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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 · Page 38 · Passage A

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Light From Light · Page 38 · Passage A

Original English

This much we have from these famous, and most Christian Philosophers: Men questionlesse, that have suffer'd much by their own discreet silence, and Solitude. Every Sophister contemns them, because they appeare not to the World, and concludes there is no such Societie, because hee is not a member of it. There is scarce a Reader so just, as to consider upon what Grounds they conceale themselves, and come not to the Stage, when every Fool cries, Enter. No man looks after them but for worldly Ends, and truly if the Art it self did not promise Gold, I am confident it would find but few followers. How many are there in the world, that study Nature to know God? Certainly they study a Receit for their purses, not for their souls, nor in any good sense for their Bodies. It is fit then they should be left to their Ignorance, as to their Cure: It may be the Nullitie of their Expectations will reforme them, but as long as they continue in this Humor, neither God nor Good men will assist them.

Modern English

This much we have from those famous and most Christian philosophers: men who have doubtless suffered greatly through their own discreet silence and solitude. Every sophist despises them because they do not appear before the world, concluding that no such society exists because he is not a member. Scarcely any reader is fair enough to consider why they conceal themselves, refusing to enter the stage whenever a fool cries, “Enter!” No one seeks them except for worldly ends. Indeed, if the art itself did not promise gold, I am sure it would have few followers. How many people study nature in order to know God? They certainly study a recipe for their purses, rather than their souls—or, in any good sense, their bodies. It is fitting that they should be left to their ignorance as a cure. Perhaps the failure of their expectations will reform them; but while they persist in this disposition, neither God nor good men will assist them.

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.