Text.Alchemica.1625-01.L3r/Translation

Epilogue.

And now, you dear and true children of Wisdom and Knowledge, in all power and glory, the great mystery of the wise, completed by the revelation of the Spirit, of which the Prince and Monarch Theophrastus in the Apocalypse of Hermes says: that it is a singular deity, a divine, marvelous, and holy office, as it encompasses the whole world, truth resides within it, and it truly overcomes the elements and the fifth substance. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man what Heaven has naturally embodied in this Spirit of Truth, in which truth alone stands, hence it is called the voice of truth. From its powers, Adam and the other patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob obtained health of body and long life, and finally flourished in great wealth. Through this Spirit, philosophers discovered the seven liberal arts and acquired their wealth. Noah built the Ark, Solomon the Temple, Moses the Tabernacle, and through this Spirit, golden vessels of pure gold were brought into the Temple, and for the glory of God, Solomon also performed many exquisite works and many other great deeds. Ezra reestablished the laws with it: Miriam, Moses' sister, showed hospitality with it. And this Spirit was very common and prevalent among the prophets in the Old Testament. Moreover, it is the sanctification and medicine of all things, and the ultimate exploration, the last and highest mystery of Nature, that is the Spirit of the Lord, who has filled the circle of the earth and floated upon the water at the beginning, which the world could not have comprehended without the secret gracious intercession of the Holy Spirit, or without the secret instruction of those who know them, because the whole world desires it for its powers, which cannot be sufficiently appreciated by men, which the saints from the beginning of the world have sought and earnestly desired to see. For it goes into the Seven Planets, raises the clouds, dispels the mists, gives light to all things, turns everything into gold and silver, provides all health and abundance, treasures, cleanses leprosy, heals dropsy, gout, clarifies vision, prolongs life, strengthens the sorrowful, heals the sick, and cures all ailments, yes, it is a mystery of all mysteries, a secret among all secret things, and the healing and medicine of all things.

Also, a desirable knowledge and a lovely thing of all things under the lunar circle, with which nature is strengthened, and the heart with the limbs renewed, the blooming youth preserved, age driven away, weakness destroyed, and the whole world renewed, remains of an unfathomable nature, infinite power, and an invincible force and glory.

Moreover, this Spirit is above all other celestial things, or spirits, a chosen Spirit, which provides: health, fortune, joy, peace, love, commonly drives away all evil, destroys poverty and misery, also makes one unable to speak or think evil, gives to man what he desires in his heart, to the pious temporal honor and long life, but to the wicked who misuse it, eternal punishment.

And thus, in the name of the Holy Trinity, with these few words, we solemnly conclude and celebrate the great mystery of the noble Philosophical Stone and the highest feast of the wise.

To the Most High, Almighty God, who created this art and was pleased to reveal this knowledge to me, a miserable, sinful person, through a promised and dear vow, be eternal praise, honor, and thanks, with a most humble and fervent plea, that He may govern my heart, mind, and spirit through His Holy Spirit, so that I do not speak of this mystery to anyone, much less share it with the godless, or reveal it to any creature, lest I become unfaithful to my vow and end, a breaker of the Heavenly Seal, and a perjurious brother of the Golden Cross, offend the Divine Majesty to the utmost, and thereby knowingly commit and perpetrate a mighty, unfathomable sin against the Holy Spirit, for which may God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the highly praised Trinity, graciously protect and steadfastly preserve me, Amen, Amen, Amen.