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108 desirous of warning the multitude, we have been the more painstaking, in order not to omit any expedient practised by the magicians, for those who may be disposed to be deceived. We have been however drawn, not unreasonably, into a detail of some of the secret [mysteries] of the sorcerers, which are not very requisite, to be sure, in reference to the subject taken in hand; yet, for the purpose of guarding against the villanous and incoherent art of magicians, may be supposed useful. Since, therefore, as far as delineation is feasible, we have explained the opinions of all [speculators], exerting especial attention towards the elucidation of the opinions introduced as novelties by the heresiarchs; [opinions] which, as far as piety is concerned, are futile and spurious, and which are not, even among themselves, perhaps deemed worthy of serious consideration. [Having pursued this course of inquiry], it seems expedient that, by means of a compendious discourse, we should recall to the [reader's] memory statements that have been previously made.

Among all those who throughout the earth, as philosophers and theologians, have carried on investigations, has prevailed