IN THE NAME OF-

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST,

BEGINS THE TESTAMENT OF MASTER

Raymond Lull, and first concerning

Theory.

A large decorative drop cap 'D' featuring intricate floral and foliate scrollwork.

O God, YOU WHO ARE GLORIOUSLY OMNIPOTENT, for the sake of loving, honoring, and remembering You, we begin this present art, so that it may be revealed to the sons of truth what was partially hidden from us, and so that it may serve as a completion for them of that most excellent and noble part of philosophy which we shall manifest in this, our abbreviated volume. This science concerns a transmutation transmutation: the alchemical process of changing one substance—usually a base metal like lead—into another, such as gold or silver that is not only perfect, but indeed most perfect, which the sophists original: "sophistæ"; in an alchemical context, this refers to "puffers" or fraudulent practitioners who use deceptive tricks rather than true natural philosophy can never attain, and who without cause defame this illustrious science. For this reason, we leave the aforementioned book to the sons of our doctrine by way of a testament, which we divide into three principal books: namely, Theory, Practice, and the Codicil original: "Codicillum"; a small book or supplement, often serving as a final summary or practical key to a larger work. These three parts are distinguished into four distinctions, which are: circular figures, definitions, mixtures, and differential applications, both for the second book on practice and for the first on theory. This book is divided into four distinctions, and they are first: circular figures, definitions, mixtures, and the different applications for the second book on practice and the first book on theory. In the name and reverence of heavenly power and wisdom, we intend to clarify for you, son of doctrine, the gift given to us through a necessary process, without which there is no full knowledge of that thing which is one, and which is composed of