The preface to the reader

The Preface to the READER.

COURTEOUS READER,

IF this Work made by me in my Youth, when I was hardly fifteen years old, was so generally received and with so great applause, that it was forthwith translated into many Languages, as Italian, French, Spanish, Arabick; and passed through the hands of incomparable men: I hope that now coming forth from me that an fifty years old, it shall be more dearly entertained. For when I saw the first fruits of my Labours received with so great Alacrity of mind, I was moved by these good Omens; And therefore have adventured to send it once more forth, but with an Equipage more Rich and Noble.

From the first time it appeared, it is now thirty five years, And (without any derogation from my Modesty be it spoken) if ever any man laboured earnestly to disclose the secrets of Nature, it was I: For with all my Minde and Power, I have turned over the Monuments of our Ancestors, and if they writ anything that was secret and concealed, that I enrolled in my Catalogue of Rarities. Moreover, as I travelled through France, Italy, and Spain, I consulted with all Libraries, Learned men, and Artificers, that if they knew any thing that was curious, I might understand such Truths as they had proved by there long experience. Those places and men, I had not the happiness to see, I writ Letters too, frequently, earnestly desiring them to furnish me with those Secrets, which they esteemed Rare; not failing with my Entreaties, Gifts, Commutations, Art, and Industry. So that whatsoever was Notable, and to be desired through the whole World, for Curiosities and Excellent Things, I have abundantly found out, and therewith Beautified and Augmented these, my Endeavours, in NATURAL MAGICK, wherefore by most earnest Study, and constant Experience, I did both night and day endeavour to know whether what I heard or read, was true or false, that I might leave nothing unassayed: for I oft thought of that Sentence of Cicero, It is fit that they who desire for the good of mankinde, to commit to memory things most profitable, well weighed and approved, should make tryal of all things. To do this I have spared no Pain nor Cost, but have expended my narrow Fortunes in a large magnificence.

Nor were the Labours, Diligence, and Wealth, of most famous Nobles, Potentates, Great and Learned Men, wanting to assist me; Especially (whom I name for his Honour) the Illustrious and most Reverend Cardinal of Estings: All which did afford there Voluntary and Bountiful Help to this Work. I never wanted also at my House an Academy of curious Men, who for the trying of these Experiments, chearfully disbursed their Moneys, and employed their utmost Endeavours, in assisting me to Compile and Enlarge this Volume, which with so great Charge, Labour, and Study, I had long before provided.

Having made an end thereof, I was somewhat unwilling to suffer it to appear to the publike View of all Men (I being now old, and trussing up my Fardel) for there are many most excellent Things fit for the Worthiest Nobles, which should ignorant men (that were never bred up in the sacred Principles of Philosophy) come to know, they would grow contemptible, and be undervalued; As Plato saith, to Dionysius, They seem to make Philosophy ridiculous, who endeavour to prostitute Her Excellence to prophane and illiterate Men.

Also here are conceived many hurtful and mischievous things, wherewith wicked and untoward men may mischief others; What then must I do? let Envy be driven away, and a desire to benefit Posterity, vanquish all other thoughts: The most Majestick Wonders of Nature are not to be concealed, that in them we may admire the Mighty Power of God, his wisdom, his Bounty, and therein Reverence and Adore him. Whatsoever these are, I set them before you, that you may discern my Diligence and Benevolence towards you; Had I withheld these Things from the World, I fear I should have undergone the reproach of a wicked man; for (Cicero derives this from Plato) we are not born for our selves alone, but our Countrey will challenge a part, our Parents and our Friends require their parts also from us. Wherefore such Things as hitherto lay hid in the Bosome of wondrous Nature, shall come to light, from the Store-houses of the most ingenious Men, without fraud, or deceit.

I Discover those Things that have been long hid, either by the Envy or Ignorance of others, Nor shall you here finde empty Trifles, or Riddles, or bare Authorities of other men.

I did not think fit to omit any thing by erring Honestly, or following the best Leaders, But such as are Magnificent and most Excellent, I have veil'd by the Artifice of Words, by Transposition and Depression of them; And such Things as are hurtful and mischievous, I have written obscurely; yet not so, but that an ingenious Reader may unfold it, and the wit of one that will throughly search may comprehend it.

I have added some things that are Profitable, and rarely Known, because they are most true. Sometimes from Things most Known, and meanly esteemed, we ascend to Things most Profitable and High, which the Minde can scarce reach unto: One's Understanding cannot comprehend High and Sublime Things, unless it stand firm on most true Principles. The Mathematical Sciences, rise from some trivial and common Axioms, to most Sublime Demonstrations. Wherefore I thought it better to Write true Things and Profitable, than false Things that are great. True Things be they never so small, will give occasions to Discover greater things by them. The infinite multitude of Things is incomprehensible, and more than a man may be able to contemplate.

In our Method I shall observe what our Ancestors have said; Then I shall shew by my own Experience, whether they be true or false, and last of all my own Inventions, That Learned Men may see how exceedingly this later Age hath surpassed Antiquity.

Many men have written what they never saw, nor did they know the Simples that were the Ingredients, but they set them down from other mens traditions, by an inbred and importunate desire to adde something, so Errors are propagated by succession, and at last grow infinite, that not so much as the Prints of the former remain. That not onely the Experiment will be difficult, but a man can hardly reade them without laughter.

Moreover, I pass by many men, who have written Wonders to be delivered to Posterity, promising Golden Mountains, yet Write otherwise then they thought. Hence most ingenious men, and desirous to learn, are detained for a very long time (and when they despair of obtaining what they seek for, they finde that they spent their time, pains, and charge in vain) and so driven to desparation, they are forced to repent by leisure: Others grown wise by other mens harms, learn to hate those Things before they know them.

I have divided these Secrets into several Classes, that every man may finde what he likes best.

Lastly, I should willingly pass by the offending of your Ears, if I had no care to refell the Calumnies of detractors and envious men, that most immo[…]esily wound me, calling me a Sorcerer, a Conjurer, which names from my tender Youth I have abhorr'd. Indeed I always held myself to be a man subject to Errors and Infirmities; therefore desired the assistances of many Learned men, and that if I had not faithfully interpreted, they would reprove me; But what I always feared came to pass, that I should fall into the hands of some vile and hateful men, who by doing injury to others, justly or unjustly, labour to win the popular and base Approbation, and Applause of the Vulgar, by whose venom'd Teeth, those that are wounded do not consume, but by retorting the venome back upon them, they overthrow their own Honor.

A certain Frenchman in his Book called Daemonomania, Tearms me a Magician, a Conjurer, and thinks this Book of mine, long since Printed, worthy to be burnt, because I have written the Fairies Oyntment, which I set forth onely in detestation of the frauds of Divels and Witches; That which comes by Nature is abused by their superstition, which I borrowed from the Books of the most commendable Divines. What have I offended herein, that they should call me a Conjurer? But when I enquired of many Noble and Learned Frenchmen, that were pleased to Honour me with their Visits; what that man was, they answered that he was an Heretick, and that he had escaped from being cast headlong from a Tower, upon Saint Bartholomew his day, which is the time appointed for the destruction of such wicked men. In the mean time I shall desire the great and good God (as it becomes a Noble and Christian man to do) that he may be converted to the Catholike Faith, and may not be condemned whilst he lives.

Another Frenchman who unworthily reviled all the Learned men of his Age, joyns me amongst them, and holds, that onely three Physitians, that are his Friends, are Praise-worthy, as the most Learned of all men of our Times; and amongst them he reckons up himself; for the Book is published in his Name, it is a wonder what Inventions that man hath found out to win praise, who having no man to commend him, nor is he worthy commendations, yet he hath undertaken to commend himself. I pass over other men of the same temper, who affirm that I am a Witch and a Conjurer, whereas I never Writ here nor elswhere, what is not contain'd within the bounds of Nature.

Wherefore, Studious Readers, accept my long Labours, that cost me much Study, Travel, Expence, and much Inconvenience, with the same Minde that I publish them; and remove all Blindness and Malice, which are wont to dazle the sight of the Minde, and hinder the Truth; weigh these Things with a right Judgement, when you try what I have Written, for finding both Truth and Profit, you will (it may be) think better of my Pains. Yet I am assured there will be many ignorant people, void of all serious Matters, that will Hate and Envy these Things, and will Rashly pronounce, That some of these Experiments are not only false, but impossible to be done; And whilst they strive by Arguments and vain Disputes, to overthrow the Truth, they betray there own ignnorance: Such men, as vile, are to be driven from the Limits of our NATURAL MAGICK: For they that believe not Natures Miracles, do, after a manner, endeavour to abolish Philosophy. If I have over-passed some Things, or not spoken so Properly of them, as I might; I know there is nothing so Beautiful, but it may be Adorned; Nor so Full, but it may be Augmented.

J. B. P.