Basil Valentine: Last Will & Testament (1671)

The Preface.

in my knowledge of these endless mysteries, in the analogy of natural things, and in the improvement and changing of their qualities for a sure and strong upholding of this profound knowledge of the true medicine—according to the ordinance (whereby I am ready to do good to all and every one who desires my help herein), which, as I have done hitherto, my desire is that God would enable me to do the same to my last breath. I say I should never have attained it if, by God’s special goodness, grace, and mercy, several books had not come into my hands, written by ancient masters who departed this life a long time before me. This caused great joy in me, stirring up a return of hearty thanks to God, who was so graciously pleased in His providence to bestow them on me in the cloister before any of my fellows.

I speak it without any vain-glory: I have done as much good thereby to my fellow Christians as was ever possible for me to do, for which, next to God, I returned thanks even to the end of my days.

Now, whereas I can be steward no longer, I have done according as my abilities would allow. Let others also be industrious and not defective in their stewardship. I return mine into the faithful hands of God Almighty and deliver up to His divine power and glory, instead of the keys of the house, all the allotted mysteries set down here in my writing, leaving them to His disposal to bestow after my death upon him whom His divine will shall choose, to be for the knowledge of His praise-worthy name, and for the good and help of those who stand in want of necessities and health, and for the avoiding and shunning of all worldly pomp, pride, wantonness, luxury, rashness, pleasure, covetousness,