SAINT AUGUSTINE IN THE SWEET DISCOURSES

Book 2, Chapter 8.

Let the Light of Your Countenance be marked upon us, O Lord: For we are not the Light that enlightens every human coming into this world: But we are enlightened by You, so that we who once were Darkness may be Light in You. Know, I pray, O Sons of Men, the INTERNAL ETERNAL, and see and taste how sweet our Lord is. original Latin: Signetur super nos Lumen Vultus Tui Domine... This passage synthesizes several biblical verses (Psalm 4:6, John 1:9, and Psalm 34:8) to argue that human wisdom is a borrowed light from the Divine.

An ornate woodcut headpiece at the top of the page featuring symmetrical foliage and scrollwork with stylized birds or creatures woven into the floral patterns.

To the Most Serene, Most Powerful, Most Invincible Prince and Lord, Lord RUDOLPH II. Elected Roman Emperor, at all times Increaser of the Empire, King in Germany, Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, and Slavonia, and Archduke of Austria, etc. my most gracious LORD, etc.

Large decorative initial 'A' framed by intricate floral and foliate motifs.

That the highly praiseworthy art of ALCHEMY is not only an ancient, useful, and entirely wholesome art, but also an exceedingly excellent gift and gracious present of the Most High SPAGYRIST original Latin: Spagyri. Figulus refers to God as the ultimate divine Alchemist. The term "Spagyric" refers to the alchemical process of separating and then recombining components to reach a higher state of purity, paternally shared and bestowed upon mankind, and is even today given to a few who attain it through a godly life and dear, powerful prayer: Whereby not only the imperfect, leprous metals original German: außsätzige Metalla. In alchemical philosophy, base metals like lead or iron were viewed as "sick" or "leprous" forms of the "healthy" noble metals, gold and silver, requiring a "medicine" to be cured may be improved, purified, and brought to perfection...