On the Secret Works of Art and Nature and the Nullity of Magic

a man of fundamental learning who diligently searched out the best writers, and which was also provided with some notes, I thought it would be well worth the effort to have it printed. And because the reason I have had this letter printed is that I defend its author, I must primarily refute the accusation of superstition which Andreas Libavius has imputed to him (Exercit. de Philosophia Harmonica Magica fratrum Ros. Cruc. page 30). And although the writing of Libavius is miserably and poorly cobbled together, and therefore deserves no answer, since he mostly warms up some silly and miserable accusations against the Brüderschaft der Rosencreuzer Brotherhood of the Rosicrucians and snarls with unfair insults at brave men and those who have made great contributions to philosophy, yet because wisdom itself (Prov. 26:5) admonishes that one should answer the fool so that he does not think himself wise, I held that one must stop the mouth of this most abusive writer. This Libavius, in order to heap all manner of disgrace upon Rogerius—just as he has left almost no philosopher uninsulted—has also accused him of the vice of superstition. Not, indeed, the kind by which devil-conjurers—whom he rightly condemns—think to compel evil spirits to perform wicked and godless