[Marginal notes in the left margin:]

The philosophical stone can still be found even today among a few people.

The author of this work seeks not his own glory, but the benefit and profit of other people.

Those who prefer to seem [to be something], rather than to be [it]. original: "Qui malunt videri, quàm esse."

He has it from experience. Experience is the teacher of things. original: "Experientia rerum Magistra." But in the treatise on sulfur he writes otherwise. original: "Sed in tractatu de sulphure aliter scribit."

[Main text:]

Preface

—but also in these our times, the aforementioned singular, high, Divine Philosophical blessing has not been hidden from nor denied to certain people. I have not found it advisable to add my name here due to special considerations, especially since I seek not my own glory, but desire to serve the lovers of Philosophy with this work. For that reason, I gladly leave their vain desire for honor to those who would rather be seen and regarded as something than to be that very thing in practice Literally "in the Work" (im Werck), referring to the actual laboratory success of the alchemical Great Work.. What I have written here to testify to the indubitable Philosophical Truth, and have summarized in few words, I have taken from experience, which the Most High has granted me through manual labor handiwork The author emphasizes Handarbeit (manual labor) to distinguish himself from "library alchemists" who only read books but never worked at the furnace.. I have done this so that those who have already laid a beginning and real foundation in this glorious and laudable Art might be prevented by this exhortation from abandoning this heartfelt and beautiful practice, and also in this way [be protected] from the great number