(43) Only (Reader) I admonish you sincerely; if you will be not in the Way of the Prodigal, or lost Son, returning to his Father again, that you leave my Book, and read it not, it will do you Harm. For the great Prince will not forbear to deceive you; because he stands naked in this Book before the Children of God, and is exceedingly ashamed, as a Man that is put to open Shame before all People for his Misdeeds; therefore be warned. And if you love and favour the tender delicate Flesh still, do not read my Book; but if you will not take Warning, and a Mischief befall you, I will be guiltless, blame no Body but yourself; for I write down what I know at present, for a Memorial to myself; yet God knows well what he will do [with it,] which in some Measure is hid from me.

(44) "I will not represent unto you that which was written in good and intelligible Latin in all the other written leaves, for God would punish me, because I should commit a greater wickedness, than he who (as it is said) wished that all the men of the World had but one head that he might cut it off with one blow. Having with me therefore this fair book, I did nothing else day nor night, but study upon it, understanding very well all the operations that it showed, but not knowing with what matter I should begin, which made me very heavy and solitary, and caused me to fetch many a sigh. My wife Perrenella, whom I loved as myself, and had lately married was much astonished at this, comforting me, and earnestly demanding, if she could by any means deliver me from this trouble. I could not possibly hold my tongue, but told her all, and showed this fair book, whereof at the same instant that she saw it, she became as much enamoured as myself, taking extreme pleasure to behold the fair cover, gravings, images, and portraits, whereof notwithstanding she understood as little as I: yet it was a great comfort to me to talk with her, and to entertain myself, what we should do to have the interpretation of them."

(30) Therefore I seriously exhort the Reader, and would have him faithfully warned, as it were with a Preface to this great Mystery, that if he do not understand it, and yet longeth and would fain have the meaning or understanding thereof, that he would pray to God for his Holy Spirit, and that he would enlighten him with the same.

(5) Therefore I would have the Reader warned that he be diligent in the reading hereof, and patient so long till he cometh to the reading of the creation and of the government of this world, then he will find it plainly and clearly demonstrated from nature. Now observe:

(96) Therefore observe exactly, and take notice of the order of this book, and then thou wilt find whatsoever thy heart desireth or ever longed for.

(68) "Many more wonders of this holy Art might be added, namely how to prepare therewith all sorts of precious Stones, and other most admirable things, but it would require too great a book to express the whole as it ought to be, especially as the Art is endless and not to be apprehended with one view, and my purpose has been, Loving Cousin and Son, devoutly to lead thee into the Mysteries of Nature and this holy Science, and I have faithfully performed it."

(43) "Although I had resolved never to give in writing to any person the secret of the Ancient Sages, yet notwithstanding out of peculiar affection and love to you, I have taken it upon me, to which the nearness of our relation obliges me, and especially because this temporal life is short, and Art is very dark and you may therefore not attain the wished for end;--but my Son because so precious a jewel belongs not to swine; and also this so great a gift of God may be treated carefully and Christianlike, in consideration thereof I do so largely declare myself to thee.