BOOK I.

A ij

they serve for nothing, or for very little in learning: quite the contrary, it is my entire goal to show in few words things that are supported and founded upon good foundations, and based upon very certain experiences In 17th-century alchemical literature, "experiences" typically refers to "experiments" or practical, empirical proofs obtained through laboratory work..

Now it must be known that although many persuade themselves that they can construct this Stone, very few nevertheless reach the end of it, for God has communicated the knowledge of the operation to only a very few, and to those primarily who hate lies, entirely embrace the truth, and who devote themselves to the Arts and sciences, and above all to those who love Him greatly, and ask Him with great urgency and prayers for this precious gift.

This is why I warn you, if you wish to seek our Stone, to fol- The text breaks here; the word "fol-" likely completes as "follow" on the next page.