LETTER

...most [holy] Name / His honor and glory might be more widely spread and promoted / and the wicked, lunatic atmosphere and money-loving world / which loves darkness more than the light / will be completely blinded / by the bright, clear shine of this heavenly light of grace / which the faithful, kind, and long-suffering God intends to ignite publicly in Germany original: Germanien before the end of this world / and let it shine bright and clear / [so that the world] is brought to mockery and shame / and receives its deserved reward in the unrepentant hardening of its heart: because they do not wish to recognize or accept the true light of grace, JESUS CHRIST the Crucified / who has come into this world to enlighten all people who truly believe in Him and are baptized / and to save repentant sinners.

Since, as a seeker of nature original Latin: Indagatori; an investigator or researcher. and of this noble Art, several good and useful writings have come into my hands during my six-year pilgrimage / which deal with and treat the highly praiseworthy, often-mentioned Art of Chemistry original: Chemia / and the blessed Stone of the Wise The Philosopher's Stone, the legendary substance capable of turning base metals into gold and granting eternal life. / which to my knowledge and judgment have partly never come into public light original Latin: in publicam lucem / especially in the German language: Thus, I have wished to withhold them no longer from the sons of doctrine original Latin: Filiis doctrinæ; a traditional term for students or initiates into the alchemical mysteries. for their benefit / but rather desired to publish and communicate them / partly at my own and partly at others' expense original Latin: meis... alienis sumptibus / to give others hereby—who without doubt will also have such writings—guidance and encouragement / so that they do not bury such excellent, useful writings with themselves / but also let them come to light / for the promotion of Divine glory / and the spiritual and physical improvement, welfare, delight, and refreshment of their fellow man.

But since / Most Gracious Emperor and LORD / Your Imperial Majesty’s most praiseworthy, most Christian-mild, and most blessed memory / the fame and praise-worthy ancestors original Latin: Antecessores / Kings and Emperors / have granted no small promotion and most graciously shown [support] to this Divine, heavenly, and high Art of ALCHEMY original Latin: ALCHYMIÆ / but also