Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum

A horizontal decorative border at the top of the page composed of nineteen repeated stylized fleur-de-lis floral motifs.

This book shows knowledge to the learned original: "Clericis" — literally clerics or clergy, but in this period referring to the educated and literate class.,
But for the unlearned original: "Laicis" — the laity; those without formal education or theological training., it increases their ignorance:
A book that aids honors with abundance:
And a book that drives away the poverty of the poor:
This book is a matter of trust and of truth:
Counsel for kings, and doctrine for high priests:
And a useful book for those blessed men
Who desire to live without sin.
A book of secrets, a book of God's gift original: "doni Dei",
A path for the chosen, and the strength of good hope,
Effective for those constant in firm faith:
Woe to those who do not believe the words of my mouth.
Both the false and the upright seek Alchemy original: "Alchimiam":
The false are beyond number, but they are rejected,
And (alas) so many are infected by greed,
That among a million men, there are scarcely three chosen.
To this science original: "scientiam" many are called—
Nobles and the poor, the ignorant and the literate;
Who will not endure the labor or the time;
Therefore they shall not succeed, because they are ungrateful.
This book sufficiently teaches the Sons of the Art original: "Artis filios" — a traditional term for dedicated practitioners of alchemy who have been "initiated" into its secrets.,
To whom God has freely granted the ability to understand these things;
Believe these four prophetic verses:
The fountain of divine piety gives all things freely.
This noble science is given only to those
Who love justice with a blessed mind;
But it is denied to the deceitful and to thieves,
For because of sins, these pleasing gifts are withheld.