Text.Alchemica.1625-01.B3r/Translation
Preface
To the seeker of art, dear reader,
Do not be surprised, dear reader and earnest investigator of nature's secrets, why in this last age of the world, as it already steps with one foot into the grave, I have undertaken to write this brief treatise. Nearly all libraries are filled with books written on this subject, yet the majority of them contain false and fabricated philosophies and recipes. I have written not for my own sake but for yours, to show you the foundation of truth and to lead you away from the paths of error, which is of no small concern to you. As for myself, I already know what is necessary for me in this matter; I do not need books. In twenty-two years, I have read as many as I could get my hands on, including both manuscripts and printed works.
Herein, you will find the matter and its theoretical solution described, as well as the entire practice encapsulated in an allegory, as clearly and plainly as you might seek from a philosopher. I have also made an effort to converse with philosophers, and therefore, I have specifically indicated all places where they cite this or that phrase, so you can look them up yourself, compare my references, and thereby sharpen your understanding. Indeed, I could have written this treatise with less effort without such references and revealed myself to the Fratres of the Golden Cross, but for your benefit, as already mentioned, it is deemed best that you may gain more understanding from it.
Do not wonder why I have concealed my name and chosen not to reveal myself to you personally. I do not seek vain glory or to make a great name for myself in the world, but rather your benefit. My teachers, the true philosophers, did not teach me to risk my life for great renown or to expose myself to greedy robbers, nor to burden myself with great sins by prostituting this great secret. The reader will have learned from Michael Sendivogius that whenever he revealed himself to great lords, it always resulted in harm and danger. Experience shows that various philosophers, who did not sufficiently guard their treasures, were murdered by greedy and arrogant fellows who risked their souls for this purpose and were robbed of the tincture. Reason supports that anyone who openly carries a great treasure would not wish to be robbed. Sendivogius concealed his name in his anagrams. Recently, a new brother of the Golden Cross also revealed himself with an anagram and enigma, whose name is well known to me. Why then should I present myself to the whole world? Be content, dear friend, that I reveal myself to the wise and simultaneously make my name known to you, which I have indeed done without error. I leave the rest to our Lord God, who will reveal me to you if it pleases Him and will be beneficial for us both. Do not desire to search for my name; even if you were to learn it or recognize me, you would still have to be satisfied with this treatise. For I have sworn with Bernardus Trevisanus and other philosophers that I am not obliged to reveal anything further than what has been done here. Do not fret about whether I possess this treasure; rather ask if I have seen how the world was created, the darkness in Egypt, the cause of the rainbow, how glorified bodies will appear after the general resurrection, and what the most permanent color is. But I ask you, who understand my booklet, if you have seen the great universal salt sea, which is sufficient to carry all things' tinctures to the highest mountains without any corrosiveness. Tell me, where does sulfur become sulfur, and mercury become mercury? Also, where does mercury turn into sulfur, and sulfur into mercury? When have your eyes witnessed the archetype of burning love, where man and woman embrace so tightly that they can never be separated again, becoming one out of heartfelt love? If you understand what I am saying now and have worked it with your hands and seen it with your eyes, then I am your companion and notify you that I also know it and nothing is dearer to me than to have your secret acquaintance, for which purpose I also wanted to write this little treatise.
Should anyone complain about the difficulty of this art, know that it is not difficult in itself and that for those who love God and are deemed worthy by Him, it comes very easily.
If someone were to accuse me of writing the art too clearly and plainly so that anyone could understand it, I respond that I have described it intelligibly enough for the worthy, to whom God grants it, but the unworthy will likely leave it alone. I have previously told the entire art from word to word to the overly clever, but they laughed it off in their hearts, not believing that there is a twofold resurrection of the dead in our work. Therefore, our art, both in theory and practice, is a pure gift from God, who gives it when and to whom He wills, and it does not depend on anyone's will or effort. I have known it with all its circumstances and manipulations for 17 or 18 years and yet had to wait until God was pleased to grant me grace. No one should doubt the certainty and truth of this art, for it is as true, certain in nature, and undoubted by God's ordination as the sun shines by day and the moon lights the night. With this, I will close this brief preface and begin the treatise itself. You, beloved brothers of the Golden Cross, who keep yourselves hidden here and there in secret and enjoy the high gifts of God in His fear, do not avoid me, and if you do not know me, know that the cross tests the faithful and reveals their faith, while security and pleasure stifle them. May God be with us all.
Amen.
