The Child-Bed of the Philosopher's Stone

...and at the very least to give you some instruction / according to the knowledge / which I was able to draw from the conversation and association with several / who were fortunate enough / to possess this science original: "Wissenschafft"; in this context, it refers to the "Hermetic Art" or the complete system of alchemical knowledge. in all its scope / so that you / if you patiently continue / might reach the goal of your undertaking / if Divine Wisdom finds it advisable / although among entire millions / I say / of the learned / clever / righteous and holy / God has not seen fit / to give this science / except to a few alone. What can we say to this / but that the pious God has willed it so.

Now then / beloved reader / because God is just / and the infallible Giver / turn yourself to him with a completely simple conscience / I mean to say / that the same should be directed more toward God / than toward yourself / for this is the quality of the righteous and holy / to live less in themselves than in God. The Divine Apostle A reference to Saint Paul the Apostle. assures us of this / when he says:

I live / yet now not I / who lives / but Jesus / who lives in me. A translation of Galatians 2:20.

When you have thus set your will aright / and established your conduct in the way of righteousness and the fear of God / then call upon the Almighty for help and assistance / and say to him / if it is his good will and pleasure / to call you to such a high and excellent science / that he [might guide] you in this sandy desert / where no path is to be seen / in the darkness / where you perceive no light to truly illuminate you / and in the laby-