The Hermetic Museum, Vol. I — trans. A. E. Waite (1893)

I think I may confidently assert that the cost of preparing the Tincture (apart from your own daily maintenance, and the fuel required) doces not exceed three florins. For the Matter, as has already been said, is for most part, very common, and may be everywhere obtained in abundance ; and the /adour is easy and simple. In brief, the whole design can present no difficulty whatever to those whom God has chosen for this purpose, ze, to those who love Him ; but to the wicked it is beset with insuperable impediments. In conclusion, let me tell you that if God in His gracious mercy should vouchsafe to reveal to you this open secret, it will then become your sacred duty to use it well, and to conceal your knowledge from the unworthy, to put a seal upon your lips, and to preserve unbroken silence about it. If you neglect this well-meant warning, you may bring upon yourself the anger of God, and persecutions of wicked men, and be justly punished with temporal and eternal ruin.

• * [f any one seek riches by means of this sacred "
• * Art, let him be devout, and simple-hearted, silent," "and wise. He who strives not after these virtues,"
• * will receive the opposite of that which he desires : "
• * he will be poor, needy, naked and wretched."

AII this, beloved Reader, I desired to enjoin upon you as a farewell admonition. I devoutly hope that God has opened your eyes, and that you have completely apprehended my meaning. To explain the matter more clearly and openly than I have done, I am forbidden by my vow. I can only ask you once more to peruse this treatise carefully, and to ask God to enlighten your understanding.

ZAXDODBONLD/ BOX.

If, after obtaining this knowledge, you give way to pride or avarice (under the pretext of economy and prudence), and thus gradually turn away from God, the secret will most certainly fade out of your mind in a manner which you do not understand. This has actually happened to many who would not be warned.

RECAPITULATORY LINES.

* If you will follow my teaching, and if you are " *a devout Christian man, you may take the"

" *substance which I have before indicated, and,"

• * by following the directions I have given, you"
• * may possess all the riches of the whole world."

To this end—if you are worthy—may God in His mercy vouchsafe you His blessing. This prayer I offer up for you from the bottom of my heart.

IRVASYABNRO

Almighty, everlasting God, Father of heavenly light, from Whom proceed all good and perfect gifts: we pray Thee, of 'Thine infinite mercy, to reveal to us Thine eternal wisdom, which is evermore about Thy throne, and by which all things were created and made, and are still governed and preserved : send it down to us from heaven, and from the throne of Thy glory, that it may be with us, and work with us, seeing that it is the teacher of all heavenly and secret arts, and knows and understands all things. Let it accompany us in all our works, that by Thy Spirit we may attain a true understanding and certain knowledge of this Blessed Art, and of the marvellous Stone of the Sages, which Thou art wont to reveal only to Thine elect, and hast concealed from the world. And so further us with Thy wisdom, that we may begin, continue, and complete this work without any error, and enjoy its fruits for ever with great joy— through the Heavenly and Eternal Foundation and Corner Stone, Jesus Christ, Who with Thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, ever One God, world without end. Amen.

Joshua xxi. 43-44.

* And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which He sware to give unto their fathers ; and there failed not aught of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel ; all came to pass."

Deuteronomy xxxil, 3.
* Ascribe the Glory unto God Alone ! "
AMEN.

UB OSQUOTEIAC C EIWIDRQU PDT. II9
EPIGRAM.