On the Secrets of the Adepts

...oaths; for they understand The Latin 'nam intelligere' connects to the previous page. The author is describing the stubbornness of those obsessed with the physical labor of alchemy. among the coals and multiform furnaces that they would rather waste away from hunger than yield from their own imaginations, once these have been impressed upon them as truths. Hence, some of the more learned seekers, ruminating within themselves how rarely and with what great difficulty some of the Adepts Adepts: (Latin: Adepti) Individuals who have successfully achieved the "Great Work," the secret goal of alchemy. attained the Art original: "Artem"; the hidden science of transmutation and spiritual perfection. by the mere reading of books, have thought it a mark of prudence to cast away the authors together with their books. They persuade themselves that by the force of their own spirit and intellect through reasoning reasoning: (Latin: ratiocinando) The process of logical deduction, which the author here contrasts with the blind following of confusing texts., and by trying, repeating, and altering experiments and conclusions, they might find a closer and easier way.

Truly, however, in this very effort they are finally no less deprived of their desired success than a ship's pilot without a magnet original: "magnete"; referring to a mariner's compass. is deprived of a prosperous course. Therefore, such seekers would act more wisely if they first inquired within themselves whether they had overcome all the difficulties facing them before applying their hand to this more secret Art. I would not doubt that more people would listen to the counsel of Theobald von Hohenland Theobaldus ab Hohenland: A contemporary writer known for describing the pitfalls, deceptions, and extreme difficulties inherent in alchemical practice. (who copiously described the difficulties of this art collected from the books of the philosophers) and would avoid it like a plague or something worse than a snake. "For which of you," says the Savior original: "Salvator"; referring to Jesus Christ. The author is quoting the Gospel of Luke 14:28., "if he wants to build a tower,