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original Latin: "Et quicunque Deum, & Sydera sancta Colit: nam latet impuris, hæc sancta atque ardua virtus."
For if the Philosophers In alchemical literature, "Philosophers" refers to the "Adepts" or masters who have successfully performed the Great Work. had described this Divine Secret original: "Arcanum Divinum." An "arcanum" is a deep mystery or a hidden, powerful substance. so plainly original: "manifestè." that every cobbler, tailor, or tooth-puller—who does not even understand common Latin, let alone the metaphors and analogies of the wise—could understand it, that would be a sacrilege original: "Sacrilegium." and could not be justified before GOD; as Christ himself says in Matthew, chapter 7: Do not cast pearls before swine, and do not give that which is holy to dogs. original Latin: "Margaritas antè porcos non Projiciendas, & sanctum non dandum Canibus." It would also not be fitting for just anyone—running straight from the plow or the workshop—to be able to imitate the Art of those Philosophers, which they sought for nearly their entire lives and attained only with great hardship and labor.
And although some might wish to accuse the Philosophers of withholding this Art out of envy original: "ex Invidiâ.", and for that reason [writing] so...