CONCERNING SECRECY

[Philo]sophers have well known and left to us
in their writings, that which we
Christians, by right, should highly
note and keep before our eyes:
that which they have written for us—
how the mystery original: "Heimlichkeit," a term Paracelsus uses to describe the hidden, inner "arcana" or spiritual essences of natural things. and wisdom of all
things and arts are gifts of God,
and no one may possess such things
except those to whom God gives them. Regarding the
origin and foundation of their teaching and writings,
the ancient sages have not written to
us with sufficient clarity or understanding;
rather, they wrote only through their sharp intellects
and with long, hidden speeches, in
figures and parables, so that it is not
well possible to understand anything correctly
here in this dark vale of tears A traditional reference to the earthly world and its suffering, derived from the "Vallis Lacrimarum" in the Salve Regina and Psalm 84. until
the time of Grace, through the provi-
dence of God Almighty, which has
come to us: the true light, Jesus
Christ, who enlightens every person
who comes into this world. In this
man, God Almighty [placed] the
great secret of all secrets, in