Among the venerable sect of the Tanaim, or rather the Tananim, the wise men, there were those who taught the secrets practically and initiated some disciples into the grand and final Mystery. But the _Mishna Hagiga_, 2nd Section, say that the table of contents of the _Mercaba_ “must only be delivered to wise old ones.” The _Gemara_ is still more dogmatic. “The more important secrets of the Mysteries were not even revealed to all priests. Alone the initiates had them divulged.” And so we find the same great secresy prevalent in every ancient religion.(83) What says the _Kabalah_ itself? Its great Rabbis actually threaten him who accepts their sayings _verbatim_. We read in the _Zohar_: Woe to the man who sees in the Thorah, _i.e._, Law, only simple recitals and ordinary words! Because if in truth it only contained these, we would even to‐day be able to compose a Thorah much more worthy of admiration. For if we find only the simple words, we would only have to address ourselves to the legislators of the earth,(84) to those in whom we most frequently meet with the most grandeur. It would be sufficient to imitate them, and make a Thorah after their words and example. But it is not so; each word of the Thorah contains an elevated meaning and a sublime mystery.... The recitals of the Thorah are the vestments of the Thorah. Woe to him who takes this garment for the Thorah itself.... The simple take notice only of the garments or recitals of the Thorah, they know no other thing, they see not that which is concealed under the vestment. The more instructed men do not pay attention to the vestment, but to the body which it envelops.(85) Ammonius Saccas taught that the Secret Doctrine of the Wisdom‐Religion was found complete in the _Books of Thoth_ (Hermes), from which both Pythagoras and Plato derived their knowledge and much of their Philosophy; and these Books were declared by him to be “identical with the teachings of the Sages of the remote East.” Professor A. Wilder remarks: As the name Thoth means a college or assembly, it is not altogether improbable that the books were so named as being the collected oracles and doctrines of the sacerdotal fraternity of Memphis. Rabbi Wise has suggested the same hypothesis in relation to the divine utterances recorded in the Hebrew Scriptures.(86) This is very probable. Only the “divine utterances” have never been, so far, understood by the profane. Philo Judæus, a non‐initiate, attempted to give their secret meaning and—failed. But _Books of Thoth_ or _Bible_, _Vedas_ or _Kabalah_, all enjoin the same secresy as to certain mysteries of nature symbolised in them. “Woe be to him who divulges _unlawfully_ the words whispered into the ear of Manushi by the _First Initiator_.” Who that “Initiator” was is made plain in the _Book of Enoch_: