness of Speech. And the Reason
which did the more easily persuade me to divulge this Secret, and tear
the Veil, was, because of the corrupt Notions which some Pretenders to
Philosophy in our Age have broach'd and scatter'd, so that they are
diffus'd through several Countries, and the Mischief which arises from
thence is become Epidemical. Fearing therefore lest those weak ones, who
reject the Tradition of the Prophets (of Blessed Memory) and make choice
of that which is delivered them by Fools, should imagine that these
Opinions are that Secret, which ought to be with-held from those who are
not worthy or capable of it, and so their Desire and Study of these
Opinions should be increas'd. I have thought good to give them a Glimpse
of this Secret of Secrets, that I might draw them into the right Way,
and avert them from this other. Nevertheless, I have not so delivered
the Secrets which are comprehended in these few Leaves, as to leave them
without a thin Veil or Cover over them, which will be easily rent by
those who are worthy of it; but will be so thick to him, that is
unworthy to pass beyond it, that he shall not be able to get through it.
And I desire of those my Brethren who shall see this Discourse, that
they would excuse me for being so easily induc'd to explain it, and so
free in the Description of it; seeing I had not done so, if I had not
been elevated to such Heights, as transcend the Reach of Humane Sight.
And I was willing to express it in easie Terms, that I might dispose
Men, and raise a Desire in them to enter into the right Way. And I beg
of God Pardon and Forgiveness, and that he would please to bring us to
the true and certain Knowledge of himself, for he is gracious and
liberal of his Favours. _Peace be to thee, my Brother, whose Promotion
is decreed, and, the Mercy find Blessing of God be upon thee_,

_Praise, be to God alone_.

_The End_.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 18: p .14. Sect. 6. Those who affirm that _Hai Ebn Yokdhan_
was produced in that Island without Father or Mother--_The having our
Philosopher hatch'd after this manner, is a contrivance of_ Avicen's,
_who wrote