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Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition

Attributed to Abraham the Jew

The Manly Hall Manuscript Collection, Volume I

Book of Hieroglyphic Figures

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The Manly Hall Manuscript Collection, Volume IThe Guarded Art · Manuscript 3r · Scan 19

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The Guarded Art · Manuscript 3r · Scan 19

French

Ms. 3r

cérémonies très respectueusement, et s'ils ne gardent sous un secret, et un serment inviolable, le mystère de la science fournaine, que Dieu a bien voulu leur confier; ce sont là les malédictions dont notre juif menaçait ceux de sa nation pour punition du crime qu'elle avait commis en crucifiant son Rédempteur, et dont il est aisé à tous les chimistes chrétiens de voir qu'elle est affligée.

Suivent présentement ses bénédictions et consolations dont il tâchait d'animer les esprits de la nation qui en étaient prévenus; il les avertissait d'éviter toutes sortes de vices, et surtout l'idolâtrie, de payer exactement le tribut aux empereurs Romains; qu'ils excelleraient en puissance sur toutes les autres nations, s'ils attendaient le Christ avec une souveraine patience et une espérance qui n'admet aucun doute, s'ils croyaient constamment les prophéties, les paroles et les commandements, et afin qu'ils supportassent patiemment les traverses, les peines, les langueurs, les persécutions et les afflictions de la pauvreté et du déshonneur.

Ms. 3r

The Manly Hall Manuscript Collection, Volume I: The Guarded Art

Ms. 3r

ceremonies most reverently, and unless they keep, under secrecy and an inviolable oath, the mystery of the furnace science which God has been pleased to entrust to them. Such are the curses with which our Jew threatened those of his nation as punishment for the crime it had committed in crucifying its Redeemer, and with which all Christian chemists can readily see that it is afflicted.

His blessings and consolations now follow. With these he sought to hearten those among the nation whose minds had been troubled by the curses. He warned them to avoid every kind of vice, especially idolatry, and to pay their tribute faithfully to the Roman emperors. They would surpass all other nations in power if they awaited Christ with supreme patience and a hope admitting no doubt, and if they believed steadfastly in the prophecies, words and commandments. He also sought to make them bear patiently the reversals, hardships, languor, persecutions, and afflictions of poverty and dishonor.

Ms. 3r

About This Reading Edition

The first manuscript in the Manly Palmer Hall collection at the Getty Research Institute: the Book of Hieroglyphic Figures, presented in French and English with 463 explanatory notes, 13 manuscript plates, 25 source details, an introduction, chapter outline, glossary, bibliography, and register of readings.

Historical Text and Translation

Book of Hieroglyphic Figures (Livre des figures hiéroglyphiques), attributed in the witness to Abraham the Jew. Getty Research Institute, Manly Palmer Hall collection of alchemical manuscripts, accession 950053, Box 1, Hogart manuscript 3; French witness catalogued circa 1800. Manly Palmer Hall is the collector, not the author.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

The circa 1800 source manuscript is public domain. The supplied 2026 French reading transcription, English translation, introduction, notes, outline, glossary, register, and editorial arrangement are published with the site owner’s authorization. Source photographs are credited to the Getty Research Institute and Internet Archive in the supplied edition.