Preface.

the philosophers' stone original: "lapidem philosophorum" (as one calls it commonly) so wonderfully created, and endowed it with such power and properties, the like of which no creature, in the whole world, can be found. And this not only in physical things; but also in the high, heavenly, yes Divine Mysteries, together with other necessary points of Christian religion. Which then are so, and so gloriously and lovely, depicted therein, that a pious, God-loving heart, which understands it, cannot sufficiently rejoice over it, with great astonishment.

Of virtues and worthiness of the blessed stone.

Esdras lib. 4. cap. 14. vers. 37. etc.)
And I received five men, as (the Lord) commanded me, and we went into the field, and remained there. And it happened on the morrow, and behold, a voice