Preface

original: "xationum" likely "fixationum," referring to the process of making a volatile substance stable and in the Treatise on Minerals original: "Tractatu de Mineralibus", which I have previously released in print. In this matter, many are deceived who presume to make gold and silver out of lead, tin, iron, copper, etc. They do not know that those same metals already possess their own form and perfection, and that other metals must be "imperfect" original: "imperfecta" if they are to be used for transmutation transmutation: the alchemical process of changing one substance into another, specifically base metals into gold.

For the sake of the first virtue, all physicians original: "Medici" should rightly seek with the highest diligence—indeed, all Princes and Lords should have it sought out—so that one might attain the understanding of this Mystery of the Philosophers' Stone original: "Mysterij Lapidis Philosophici". This should be done with earnest prayer to God the Lord, for it is His gift; He allows such a high