"...ALTHOUGH this First Book serveth rather for prologue than for the actual rules to acquire this Divine and Sacred Magic; nevertheless O! Lamech my son thou wilt therein find certain examples and other matters  which will be none the less useful and profitable unto thee than the precepts and dogmas which I shall give thee in the Second and Third Books. Wherefore thou shalt not neglect the study of this First Book which shall serve thee for an introduction unto the Veritable and Sacred Magic and unto the practice of that which I Abraham the son of simon have learned in part from my father and in part also from other Wise and faithful Men and which I have found true and real having submitted it unto proof and experiment. And having written this with mine own hand I have placed it within this casket and locked it up as a most precious treasure; in order that when thou hast arrived at a proper age thou mayest be able to admire to consider and to enjoy the marvels of the Lord; as well as thine elder brother Joseph who  as the first-born hath received from me the Holy Tradition of the Qabalah..."