The Hermetic Museum, Restored and Enlarged

PREFACE.

...no error placed, no falsehood joined, so that by this means they may be safe from the wicked crowd of smoke-sellers, for whom deception is sweet. For here indeed all errors are elucidated and eliminated. Wherefore I offer this present book to the sons of science, so that while they are engaged with every thought and movement of mind in investigating nature's hidden operations, from it they may know and perceive the truth of things, and nature itself. In which thing alone consists the perfection of the whole most holy philosophical ART, provided they proceed by the Royal Way which nature prescribes in all operations. As for the rest, I earnestly ask the sons of art that they accept this my endeavor to do them good with a benevolent spirit, and when, by God's will and constant labor, they have arrived at the desired philosophical harbor, they exclude all unworthy ones from this art in a philosophical manner, and, mindful of love towards their needy neighbor in the fear of GOD, with vain ostentation set aside, they may sing eternal praises to the Best and Thrice Greatest, for this singular and divine gift, without abuse, in a silent and piously rejoicing bosom.