On the Secrets of the Adepts

ISAAC OF HOLLAND,

Isaacus Hollandus was a name attributed to one or two legendary 15th-century Dutch alchemists whose works were highly influential in the development of chemistry.

From "Mineral Works," Book 2, Chapter 3, page 420. Volume 3 of the "Chemical Theater."
original: "Oper. miner." refers to "Opera mineralia." "Th. Chym." refers to the "Theatrum Chemicum," a massive and famous 17th-century compendium of alchemical writings.

I have spoken to you in plain words, using no parables; if I were to
speak to you of selbach, kalcabria, manessi, and of a certain
red thing, or of blue muerach, illabar and calfaria, or things
of this sort, you would not easily understand; but I have opened
the way for you and removed every obstacle, so that
you may not wander in error.
Words like "selbach" and "muerach" are "Decknamen" (cover-names)—cryptic, often Arabic-derived jargon used by medieval alchemists to hide their ingredients from the uninitiated. Hollandus claims to be avoiding this "gobbledygook" to speak clearly to the reader.

RIPLEY,

George Ripley (c. 1415–1490) was a famous English Augustinian canon and alchemist whose "Medulla" (Marrow) was considered a foundational text for understanding the "Great Work" of alchemy.

Chapter 2 of "The Marrow of Chemical Philosophy."

How those solvents original: "Menstrua". In alchemy, a "menstruum" is a powerful solvent used to dissolve solid matter into its essential components; the term is derived from the idea of a cycle or monthly renewal. might be obtained, which
are oily, moist, sulfurous, and mercurial In alchemy, "Sulfur" and "Mercury" are not just the elements on the periodic table; they represent the two fundamental principles of all matter—Sulfur being the active, combustible "soul," and Mercury being the passive, fluid "spirit.",
well-suited to the nature of metals; with which
our bodies are to be dissolved by art

here

We shall demonstrate the clear Practice.