Discourse on Curious Matters

essence original: Wesen itself might be? How then
might the Angel have indicated to
Mary that which she
would bring into the world, to
call Him JESUS?

4. Whether it is also God’s will
that a person should seek,
recognize, and find the universal tincture original: Tincturam universalem—the legendary "Philosopher's Stone" or elixir believed to perfect both the human body and base metals?
Or whether it displeases God?
Given that it is alleged that
nothing of it is to be found in the
Scripture.

5. How then a lover of truth is to be
guided to the Hermetic science original: Hermetischen Scienz—the study of alchemy and western esotericism, traditionally attributed to the mythical figure Hermes Trismegistus?
And how he might attain the desired
goal?

6. What virtues are then to be attributed original: attribui-
to the Universal Tincture?

7. If one knew how and
from what the metals were generated original: generiret
in the bowels of the earth original: visceribus terræ,
what benefit would flow
from that?