Preface.

it cannot appear as anything other than wondrous to many, just as it is in truth wondrous in all its parts and variations. For wondrous is the high art of Alchemy original: "Alchimia.", wondrous is the First Matter original: "prima Materia." In alchemical philosophy, this is the formless, primordial substance required to create the Philosopher's Stone., that one thing, the hidden Subject original: "Subjectum." The underlying material or "topic" of the chemical work. which we here call Water; wondrous is the origin of this Water; indeed, wondrous is GOD, as the origin of all things; therefore, our manner of writing must also be wondrous, yet to the honor and praise of GOD.

We have stated in this work that Water originated from GOD, but that the Water, by means of heat, entered into Putrefaction original: "Putrefaction." The stage of decay or fermentation in the alchemical process, often associated with the color black (the nigredo), which was believed to be necessary for the purification of matter., became muddy, and from this Water the entire world originated and all creatures were brought forth. Now, an objection could be raised against us, since we have proven from Scripture and Nature that GOD is a most holy and pure GOD, who is separated from all creatures and higher than the heavens themselves, so that before His purity and