A decorative headpiece features three rows of typographic ornaments, with stylized crown icons at the top and bottom, and a center row of symmetrical floral scrolls.

Preface.

To the Christian, generous

reader, in general.

A large, decorative capital letter 'E' is enclosed within a wreath of leaves, topped by a small crown.

It is indeed evident, generous,
Christian-loving reader, from the
writings of many philosophers alchemical scholars (but not
from sycophants deceivers, who
intermingle for the sake of self-interest
and fame), that they have given the high
secretum de lapide benedicto secret of the blessed stone to the
world to recognize sufficiently, such
that many hundreds of books exist