The Hermetic Philosopher, or Master Key

...but yet, until this day, almost no one, or very few, have been found who have understood it. Therefore, out of good intention here—since through my undertaking I seek not my own honor and glory, but solely and alone to promote the benefit of the favorable reader, to help open the obscure meaning of the Adepts original: "Obscurum Sensum der Adeptorum." The 'Adepts' are those who have supposedly mastered the secrets of alchemy and nature., and intend to keep him from the wandering path of the Sophists original: "Sophistarum." In alchemical literature, 'sophists' were fraudulent practitioners or those who interpreted chemical recipes too literally, lacking the true philosophical understanding.—I have wished, according to my limited understanding, to provide a humble reminder and warning in place of a preface, namely:

Since the beginning of Wisdom is the fear of the Lord original Latin: "Cum initium Sapientiæ sit timor Domini." This is a central theme in Hermetic philosophy: that spiritual virtue is a prerequisite for scientific success., just as Christ himself speaks warningly in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter VI, Verse 33: Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you; likewise Chapter VII, Verse 7: Ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you, etc. Likewise Chapter XVI, Verse 24 The author attributes this quote to Matthew 16, though the phrasing is more closely aligned with John 16:23.: Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, then He will