Dedication, no date (1610), Dominicus Gnosius to Ladislav Velen z Žerotína (BP.Harvet.1610-01)
| Author: | Dominicus Gnosius |
| Recipient: | Ladislav Velen z Žerotína |
| Type: | Dedication |
| Date: | no date [1610] |
| Pages: | 6 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Quote as: | https://www.theatrum-paracelsicum.com/index.php?curid=2768 |
| Editor: | Edited by Julian Paulus |
| Source: | Hermetis Trismegisti tractatus vere aureus, ed. Dominicus Gnosius, Leipzig: Valentin Am Ende for Thomas Schürer 1610, sig. )(2r-)(4v [BP.Harvet.1610-01]
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| Translation: | Raw translation see below |
| Abstract: | In this dedication, Dominicus Gnosius addresses Ladislaus Welen, Baron of Zierotin, praising him as a learned man who takes pleasure in the sciences and the secrets of nature. He introduces a work by Hermes Trismegistus, lauded for its philosophy on nature's secrets. This work, which had recently come into Gnosius's possession, has been prepared for printing with an enriching commentary. Gnosius entrusts the work to Welen, anticipating his intellectual enjoyment and defense against critics. He ends by praying for the continuous awakening of enlightened minds to explore nature's mysteries for the benefit of humanity. (generated by Chat-GPT) |
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[sig. )(2r] Illustri ac generoso Viro, Ladislao Welen, Baroni a Zierotin, Domino in Triba, Lontenburck, & Honstein, Domino suo clementißimo. S[alutem] P[lurimam] D[icit].
Hermetem Trismegistum, apud Ægyptios, Illustris ac Generose Baro, maximi sacerdotis, maximi Regis, maximi Philosophi axiomata, multis modis clarissimisq́ue meritis obtinuisse, ne- [sig. )(2v] mini est ignotum. Inter alia is libris suis, quæ extant, eam Philosophiam, præsertim de naturæ secretis, admiscuit, quam non nisi ex sanctis divinisq́ue Patribus Ægyptios ipsos accepisse, plurima sunt, quæ nobis fidem faciunt plus quàm plenam & certam.
Et istius verò Philosophiæ patrum de naturæ secretis[c1] quàm sit arguta ratio, admirabilis jucunditas, evidentissima certitudo, & ineffabilis utilitas, illorum confirmabitur punctis, quos non invidus & iniquus vexat affectus, sed æquus amavit Jupiter, ut in proverbio dici solet. Cum igitur tanti [sig. )(3r] auctoris & secretorum naturæ scriptoris, & abstrusæ Philosophiæ patris hic liber ab omnibus solidæ physicæ viris amantibus & doctissimis desideratus nuperrimè in manus meas incideret, & quidem de quo sibi omnes docti magnoperè gratulabuntur, commentario supra modum egregio & pernecessario exornatus, Utiq́ue peccati in publica commoda commissi ne reus perhiberi possem, nolui eundem diutiùs latere, sed è vestigio typis exscribendum curavi. Et hoc unum est, de quo lectorem Hermeticis πραγματείαις non assvetum admonere visum fuit.
[sig. )(3v] Alterum est de caussá, cur hunc librum Tibi vito tàm literis quàm bello excercitatissimo inscribendum curavi. Illud utique nemo mirabitur, quòd pro eá, quæ publicè recepta est, consvetudine, propter & adversùs imperitos & iniquos judices, huic libro patronum & vindicem inquirere sategi. Ergò cum ex familiari multorum doctissimorum virorum conversatione, plusquàm perspectum haberem Te, non tantùm cunctis viris doctos, sed omnibus alijs liberalibus scientijs impensè delectari, & in naturæ secretis investigandis omnes contendere nervos; jure quo- [sig. )(4r] dam singulari antiquissimorum & eruditissimorum Philosophorum Philosophorum princeps ille Hermes Trismegistus quasi redivivus cum doctissimo suo commentatore Tuæ Fidei & Curatelæ fuit commendandus. Et apud quemnam potiùs deponeremus auctorem & commmentatorem de tantis abstrusis & secretis naturæ disserentes, quàm apud eum, qui totus totus, quantus quantus est, nil nisi in abstrusis & secretis investigandis occupatus est.
Accipe igitur utrunque sereno vultu, & utrinque adversùs iniquos censores, si opus fuerit, viriliter tuére. Deus [sig. )(4v] omnipotentissim[us] felicia subinde excitet ingenia, quæ solidam secretorum naturæ investigationem strenuè urgeant, & ad nominis sui gloriam, & ad publicam generis humani utilitatem expoliant. Vale ἐπιμήκιστον.
T[uae] G[enerositatis] obsequentissimus
Dominicus Gnosius Belga Utr[iusque] Med[icinae] Doct[or].
English Raw Translation
Generated by ChatGPT-4 on 13 July 2023. Attention: This translation is a machine translation by artificial intelligence. The translation has not been checked and should not be cited without additional human verification.
To the Illustrious and Generous Man, Ladislaus Welen, Baron of Zierotin, Lord of Triba, Lontenburck, & Honstein, His Most Merciful Lord, many greetings.
Hermes Trismegistus, amongst the Egyptians, Illustrious and Generous Baron, achieved the axioms of the highest priest, the highest king, the highest philosopher, in many ways and with the brightest merits, unknown to no one. Among other things in his books, which exist, he incorporated that philosophy, particularly about the secrets of nature, which he himself accepted from the holy and divine fathers of Egypt, there are many things which make us have more than full and certain faith.
And of this very philosophy of the fathers about the secrets of nature, how shrewd the reasoning, the admirable pleasure, the most evident certainty, and the ineffable utility will be confirmed by their principles, which are not tormented by envy and unjust affliction, but are loved by just Jupiter, as the proverb says. Therefore, when this book of such an author & writer of nature's secrets, and father of hidden philosophy recently fell into my hands, which all learned men will greatly congratulate themselves about, decorated with an exceedingly excellent and necessary commentary, I wished not to be called guilty of a sin committed against public benefits, I did not want the same to lie hidden any longer, but I took care of having it immediately printed. And this is the only thing that seemed necessary to warn the reader who is not accustomed to Hermetic dealings.
The other thing is about the reason why I took care of dedicating this book to you, being as experienced in letters as in war. Indeed, no one will wonder, because for the sake of public custom, I had enough of seeking a patron and defender for this book against ignorant and unjust judges. Therefore, since from the familiar conversation of many most learned men, I would have clearly seen that you, not only take great delight in all learned men, but in all other liberal sciences, and in investigating the secrets of nature exert all your strength; the prince of philosophers, that Hermes Trismegistus, as if revived, with his most learned commentator, was to be recommended to your faith and care by some singular right. And in whom would we rather place the author and commentator discussing such great hidden and secret matters of nature, than in him who, being wholly and entirely as he is, is occupied with nothing but in investigating hidden and secret matters.
Therefore, receive both with a cheerful face, and if necessary, bravely defend both against unfair critics. May Almighty God continually awaken happy minds, which vigorously pursue the solid investigation of the secrets of nature, and for the glory of his name, and for the public benefit of mankind. Farewell for a long time.
Your Most Obedient,
Dominicus Gnosius from Belgium, Doctor of Medicine.
