LETTERS FROM THE CABALA. 81 



flower, and in their best state. But forasmuch as my end 

 was merit of the state of learning, to my power, and 

 not glory ; and because my purpose was rather to excite 

 other men s wits, than to magnify my own, I was desirous 

 to prevent the incertainness of my own life and times, by 

 uttering rather seeds than plants ; nay and farther, as the 

 proverb is, by sowing with the basket, than with the hand. 

 Wherefore since I have only taken upon me to ring a bell, 

 to call other wits together, (which is the meanest office,) it 

 cannot but be consonant to my desire, to have that bell 

 heard as far as can be. And since that they are but 

 sparks, which can work but upon matter prepared, I have 

 the more reason to wish, that those sparks may fly abroad, 

 that they may the better find, and light upon those minds 

 and spirits which are apt to be kindled. And therefore, the 

 privateness of the language considered wherein it is written, 

 excluding so many readers, (as on the other side, the 

 obscurity of the argument, in many parts of it, excludeth 

 many others;) I must account it a second birth of that work, 

 if it might be translated into Latin, without manifest loss 

 of the sense and matter. For this purpose, I could not 

 represent to myself any man, into whose hands I do more 

 earnestly desire that work should fall, than yourself; for 

 by that I have heard and read, I know no man a greater 

 master in commanding words to serve matter. Never 

 theless I am not ignorant of the worth of your labours, 

 whether such as your place and profession imposeih on 

 you, or such as your own virtue may, upon your voluntary 

 election take in hand. But I can lay before you no other 

 persuasions, than either the work itself may affect you with, 

 or the honour of his majesty, to whom it is dedicated, or 

 your particular inclination to myself; who as I never took 

 so much comfort in any labours of my own, so I shall never 

 acknowledge myself more obliged in any thing to the labour 

 of another, than in that which shall assist this, Which your 

 VOL. xi. 



