Book I.

Of the Preparation of a Man to qualify him for the Search of this Tre afire ; and of the firfl Matter {prim a materia') of the Stone.
LESSON i.
The preparation for this work is fimply this : — Learn to caft away from thee all vile affections — all levity and inconftancy of mind ; let all thy deal- ings be free from deceit and hypocrify ; avoid the company of vain young men ; hate all profligacy, and profane fpeaking.
LESSON II.
Keep thy own, and thy neighbours’ fecrets ; court not the favours of the rich ; defpife not the poor, for he who does will be poorer than the pooreft.
lesson in.
Give to the needy and unfortunate what little thou canft fpare ; for he that has but little, whatever he fpares to the miferable, God (hall amply reward him.
lesson iv.
Be merciful to thofe who offend thee, or who have injured thee ; for what muff that man’s heart be, who would take heavy vengeance on a flight offence ? Thou fhalt forgive thy brother until feventy times feven.
LESSON V.
Be not hafty to condemn the actions of others, left thou fhouldft, the next hour, fall into the very fame error j defpife fcandal and tattling ; let thy words be few.
LESSON