DEDICATION

...struck out: I consider it entirely unnecessary at this time to trouble Your Imperial Majesty with further praise of this noble Art/ and, as it were, to thrust "twice-cooked cabbage" original Latin: quasi Cramben bis coctam; a Roman proverb referring to a boring or tedious repetition. onto Your Imperial Majesty’s royal table: Therefore, I shall let the matter rest and remain with the aforementioned Doctors and the many other commendatory writings original Latin: Scriptis commendatitiis regarding this heavenly, high Art and its usefulness.

But since ELIAS THE ARTIST The "Elias Artista" was a prophesied messianic figure in alchemy who was expected to reveal all secrets and reform the world., of whom Theophrastus Referring to Paracelsus. prophesied/ and of whom Brother Basilius and Alexander von Suchten also made mention / can without doubt no longer remain away / but is instead already on his way as a true and indubitable herald and forerunner of JESUS CHRIST coming to the final judgment original Latin: Præcursor CHRISTI IESU ad iudicium uniuersale venturi / he who shall represent our German Monarch AUREOLUS Ph. Theophrastus PARACELSUS in the Theology of GRACE, Astronomy of GRACE, PHILOSOPHY of GRACE, as well as in the Medicine of GRACE, and in other faculties and arts/ he shall also elucidate and declare his writings/ and indeed be a true Master of Mysteries original Latin: Mysteriarcha and Interpreter of the Divine / super-heavenly Wonders original Latin: Magnalium; great or miraculous works. and secrets of God / which He has placed in His creations: at this, the godless/ wicked/ blind world—drowned and submerged in all manner of sin, shame, vice, and depravity—shall be terrified and struck dumb / however, the small flock of followers/ and lovers of the noble Art of ALCHEMY, as the heavenly truth / will rejoice from the heart / and thank God for such a gracious revelation.

Therefore, I too (who came to this study as an unworthy novice original Latin: Tyro / yet from my youth have had a desire / love / and no small inclination and affection for it) bear a heartfelt and longing desire for the arrival and revelation of this future / or perhaps already present ELIAS / so that God’s most holy / most migh-