THE HEAVEN OF THE PHILOSOPHERS

or

THE BOOK OF VEXATIONS

OF PHILIPPUS THEOPHRASTUS

PARACELSUS.

The Art and Nature of Alchemy and what one should think of it. Comprised in 7 undoubted rules regarding the 7 common metals, adorned with a Preface and several other matters.

Preface of Theophrastus Paracelsus to all

Alchemists and Readers

of this booklet.

etc
etc
etc
etc
etc

Beloved and experienced in the Alchemistic transmutational art, and all you who desire to grow rich with many promises, many of you who wish to grow wealthy through the making of gold and silver, which Alchemy abundantly teaches and promises, and who wish to be vexed while occupied with these things, and are not prepared to cease until you experiment what it gives and what it provides of its promises; as daily experience teaches, out of thousands not even one emerges as master of his wish. I would not say this is the fault of Art or Nature, but the ignorance of the artist. For this reason, I will not stuff this booklet with Alchemy, as the common crowd of Alchemists is accustomed to do, with difficult art and prolix labors. (Take Antimony, let it melt with niter and tartar: of this lotion 1, Gold 1, tin 3 drachms. Schlich...