Extracts from Francis Barrett's instructions on the Preparation of a Man to qualify him for the study and practise of alchemy quoted from The Magus(1801).
LESSON I.
The preparation for this work is simply this: Learn to cast away from thee all vile affections—all levity and inconstancy of mind; let all thy dealings be free from deceit and hypocrisy; avoid the company of vain young men; hate all profligacy, and profane speaking.
LESSON II.
Keep thy own, and thy neighbours' secrets; court not the favours of the rich; despise not the poor, for he who does will be poorer than the poorest.
LESSON III.
Give to the needy and unfortunate what little thou canst spare; for he that has but little, whatever he spares to the miserable, God shall amply reward him.
LESSON IV.
Be merciful to those who offend thee, or who have injured thee; for what must that man's heart be, who would take heavy vengeance on a slight offence? Thou shalt forgive thy brother until seventy times seven.
LESSON V.
Be not hasty to condemn the actions of others, lest thou shouldst, the next hour, fall into the very same error; despise scandal and tattling; let thy words be few.
LESSON VI.
Study day and night, and supplicate thy Creator that he would be pleased to grant thee knowledge and understanding; and that the pure spirits may have communication with, and influence, in thee.
LESSON VII.
Be not overcome with drunkenness; for, be assured, that half the evils that befall mankind originate in drunkenness: for too great a quantity of strong liquors deprive men of their reason. I pray you to avoid this dreadful vice.
LESSON VIII.
Avoid gluttony, and all excess—it is very pernicious and from the Devil. These are the things that constantly tempt man and by which he falls a prey to his spiritual adversary (the lower self); for these vices render him incapable of receiving any good or divine gift.
LESSON IX.
Covet not much gold, but learn to be satisfied with enough; for to desire more than enough, is to offend the Deity.
LESSON X.
Read often these ten preparatory Lessons to fit thee for the great work; for the more pure thou art in heart and mind, by so much quicker shall you perceive those high secrets we teach, and which are entirely hid from the discernment of the vicious and depraved, because it never can happen that such a source of treasure can be attained merely to satisfy our more gross, earthly, and vain desires and inclinations. When thou shalt have so far purified thy heart, thou shalt then see with other eyes than thou dost at present—thy spiritual eye will be opened, and thou shalt read man as plain as thou wilt our books.