View source for Dedication, 1607-10-03, Benedictus Figulus to Kaiser Rudolf II.

{{InfoboxParatext
| Author=Benedictus Figulus
| Recipient=Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor
| Type=Dedication
| Date=1607-10-03
| Place=Hagenau
| Pages=7
| Language=deu
| Editor=Julian Paulus
| SourceTitle=Thesaurinella Olympica aurea tripartita
| SourceEditor=Benedictus Figulus, 
| SourcePlace=Frankfurt am Main: Wolfgang Richter
| SourceDate=1608
| SourcePag=3-9
| SourceBP=BP280
| ReprintedFrom=
| Description=
| Abstract=
| Names=
| Places=
| Texts=
| Authorities=
| Note=
| ID=SudhoffBP280,3
| Translation=1
| AbstractGPT=Figulus passionately defends and promotes alchemy, emphasizing its ancient, beneficial, and divine nature. He argues that alchemy is not just a practical art for purifying metals but also a spiritual pursuit, divinely inspired and capable of curing incurable diseases, as demonstrated by daily experiences and beyond the reach of skepticism. Figulus acknowledges the skepticism and mockery faced by alchemy and its practitioners but insists on the veracity and importance of the art, citing its historical and ongoing contributions to medicine and the transformation of metals. He references notable alchemists and physicians like Conrad Khunrath, Joachim Tancke, and Johann Thölde, who have validated alchemy through their works and teachings. </br> The text also delves into esoteric and prophetic aspects, mentioning Elias Artista, a legendary figure in alchemical tradition, prophesied by Paracelsus, and expected to bring significant revelations in alchemy. Figulus expresses his anticipation for Elias Artista's arrival, believing it will lead to a greater understanding and acceptance of alchemy, and ultimately, to the glorification of God. </br> Figulus then describes his own journey and dedication to alchemy, highlighting his collection of significant alchemical writings. He has compiled these works into a publication titled "Thesaurinella Aurea Tripartita," intending to share this knowledge for the betterment of mankind and the advancement of alchemical studies.
}}

Dem Allerdurchleuchtigsten/ Großmächtigsten/ Vnvberwindlichsten Fürsten vnd Herrn/ Herrn {{MarkupAntiquaSmallcaps|Rudolpho II.|u=v}} Erwehlten Römischen Keysern/ zu allen Zeiten Mehrern deß Reichs/ in Germanien/ zu Hungern/ Böhem/ Dalmatien/ Croatien/ vnd Sclauonien König/ vnd Ertzhertzogen zu Oesterreich/ &c. meinem aller gnädigsten {{MarkupSmallcaps|Herrn}}/ &c.

{{MarkupInitial|Allerdurchleuchtigster}}/ Großmächtigster/ Vnvberwindlichster Keyser/ meine vnterthänigste Dienst stehen gegen E[ure] Keys[erliche] Maiest[ät] in höchster demütigster Bereitschafft eusserstes Vermögens vnd bestes fleisses/ auch sampt vnterthäniger Willfährigkeit jederzeit zuvor: Allergnädigster Keyser vnd {{MarkupSmallcaps|Herr}}: Daß die hochlöbliche Kunst {{MarkupAntiquaSmallcaps|Alchymia}} nicht allein ein vhralte nützliche vnnd gantz heylsame Kunst/ sondern auch ein vberauß fürtreffliche Gab vnd Gnadengeschenck deß allerhöchsten {{MarkupAntiquaSmallcaps|Spagyri}}, den Menschen vätterlich mitgetheilet/ vnnd verliehen sey/ auch noch heutiges Tags etlichen wenigen/ die solches durch einen Gottseligen Wandel vnnd das liebe kräfftige Gebet erlangen/ gegeben werde: Dardurch nicht allein die vnvollkommene aussätzige Metalla verbessert/ gereiniget/ vnnd jn jhr höchste {{MarkupAntiqua|Exaltation}} mögen gebracht werden/ sonder auch {{MarkupAntiqua|morbi contagiosi & incurabiles}} von den {{MarkupAntiqua|Galenisten}} beschreyet/ vnnd deren {{MarkupAntiquaSmallcaps|Entia}} {{MarkupAntiqua|venenata,}} durch künstliche Spagyrische Bereitungen/ {{MarkupAntiqua|Extracta}} vnd {{MarkupAntiqua|Oleiteten,}} auß der Menschen Cörper außgetrieben/ vnd {{MarkupAntiqua|radicitus}} können profli- {{Pagemark|p. 4}} girt werden/ das ist vnlaugbar/ vnnd bedarff nicht viel beweisens/ sondern die tägliche Experientz stellets offentlich an hellen Tag/ vnd ist die lautere dürre Warheit/ welcher niemand/ {{MarkupAntiqua|nisi profligatae impietatis & incredulitatis Homo,}} widersprechen mag. Vnnd ob gleichwol dieser edlen thewren Kunst viel Spötter vnd Weltkinder vbel nachreden/ dieselbe verspotten/ verhönen vnnd verlachen/ {{Apparatus|Corr|verlachen/|verlachen}} auch derselben Filios vnd Zugethane {{MarkupAntiqua|scabiosè exagitirn}} vnnd empfangen/ so bleibt doch {{MarkupAntiqua|ipsissima}} {{MarkupAntiquaSmallcaps|Veritas}} {{MarkupAntiqua|huius Artis,}} wie es die tägliche Erfahrung bezeuget/ vnd muß bleiben biß ans End der Welt: Vnd wann gleich der Lästerer/ {{MarkupAntiqua|Calumnianten}} vnnd Verfolger noch so viel weren/ so erwecket doch der liebe Gott desto mehr trefflichere Heroische {{MarkupAntiqua|Ingenia,}} die solchem hohen Gnadenschatz in der Forcht deß Herrn nachgehen/ vertheydigen/ vnd befördertn helffen/ damit solche thewre Kunst vor dem jüngsten Tag nur desto heller vnd klärer widerumb an tag gebracht werde/ vnnd die Gottlose/ verruchte/ blinde/ lunatische/ tolle Welt dort an jenem tag jrer verachtung vnd Vnwissenheit halben keine Entschuldigung bey zu bringen vermöge. Dieweil aber/ Allergnädigster Keyser vnd {{MarkupSmallcaps|Herr}}/ nun auch ein gute geraume Zeit hero viel fürtreffliche hochgelehrte Leut dieser Spagyrischen Kunst mit fleiß nachgesetzt/ öffentlich vnnd schrifftlich sie {{MarkupAntiqua|commendirt,}} gerühmet vnd hoch gepriesen/ wegen jhres hohen trefflichen Nutzes in der {{MarkupAntiqua|Medicin,}} vnd {{MarkupAntiqua|cura morborum,}} die {{MarkupAntiqua|Transmutation}} der Metallen zu geschweigen: Wie dann fürnemblich die hoch verständige vnnd wol erfahrne Männer {{MarkupAntiqua|Cunradus Chunradi, P[iae] M[emoriae]}} vnnd {{MarkupAntiqua|Ioachimus Tanckius,}} beyde Leyptzische {{MarkupAntiqua|D[omini] D[octores] Medicinae,}} gantz wol sich vmb diese edle Kunst verdient/ jre {{MarkupAntiqua|Veritatem, Antiquitatem}} vnd {{MarkupAntiqua|Vtilitatem,}} mit trefflichen {{MarkupAntiqua|Commendation}} vnd andern Schrifften/ in Publicirung vieler guter außerlesener Chymischen Büchlein/ {{MarkupAntiqua|Bernhardi}} vnd ander fürtrefflicher {{MarkupAntiqua|Philosophen,}} wie auch Johann Thölde/ {{MarkupAntiqua|Hassus}} Burger zu Franckenhausen/ in dem er die außbündige {{MarkupAntiqua|Tractatus Fr[atris] Basilii Valentini, Benedicter}} Ordens/ an tag gegeben/ vber alle massen {{Pagemark|p. 5}} herauß gestrichen: Achte ichs dißmals für gantz vnnöthig/ E[ure] Key[serliche] May[estät] mit mehrerm Lob dieser edlen Kunst zu molestirn/ vnd {{MarkupAntiqua|qua, si Cramben bis coctam,}} bey E[uer] Key[serlichen] May[estät] königlichen Taffel zu obtrudiren: Lasse es derowegen bey wol ermeldter {{MarkupAntiqua|Doctorn,}} vnd anderer mehr {{MarkupAntiqua|Scriptis commendatitiis,}} vber diese himmlische hohe Kunst/ vnd derselben Nutzbarkeit dißmals auch aller dings beruhen vnd bewenden.

Sintemal aber {{MarkupAntiquaSmallcaps|Elias Artista}}, von deme {{MarkupAntiqua|Theophrastus}} propheceyet/ {{MarkupAntiqua|Fr. Basilius}} vnd {{MarkupAntiqua|Alexander}} von Süchten auch Meldung darvon thun/ ohne zweiffel nicht lang mehr aussen bleiben kan/ sondern schon wol allbereit/ als ein rechter vngezweiffelter Vorbott vnd {{MarkupAntiqua|Praecursor}} {{MarkupAntiquaSmallcaps|Christi Jesu|u=v}} {{MarkupAntiqua|ad iudicium vniuersale venturi,}} auff der Bahn ist/ welcher vnsern Teutschen {{MarkupAntiqua|Monarcham {{MarkupAntiquaSmallcaps|Aureolum|u=v}} Ph[ilippum] Theophrastum {{MarkupAntiquaSmallcaps|Paracelsum|u=v}}, in Theologia {{MarkupAntiquaSmallcaps|Gratiae}},}} wie auch {{MarkupAntiqua|in Medicina {{MarkupAntiquaSmallcaps|Gratiae}},}} vnd andern {{MarkupAntiqua|Faculteten}} vnnd {{MarkupAntiqua|Artibus}} mehr {{MarkupAntiqua|repraesentirn,}} auch seine {{MarkupAntiqua|Scripta elucidirn}} vnnd {{MarkupAntiqua|declarirn,}} / ja ein rechter {{MarkupAntiqua|Mysteriarcha}} vnnd {{MarkupAntiqua|Interpres}} seyn wirdt der Göttlichen/ vberhimmlischen {{MarkupAntiqua|Magnalium}} vnd Geheimnussen Gottes/ so er in seine {{MarkupAntiqua|Creata}} gelegt: so wirdt darob die Gottlose/ verruchte/ blinde/ vnd in allerhand Sünd/ Schand/ Lastern vnd Vntugenden ersoffene vnd ertrunckene Welt erschrecken/ vnd verstummen müssen/ das kleine Häufflein aber der Nachfolger/ vnd Liebhaber der edlen Kunst {{MarkupAntiquaSmallcaps|Alchymiae}}, als der himmlischen Warheit/ wird sich von hertzen darob erfrewen/ vnd Gott für solche gnädige Offenbarung dancken.

Darumb trage ich auch (der ich doch als ein vnwürdiger {{MarkupAntiqua|Tyro}} zu diesem {{MarkupAntiqua|Studio}} kommen/ vnnd gleich wol von Jugendt auff Lust/ Lieb vnnd nicht geringe Anmuthung vnnd {{MarkupAntiqua|Affection}} darzu gehabt) ein hertzlich sehnlich Verlangen nach dieses zukünfftigen/ ja vielleicht schon gegenwertigen {{MarkupAntiquaSmallcaps|Eliae}} Ankunfft vnd Offenbarung/ damit doch Gottes allerheyligster/ großmäch- {{Pagemark|p. 6}} tigster Nam/ sein Ehr vnd Glori desto mehr außgebreitet vnnd befördert/ vnd die arge Lunatische Lust vnd geldtliebende Welt/ die die Finsternuß mehr dann das Liecht liebet/ vber dem hellen klaren Schein/ dieses himmlischen Gnadenliechts/ so der getrewe/ gütige vnd langmütige Gott vor dem End dieser Welt öffentlich in Germanien will anzünden/ vnnd hell vnd klar leuchten lassen/ vollendts erblindte/ zu spott vnd schanden werde/ vnd in jhres Hertzen vnbußfertier Verstockung jhren verdienten Lohn dahin nemme: Weil sie das rechte Gnadenliecht {{MarkupAntiquaSmallcaps|Christum Iesum|u=v}} den Gecreutzigten/ der in diese Welt kommen/ alle Menschen/ so warhafftig an jhn glauben/ vnd getauffet werden/ zu erleuchten/ vnd die bußfertigen Sünder selig zu machen/ nicht erkennen noch annemmen wöllen. Demnach mir nun auch/ als einem kunstliebenden Indagatori der Natur/ vnnd dieser edlen Kunst/ in meiner sechsjährigen Pilgramschaft etliche gute nützliche Schrifften zu handen kommen/ so von der hochlöblichen offt erwehnten Kunst {{MarkupAntiqua|Chemia,}} vnd von dem gebenedeyten Stein der Weisen handeln vnnd tractiren/ auch meines Wissens vnnd Erachtens noch zum theil nie {{MarkupAntiqua|in publicam lucem,}} sonderlich in Teutscher Sprach kommen: Also hab ich dieselbige den {{MarkupAntiqua|Filiis doctrinae}} zu gutem länger nicht hinderhalten/ sondern zum theil {{MarkupAntiqua|meis,}} zum theil {{MarkupAntiqua|alienis sumptibus}} gern publiciren vnd communiciren wöllen/ andern hiemit/ die ohne zweiffel dergleichen Schrifften auch haben werden/ Anleitung vnd Anreitzung zu geben/ daß sie solche fürtreffliche nützliche Schrifften nicht mit sich vergraben/ sonder auch ans Liecht kommen lassen/ zu Göttlicher Glorien Beförderung/ vnd deß NebenMenschen Geistlicher vnd leiblicher Verbesserung/ Wolfahrt/ Ergetzung vnd Erquickung.

Dieweil aber/ Allergnädigster Keyser vnd {{MarkupSmallcaps|Herr}}/ E[ure] Key[serliche] May[estät] hochlöblichster Christmildester vnd seligster Gedächtnuß/ Rhum vnd Lobwürdige {{MarkupAntiqua|Antecessores,}} König vnnd Keyser/ dieser Göttlichen/ himmlischen vnnd hohen Kunst {{MarkupAntiquaSmallcaps|Alchymiae}}, nicht geringe Beförderung gethan/ vnd gnädigst erwiesen/ sondern auch {{Pagemark|p. 7}} ein sonderliche Heroisische {{MarkupAntiqua|Affection,}} Lust/ Lieb vnnd Gunst darzu getragen/ ja auch selbst bißweilen darmit vmbgangen/ sich darinn erlüstiget vnnd erquicket: (Wie es dann ein vberauß lieblich vnd auß dermassen lustig {{MarkupAntiqua|Studium}} ist/ daß einer/ der ein wenig {{MarkupAntiqua|per portarum rimas}} in diesen Philosophischen geheimen Garten der {{MarkupAntiqua|Hesperidum}} nur einen Blick thut/ als ein Liebhaber/ nimmermehr darvon ablassen kan.) Zu deme auch nicht weniger E[ure] Key[serliche] May[estät] diesem jhrer Voreltern hochlöblichem Exempel mit grossem Rhum vnd Preiß nachsetzen/ vnnd sich keine Vnkosten etwas darinn zu erfahren/ vnnd ein glückseliges End zu erreichen/ dawren lassen: Ja auch damit solche Chemische {{MarkupAntiqua|Opera}} vnnd Schrifften nicht vntertrucket/ sondern ans Tagliecht männiglichem zu Nutz kommen mögen/ mit Keyserlichen {{MarkupAntiqua|Special Priuilegiis}} hierinn allerhand gnädigste Beförderung thun vnd erweisen. Also hab ich dieses kleine {{MarkupAntiqua|Opusculum}} von dreyen hocherleuchten/ thewren/ hocherfahrnen vnd fürtrefflichen Männern vnd {{MarkupAntiqua|Philosophis,}} so ich {{MarkupAntiquaSmallcaps|Thesaurinellam Auream Tripartitam|u=v}} {{MarkupAntiqua|intitulirt,}} in drey vnterschiedliche Tractätlein abgetheilet/ weil sie {{MarkupAntiqua|eiusdem tenoris}} vnnd Jnhalts/ vnd von dem {{MarkupAntiqua|Chemico lapidis Physici miraculo}} handeln/ von jhnen schrifftlich hinderlassen/ also gleichsam in ein kleines Handbüchlein zu sammen tragen/ vnd den {{MarkupAntiqua|Filiis doctrinae}} zum besten {{MarkupAntiqua|in tali forma publicirn}} wöllen. Das erste Tractätlein ist vnsers hoch thewren Monarchen vnnd {{MarkupAntiqua|Philosophi, Ph[ilippi] Theophrasti Paracelsi,}} (welcher {{MarkupAntiqua|Anno 1530.}} darvor vnd hernacher biß in das 1541. mit seiner {{MarkupAntiqua|Philosophia}} vnd WunderMedicin {{MarkupAntiqua|florirt,}} vnd im selben Jar auch {{MarkupAntiqua|24. Septemb[ris]}} in Christo seliglich entschlaffen:) so er {{MarkupAntiqua|Secretum Magicum}} nennet/ darinn er von dreyen gebenedeyten Steinen handelt/ wie auch von der wahren {{MarkupAntiqua|Materia Prima}} aller Geschöpff Gottes/ vnd von der {{MarkupAntiqua|Metallorum Prima Materia,}} darauß das wahre {{MarkupAntiqua|Vniuersal}} vnd {{MarkupAntiqua|L[apis] Phil[osophorum]}} soll bereitet werden. Dz ander ist deß wolgebornen Graffen vnd H[errn] {{MarkupAntiqua|Bernhardi, p[iae] m[emoriae] Treuisani Symbolum Apostolicum,}} mit dem grossen WunderStein der {{Pagemark|p. 8}} alten Weisen gar artig vnd eygentlich vergliechen/ vnd deutlich erkläret: welcher vmb das Jar Christi 1453. hervor vnd hernacher in seinem hohen Alter {{MarkupAntiqua|florirt,}} vnd vor seinem Hinfahren den gebenedeyten Stein der W[eisen] laut seines selbst eygenen Bekanntnuß noch 4. mahl bereitet. Das dritte Tractätlein/ darinnen auch die {{MarkupAntiqua|Materia Lapidis Ph[ilosophorum]}} sampt der ersten Tinctur Wurtzel gar außbündig vnd herrlich angedeutet/ ist {{MarkupAntiquaSmallcaps|Fratris}} {{MarkupAntiqua|Vincentii Koffskhii}} von Bosen/ Prediger Ordens zu Dantzigk in Preussen/ welcher im Jahr {{MarkupAntiquaSmallcaps|Christi}} 1488. verschieden/ vnnd dieses im Creutzgang in einer Mawr im schwartzen Münchs Closter/ mit güldenen Buchstaben beschrieben/ vermawret hinderlassen. Diese drey fürtreffliche vnnd wol gegründe Tractätlein/ sampt dem 2. Theil dieser {{MarkupAntiqua|Thesaurinellae Olympicae aureae, &c.}} hab ich also in ein Libell verfassen/ vnd solches {{MarkupAntiqua|in tali forma}} vnter E[urer] Key[serlichen] May[estät] hochlöblichsten vnnd mächtigsten {{MarkupAntiqua|Patrocinio,}} wider alle Feind/ Verfolger/ Spötter vnd Lästerer dieser Kunst vnd dero Liebhabern/ {{MarkupAntiqua|in publicam lucem edirn,}} vnd den {{MarkupAntiqua|Filiis doctrinae communicirn}} wöllen: Mit vnterthänigster Bitt/ vnnd in vngezweiffelter tröstlicher Hoffnung/ E[ure] Key[serliche] May[estät] werden diese meine geringfügige {{MarkupAntiqua|Dedication}} nicht allein in allen Gnaden aller gnädigst an vnnd auffnemmen/ sondern auch mich/ als einen {{MarkupAntiqua|Philochemicum}} vnnd beyder Artzney zugethanen/ zu aller gnädigster/ gnädigster/ vnnd gnädiger Beförderung/ in allen Gnaden jederzeit hinfüro allergnädigst/ gnädigst vnd gnädig derselben anbefohlen seyn lassen. Thue hiemit E[ure] Key[serliche] May[estät] in deß höchste {{MarkupAntiqua|Artisten}} vnd {{MarkupAntiqua|Spagyrici Architecti,}} der ein Schöpffer Himmels vnnd der Erden vnnd aller Creaturen/ Göttlichen Schirm vnd Gnadenschutz/ neben glückseliger langwürigen Regierung/ mich aber nechst Gottes Allmächtigen mir in meiner Pilgramschafft reichlich erzeigten Gnadentrost vnnd Hülff/ E[eur] Key[serlichen] May[estät] demütigst in aller Vnderthänigkeit {{MarkupAntiqua|commendiren,}} vnnd empfehlen/ dero ich jederzeit vnterthänigstes getrewes Fleisses nach zu dienen mich vnterthänigst schuldig vnnd willig erkennen. Gege- {{Pagemark|p. 9}} in deß heyligen Röm[ischen] Reichs Statt vnnd Cammer Hagenaw/ den {{MarkupAntiqua|3. Octobris, Anno reparatae salutis {{MarkupSmallcaps|cIↄ. Iↄ cvii}}. sub regimine verò Gubernatoris Olympici, {{MarkupSmallcaps|Angeli Hagith}}, anno centesimo {{MarkupSmallcaps|xxvii}}. &c.}}

E[uer] Keyserlichen Mayestet Vnderthänigster willigster gehorsamer {{MarkupAntiqua|Cliens}} vnd {{MarkupAntiqua|Seruitor,}}

{{MarkupAntiqua|Benedictus Figulus Vtenhouio-Francus, Poëta L[aureatus] C[oronatus] Theologus, Theosophus, Philosophus, Medicus, Eremita, &c.}}

{{Apparatus|app=c}}

{{InfoboxTranslation|Date=2024-01-02|Model=4}} 

To the Most Serene, Most Mighty, and Invincible Prince and Lord, Lord Rudolph II, Elected Roman Emperor, Ever-Augmenter of the Empire, King in Germany, Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, and Slavonia, and Archduke of Austria, &c., my most gracious Lord, &c.

Most Serene, Most Mighty, and Invincible Emperor, my most humble services are at the utmost readiness and utmost diligence of your Imperial Majesty, along with submissive willingness, always beforehand: Most gracious Emperor and Lord: That the highly commendable art of Alchemy is not only an ancient, useful, and wholly salutary art, but also an exceedingly excellent gift and grace of the highest Spagyrist, paternally imparted and bestowed upon mankind, and even today given to a few who attain it through godly conduct and fervent prayer: Thereby not only the imperfect, leprous metals are improved, purified, and brought to their highest exaltation, but also contagious and incurable diseases as described by the Galenists, and their venomous entities, can be driven out of the human body through artful Spagyric preparations, extracts, and oils, and can be eradicated, is undeniable, and does not require much proof, but daily experience clearly demonstrates it in broad daylight, and it is the pure, dry truth, which no one, except a man of abandoned impiety and unbelief, may contradict. And although many scoffers and worldly people speak ill of this noble and precious art, mock, ridicule, and laugh at it, and scornfully harass its followers and adherents, yet the very truth of this art, as daily experience testifies, must remain until the end of the world: And even if there were many slanderers, calumniators, and persecutors, yet God raises all the more excellent heroic minds, who pursue this high grace in the fear of the Lord, defend it, and help promote it, so that such a precious art may be brought to light even more brightly and clearly before the Last Day, and the godless, wicked, blind, lunatic, mad world may have no excuse on that day for their contempt and ignorance. However, Most Gracious Emperor and Lord, since also for a good long time now many excellent, highly learned people have diligently pursued this Spagyric art, publicly and in writing commended, praised, and highly esteemed it for its high, excellent utility in medicine, and the cure of diseases, not to mention the transmutation of metals: As especially the highly intelligent and well-experienced men, the late Conrad Khunrath and Joachim Tancke, both Doctors of Medicine in Leipzig, have greatly merited this noble art, its Truth, Antiquity, and Utility, with excellent commendations and other writings, in the publication of many good, select chemical books, of Bernhard and other excellent philosophers, as well as Johann Thölde, a citizen of Franckenhausen, who has particularly highlighted the extensive Tractatus of Brother Basilius Valentinus, of the Benedictine Order, in his publications: I consider it entirely unnecessary at this time to trouble Your Imperial Majesty with further praise of this noble art, and, like twice-cooked cabbage, to obtrude at Your Imperial Majesty's royal table: Therefore, I leave it at the aforementioned doctors, and other more commendatory writings, about this heavenly high art, and its utility, to rest and remain for now.

Since, however, Elias Artista, whom Theophrastus prophesied about, and Fr. Basilius and Alexander von Suchten also mention, undoubtedly cannot stay out much longer, but is probably already on the way, as a true and undoubted forerunner and precursor of Christ Jesus to the universal judgment to come, who will represent our German Monarch Aureolum Philippum Theophrastum Paracelsum, in Theology of Grace, as well as in Medicine of Grace, and other Faculties and Arts, and elucidate and declare his writings, yes, a true Mysteriarch and interpreter of the Divine, super-celestial Magnalia and mysteries of God, which He has placed in His creation: so the godless, wicked, blind, and in all kinds of sin, shame, vices, and unvirtues drowned and drowned world will have to be frightened and silenced, but the small group of followers and lovers of the noble art of Alchemy, as of the heavenly truth, will rejoice heartily over it, and thank God for such gracious revelation.

Therefore, I also (who, though as an unworthy Tyro, have come to this study, and yet from youth have had desire, love, and not insignificant inclination and affection for it) have a heartfelt, eager longing for the coming, perhaps already present, revelation of this Elias, so that God's most holy, most mighty name, His honor and glory, may be spread and promoted all the more, and the wicked lunatic lust and money-loving world, which loves darkness more than light, may be blinded over the bright, clear shine of this heavenly grace light, which the faithful, kind, and patient God wants to publicly ignite in Germany before the end of this world, and let shine bright and clear, and take their deserved reward for their unrepentant obstinacy of heart: Because they do not recognize or accept Christ Jesus the Crucified, the true light of grace, who has come into this world to enlighten all people who truly believe in Him and are baptized, and to make repentant sinners blessed. Since, however, as a nature-loving investigator of nature and this noble art, during my six-year pilgrimage, I have come across some good, useful writings dealing with the highly commendable, often mentioned art of Chemia, and with the blessed Stone of the Wise, and treating of them, and, to my knowledge and belief, have not yet come into public light, especially in German language: Thus, I have not wanted to withhold them from the sons of doctrine for good, but rather to publish and communicate them partly at my own, partly at others' expense, to give others, who undoubtedly also have such writings, encouragement and incentive to let such excellent, useful writings come to light, for the promotion of Divine Glory, and the spiritual and physical improvement, welfare, refreshment, and invigoration of their fellow men.

Since, however, Most Gracious Emperor and Lord, Your Imperial Majesty of most praiseworthy Christian mildness and blessed memory, Rum and Praiseworthy Antecessores, King and Emperor, have not only greatly promoted and graciously shown this Divine, heavenly, and high art of Alchemy, but also carried a special Heroic Affection, Desire, Love, and Favor for it, and even sometimes engaged in it themselves, delighting and refreshing themselves in it: (For it is an exceedingly lovely and exceedingly delightful study, that one who takes even a little peek through the cracks of the gates into this philosophical secret garden of the Hesperides, as a lover, can never leave it again.) To which Your Imperial Majesty also follows this praiseworthy example of your ancestors with great Rum and Praise, and spares no expense to learn something therein, and to achieve a blessed end: Yes, also so that such Chemical Opera and writings are not suppressed, but come to light for the benefit of all, with Imperial Special Privileges, do and show all kinds of gracious promotion and favor. Therefore, I have divided this small Opusculum of three highly enlightened, precious, highly experienced, and excellent men and philosophers, which I have titled Thesaurinella Aurea Tripartita, into three different treatises, because they are of the same tenor and content, and deal with the miracle of the chemical stone of the wise, left behind in writing by them, thus gathered into a small handbook, and wanted to publish it in such a form for the best of the Filiis doctrinae. The first treatise is by our highly precious Monarch and Philosopher, Philippi Theophrasti Paracelsi, (who flourished in 1530, before and after until 1541, with his Philosophy and Wonder Medicine, and also fell asleep in Christ on September 24 of the same year:) which he calls Secretum Magicum, in which he deals with three blessed stones, as well as with the true Materia Prima of all God's creatures, and with the Metallorum Prima Materia, from which the true Universal and Philosopher's Stone is to be prepared. The second is by the well-born Count and Lord Bernhardi, piae memoriae Trevisani Symbolum Apostolicum, artfully and specifically compared with the great Wonder Stone of the ancient sages, and clearly explained: who flourished around the year of Christ 1453, and before his departure prepared the blessed Stone of the Wise according to his own acknowledgment still 4 times. The third treatise, in which also the Material of the Philosopher's Stone along with the first Tincture Root is very extensively and splendidly indicated, is by Frater Vincentius Kofski of Poznań, of the Preacher's Order in Danzig in Prussia, who died in the year of Christ 1488, and left this in the cloister's crosswalk, written in golden letters, walled up in a wall in the black monk's cloister. These three excellent and well-founded treatises, together with the 2nd part of this Thesaurinellae Olympicae aureae, &c., I have thus compiled into a booklet, and wanted to publish it in tali forma under Your Imperial Majesty's most praiseworthy and mighty Patronage, against all enemies, persecutors, scoffers, and slanderers of this art and its lovers, into the public light, and to communicate to the Filiis doctrinae: With most humble request, and in undoubted, comforting hope, Your Imperial Majesty will not only most graciously accept and receive this my modest Dedication in all grace, but also commend me, as a Philochemicum and devoted to both arts of medicine, to all gracious, most gracious, and gracious promotion, in all grace henceforth most graciously, most graciously, and graciously. I hereby commend Your Imperial Majesty in the highest Artist and Spagyric Architect, who is a Creator of Heaven and Earth and all creatures, to Divine protection and grace, along with a blessed, long-lasting reign, and myself, next to God's Almighty, richly shown grace and help in my pilgrimage, most humbly in all submissiveness, recommend, and commend, to which I am most humbly obliged and willing to serve at all times. Given in the Holy Roman Empire's City and Chamber Hagenau, on the 3rd of October, in the year of the restored salvation 1607, under the reign of the Olympian Governor, Angel Hagith, in the year one hundred twenty-seven, etc.

Your Imperial Majesty's most humble, willing, obedient Client and Servitor,

Benedictus Figulus from Uttenhofen in Franconia, Crowned Laureate Poet, Theologian, Theosopher, Philosopher, Physician, Hermit, etc.