The epistle to the reader

THE EPISTLE. TO THE READER.

MAns Supposition is no positive determination, it being uncapable of preventing future Obstructions, else both this, and the several Books of other Authors, promised thee in my Epistle prefixed to the Aurora, &c. of Paracelsus, and the Water-Stone of the wise men, had ere this time been abroad; Accept of this at present: the rest, yea more then what I there promised may shortly follow: The ensuing Books may serve as a Whet-stone to sharpen the edg of thy honest Desires after a serviceable understanding. Imaginary Suppositions will fail the Confident man in a day of Tryal. Ye therefore that in reality aim at the good of mankind, be as Active as you can in the things which the Integrity of your minds perswades you unto. And those of you that without the base Ends of Honor and Wealth, have a desire to Practise in Medicine, let me tell you, That though our Author hath in many places written obscurely, yet time may Evince to the constant mind, that much of stable beauty lies vailed under those necessary Masks. I would not impose ought upon thee, but lovingly advice thee, not rashly to conclude, that all such things as thou understand'st not, are falsities: Let not the Calumnies that our Author is aspersed withal affrighten thee; for what man ever detected the Fallacies and destructive Cheats of imperious disdainful men, but was thus reproached; and yet the bitterest of his Enemies must acknowledge the Cures he performed were very great, yea, on such as themselves durst not visit. But we will leave them as they are, Hurtful to themselves, and Unprofitable to the Generation they live in: The Archidoxis discovers the making of Arcanums, Magisteries, Elixirs, Quintessences, Tinctures, &c. the Tenth Book whereof hath been Enviously supprest till now of late, It being a Recapitulation and Explanation of the Precedent Nine; both it and all the rest following are choice Treatises, and can speak more for themselves then I am disposed to do. Thou must not think that a bare Study will render thee a Master of such notable things as are therein contained; If thou disdained to do as the Author hath done, thou hast no great reason to expect any Benefit from his Labours; For Diligence and Patience in Manual Operations must necessarily be undergone by thee if thou wouldest be his Disciple; but forget not with all thy heart to mind him in the first place, from whom […] good and perfect Gift descends. I am not forward to perswade thee to these kinds of Studies, unless thou hast a natural well-rooted Affection thereunto; for tis to be feared thou mayest soon faint in thy mind, and be very propense rashly to Condemn the Author thou proposest to thy self to follow, when […]s the sole defect may be on thy part; Thou must not therefore indiscreetly determine with thy self to be aut Caesar, aut nihil; For much time must pass, and many Adventurous Combates must you undergo, ere Nature will admit thee to be of her Council: I deny not but the blessed God of Nature may reveale what, and to whom pleaseth him, nor shall I say, That it is impossible, no nor unlikely but that such as rightly wait on […] Sacred Majesty, may receive far beyond what I mak[…] mention of; For where a sincere prepared heart is, there (if faithfulness be preserved) will a Measure sutable to the Vessel be (in time) bestowed. One thing more I must advise thee of, and 'tis this; Most of those many unusual words which here and there (but especially in the Books of Degrees thou wilt meet with, are Explained in that Chymical Dictionary, at the End of The New Light of Alchimy, &c. Sometimes thou wilt meet with Expressions that are dubious, and therein I will not promise thee thè right understanding of his Iutention, till by use, and in time, thou beest better acquainted with him. Whatsoever thou obtainest by the great Mercy of God, improve it honestly; for mans peace doth not so much consist in knowing and having, as in doing all the good that lies within his Sphere. And so farewel.

Thy Friend, J. H.