Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition
Nine Books on the Nature of Things
A fresh translation from the early Latin text with annotations and study apparatus
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Facing Pages · Branch 571 of 642
Book 9 · Signature · Passage 52
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 pp. 263–264
Latin
Visiones quidem non absolute reiiciendae sunt. Suum enim locum habent, sed si processu alio fiant. Nec enim iam amplius in prima, verum in secunda Generatione versamur. A nobis ergo Christianis in regeneratione, Ceremoniae & coniurationes adhibendae amplius non sunt, sicut illas usurparunt veteres in testamento veteri, qui in prima generatione vixerunt. Illae enim praefigurationes tantum fuerunt pro nobis, qui in novo testamento futuri eramus. Quaecunque ergo veteres in veteri testamento, seu prima generatione constituti per ceremonias coniurationes, &c. confecerunt ac impetrarunt, ea nos Christiani, qui generationis secundae sumus, in novo testamento agentes, per orationem, hoc est, orando, pulsando & quaerendo, universa per fidem sollicitare & impetrare debemus. In hisce tribus punctis primariis consistit fundamentum omne Magicae & Caballisticae scientiae, per quam quicquid optamus, impetrare possumus, ita, ut Christianis nobis nihil impossibile sit. Sed plura de his in libello de visione & ceteris cabaliae monumentis traditis docere hic desistimus. Eo vos amando, ut videatis, quam mirabiliter Christus Dei filius per suos Angelos in nobis Christianis & fidelibus operetur, & quam fraterne nobiscum conversetur. Unde & nos veri Angeli ac membra Christi sumus, sicut ille nostrum caput est, ut, sicut ille in nobis est, ita nos in ipso vivamus, sicut in libris de Coena Domini traditur.
English
Visions are not to be rejected absolutely. They have their place, if they occur through another process. We no longer live in the first generation, but in the second. We Christians in regeneration should therefore no longer use ceremonies and conjurations as the ancients did in the Old Testament, when they lived in the first generation. Those were only prefigurations for us who were to live in the New Testament. Whatever the ancients in the Old Testament or first generation accomplished and obtained through ceremonies and conjurations, we Christians of the second generation, living in the New Testament, must seek and obtain through faith by prayer: by praying, knocking and seeking. In these three principal points lies the whole foundation of magical and cabalistic science, through which we can obtain whatever we desire, so that nothing is impossible for us Christians. We cease teaching more of these matters here, since they are handed down in the little book on vision and the other writings of cabala. I direct you there to see how wonderfully Christ the Son of God works through his angels in us Christians and faithful people, and how fraternally he associates with us. Hence we too are true angels and members of Christ, as he is our head, so that, as he is in us, we may live in him, as is taught in the books on the Lord’s Supper.
Socrates
Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 9 · Signature · Book 9 · Signature · Passage 52
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Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.About This Reading Edition
The complete supplied Latin–English edition of the historical title, dedication and all nine books, with 363 separately labelled historical marginal notes, 117 modern annotations and the complete Diotimos study apparatus. The transmitted composite work is traditionally attributed to Paracelsus; individual authorship remains qualified.
Historical Text and Translation
The normalized Latin follows the complete 1605 Frankfurt Palthenian witness, volume six, printed pages 198–271, in SUB Göttingen PPN578052199, historical scans 182–255. Earlier textual tradition is German; the individual translator of the 1605 Latin text is not identified. The dedication’s 1537 date is transmitted text, not an established date for the composite work.
About Diotimos Editions
This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.
Rights
The historical Latin text is in the public domain. The fresh English translation and editorial material were prepared with AI assistance for Diotimos Editions in 2026 and are published with the site owner’s authorization.