Der gülden Gesundbrunnen

For this reason, I have obtained the hidden understanding of these writings. I did so with great difficulty, over long periods, with great diligence and labor. This was not through reading alone. I also worked with my own hands and through investigation. I have found it to be true in practice that the writings of the Twelve Keys a famous alchemical work attributed to Basil Valentine contain the work of the tincture for the laborant. They provide the most certain confirmation, instruction, and the most correct signs. They prove the true understanding of the artists alchemists.

For whatever the Twelve Keys require and treat universally as a general principle in secret, they also treat in the particular tincture a specific transmutation of metals. They contain the same meaning. Therefore, I pay no attention to the chatter of any particularist one who seeks only specific metal transmutations whose foundation is not dedicated to this philosophical subject the primary material of alchemy.

However, through the wondrous granting of divine omnipotence and good fortune, it was granted to me, though unworthy, to explore and gather all the points belonging to this often-mentioned blessed secret original: "arcano benedictum". I found them scattered here and there in the deep corners of the writings of Basilius Basil Valentine.