The underlying idea is that since knowledge is a divine gift, the person who has received it has no right to sell it, in part because he does not in fact own it, and in part because doing so would be simony, that is, the sin of selling spiritual goods for money. Late medieval and early modern chymical writers were surely aware of the term’s background. Their use of it both underscores the ultimate source of all knowledge while of course elevating theirs in particular, and emphasizes the obligation to use the gift of knowledge wisely and appropriately.
