Epistola de lapide philosophorum (Letter on the Philosopher's Stone, 1559)

which he says to us are treated in those books, to have been the manner of the matter, the end, and the scope of the Art: Not cause obstructing, that others say in new meteorological books, the first subject to those efficient efficient [cause], because in those books it makes? universal and efficient [it] must be considered before the cause. In these matter inspection is demonstration rather, and not in the mode of demonstration?: Because [in] the Subject of seeing? to the end, and demonstration object, affirmation he says from which it is led. The meteorological books, that? of the Meteorologica?, finis which many things [by] men not small concerning matter and efficient [cause] they receive? singular disputes? declare, that from exhalations, and vapors is made all generation in elements: Properly then those efficient causes created dense preceding [it] will have been that from which worlds, superior elements [are] confederated, from exhalation, vapor, through inclination, elevation, or expiration of earth, and water into substantial matter: and again concerning efficient [cause] it must be demonstrated that generation is effected in the caverns of the earth, from the resolution of vapors, and exhalation within them: And indeed efficient [cause] in the superior earth remaining for a long time: Evening [the] years effect that beneath the earth [it is] preserved and other motions from which in that nobler [work] of Aristotle, or similar institution it is seen? they did not do: accurate and distinct in his aforementioned books to us concerning Aristotle in the 4th book author: let them send, here minimally: [to] those which look: and [to] what way in order of doctrine of theirs it is said [that it] is fitting to say first, and afterwards Science. perhaps repeating this order, not concerning the books; that [the] first to learn it will be, nor must they be firmed, nor consist in prolatings, and use: because those serve the art much. cause of being extended: why they used them in this whole end. Therefore when they are granted, that the thing pertains to this art: and that [the] cause among them more often of science is aided [by the] cause of learning, and [that] we must know [to be] cautious [in] this art: then also at all time the greatest way leads us which is through instruments [to] Science: [of] itself proper [things] aiding: and afterwards always, and artificial Science: although if natural Science, in that supernatural, which some of that natural Science, its instrument [is] to be: that since they may know the supernatural, it cannot lack knowledge and the book [is] unique first afterwards it may be determined: These in the four aforementioned orations in antiquity, that and natural, the Artist [is] greatest in knowing causes, and effects