Preface, no date (1613), Heinrich Nollius to the Reader (BP.Nollius.1613-01)
| Author: | Heinrich Nollius |
| Recipients: | Severin Grusemann Hermann Schipper Philipp Landsidel Johann Stapp |
| Type: | Preface |
| Date: | no date [1613] |
| Pages: | 5 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Quote as: | https://www.theatrum-paracelsicum.com/index.php?curid=5652 |
| Editor: | Edited by Julian Paulus |
| Source: | Heinrich Nollius, Methodus metaphysici systematis convenientissima, Frankfurt am Main: Zacharias Palthenius 1613, sig. ()2r-()4r [BP.Nollius.1613-01]
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| Translation: | Raw translation see below |
| Abstract: | Initially reluctant to publish due to its perceived imperfections and his busy involvement in Hermetic activities, Nollius was persuaded by learned men to release his findings. He outlines his motivations and the content of his work in four key points: 1. Distinction from Theosophy and Kabbalah: Nollius differentiates his metaphysical approach from Theosophy and Kabbalah. He argues that while Theosophy, involving the doctrine of intelligences and the human soul, belongs to the realm of Kabbalah and is based on faith that performs supernatural acts, his metaphysical study is distinct and more grounded. 2. Systematization of Metaphysical Canons: He addresses the scattered nature of metaphysical canons in philosophical works, expressing his intention to organize and clarify these canons systematically. 3. Doctrine of Principles: Nollius notes the lack of a comprehensive, systematic presentation of the doctrine of principles in existing literature, and aims to address this gap in his work. 4. Contribution to Metaphysical Literature: He acknowledges the shortcomings of common metaphysical texts and positions his work as a more inclusive and detailed contribution. (generated by Chat-GPT) |
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[sig. ()2r] Reverendis admodvm et Doctissimis Viris.
Dn. Severino Grvseman Ecclesiæ Christi, quæ colligitur in Waltlaübersheim/ præsuli fidelissimo.
Dn. Hermanno Schippero verbi diuini apud Dumringenses Ministro vigilantissimo.
Dn. Philippo Landfidelio Ecclesiæ Saræpontanæ Diacono dignissimo. &
Dn. M. Ioanni Stappio Scholæ Reiscurianæ moderatori diligentissimo.
Dominis affinibus, fautoribus & amicis in perpetuam sui memoriam, & amicitiæ nunquam interituræ testimonium hoc Systema Metaphysicum dedicat & consecrat auctor.
[sig. ()2v] Praefatio.
Qvanquam Metaphysicum hunc libellum nunquam publici Iuris facere mecum constituerem, quia imperfectus erat, nec per negotia Hermetica mihi iam licebat lineam ei addere, tamen vt aliis, quorum ingenia plus otii sibi in Metaphysicis meditandis sumunt, occasionem saltem perfectius excolendi & conscribendi hanc scientiam offerrem, non possum, quin doctissimorum quorundam virorum hortatu id, quod olim in hisce e musis perscrutatus fui, & in ordinem conuenientissimum redegi, iam in lucem emitterem.
Id vero, quod me ad eius eximiæ disciplinæ tractationem mouerit, paucis significabo.
1. Vidi Philosophiam, & intelligentiarum doctrinam huic generali scientiæ immisceri. Verum, cum in generali Systemate sola generalia sint explicanda, Theosophiam illam plane a Metaphysica scientia esse alienam iudicaui. Theosophiam, intelligentiarum, & animæ humanæ Doctrinam [sig. ()3r] Cabala sibi vendicat: Cuius fundamentum est vera fides: Hæc operatur naturalia supernaturaliter & miraculose. Hoc vero, si præstare debet, exaltetur necesse est. Quando exaltatur, fides dat Imaginationem, imaginatio Spiritum, & spiritus hic est veluti magnes, qui ex eo, quod potentia efficiendi pollet, potentiam istam extrahit, sibi vel aliis applicat, & sic mirabiliter operatur. Exemplo est mulier illa, quæ duodecim annos ex sanguinis immoderato fluxu laborauit, & per solum contactum fimbriæ vestis Christi sanitati[c1] restituta fuit. Christus vbi fuit a muliere illa attactus, aperte ait, virtutem a se egressam fuisse, & postea medium, quo illud præstitum fuerit, significauit, vbi ita mulierem istam affatus est: Fides tua te saluam fecit. Totum negotium in eo consistit, vt fides in exaltationem veniat. Media, quibus exaltetur, duo in Cabala proponuntur, nempe Pietas & Sobrietas: Specialius a Christo exponuntur, vbi ait, Quoddam dæmoniorum genus preci- [sig. ()3v] cibus & Ieiunio eiici, Pauci sunt, qui hanc magiam apprehendunt, ac proinde etiam Christus prædixit nouissimo seculo fidem vix in mundo inueniri. Hæc est fides qua Deo firmissime vnimur & miracula edimus. Medium, per quod nobis illius fidei potentia applicatur, est nomen Iesvh. &c. sed de his in Cabal mea: vulgus non sapit veræ & summæ huius sapientiæ dulcedinem. Cortex fidei potius apud ipsos est, quam nucelus. Hæc obitet.
2. Canones, ex quibus de terminis Metaphysicis iudicandum est, hactenus hinc atque illinc sparsim dispersi apud Philosophos leguntur. Hos in certam compagninem dispositurus, eos suis terminis subiicere, atque vbi opus fuerit, explicare volui.
3. Doctrina principiorum nullibi plene & perfecte in aliquo systemate proposita fuit: itaque operæ pretium me facturum putaui, si perfecte eam doctrinam in hac disciplina enucleauero.
4. Taceo alia infinita, quæ in vulga- [sig. ()4r] ribus huiusmodi libris desiderantur, & vbique huic meo libro inseruntur.
Si doctis viris operam meam placuisse animaduertero, succisiuis horis, Deo iuuante & vitæ vsuram longiorem concedente, pleniorem, castigatiorem & dilucidiorem Canonum & theorematum tractationem, vbi necessitas efflagitauerit, meditabor. Interea, Candide lector, his, quæ ex candido & fideli corde tibi communico, fruere. Vale.
English Raw Translation
Generated by ChatGPT-4 on 31 December 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 Most Reverend and Learned Men,
Mr. Severinus Gruseman, the most faithful bishop of the Church of Christ gathered in Waltlaübersheim.
Mr. Hermann Schipper, the most vigilant minister of the divine word among the Dumringenses.
Mr. Philipp Landfidel, the most worthy deacon of the Church of Sarepta. &
Mr. M. Johann Stapp, the most diligent moderator of the Reiscurean School.
To these related lords, patrons, and friends, in everlasting memory of himself, and as a testament to an undying friendship, the author dedicates and consecrates this Metaphysical System.
Preface:
Although I had never intended to make this little metaphysical book public, as it was imperfect and my Hermetic engagements no longer allowed me to add to it, I could not resist the encouragement of some very learned men to bring to light what I had once thoroughly investigated in these muses and arranged in the most suitable order, so that others, whose talents afford them more leisure to meditate on Metaphysics, might have the opportunity to further refine and write about this science.
I will briefly state what moved me to treat this excellent discipline:
1. I saw Philosophy and the doctrine of intelligences mixed into this general science. However, since only general topics should be explained in a general system, I judged that Theosophy was indeed alien to Metaphysical science. Theosophy, the doctrine of intelligences, and the doctrine of the human soul are claimed by the Kabbalah, whose foundation is true faith. This operates natural things supernaturally and miraculously. For this to be effective, it must be exalted. When exalted, faith gives rise to Imagination, imagination to Spirit, and this spirit acts like a magnet, drawing out its potential for action, applying it to itself or others, and thus works wonders. An example is the woman who suffered from excessive bleeding for twelve years and was healed simply by touching the hem of Christ's garment. When Christ was touched by this woman, he openly said that power had gone out from him, and later indicated the means by which this was done, addressing the woman: "Your faith has made you well." The whole matter consists in bringing faith to exaltation. The means by which it is exalted are two in Kabbalah, namely Piety and Sobriety. Christ explains more specifically when he says, "This kind of demon can only be driven out by prayer and fasting." Few grasp this magic, and therefore Christ also predicted that in the last days, faith would hardly be found in the world. This is the faith by which we are most firmly united to God and perform miracles. The means by which the power of this faith is applied to us is the name of Jesus. But more on this in my Kabbalah: the common people do not taste the sweetness of this true and supreme wisdom. They have the bark of faith rather than the kernel. This aside.
2. The canons by which Metaphysical terms are to be judged have so far been scattered here and there among philosophers. I wanted to arrange them into a certain order, subject them to their terms, and explain them where necessary.
3. The doctrine of principles has nowhere been fully and perfectly proposed in any system; therefore, I thought it worthwhile to fully elucidate this doctrine in this discipline.
4. I pass over countless other things that are missing in common books of this kind and are included everywhere in my book.
If I find that learned men are pleased with my work, God helping and granting me a longer lease on life, I will contemplate a fuller, more refined, and clearer treatment of Canons and theories, where necessity demands it. In the meantime, dear reader, enjoy what I share with you from a candid and faithful heart. Farewell.
