Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition
Swipe or use the arrow keys.
Facing Pages · Branch 103 of 204
Preface to the Treatise of Sulphur · Passage 3
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1616 · unnumbered preface 4
Latin
Hanc sylvam et ego transire coactus sum, et illam quoque multiplicare iuvi, tali tamen modo, quod meae plantae veris filiis artis, et huius sanctae Scientiae studiosis, per sylvam hanc transire volentibus, in signa et quasi lumen ac duces esse debeant; sunt enim meae plantae quasi spiritus corporales. Iam enim saecula praeterierunt, ubi confidentia amicorum floruit; et haec scientia oretenus dabatur, iam non nisi a solius Altissimi Dei inspiratione acquiritur; ideo non desperet diligens ac Deum timens inquisitor. Si illam quaeret, inveniet, quoniam facilius a Deo quam ab homine impetratur: ille enim est immensae misericordiae Deus qui nescit fidentem deserere, apud illum non est respectus personarum; cor contritum et humiliatum non despiciet, qui et mei, eius Creaturarum indignissimi, misertus est, cuius potentiam, bonitatem, inexplicabilem misericordiam, quam mihi ostendere dignatus est, explanare non sum sufficiens. At si non alias grates dare possum, calamo saltem non desinam temporibus porrigere ista.
English
I too was forced to pass through this forest, and even helped to make it thicker. Yet I did so in such a way that my plants should serve the true children of the art, and students of this sacred science who wish to cross this forest, as signs, as a light and as guides. For my plants are like embodied spirits.
The ages have passed in which trust among friends flourished and this science was handed on by word of mouth. Now it is acquired only through the inspiration of the Most High God. Therefore let the diligent, God-fearing seeker not despair. If he seeks it, he will find it, for it is more readily obtained from God than from a human being. He is a God of immeasurable mercy who does not forsake those who trust him. With him there is no partiality; he will not despise a contrite and humbled heart. He has also had mercy on me, the most unworthy of his creatures. I cannot adequately express the power, goodness and inexpressible mercy he has deigned to show me. But if I can give no other thanks, I will at least never cease to set these things before the ages with my pen.
Socrates
Reading A New Light of Alchemy · Preface to the Treatise of Sulphur · Preface to the Treatise of Sulphur · Passage 3
Ask about a concept, passage, contradiction, or connection.
Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.About This Reading Edition
The complete supplied Latin–English edition of the Twelve Treatises, Epilogue, Enigma, Parable, Dialogue of Mercury and Treatise of Sulphur, with original preliminaries, John French’s historical English address and its separately labelled modernisation, 101 annotations and the complete study apparatus.
Historical Text and Translation
The Twelve Treatises and their concluding texts follow the selected 1606 Herzog August Bibliothek witness. The Dialogue uses the 1607 Cologne printing; the author’s preface and Alsted epigram use Frankfurt 1611. Sulphur uses the 1616 Munich and Rome witnesses. John French’s 1650 address is separately identified as historical English reception.
About Diotimos Editions
This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.
Rights
The historical Latin texts and John French’s 1650 English address are in the public domain. The new translation, modernisation and editorial apparatus were prepared with AI assistance for Diotimos Editions in 2026 and are published with the site owner’s authorization.