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The Companion Title and Address · Original
Original English
HAving in our Precedent Aphorisms clearly deliver'd such infallible Rules and Instructions, as are necessary for producing our Grand Elixir, or Circulatum majus, the only real Secret of the true Adepts, commanding in all the Kingdoms of Nature, which will, we question not, be no less pleasing to all other lovers of Sciences, than to our Disciples; and being farther inclin'd fully to inform them, how to preserve themselves and others in perfect Health by obviating any Distemper, that may otherwise overcome them, before they can attain to the Accomplishment of their Desires: We have thought it convenient to impart likewise to them our three several ways of making our Vegetable Elixir, or Circulatum minus, which may be prepar'd, and brought to its utmost Perfection in the space of a Philosophical Month by any skilful Artist, who shall comprehend and follow our certain Directions, laid down in these our subsequent Aphorisms, where the whole Work is so evidently demonstrated, that none, who is ever so little vers'd in Chymistry, can be liable to mistake. Nor do we any way doubt, but all those, who shall with a sincere and upright Intention peruse these our plainly-written Aphorisms, will find themselves oblig'd to bless Almighty God for his infinite Mercy in having inspir'd us to open their Eyes, that they may see, what is requisite for their present Health, and future Happiness, both which we heartily wish to every one, who, as becomes a true Philosopher, unfeignedly loves God and his Neighbor.
Modern English
In our preceding aphorisms we have clearly delivered the infallible rules and instructions necessary for producing our grand elixir, or greater circulated preparation: the only real secret of true adepts, commanding in all the kingdoms of nature. We do not doubt that this will be no less pleasing to all other lovers of the sciences than to our disciples. Being further inclined to inform them fully how to preserve themselves and others in perfect health, by preventing any illness that might otherwise overcome them before they can fulfil their desires, we have thought it fitting also to share our three different ways of making our vegetable elixir, or lesser circulated preparation. This may be prepared and brought to its utmost perfection within a philosophical month by any skilful artist who understands and follows our certain directions, laid down in these ensuing aphorisms. The whole work is so plainly demonstrated here that no one with even a little knowledge of chemistry can be liable to mistake. Nor do we doubt in any way that all who read these plainly written aphorisms with sincere and upright intention will find themselves obliged to bless Almighty God for his infinite mercy in inspiring us to open their eyes. They may thus see what is needed for their present health and future happiness. We heartily wish both to everyone who, as befits a true philosopher, sincerely loves God and his neighbour.
Socrates
Reading Aphorismi Urbigerani · The Companion Title and Address · The Companion Address
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Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.About This Reading Edition
The complete 1690 Aphorismi Urbigerani: historical frontispiece and Latin inscriptions, title and licence, dedication, all 101 grand-elixir aphorisms, the complete Circulatum Minus with its title, address and 31 vegetable aphorisms, and the full explanatory postscript with both printed endings. Original and modern English readings, fresh Latin translations, 115 annotations and the complete supplied Diotimos study apparatus.
Historical Text and Translation
Baro Urbigerus, Aphorismi Urbigerani, London: Henry Faithorne, 1690; with Circulatum Minus Urbigeranum and the concluding postscript. The Getty Research Institute copy supplies the governing images; EEBO-TCP A25684 supplies the structured transcription witness, corrected against those images. The frontispiece signed W. F. is attributed in library catalogues to William Faithorne.
About Diotimos Editions
This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.
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The historical text and engraving are public domain. The EEBO-TCP Phase 2 transcription is released under CC0; that waiver does not cover associated images. The engraving is credited to the Getty Research Institute copy digitised by Internet Archive. The supplied 2026 reading, translations and Diotimos editorial material are published with the site owner’s authorization.
- Governing image witness and historical engravingGetty Research Institute: governing 1690 copy
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