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Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Parallel Edition

Thomas Vaughan (Eugenius Philalethes)

Lumen de Lumine

A New Magical Light · The Complete 1651 First Edition

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Lumen de LumineLight From Light · Original

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Original English Page · Branch 83 of 200

Light From Light · Original

Original English

But most men either revile or contemne that our Manifesto, or else waving the Spirit of God, they expect the proposals thereof from us, supposing we will straightway teach them how to make Gold by Art, or furnish them with ample Treasures, whereby they may live pompously in the face of the World, Swagger, and make Wars, turn Usurers, Gluttons and Drunkards, live unchastely, and defile their whole life with severall other sins, all which Things are contrary to the Blessed will of God. These Men should have learnt from those Ten Virgins (whereof Five that were foolish demanded Oile for their Lamps, from those Five that were wise) how that the Case is much otherwise. It is expedient, that every man should labour for this Treasure by the Assistance of God, and his own particular Search and Industry. But the perverse Intentions of these Fellows we understand out of their own writings, by the singular Grace and Revelation of God; wee doe stop our Ears, and wrap our selves as it were in Clouds, to avoid the Bellowings and Howlings of those men, who in vaine crie out for Gold. And hence indeed it comes to passe that they brand us with infinite Calumnies and Slanders, which notwithstanding we doe not resent, but God in his good time will judge them for it.

Modern English

But most men either revile or despise our manifesto, or, setting aside God’s Spirit, expect us to fulfil its proposals. They suppose we will immediately teach them to make gold by art or supply ample treasures, enabling them to live pompously before the world, swagger and wage wars, become usurers, gluttons and drunkards, live unchastely, and defile their whole lives with other sins—all contrary to God’s blessed will. They should have learned from the ten virgins, of whom the five foolish asked the five wise for oil for their lamps, that the case is quite otherwise. Each must labour for this treasure with God’s assistance and his own individual search and industry. By God’s singular grace and revelation, we understand these fellows’ perverse intentions from their writings. We stop our ears and wrap ourselves, as though in clouds, to avoid the bellowing and howling of those who cry for gold in vain. Hence they heap countless slanders and false accusations upon us. We take no offence; God will judge them for it in his own good time.

About This Reading Edition

The complete 1651 Lumen de Lumine, or A New Magical Light, by Thomas Vaughan (Eugenius Philalethes), with original and modern English, fresh translations of the Latin, Greek and Hebrew passages, the historical emblem and its inscriptions, all twelve Magical Aphorisms, 105 annotations and the complete supplied Diotimos study apparatus.

Historical Text and Translation

Thomas Vaughan (Eugenius Philalethes), Lumen de Lumine, or A New Magicall Light. London: H. Blunden, 1651. Governing witness: Wellcome Collection EPB/A/69096.4, digitisation b30340160, Wing V150, ESTC R146. Source credit: Wellcome Collection; Public Domain Mark.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

The historical text and emblem are public domain. The supplied 2026 reading, translations and Diotimos editorial material are published with the site owner’s authorization.