Text.Figulus.1608-01.G2r
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Source: Paradisus Aureolus Hermeticus, ed. Benedictus Figulus, Frankfurt am Main: Nicolaus Stein for Wolfgang Richter, 1608, sig. G2r–G3r = pag. 51–53 [BP.Figulus.1608-01]
Summary: The preface speaks of the divine, magical, and celestial aspects of alchemical art, emphasizing its ancient respectability, uncorrupted truth, unique nobility, and remarkable excellence, alongside its miraculous and ineffable benefits. Figulus opts not to delve into an extensive discourse on these merits, noting the availability of numerous scholarly works praising the study of alchemy in his time.
He then traces the history of alchemy post-Hermes Trismegistus, highlighting its flourishing among Egyptians, Arabs, Greeks, and others. Notably, he mentions Philippus Theophrastus Paracelsus, a seminal figure in the field, who advanced and refined alchemical practices, leaving behind significant treatments for diseases previously deemed incurable. Figulus acknowledges the contributions of Paracelsus’s disciples and followers who continued his work across Europe, demonstrating the art's effectiveness in treating desperate illnesses and expanding the knowledge of alchemy.
A significant portion of the preface is dedicated to a contemporary Hermetic philosopher of Polish origin, whose works and achievements in the realm of alchemy Figulus praises highly. This philosopher, through the guidance of an Arab teacher and divine grace, has purportedly achieved great heights in the practice, even acquiring the supreme treasure of the Philosophical Stone.
Figulus concludes by recommending a philosophical dialogue, shared with him by a friend, for publication alongside other works on the Philosophical Stone. He expresses a desire for this dialogue to serve as encouragement for others to explore the innermost secrets of Hermetic wisdom and truth, assuring readers of the nobility and value of such pursuits. (generated by ChatGPT)
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De Diuino-Magico-Cœlestis artis Chemicæ veneranda Antiquitate, incorrupta veritate, & singulari Nobilitate, mirificaq́ue præstantia, cum miraculosis & ineffabilibus coniuncta fructibus prolixum instituere sermonem, Filii doctrinæ Hermeticæ, Fratres Lectissime, huius loci non esse duxi, cum de huius & vtilissimi & iuncundissimi Studii laudibus hac nostra tempestate plurima Doctorum scripta ἐγκωμιαστικὰ in promtu sint, ad quæ cognoscenda vos in præsentia remissos volo.
Post Hermetis Trismegisti tempora floruit hæc Ars apud Ægyptios, Arabes, Græcos quoque & alios, prout sexcenta fere Philosophorum nomina nobis indicium faciunt, qui de Lapide Philosophico scripserunt, & Chymicæ artis mysteria nobis vt posteris, licet infinitis inuoluta parabolis & obscuris inuolucris texta reliquerunt. Præcedentis abhinc ætatis interuallo, Monarcha & Mysteriarcha noster, Philippvs Theophrastvs Paracelsus, &c. in Germania floruit, & hanc artem & veritatem Chemicam scriptis plus quàm diuinis (non tamen cuiuis, sed tantum doctrinæ filiis obuiis) hinc inde post mortem relictis plantauit, denuò dilatauit, illustrauit, & dexterrimè expoliuit, in morbis desperatissimis, Lepra, Podagra, Paralysi, aliisq́ue incurabilium (iudicio Galenico) morborum vulneribus diris & inueteratis, radicitus sublatis Cvra relicta, perpetuâ memoria dignissima, vt innumera metallicæ transmutationis documenta silentio iam præteream. Habuimus hactenus aliquot Theophrasti [p. 52] Discipulos & Sectatores pios, qui qua cum laude & felicitato etiam plures morbos desperatos curauerint, innumera hinc & vbique non tam in Germania, quàm in Italia, Gallia, Belgia & Anglia curatorum testantur exempla, & libri de huius nobilissimæ scientiæ amplificatione & genuina declaratione, præstantissimi & penè innumerabiles. Inter alios autem superiori nobis anno quidam, non tantum generosi stemmatis & inclyti nominis, verum etiam solertissimi ingenii Philosophus innotuit Hermeticus, natione Polonvs, qui ex institutione & manuductione cuiusdam Arabis Præceptoris, eò Diuina aspirante clementia deuenit, vt venerandum Montem Gratiæ conscenderit, & summa quidem eiusdem fastigia feliciter attigerit: Siquidem Aurei velleris in Horto Hesperidum particeps factgus, & summum Lapidis Benedicti Philosophici Thesaurum est adeptus. Quod quidem ex libello eius in publicum emisso nobis euidenter & indubitatò constat, & colligi facilè potest. Qui verè Avrevs Libellus tanta perspicuitate (quantum quidem Iuramentum Philosophicum reuelationis indulgere voluit) & tam facili breuitate & mira solertia conscriptus est, vt non tam omnia omnium Philosophorum de Chemia, & L[apide] Philosophorum scripta satis adæquare, quàm potius longè superare, meo iudicio dici mereatur. Accessit interim eiusdem Poloni Dialogus Philosophicus, facetus & fructuosus, ab amico mihi Augustæ superiori anno communicatus, quem hisce præsentibus libellis de Lapide Philosophico annectere, & in publicam lucem cum hic præmisso Authoris Elogio adornare & emittere placuit, quem Dialogum vobis, vtpote Filiis doctrinæ, fideliter commendatum esse volo, non tam ab Ethnicæ & Aristotelicæ Philosophiæ studio hactenus vsurpato, vestros generosos animos seriò & molliter abstracturus, quam ad Sacrosancta Veritatis & Sapientiæ Hermeticæ, imò Cœlestinæ penetralia visitanda vobis & aliis calcar & incitamentum singulare allaturus, & ita fideliter et- [p. 53] iam omnes Studiosos, nec non etiam prædicti Poloni populares admoniturus, vt vestigiis hisce laudatissimis insistere & immorari minimè vereantur, cuius quidem facti nulla vnquam, quod scio, pœnitudo mentes vestras sit subitura. Valete, & in Christo, feliciter hoc exhibito & publicato Dialogo latinè (& germanicè me Interprete) fruimini. Iterum valete. Raptim in Nobili Francofurto, 23. Septembris Anni 1607.
V. V. V. O. O. O. Studiosissimus
Benedictus Figulus, V[tenhovius] Fr[ancus,] P[oeta] L[aureatus] C[oronatus], TH. T. P. M. E. D. T. P. D. G. N.Modern English Raw Translation
Regarding the Divine-Magical-Celestial art of alchemy's revered antiquity, its untainted truth, and unique nobility, along with its remarkable superiority, combined with miraculous and unspeakable benefits, it is not my intention here to launch into an extensive discussion, Sons of the Hermetic doctrine, most chosen Brothers. This is because, in our era, there are numerous scholarly works lauding this most beneficial and pleasurable study readily available, to which I prefer to direct you for now.
Following the era of Hermes Trismegistus, this Art thrived among the Egyptians, Arabs, Greeks, and others, as evidenced by nearly six hundred philosophers' names known to us, who wrote about the Philosophical Stone and left the mysteries of the alchemical art to us, their descendants, though shrouded in endless parables and dark veils. In the previous age, our Monarch & Master of Mysteries, Philippus Theophrastus Paracelsus, flourished in Germany, planting, expanding, illuminating, and most adeptly refining this art and alchemical truth through writings more than divine (yet not for everyone, but solely for the sons of the doctrine who encountered them) scattered here and there after his death. He left behind a treatment for the most desperate illnesses, such as Leprosy, Gout, Paralysis, among other diseases considered incurable (by Galenic judgment), dire and longstanding wounds, completely eradicated, deserving of eternal remembrance, without even mentioning numerous proofs of metallic transmutation I now bypass in silence. Up to this point, we have had several disciples and devout followers of Theophrastus, who have cured many desperate diseases with notable success and praise, as countless examples throughout not only Germany but also Italy, France, Belgium, and England of those healed attest, and books on the expansion and authentic declaration of this most noble science are exceptionally great and almost innumerable. Among others, last year a certain Hermetic Philosopher of not only noble birth and celebrated name but also of the most ingenious talent emerged, a Pole by nationality, who, through the teaching and guidance of a certain Arab Teacher, reached such divine grace that he climbed the venerable Mountain of Grace, and indeed successfully reached its highest peaks: Having become a participant in the Golden Fleece in the Garden of the Hesperides and acquired the supreme treasure of the Blessed Philosophical Stone. This is clearly and undoubtedly known to us from his booklet published publicly, and can be easily inferred. This truly Golden Pamphlet is written with such clarity (as much as the Philosophic Oath of revelation allowed) and with such straightforward brevity and amazing skill, that it is said to deserve, in my opinion, not just to match but indeed to far surpass all philosophers' writings on Chemistry and the Philosophical Stone. Meanwhile, the same Pole's Philosophical Dialogue, witty and beneficial, was shared with me by a friend last year in Augusta, which it pleased to attach to these present pamphlets on the Philosophical Stone, and to adorn and release into the public light with this preceding Author's Praise, which Dialogue I wish to be faithfully recommended to you, as Sons of the doctrine, not to draw your noble minds away from the study previously dominated by Ethnic & Aristotelian Philosophy, but rather to offer a unique encouragement to visit the Holy Inner Sanctum of Truth & Hermetic Wisdom, indeed, of Celestial mysteries, and thus faithfully and to alert all Scholars, as well as the aforementioned Pole's countrymen, not to fear to adhere to and dwell upon these most commendable paths, of which action, as far as I know, you will never experience any regret. Farewell, and enjoy this Dialogue presented and published in Latin (and in German, translated by me) successfully in Christ. Farewell again. In haste in Noble Frankfurt, September 23, 1607.
V. V. V. O. O. O. Most studious
Benedictus Figulus, Utenhovius Francus, Crowned Poet Laureate