THE GOLDEN TREATISE,

ON

THE PHILOSOPHER'S

STONE.

[Large decorative initial T]Both ancient and modern philosophers, dearest Reader, and most friendly seeker of true wisdom, after they had, by God's will, attained the goal of their desire, have always been accustomed to reveal themselves through their writings to their colleagues hiding here and there throughout the world: not only with this aim, that they wished to assure them that God, the Thrice Best and Greatest, had enlightened their understanding, had blessed the labors of their hands, and had revealed to them the most secret and greatest mystery of this earthly wisdom, for which benefit indeed, deserved praises, honor, and glory are due to Him; but also that they might offer an opportunity to their neighbor and to the art-loving disciple, God thus assenting, to attain this most sacred art and its knowledge. Men of this kind have existed in all nations: Egyptians, among whom Hermes Trismegistus uniquely stands out, Chaldeans, Greeks, Arabs, Italians, French, English, Dutch, Spanish, Germans, Poles, Hungarians, Hebrews, and many others. It is wonderful, however, that the aforementioned wise men, writing in different languages at different times, agree so much in their books with such harmony, that it is easy for any true philosopher to recognize that God has gladdened their minds with this blessed stone, and that they themselves have perfected this work with their own hands. But just as truth shines forth from such agreement, so from the disagreement of the pseudo-philosopher and the sophist